The sporting world mourns the loss of the perfect 10, Pelé

Tributes have been flooding in to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, AKA Brazilian footballing legend Pelé who died yesterday aged 82 from cancer. He is the only player to have won the World Cup three times - in 1958, 1962 and 1970 when he was the undisputed star of the tournament in Mexico.

Born in 1940, he was the finest centre-forward of his generation and played 92 times for Brazil between 1957 and 1971, finding the back of the net on 77 occasions. His career 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies, is another world record.

He scored 618 times in 636 games for his Brazilian club side Santos and then dazzled from 1975-1977 at New York Cosmos. One of those games took place in 1972 at Dalymount Park when a touring Santos took on a League of Ireland XI, winning the match 3-2. There are famous pictures of him surrounded by kids and signing autographs on O'Connell Street.

In an immediate tribute, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio was lit with the colours of the Brazilian shirt.

Speaking for many, his fellow Brazilian Neymar last night messaged: "Before Pele, 10 was just a number. Before Pele, football was just a sport. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to blacks, and visibility to Brazil. He is gone, but his magic remains. Pele is FOREVER.”

Closer to home, Paul McGrath said: "Saddened to hear the news - one of my heroes. RIP Pelé."

Here's a selection of the other tributes to the perfect 10:

Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. 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. pic.twitter.com/urGRDePaPv

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2022

Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️🤴🏿 pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022

O Rei. One of the greatest of all time. You will be a legend forever. RIP Pele 👑🙏 pic.twitter.com/BU9JIw4Djr

— Luka Modrić (@lukamodric10) December 30, 2022

This proves PELE was the greatest folks pic.twitter.com/gMwrcraVnh

— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) December 30, 2022

It was a pleasure to share this passion with you my Friend @Pele

Rest in Peace Legend 🌹🙏 pic.twitter.com/FmOiBqI0zX

— Roger Milla (@roger_milla_9) December 30, 2022

Dear Edson, you have brought such joy to the world during your exhilarating career and have always remained a model of enthusiasm, positivity, loyalty, and passion. You have been and forever will be a beacon of light, representing the pinnacle of sportsmanship. #Pele pic.twitter.com/YwD1xvGyXm

— Andrea Bocelli (@AndreaBocelli) December 30, 2022

Eddie Howe on the passing of Pelé:

"In my era, you grew up knowing of Pelé and thinking of him as the best player the world has ever seen. It's very sad, whenever an icon passes away it's a very sad moment for football. He's certainly well remembered around the world." pic.twitter.com/D3kh773KPj

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 30, 2022

Pelé signing autographs on O'Connell Street in February 1972 before his club Santos played an exhibition game in Dalymount Park against a Drumcondra/Bohs selection in front of 30k expectant fans. The game ended 2-3 in favour of the Brazilians. 🇧🇷 #pele pic.twitter.com/Q4ReSQhoNC

— Éire Guide (@eireguide) December 30, 2022