Tributes are pouring in from the football world and beyond after Brazilian legend Pele died at the age of 82.
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gary Lineker and Sir Geoff Hurst were among those to post on social media after Pele's passing was announced on Thursday following the three-time World Cup winner's battle with colon cancer.
Neymar published an emotional statement on Instagram shortly after news of Pele's death was confirmed.
'Before Pelé, 10 was just a number,' the PSG and Brazil star wrote. 'I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life.
'But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete. I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.
'Gave voice to the poor, blacks and mostly: Gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King!
'He's gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!'
Hurst said: 'I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside). For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.'
Lineker also paid tribute to a player who many feel was the greatest of all time.
'Pele has died,' the former England international wrote. '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.
Pele is Brazil's biggest football icon and the nation's football federation posted a picture of the great man on their Twitter following his passing, accompanied by three crowns to signify his World Cup wins.
Mbappe said alongside a photo with the Brazilian: 'The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING.'
Former player-turned pundit Gary Neville also posted on Twitter.
'Rest in Peace the legend Pele. What a Smile,' Neville wrote, accompanied by a picture of him with the legendary figure, a yellow heart emoji and a Brazil flag.
Tributes also came in from beyond football. Legendary Jamaican athlete and world-record holder Usain Bolt said: 'A sporting legend. Rest in peace King Pele.'
It was later confirmed that the Wembley arch would be be lit up in the colours of Brazil as a tribute to the 82-year-old legend.
Pele, a man who transcended his sport and was a global icon, learned that his colon cancer had advanced on December 21 and was told he would be kept in hospital over Christmas - with the iconic forward needing treatment for cardiac and renal dysfunction.
Previously he had been admitted to the hospital on November 30 with swelling all over his body and 'decompensated heart failure' before passing away a month on after receiving palliative care.
Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: 'We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.'
Nascimento, who had posted before Christmas that members of Pele's family would spend the holiday period in the hospital with him, added three heartbroken emojis.
No details have been made public yet about the funeral, but a vigil will be held at Vila Belmiro in Santos, the city where the great will be buried.
Pele, who had been undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, went into the Albert Einstein hospital in what was an unscheduled visit after being taken by his wife Marcia Aoki and a carer.
Medical staff at the Einstein confirmed his condition of anasarca (general swelling), an edemigemic syndrome (general edema) and even identified 'decompensated heart failure'.
It had also been reported that his chemotherapy treatment on his cancer was no longer working.
He was diagnosed with mental confusion upon entering the hospital in November, where he was restless.
More to follow.
