Pele was hailed by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday as a "source of inspiration for so many millions".

Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi bid Brazilian football hero Pele farewell on Instagram Thursday, posting photos of himself and "The King" taken in happier times.

France star Kylian Mbappe said on Thursday that Pele's legacy "will never be forgotten" after the Brazil legend died at the age of 82.

Football legend Pele, who died Thursday at the age of 82, "transformed football into an art," said Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar in a tribute to his country's greatest sporting icon.

Pele, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, died aged 82 on Thursday in his native Brazil.

Factfile on Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer who died on Thursday:

Pele burst onto the global stage at just 17 with dazzling goals as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time in Sweden in 1958.

"I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint."

Pele was the best-loved footballer of his or any other generation, the eternal master of the beautiful game.

Pele, the legendary Brazilian soccer player who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died on Thursday at the age of 82.

On a visit to the Pele Museum in Brazil’s seaside city of Santos, Sergio Murillo Junior says he’s sad to see the football legend’s health deteriorate, but adds “I am proud of the legacy he left us.”

Pele, the legendary Brazilian soccer player who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died yesterday at the age of 82.

English Premier League giants Chelsea have reportedly come out to be the frontrunners in the race to sign one of the hottest midfield sensations to have come out of the World Cup in Qatar, Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, English Daily The Sun reported on Thursday.

Manager Juergen Klopp heaped praise on new signing Cody Gakpo's potential, adding that the Premier League club had got their timing just right to secure the signature of the highly sought-after Dutch forward.

England right back Reece James described 2022 as the "toughest year to date" on Wednesday after he picked up a fresh injury that will rule him out for a month during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

 Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is not at his best and can get even better despite the Norwegian becoming the fastest player to reach 20 goals in Premier League history during his side's 3-1 win at Leeds United.

 Dutch forward Cody Gakpo said he was persuaded to join Liverpool by Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk, who also plays at the Premier League club.

Kylian Mbappe said he will never get over the disappointment of losing the World Cup final after the France star scored the winner on his return to action for Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Cody Gakpo, subject to a work permit, on Wednesday with the Dutch international forward joining from PSV Eindhoven.

Erling Haaland lamented not scoring five times in the city of his birth as the Norwegian struck twice in Manchester City's 3-1 win at Leeds to lift them back up to second in the Premier League.