Oliet Rodriguez, president of the Cuban Football Association.

Havana, December 29 (RHC)-- Cuba today mourns the death of Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele, considered by many as the best soccer player of all time.

We mourn the loss of a world football reference. Pelé should be an example for all those who practice this sport, which he gave prestige to, said Oliet Rodríguez, president of the Cuban Football Association.

In declarations to the digital media Jit, the executive expressed "to the entire international soccer community our condolences in this moment of irreparable loss".

O Rei Pelé, three-time world champion, passed away on Thursday after a long battle with colon cancer.

Accompanied by his family at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian star died at the age of 82, leaving behind an impressive legacy for future generations.

Brazil and millions of fans outside its borders today feel that their lives have taken a pause to honor one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in the history of mankind. He deserves it, added a report in the Granma newspaper.

Further on it exalted that "O Rei gave with his class the infinite magic that can come out of the boots of a player. He touched with his hands the absolute glory again and again".

Social networks were flooded with hundreds of thousands of condolences, images and publications loaded with great sentimental value to praise the figure of the fallen idol.

Pelé, King and architect of the 'jogo bonito', has passed away. My deepest condolences to all the people of Brazil, his family and friends of this eternal legend of world soccer, emphasized on Twitter the vice president of Cuba, Salvador Valdés Mesa.

O Rei, Del Santos, to the Cosmos and to Eternity. Peace and Light, wrote photojournalist Ricardo López Hevia on his Facebook profile.

The portal CubaSí headlined "O Rei has died" and within the article highlighted, among a sea of praises, that Pelé "now, at the end of his journey, will play other matches alongside his friend (Diego) Maradona, wherever the greats go".

Cuban Television's Noticiero Deportivo de la Televisión Cubana described Pelé as a "world sports legend" and lamented the great loss for Brazilian sports (Source: Prensa Latina). (Source: Prensa Latina)