Tributes have been pouring in from the music industry as the world learned that Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento more popularly known as Pelé has died. The FIFA player of the century passed on Thursday December 29 at the age of 82.
Pelé’s long and storied life came to an end at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo due to multiple organ failure.
His legacy within soccer, however, will remain eternal; he is the only player to have won three World Cups, and his name has been synonymous with the sport for over 60 years.
“I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint,” Pelé famously said.
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy tweeted: “RIP Pele. A man with a strong legacy that will be remembered FOREVER. Legends Never Die they are always Remembered in the hearts of the People.”
Dancehall DJ Bounty Killer posted an image of the three time World Cup winner with the caption :
“Everything that we are, is thanks to you,” under an image of family members holding Pele’s hands. “We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.
”Brazilian footballer Neymar said Pelé “changed everything.”
“He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King!” Neymar posted on Instagram.
The global icon was an avid lover of reggae music and in 2014 he tweeted, “I never met their father Bob Marley, but I bet we would’ve had fun together making music and playing football!”
I never met their father Bob Marley, but I bet we would've had fun together making music and playing football!
— Pelé (@Pele) April 28, 2014
Marley’s close friend, Jamaican soccer legend Walter “Cochise“ Cole A.K.A Skill Cole had the privilege of facing off against the Brazilian soccer legend Pele at the National Stadium in Jamaica. The match was dubbed the “Battle of the Giants“ and Pele was playing for the New York Cosmos who were visiting Jamaica. Cole remembers the moment fondly, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer saying he was in awe of Pele, who he considered one of his heroes. They couldn‘t communicate because Pele didn‘t speak English and Cole didn‘t speak Portuguese, but the picture of the two together was heart–warming.
Cole praises Pele‘s contribution to the modern game, noting that his influence will last for generations. Cole himself was the first Jamaican to sign a professional contract in Brazil and made his mark with Santos of Jamaica.
Cole said, “His contribution will last for generations. He has transformed the game, and the beauty about, it he was such a humble person and that’s one of the great things about him.”
