Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has joined world leaders in expressing grief over the death of Brazilian soccer legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele who died on Thursday.
In a statement released by the Special Assistance to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday, the President said Pele had an enormous generousity of spirit and humility despite his greatness as a footballer and sportsman.
In a tribute to the football legend on behalf of all Nigerians, Buhari prays, “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.
Adding that, “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. “
Pele, the world’s greatest ever football player succumbed to death after suffering a debilitating bout of 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 the year 2000.
In 2013, Pelé was presented with his Guinness World Records certificates for Most Career Goals and Most World Cup Winners’ Medals.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, during a playing career which stretched from 7 Sep 1956 to 1 Oct 1977, Pelé scored 1,283 goals.
He also has the distinction of being the only player in the history of the game to win three World Cup winners medals.
Pelé was actively involved in leprosy elimination campaigns in Brazil and did extensive work for children’s causes through UNICEF.
Following his retirement in 1977, the Brazilian Soccer legend became an international ambassador for sport, working to promote peace and understanding through friendly athletic competition.