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Premier League clubs and fans pay tribute to Pele

31 Dec 2022
A minute's applause is held for Pele ahead of West Ham v Brentford

A minute's applause is held ahead of matches for the Brazil legend

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Premier League clubs and fans paid tribute to Pele in Matchweek 18 after the Brazilian football legend passed away on 29 December.

At all the matches from 30 December, a minute’s applause was held prior to kick-offs, while players and match officials wore black armbands.

At Anfield on Friday night, flowers were laid in the centre circle ahead of Liverpool's match against Leicester City

Flowers were laid in the centre circle at Anfield in memory of Pele
The message amid the flowers laid in the centre circle at Anfield in memory of Pele

At the London Stadium, the big screens showed the iconic player while both West Ham United and Brentford's players lined up around the centre circle to hold the applause. 

An assistant referee at Anfield wore boots with Peles name on them in tribute
An assistant referee at Anfield wore boots with Pele's name on them in tribute

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to Pele ahead of the match.

“My dad always said, whatever happens in the future he will leave us the best, don’t forget that," the Liverpool manager told Sky Sports. "I saw him only as a kid playing but I met him once, around the World Cup in 2006.

"I have a signed shirt which he gave to me for my birthday which is pretty special, so it feels really tough to be honest.

“Let me say it like this, I believe in God, and whichever team he is playing for now has a decent player. Of course, it will be a massive loss and rest in peace.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
Manchester United's Brazilian winger Antony displayed the message, "Descanse em paz, Pele", Portuguese for "Rest in peace", on his shirt during the minute's applause ahead of Wolves v Man Utd
Premier League - Newcastle United v Leeds United
Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes wore a Brazil shirt for the tribute to Pele
'Best of all time'

Alisson said that Pele was the best player of all time.

"I believe everyone from the world of football is feeling something about his loss," the Liverpool goalkeeper told BBC Sport of his compatriot. "We Brazilians are grieving.

"He is a huge loss but at this moment we have to look to the things that he did because he changed the world of football, not just for Brazilians but for everybody.

"There is a lot of talk about who was the best and who is the best, but for us he is the best of all time. What he did on the pitch reflected the nation, he put the Brazilian flag at the highest standard, not just him but his team-mates as well."

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