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'Rest in peace King Pele': Cristiano Ronaldo's heartfelt tribute to football legend

Countless football players and scores of celebrities are joining Pele's daughter, Kelly Nascimento, in sharing emotional tributes following the tragic death

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Cristiano Ronaldo has paid his tributes in a heartfelt Instagram note on the sad demise of Brazil's football legend Pele. The Portuguese soccer star sent his 'condolences' to Pele's family before adding that he "reciprocated" all the affection Pele had offered him during his career. Pele died at the age of 82 battling colon cancer.

Countless football players and scores of celebrities are joining Pele's daughter, Kelly Nascimento, in sharing emotional tributes following the tragic death on Thursday, December 29. "My deep condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Edson Arantes do Nascimento," Cristiano Ronaldo in his tribute to the soccer legend wrote in his Instagram while also sharing a picture with the icon. 

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Ronaldo further wrote, " A mere "goodbye" to the "eternal King Pele" will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing." Cristiano said Pele was an inspiration to many millions whose memory will live forever. "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" 

The three-time World Cup winner notched 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country, with his record only recently being matched by current talisman Neymar at the Qatar World Cup, the Daily Mail wrote. Pele and Cristiano shared an amicable relationship, earlier the Brazil icon told Ronaldo he was looking forward to seeing him after receiving a special prize from FIFA for breaking the international goalscoring record. "I’m looking forward to meeting you in person to give you my hug. I recorded this message with great care. See you soon." the outlet noted.

Several of the game's most prominent figures - both past and present - have joined Pele's daughter in paying tribute to the iconic football star. Before that Brazilian Government also led the tributes by stating, "Pelé. Champion of champions, a living legend of our lifetime. Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it; the epic number 10 shirt, immortalized by his genius." Gary Lineker has also paid tribute to a player saying, "Pele has died. The most divine of footballers and joyous of men. He played a game only a few chosen ones have come close to. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. He may have left us but he’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele." Marcus Rashford simply said: 'Rest easy king', along with a picture of Pele with the World Cup trophy. "Thank you, Pele! For so much joy you gave us!" Samba star Zeca Pagodinho wrote.

Pelé’s former club Santos Tweeted an image of a crown alongside a single word: “Eternal”. My friend Edson is gone!! What a sadness! But Pele, no!! Pele is eternal!! King Pele!! One and only!! Brazil’s most famous football commentator Galvão Bueno tweeted: “My friend Édson has gone!! ... But not Pelé!! Pelé is eternal!!”