Tributes pour in for Pelé as daughter shares touching final photo with football legend

29 December 2022, 21:47 | Updated: 30 December 2022, 13:32

Stars of the football world including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to Pelé, who died today aged 82, as his daughter shared a moving final photograph with him.

It's thought the footballer - believed by many to be the greatest ever to play the 'beautiful game' - scored 1,281 goals in his illustrious playing career.

The global superstar won three World Cups with the Brazilian national team between 1958 and 1970, and remains the only player ever to do so.

Pelé had been moved to end-of-life care at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paolo after his body stopped responding to chemotherapy to treat bowel cancer.

His agent confirmed today that the iconic player had passed away,

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Shortly after, Pelé's daughter Kely Nascimento, posted an heartbreaking final photo of him holding hands with family as he lay in hospital bed.

"Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."

Tributes pour in across the globe for World Cup great ‘King’ Pele

Brazil's government has declared three days of mourning for the national hero.

News of his death prompted a host of heartfelt messages from fans and footballing royalty.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho posted a picture him with the legendary striker on Instagram, calling him 'the king'.

"In 2005 I received the BBC award directly from the king’s hands, and to this day it’s one of my proudest moments,' he wrote.

"I was so so happy to have him in Manchester where we had such a nice chat and nice time, and even more at a Hublot event where we really had a good laugh. Rest in peace King Pelé and thinking of his loved ones.

"I am very sad."

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A post shared by Jose Mourinho (@josemourinho)

Paris St-Germain and France superstar Kylian Mbappe, who became the youngest man since Pelé to net in a World Cup final in 2018, also paid his respects, writing on Twitter: "The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING."

His PSG teammate Neymar Jr. wrote on Instagram: "Before Pele, football was only a sport."

"Pele changed everything. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people."

He added: "Mainly: he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil raised their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will remain."

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A post shared by NJ 🇧🇷 (@neymarjr)

2022 World Cup-winner Lionel Messi also paid his respects, sharing a picture of him smiling with the footballing great.

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Cristiano Ronaldo called Pelé an "inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever".

He added: 'The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance.

"He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele."

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A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Man City striker Erling Haaland hailed Pelé's influence on the modern game, writing: 'Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP."

Former US president Barack Obama said on social media that the legendary striker was "one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game".

He added: "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."