MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his deep condolences over the passing of Brazilian football player Pele Friday.
"Edson Arantes do Nascimento was an outstanding son of the Brazilian people. Thanks to his talent, unique skill, a beautiful and fascinating play, football has become the favorite sport for millions of people, including in Russia. I was lucky to meet this outstanding man in person, and will forever keep the best memory about him," says the telegram Putin sent to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, according to the Kremlin press office.
In particular, Putin met with Pele in December 2017, when world football stars came to Moscow to take part in the draw ceremony for the 2018 World Cup (which took place in Russia). Putin repeatedly called Pele one of the most outstanding football players in the world in his interviews.
Pele died on December 29, at the age of 82, in a private clinic in Sao Paulo, where he was admitted about a month ago due to cancer-related health problems. Brazil has declared a three-day mourning over his passing.