Harvest of tributes as Pele goes home

Tributes are pouring in from the football world and beyond after Brazilian legend Pele died at the age of 82.

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gary Lineker and Geoff Hurst were among those to post on social media after Pele's passing was announced on Thursday following the three-time World Cup winner's battle with colon cancer.

Neymar published an emotional statement on Instagram shortly after news of Pele's death was confirmed.

'Before Pelé, 10 was just a number,' the PSG and Brazil star wrote. 'I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life.

'But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.

'Gave voice to the poor, blacks and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King!

'He's gone but his magic remains. Pelé is forever!!'

Brazilian legend Ronaldo also posted on social media in tribute to Pele. 'Unique. Cool. Technical. Creative. Perfect. One of a kind. Where Pelé arrived, he stayed. Without ever leaving the top, he leaves us today. The king of football - only one The greatest of all time,' he said.

'The world of mourning. The sadness of parting mixed with the immense pride of the written history.

'What a privilege to come after you my friend Your talent is a school every player should go through. Your legacy will transcend generations. And that's how it will stay alive. Today and always, we celebrate you.

'Thank you, Pelé. Rest in peace.'

Mbappe said alongside a photo with the Brazilian: 'The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.'

Cristiano Ronaldo said: '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 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.'

Lionel Messi posted a photo with Pele with a simple message: 'Rest in peace, @pele.' 

A host of football clubs from across the world posted their own tribute messages in the wake of Pele's death, while clubs in Europe held a minute's applause before their matches kicked-off on Thursday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: 'Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped.

'His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world...

'Today, we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and therefore he will be with us for eternity.'

Tributes also came in from beyond football. Legendary Jamaican athlete and world-record holder Usain Bolt said: 'A sporting legend. Rest in peace King Pele.' 

The Wembley arch was later lit up in the colours of Brazil as a tribute to the 82-year-old legend. 

Pele, a man who transcended his sport and was a global icon, learned that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21 and was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas - with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.

Previously he had been admitted to the hospital on November 30 with swelling all over his body and 'decompensated heart failure' before passing away a month on after receiving palliative care.

Nascimento, who had posted before Christmas that members of Pele's family would spend the holiday period in the hospital with him, added three heartbroken emojis.

No details have been made public yet about the funeral, but a vigil will be held at Vila Belmiro in Santos, the city where the great will be buried.