Eternal King: Messi, Neymar Lead PSG Stars to Honour Departed Football Icon Pele

• Lionel Messi and Neymar inspired Paris Saint-Germain stars to pay respects to Pele
• The Brazilian footballer, among the GOATs, died on December 29 last year at 82 years
• Many tributes took place around the world to honour the three-time World Cup winner

Lionel Messi and Neymar Junior led PSG's playing body in paying their last respect to the departed Brazilian football icon, Pele.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele - football's first globally recognised superstar - passed away on December 29 last year after a long battle with cancer.

His death left a huge scar in the hearts of the global football landscape, with glowing tributes from near and far pouring in for the three-time World Cup winner.

The football world continues to acknowledge the Brazilian - who was once considered a 'non-exportable national treasure' - even after his burial.

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On the occasion of PSG's first home game in 2023, the French champions chose to honour Pele in the most heartwarming fashion.

Ahead of their league game against Angers, the playing body sported white T-shirts with the inscription 'Eternal King', per Sportstar.

In photos posted on social media, seen by Sports Brief, Messi and Neymar led the PSG team in paying tribute to the Brazilian legend.

The gesture proved to be a good luck charm, as Christophe Galtier's charges secured a two-nil win over Angers, to stretch their lead at the summit of the Ligue 1 standings, Eurosport reports.

Pele has passed on

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more widely known as Pele, passed on after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Pele died on December 29 at age 82, Sports Brief reported.

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The three-time World Cup winner had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021, but his condition then deteriorated.

Tributes pour in for Pele

Sports Brief earlier reported that the sporting world has taken to various social media platforms to pay tribute to Pele, the legendary Brazil football icon.

The only player to win the coveted FIFA World Cup three times, the 'football king' passed away on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82.

The former footballer is regarded as the greatest of all time, as a result of his trailblazing achievements on and off the field.