The football world is mourning the loss of the three-time Brazilian world champion Pele. DFB honorary captain Franz Beckenbauer comments on the death of his companion and friend, and record national player Lothar Matthäus also pays homage to the Brazilian football icon. DFB.de has summarized the most important German voices:
DFB honorary captain Franz Beckenbauer: “Today football lost the greatest in its history – and I lost a unique friend. Born in Tres Coracoes, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family and for all people. One who played with the stars and always on the I went to the USA in 1977 because I really wanted to play in a team with Pelé at Cosmos New York. This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We became US champions together straight away Then he just called me his brother. That was an unimaginable honor for me. Football will always be yours. Thank you for your game, O Rei!”
DFB honorary captain Lothar Matthäus: “He was a great personality, a role model for everyone and, above all, always a person who radiated joy and love and gave so much to football. Also to me. I was able to get to know him for the first time as a child in Herzogenaurach in 1969 He was at Puma with FC Santos and took home my first autograph. The friendship between him and Franz Beckenbauer also brought me a little closer to Pelé. He always had an open ear and was the best on the football field. “Rest in peace and all the best to his family. I’m proud that I was able to meet you in person.”
1st Vice President DFL Hans-Joachim Watzke: “Pelé was one of the greatest players of all time. An outstanding footballer and a great person. Humble, always there for those around him. His death is a huge loss for the football family. Our thoughts are with him, with his family, with everyone his fans in Brazil and around the world.”
Uli Hoeneß, Honorary President FC Bayern Munich: “I will never forget sitting in front of the television at the 1970 World Cup and watching the whole world marvel at this unique player: like from another universe! Pelé was a gift – a gift to the entire football family.”
Oliver Kahn, CEO of FC Bayern Munich: “Pelé is a personality of over 1000 goals – and much more: he has inspired and thrilled generations of fans around the world, on and off the pitch. Even people who have never seen him play live know about his unique Magic. Pelé is one of the few immortals of our time.”
Former international Mesut Özil: “I am sure that Heaven FC with Maradona and Pelé will be invincible forever.”
Ex-national player Cacau: “Rest in peace King Pelé. Although I never met you, you inspired me deeply. Your goals, your joy on the field and especially your attitude off the field, your respect, your enthusiasm and humility. How you face discrimination and have repeatedly shown what you are capable of with your attitude and your results, oh… how you have inspired me. Even though you were compared to many, you never spared praise for each one, that makes you incomparable . I thank you for your legacy.
IOC President Thomas Bach: “With Pelé’s death, the world has lost a great sports icon. As I learned for myself, he believed strongly in the Olympic values and was a proud bearer of the Olympic flame. It was a privilege to award him the Olympic Order. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the global football community.”
The football world is mourning the loss of the three-time Brazilian world champion Pele. DFB honorary captain Franz Beckenbauer comments on the death of his companion and friend, and record national player Lothar Matthäus also pays homage to the Brazilian football icon. DFB.de has summarized the most important German voices:
DFB honorary captain Franz Beckenbauer: “Today football lost the greatest in its history – and I lost a unique friend. Born in Tres Coracoes, Pelé had three hearts: for football, for his family and for all people. One who played with the stars and always on the I went to the USA in 1977 because I really wanted to play in a team with Pelé at Cosmos New York. This time at his side was one of the greatest experiences of my career. We became US champions together straight away Then he just called me his brother. That was an unimaginable honor for me. Football will always be yours. Thank you for your game, O Rei!”
DFB honorary captain Lothar Matthäus: “He was a great personality, a role model for everyone and, above all, always a person who radiated joy and love and gave so much to football. Also to me. I was able to get to know him for the first time as a child in Herzogenaurach in 1969 He was with FC Santos at Puma and took home my first autograph. The friendship between him and Franz Beckenbauer also brought me a little closer to Pelé. He always had an open ear and was the best on the football field. “Rest in peace and all the best to his family. I’m proud that I was able to meet you in person.”
1st Vice President DFL Hans-Joachim Watzke: “Pelé was one of the greatest players of all time. An outstanding footballer and a great person. Humble, always there for those around him. His death is a huge loss for the football family. Our thoughts are with him, with his family, with everyone his fans in Brazil and around the world.”
Uli Hoeneß, Honorary President FC Bayern Munich: “I will never forget sitting in front of the television at the 1970 World Cup and watching the whole world marvel at this unique player: like from another universe! Pelé was a gift – a gift to the entire football family.”
Oliver Kahn, CEO of FC Bayern Munich: “Pelé is a personality of over 1000 goals – and much more: he has inspired and thrilled generations of fans around the world, on and off the pitch. Even people who have never seen him play live know about his unique Magic. Pelé is one of the few immortals of our time.”
Former international Mesut Özil: “I am sure that Heaven FC with Maradona and Pelé will be invincible forever.”
Ex-national player Cacau: “Rest in peace King Pelé. Although I never met you, you inspired me deeply. Your goals, your joy on the field and especially your attitude off the field, your respect, your enthusiasm and humility. How you face discrimination and have repeatedly shown what you are capable of with your attitude and your results, oh… how you have inspired me. Even though you were compared to many, you never spared praise for each one, that makes you incomparable . I thank you for your legacy.
IOC President Thomas Bach: “With Pelé’s death, the world has lost a great sports icon. As I learned for myself, he believed strongly in the Olympic values and was a proud bearer of the Olympic flame. It was a privilege to award him the Olympic Order. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the global football community.”
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