President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday joined others to express grief over the death of Brazilian soccer legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari recalled some of the moments in history that defined Pele’s indelible contributions to the world of soccer.
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 a tribute to the football legend on behalf of all Nigerians, President Buhari said: “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.
“He had an enormous generosity of spirit and humility despite his greatness as a footballer and sportsman.
“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.”
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
