Amazing viral video shows Pele invented ALL of the dazzling skill moves made famous by today’s greatest football stars
PELE has been revealed to be the inventor of many modern day football stars’ greatest tricks in an incredible video.
The legendary Brazilian passed away in hospital yesterday aged 82.
PAPele was among the greatest players to have ever lived[/caption]
ReutersThe Brazilian had an incredible array of skills[/caption]
AFPPele starred for Santos as well as Brazil[/caption]
Pele was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, playing a huge role in growing the popularity of the game in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
In an amazing clip posted on social media, the three-time World Cup winner could be seen performing amazing tricks in his heyday that would later be repeated by more recent stars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
The video begins with Pele chopping inside during a match, with Ronaldo performing an extremely similar move while playing for Real Madrid decades later.
It then shows legendary late Dutchman Johan Cruyff performing the “Cruyff turn” so famously named after him, before also featuring Pele using the same trick in black and white.
In the video, Pele then shows eerily similar footwork to that of Andres Iniesta, before performing a rabona pass.
A clip of Neymar flicking the ball over a defender’s head is then followed by Pele doing the same thing a number of times, both with his feet and even his thigh.
It then shows the football icon showing similar quick footwork to Zinedine Zidane to set up a shot, as well as an amazing overhead kick reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He could lob the goalkeeper like Messi, and leave a defender trailing in his wake with a shimmy like Neymar.
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AFPPele inspired many stars to follow in his footsteps[/caption]
AFPThe three-time World Cup winner shakes hands with Cristiano Ronaldo[/caption]
Pele is also shown flicking the ball like Ronaldinho, getting away from his marker like Diego Maradona and nut-megging an opponent like Brazilian Ronaldo.
The video also shows off his remarkable array of free-kicks, featuring goals he scored in the styles of Cristiano, Messi and Roberto Carlos.
Captioning the video, one fan wrote: “Pele did it first.”
Another gushed: “I had the pleasure of watching this icon in person.”
A third poignantly added: “The teacher of all.”
Pele managed to perform his skills in an era of far more robust tackles being deemed acceptable – with clips of him being fouled showing he didn’t get an easy ride.
And fans have been paying tribute in their millions, with Christ the Redeemer being lit up in green and three days of national mourning announced.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both among the football stars to have paid tribute to Pele.
Messi posted a picture on Instagram of himself with Pele alongside the message: “Rest in peace, @pele.”
While Ronaldo wrote: “My deepest condolences to all of Brazil, and in particular to the family of Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“A mere ‘goodbye’ to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain that the entire football world is currently embracing.
“An inspiration for so many millions, a reference yesterday, today and forever.
“The love you always showed me was reciprocated in every moment we shared even from distance.
“He will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in each of us football lovers. Rest in peace, King Pele.”
ReutersPele and Diego Maradona were two of the greatest players to ever live[/caption]
Pele – all you need to know about Brazil icon
PELE was widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever.
Here is all the info you need on the soccer titan, who has passed away aged 82.
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How many goals did Pele score in his career?
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How many children does Pele have?
