Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi pay tribute to ‘eternal king’ Pele as Brazil icon dies aged 82
FOOTBALL superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both paid their own emotional tributes on hearing the news that Pele had died.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Messi posted a picture on Instagram of him with Pele with the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.”
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It was posted with three photos, two of Messi with Pele, and one of the Brazilian icon celebrating his goal in the final of the 1970 World Cup against Italy.
While ormer Man Utd and Real Madrid star Ronaldo posted a picture of him receiving an award from Pele alongside a touching paragraph.
Ronaldo wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere 'goodbye' to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
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“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever.
"The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
The three stars are widely considered among the greatest footballers ever, along with the late Diego Maradona.
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Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento broke the news of her father's death on Sunday evening a final picture of the legend's family holding his hand.
She wrote: "Everything we are is thanks to you we love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
Pele died surrounded by his family after a battle with colon cancer at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday evening.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team.
