The soccer world including Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is mourning the sad loss of one of the greatest players to ever set foot on the field, Pele. The soccer legend had been sick and in the hospital for a while now. However, on December 29, 2022, days after Christmas, the sad news of the legend passing away was circulated.
Pele, who is also called soccer’s first global superstar, passed away at the age of 82. To many, the Brazilian was the greatest player ever. He helped to create such an image of the game that more and more people fall in love with the sport even today.
Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him. pic.twitter.com/urGRDePaPv
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2022
However, Pele’s work in soccer did not just end with him being a great player. He was a wonderful ambassador for the game and a cultural icon. It is a testament to his greatness that every young and old soccer star is mourning his loss.
From 1966 World Cup winner, 85-year-old, Bobby Charlton to 2018 World Cup winner, 24-year-old, Kylian Mbappe has mourned the loss of the icon. Former U.S. President Barack Obama also joined in on giving his tributes.
Erling Haaland pays ultimate respect to Pele following the legend’s death
Norwegian forward Haaland also paid his respects to the legend of the game. He tweeted as well as put up the text on his Instagram story saying, “Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP”
Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️🤴🏿 pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022
Pele has been credited for doing everything first. Every trick a youngster does on the field somehow traces back to Pele doing it the first time. From the ‘Ronaldo chop’ to the ‘Johan Cryuff turn’ it was all done by Pele first.
Manchester City also paid their respects to the Brazilian legend. City’s official account tweeted, “Manchester City are saddened to learn of the passing of Brazil legend Pelé, one of the all-time greats who did so much for the beautiful game. May he rest in peace.”
Pele is certainly the greatest player to play in the FIFA World Cup. He helped Brazil win the tournament in 1958 in Sweden. Then repeated the feat next World Cup in 1962 in Chile, and eight years later, again in 1970 in Mexico. He played for Brazil 92 times and scored 77 goals in the green and yellow.
The Brazilian received many awards during his glittering life. He was the joint recipient of FIFA’s Player of the 20th century with Maradona. In 2000, he received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2014, he was given FIFA’s first-ever Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur.