President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other leaders across the world to pay tribute to football icon Pele, who died Thursday in Brazil at the age of 82.
“May he rest in peace. He led a good life and made a huge contribution to the development of global football in particular and world sport in general,” read a statement signed by Presidential aide Garba Shehu.
“He had an enormous generosity of spirit and humility despite his greatness as a footballer and sportsman. He also built bridges across nations, races and even religions. He was a UN Ambassador of goodwill.
“Pele is gone but the world will never forget him. RIP.”
Believed by many to be the greatest ever footballer, Pele died after a battle with colon cancer.
He won three World Cups and scored over 1,281 goals, becoming the original football icon in a long career for which he was named the “Player of the Century” in 2000 by FIFA.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare saluted Pele for impacting humanity.
“Pele’s exploits cannot be forgotten. His successes were not just on the football pitch, they went beyond the pitch into the minds of people because he impacted humanity,” Dare remarked.
“It took a long time for many people to know he was a Brazilian, he was just a citizen of the world. He transcended boundaries and broke barriers.
“It is therefore not a surprise to see this outpouring of emotions at the news of his passing inspite of the fact that he has had a long drawn battle with illness.
“He is unarguably the greatest footballer of all time. May his soul rest in peace.”
Former Super Eagles coach and captain Sunday Oliseh said Pele was his hero and brought joy to billions of people.
“The King Of Football Pelé peacefully passed on today, but his legacy lives on & will never be forgotten nor equaled,” he tweeted accompanied by his photo with the world star at the final of the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia.
“Thank you, Sir, for being my hero, and inspirator, plus the joy you gave to Billions Worldwide. R.I.P King Pele.”
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu described him as “The Greatest”.
Brazil has declared three days of mourning in honour of the legendary star.
