A NUMBER OF FORMER AND CURRENT Irish footballers have offered their tributes and respects to the late Brazilian legend Pele, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 82 in Brazil .
The three-time World Cup winner died due to multiple organ failures, a complication of his colon cancer.
Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento posted on Instagram yesterday: "We are thankful to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
Known to many as the undisputed king of football for his exploits at major tournaments,
Pele is Brazil's joint all-time record scorer and won three World Cups as a player, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, over a 14-year international career that included 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country.
A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.
Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022
Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games for Santos from 1957 to 1977, although club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
Tributes from footballers past and present have been sent to the family after his passing last night. These include the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel, Messi, Robbie Keane, Paul McGrath, Liam Brady, and the likes of Bobby Charlton.
Brady,who met Pele for a centenary game in 1987 said today on RTÉ's Morning Ireland: "In 1987, myself and Paul McGrath were picked to play for the Football League against the Rest of the World for the Football League centenary, and Pele was the guest of honour and came around to shake our hands before the games.
"So it was very sad to hear the news (about his death). The king of football has passed."
Former Ireland striker Robbie Keane posted a number of Instagram stories of him meeting the Brazil legend.
Keane also shared a video from Pele wishing him well in retirement
Whilst Paul McGrath said: "Saddened to hear the news, one of my Hero’s. RIP Pelé"
For funeral arrangements, Santos, his old club, have stated that the three-time World Cup champion will leave Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo early Monday morning and will be placed in the centre circle of the field, in the ground where he became so famous.
Visitation will start Monday at 10 a.m. and finish the next day at the same time.
Pelé's casket will then be carried through the streets of Santos and will pass in front of the home of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste. The burial will take place at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica, a vertical cemetery in Santos.
Saddened to hear the news, one of my Hero’s. RIP Pelé 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/e3Qn5Nf77B
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) December 29, 2022
