"Before Pele, Soccer Was... Just a Simple Sport"

Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo, and Other Top Players' Tribute Messages

Messages of condolence from the world's top active football players continue to pour in following the passing of the 'Football Emperor' Pel?.

Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), the ace of the Brazil national football team, mourned on June 30 (Korean time) by posting photos with Pel? on his Instagram.

Neymar wrote, "Before Pel?, the number '10' was just a number. I saw this phrase somewhere, but this beautiful sentence is incomplete. I want to say that 'before Pel?, football was simply a sport.'"

Neymar currently wears the number 10 jersey for the Brazil national team, the same number Pel? wore in the past.

He emphasized, "Pel? changed everything. He transformed football into art and entertainment."

Continuing, Neymar said, "Pel? especially raised his voice for the poor and black people. Football and Brazil were able to elevate their status thanks to the 'King.' He has left us, but the magic he left behind will remain. Pel? is eternal!" he honored the late legend.

Brazil national football team ace Neymar (right) is shedding tears immediately after losing to Croatia in a penalty shootout in the 2022 Qatar World Cup quarterfinals on the 9th.

Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and 'summoned' Pel? in several records, also posted a photo with Pel? on Instagram, writing, "Rest in peace."

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (unaffiliated) mourned, "Simply saying 'goodbye' to the eternal king Pel? would be insufficient to express the pain engulfing the entire football world right now. He inspired countless people and has always been the standard yesterday, today, and forever."

Ronaldo added, "He will never be forgotten, and the memory of him will remain with all of us forever."

Kylian Mbapp? (Paris Saint-Germain), the top scorer of the Qatar World Cup (8 goals) from France, also expressed his condolences, saying, "The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten."

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) posted on social media, "Heaven has gained a new star, and the football world has lost a hero," along with a photo of Pel?.

Meanwhile, the F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) changed the main page of its website to a black-and-white photo of Pel? holding the World Cup and highlighted his achievements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.