source: USA TODAY<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pel\u00e9, a three-time World Cup winner and one of the greatest soccer players in history, died Thursday at the age of 82<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tributes poured in on social media from around the globe, with many applauding Pel\u00e9’s legacy, while also commenting on his superior skill and impact on the world stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pel\u00e9 himself said he scored 1,283\u00a0goals in all matches played, official and unofficial. Other sources have provided slightly different totals. He scored\u00a077 international goals in official matches for Brazil \u2014 tied with Neymar \u2014 according to FIFA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neymar honored his countryman in an Instagram post, writing, \u201cPel\u00e9 changed everything. He transformed football into art, entertainment. Football and Brazil elevated their standing thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will endure. Pel\u00e9 is eternal!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Joe Biden,\u00a0former President Barack Obama, and tennis legend Billie Jean King also tweeted tributes to the soccer superstar. The famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio was illuminated in green and yellow on Thursday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>