World sports figures
Pele’s death this Thursday, at 82 years of age, unleashed a flood of reactions beyond soccer and even beyond sport, with the recognition of other world figures in different disciplines such as Rafa Nadal, Pau Gasol, Marc Marquez and Usain Bolt. SOURCE: (EUROPA PRESS)
Tributes to the myth
O Rei’ passed away in Sao Paulo after a month in hospital due to the progress of the colon cancer he had been fighting for more than a year. With the news of his death, the tributes to the soccer legend followed one after the other, as they will continue in the coming days.
Great footballer
In addition to the world’s great footballers such as Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappé or Neymar, the remembrance was extended to other sports.
Rafa Nadal: His legacy will always remain»
Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal left an emotional message on his Twitter account. «Today a great of world sport is gone again. A sad day for the world of soccer, for the world of sport. His legacy will always remain,» he wrote. «I didn’t see him play, I wasn’t that lucky, but I was always taught and told that he was the king of soccer,» added a Nadal who is in Australia to play the United Cup.
Pau Gasol and Usaín Bolt
Similarly, former Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol referred to Pelé’s death with «rest in peace», while Jamaican Bolt, king of sprinting and eight-time Olympic champion, defined the Brazilian as a «legend of the sport», in another message on Twitter with a photo of himself with ‘O Rei’.
Lewis Hamilton: «Inspiration and love»
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton also echoed the news by posting Pelé’s own social media message: «Inspiration and love marked the path of ‘O Rei’ Pelé, who passed away peacefully today. Love, love and love, forever.»
Marc Márquez: «Obrigado Pelé»
Another champion and great of his sport, Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Márquez, paid tribute to the three-time world champion with an «Obrigado Pelé».
