Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has paid tribute to Brazilian icon Pele, after his death yesterday.
The three-time World Cup winner passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday following a battle with colon cancer. And Liverpool’s No.3 was quick to pay tribute to one of football’s most enduring figures.
“His legacy will be eternal. Thank you, Pele. Rest in peace, King!” wrote Fabinho on Instagram, alongside a picture of the legend cradling a golden football.
As a true national icon, Pele’s death will hit hard in Fabinho’s homeland of Brazil. One of, if not the greatest player of all time, his legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, Pele.
Farewell to one of the best to ever do it
As with Maradona two years ago, Pele’s death has united the world of football in grief for one of it’s most recognisable faces.
This has included condolences from others of a Liverpool persuasion, too. Like Fabinho, Jamie Carragher also took to Instagram to post some kind words for the departed ‘King.’
“Football has lost one of the Gods of the game, Pele was an absolute icon to every football fan world wide. RIP,” wrote the Reds legend.
Amen to that, Carra. Before Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Ronaldo and all the rest, there was Pele. The first true global footballing superstar, he is still the benchmark for all great players to weigh their achievements against.
It’s unlikely that any will ever equal his record of three World Cup winners medals, though. Pele won titles with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He was undoubtedly helped by having some truly magical players around him, that’s for sure. But there’s no chance that the Selecao would have won that hat-trick without the brilliance of Pele. The striker was their talisman and figurehead.
There have been many attempts at filling Pele’s shoes for the national team. But despite the success of those such as Ronaldo in the No.9 shirt, no one has ever, or perhaps will ever, live up to the legend’s almost mythical No.10.
Should anyone manage that impossible task, then we’ll be witnessing greatness to a degree never before seen. For now though, you get the feeling that we won’t see the likes of Pele ever again.
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