Grieved by the death of football legend, Pele, football icons have been reacting to the sad development.
Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, on Thursday night reacted to the death of the Brazilian football legend.
Pele’s family announced his death in a post via the football icon’s official Instagram account on Thursday.
Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele had been receiving regular treatment from doctors ever since undergoing surgery to have a tumour on his colon removed in September 2021.
The 82-year-old was readmitted to hospital towards the end of 2022.
Reacting, Messi, in a post via his Instagram account posted a picture of him and Pele in a suit and wrote: “Rest in peace, @pele“
On his part, Former Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, wrote “My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration to so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever. The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from a distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pelé.”