Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Pele travelled the globe as an ambassador for the game, in demand around the world and also by large organisations desperate to bask in the wattage of his fame and standing.

He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year ceremony.

Before receiving the award, recorded tributes were paid by Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Sir Bobby Charlton. Beckenbauer said: "He was the best player in the history of football."

The great Brazilian was back in England in March 2015 on a promotional visit, appearing on the pitch at Anfield at half-time in Liverpool's defeat by Manchester United, receiving a prolonged standing ovation from all corners of the stadium.

He was also used prominently in an ambassadorial role for Brazil, appearing at the closing ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics before the handover to the next hosts Rio, who staged the games in 2016.

Pele, however, will always be associated with "The Beautiful Game" - and arguably no-one played it more beautifully.

Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland is on course to be one of the most prolific footballers to have ever played the game, but he rightly points out that anything any player is doing now, Pele did it first.

Image source, Getty Images

David Payn: Much of the footage of Pele's career is lost or indeed never existed. Thankfully there's enough still around to help us appreciate his genius. His influence is still being felt. R.I.P. to the godfather of the modern game.

England skipper Harry Kane has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Pele, describing him as one of the greatest to play the game of football.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football

Brazil's 1970 World Cup win was the pinnacle of Pele's career. He was the focal point of a dream team that has become enshrined in the game's history.

Pele may have been the headline act but he was accompanied by names such as Rivelino, Jairzinho, Tostao and Gerson, as well as the great captain and leader Carlos Alberto.

The image of the shirtless Pele being carried aloft by team-mates and supporters after the World Cup was won in Mexico City is seared on the memory, along with that famous picture of another shirtless embrace with England captain Bobby Moore, a gesture packed with mutual respect, after Brazil's 1-0 group game victory in Guadalajara.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Janet Hopper: Love seeing videos of Pele. Made everything look like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Inspired so many who came after him. His legacy for Brazil and for the way players of all abilities want to run with the ball will continue

Image source, Rex Features

News of Pele's passing broke shortly before many fixtures in the Championship, League One and League Two.

This was the scene at Fratton Park shortly before the start of Portsmouth's League One match with Ipswich.

David Faulkner: If you wanted to define the Beautiful Game in just one word, that word was Pelé. RIP.

Sir Bobby Charlton is the latest to pay tribute to Pele.

The 1966 World Cup winner with England said: “Pele was a truly magical footballer and a wonderful human being. It was an honour to have shared a pitch with him and I send my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the Brazilian people.”

Image source, Getty Images

And former Scotland international Denis Law said: “This is very sad news indeed.

"Pele was an ­unbelievable footballer; he had style, grace, flair and made everything look so easy. The precision in the way he played made him such a joy to watch.

"However more than anything he was a good man with a great ­presence and a fantastic smile.”

Andrew Priestley: A World Cup winner at 17 years of age, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final and a brace in the final. The ONLY player to win the World Cup on three occasions. Records that may never be eclipsed.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

Craig: If God played football, he'd still be second best to Pele. An absolute hero to many, a genius, a true gentleman as much off the field as he was on it. Brazil has lost a son, the world has lost a football icon. RIP Pele.

Image source, Reuters

The rivalry between the two biggest football idols of neighbouring countries spanned decades, largely fuelled by sports media.

Where did the rivalry come from?

Brazilian sociologist Ronaldo George Helal says that up until 1998, the rivalry didn't really exist.

Pele used to be described by Argentinian media as undoubtedly the biggest footballer in history, and Maradona was decribed as his heir.

According to the researcher, rivalry between the pair gained momentum with Fifa's election of the best footballer of the 20th Century, in December 2000.

Pele won the support of the specialists chosen by Fifa, meanwhile Maradona won the popular vote via the internet.

But ESPN Brasil journalist Celso Unzelte says the rivalry began "before Maradona was born".

"I think the rivalry between them was something far less personal, and much more between the two countries," Unzelte said.

In 2005, when Maradona was asked who was the best player - him or Pele - he replied:

"My mum thinks it is me, his mum thinks it is him."

You can read the full story by BBC Brasil's Thais Carrança here.

Having reached the final of the 1970 World Cup, Pele and his side were in no mood to allow the opportunity to claim an unprecedented third World Cup triumph pass them by.

The forward got the ball rolling in a one-sided final with Italy, rising higher than defender Tarcisio Burgnich to head in the opener before then leaping into the arms of Jairzinho for one of the most famous celebrations of all time...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Pele's peak came before the days of transfers around the globe so the finest years of his club career were served out entirely in Brazil - but it is mind-boggling to even guess at the transfer fee he would have commanded in this era.

When the North America Soccer League was formed in an attempt to spread the football word to the United States, Pele became an inevitable target.

Such was Pele's worldwide reputation that his name alone added instant credibility. The curtain came down on his career with an exhibition game between his New York Cosmos and Santos at New York's Giants' Stadium in October 1977 after he had led them to the title in his third and final season at the club.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Mclachlan: We all wanted to be Pele on the school grounds and Pele is always referred to when you see something great on a football field or anywhere for that matter. The icon has sadly gone but his legend will live on for eternity.

The Times' Henry Winter says Pele's legacy is "immortal".

"He was the greatest player on the greatest team. He stood out in that team, which just showed his skill," he tells BBC News.

He says Pele will also be remembered for his great sportsmanship.

"The game against Wales when he accidentally fell over Jack Kelsey, who was the Welsh goalkeeper who was lying on the floor at the time having made a save.

"Pele, 17, turned around to him and apologised and helped him up. That genius with the ball but also that sportsmanship must be remembered with Pele," he said.

Pele did so much good on the pitch but also off the pitch, Winter says.

"The work that he did, by his example but also by raising funds and awareness for underprivileged, for Great Ormond Street hospital over here in London," he adds.

Brazil and Tottenham striker Richarlison has paid tribute to Pele, saying he "changed the history" of football forever.

Writing on Instagram, external, Richarlison said Pele's passing marks the end of football's "most beautiful chapter".

"Today Football Says Goodbye to its most beautiful chapter. From the guy who charmed the world and changed the history of the game forever," he said.

"You will always be the greatest, because 60 years ago, with all the difficulties you faced, you already did what a few can do today.

"The guy who dedicated his thousandth goal to the children and made our country realise we could do much more."

He said Pele will always be incomparable, adding: "You are eternal! Thank you and May God receive you with open arms."

Image source, Getty Images

Glenn Rainton: Pele was and will always be the greatest, the way he played, the smile, the joy, the first of the true greats.

Having made his professional debut for Santos at the age of just 16, Pele was selected to represent Brazil in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden when he was just a year older.

He would belie his inexperience in stunning fashion.

His first goal of the tournament - in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Wales - would be just a taster of what was to come in the semis, when he struck a second-half hat-trick to blow away France 5-2.