Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola paid a lengthy tribute to the late Brazilian football icon Pele, saying his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats will be eternal.
Pele, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, led Brazil to an unprecedented three World Cup victories and was named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000.
Tributes have since poured in for the former Santos striker, and outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has declared a three-day period of mourning in his honour.
Guardiola is one of the latest names to pay tribute to Pele and believes that the Brazilian’s footballing legacy “will be eternal”.
During a press conference on Friday, according to mancity.com, Guardiola said: “I send the biggest condolences to his family and friends on behalf of Manchester City.
“Football is football thanks to these types of people, players and human beings. “I think Neymar said it, before the No.10 was just a number and after it became something special – every top player wants to wear it for their team. What he has done for football is there and always will remain.
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“He didn’t just win three World Cups – it was a new thing when he came up. I was not born when he was playing but it’s like a good movie, no?
“The legacy after many years is still there. We are still talking all these years later. Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, [Lionel] Messi, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Cristiano Ronaldo – these players will be forever, will be eternal.
Guardiola added: “What he produced; we have seen with the World Cup one team can change everything for a country of millions of people.
“His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”
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