Reaction to the death of Brazil soccer great Pele

Brazil soccer great Pele died on Thursday, aged 82, after a long battle with cancer. Following are reactions to his death:

BRAZIL FORWARD NEYMAR

Before Pele, "10" was just a number.

I read that phrase somewhere, at some point in my life.

But that phrase, beautiful, is incomplete.

I'd say before Pele, football was just a sport.

Pele changed everything.

He turned football into art, into entertainment.

He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially:

It gave visibility to Brazil.

Football and Brazil have elevated their status thanks to the King!

He's gone, but his magic will remain.

Pele is ETERNAL!!

BRAZIL CAPTAIN THIAGO SILVA, ON INSTAGRAM

Rest in peace 'Rei' (King), God bless all his family"

BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION

"Pele was much more than the greatest sportsman of all time. The King of Soccer was the ultimate exponent of a victorious Brazil, never afraid of any difficulty. A black, poor boy born in Tres Coracoes, Pele showed us that there is always a new path. He promised his father he would win a World Cup and he won us three, in addition to scoring 95 goals in 113 games with Brazil's national team. The King gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy. Thank you, Pele."

THE PELE FOUNDATION

Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.

His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.

Love, love and love, forever.

ARGENTINA PRESIDENT ALBERTO FERNANDEZ

"One of the greatest footballers in history has left us. We will always remember those years when Pele