Guardiola with Glowing Tribute Towards Departed Brazilian Icon Pele

• Pep Guardiola likened the legacy of Pele to that of a movie
• Pele, considered one of the greatest footballers ever, passed away on Thursday, December 29
• He won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and Guardiola says football would not be the sport it is today without the great Brazilian

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gave a lengthy tribute to the late Brazilian football icon Pele, saying his legacy could not be replaced.

Pele passed away on Thursday after a long battle with cancer, and thousands of tributes from senior figures in the football world have since poured in.

Among the persons who hailed Pele as a great was Guardiola, during a press briefing on Friday.

Guardiola chose to remember Pele through his iconic Number 10 shirt, which the Spaniard says would not have as much impact in the modern game without the three-time World Cup winner.

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Football

“Before, the number 10 was just a number and after him it became something special. Every top player wanted to wear number 10 in their team. What he has done for football is there and always will remain.” Guardiola said as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

“A good movie”

Guardiola went on to describe Pele’s legacy as a “good movie”, since he already had an impact in football long before the tactician was born.

"These type of players make our business, our work, our job, a better place because what he produced, the feeling for the people, we have seen in the World Cup can change for 48 million people. It's unbelievable."

While he did not get to watch Pele play, Guardiola admitted he was fond of stories of the great Brazilian when he was coming up the ranks in Barcelona.

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Manchester City returned to football action after the World Cup break and have already played two games, a 3-2 win over Liverpool in the EFL Cup and a 3-1 win over Leeds United in the Premier League on Wednesday, December 28.

Martinez back in Aston Villa

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Emiliano Martinez’s return to Aston Villa after his World Cup heroics and controversial celebrations.

The goalie, like his counterpart Lionel Messi, had extended time off club duty for his role in the historic triumph for La Albiceleste.

Since his heroics and subsequent World Cup win, Martinez has been the subject of controversy for a series of uncalled-for antics in the name of celebrating.