The world is mourning after footballing maestro Pele’s passing away – tennis legend Roger Federer shared his tribute for the Brazilian star.
Pele, aged 82, breathed his last on Thursday. He rose from the depths of poverty to the pinnacle of success as a footballer. Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital, where Pele was undergoing treatment, said he died “due to multiple organ failures resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous medical condition.”
The demise of the only man to win the football World Cup thrice has left the whole world in disbelief and grief. The phenomenal athlete was loved across generations and nations. The government of President Jair Bolsonaro declared three days of mourning in Brazil. He said in a statement that Pele was “a great citizen and patriot, raising the name of Brazil wherever he went.”
Bolsonaro leaves office on Sunday and his place will be taken by President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wrote on Twitter: “Few Brazilians carried the name of our country as far as he did.”
Roger Federer, who had the privilege of meeting Pele a few years ago shared a picture of their meeting on Instagram and wrote a heartfelt caption for the footballer. The 20-time Grand Slam winner mentioned how Pele inspired millions of sports fans and athletes. He also considers himself special for having met Pele in his life.
“Thank you for inspiring millions of sports fans and athletes. I count myself so fortunate to have met you and gotten a chance to learn and look up to you. You were one of the first true global sporting icons.
Rest in peace King Pele 🙏🏼”
It is always a great moment for fans when they see two top players from different sports meet and greet each other.
Federer and Pele are undoubtedly two of the greatest players of their respective sports. They met each other in 2012. Federer traveled to Brazil for a sponsor.
“That was a big moment for me in my life. It was surreal. I’m really grateful that I had this opportunity,” Federer had described the meeting at that time.
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