Video of Pele playing head tennis with Maradona resurfaces as tributes pour in for World Cup winner
An incredible clip showing Pelé doing headers with Diego Maradona has resurfaced online following his death.
The Brazilian footballing legend scored an unbelievable 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career - and his skills remained evident even after his retirement, as this clip shows, with Maradona telling him: "A dream of mine is to do a couple of headers with you.":
Pelé’s impressive achievements don’t end there either, as he was the only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times - in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
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The football icon passed away today (29 December) aged 82, his agent confirmed: "Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love and love, forever."
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation said: "Pelé was much more than the greatest sportsperson of all time.
"Our king of football was the greatest exponent of a victorious Brazil, who was never afraid when faced with difficulty. He promised his father a World Cup and he presented us with three.
"The King gave us a new Brazil and we are so thankful for his legacy. Thank you, Pelé."
Tributes have been pouring in since the sad news was announced, with numerous footballers, celebrities and even politicians paying their respects.
In a statement, the FA said: “Everyone who loves football, loves Pelé. His unique talent lit up the game, and inspired the world.
“Our thoughts are with his family, the Brazil Football Confederation and the Brazilian people.”
Neymar, who now wears Brazil’s No 10, made famous by Pelé, posted on Instagram: “Before Pelé, ‘10’ was just a number. 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. He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He 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!!”
The Brazilian government tweeted: "Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it."
Cristiano Ronaldo took to social media to write: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento. A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that currently embraces the entire world of football.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference from yesterday, today, forever. The affection he always showed for me was reciprocal in every moment we shared, even from a distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pelé.”
While recent World Cup winner Lionel Messi shared several photos of himself and Pelé on Instagram and wrote simply: "Rest in peace."
Topics: Sport, World News, Football
Claire Reid