Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy recall shock at Pele’s love of snooker and pay tribute to Brazil legend

One of the greatest players of all time, Pele is Brazil’s joint top scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.

He is also the only player to win the World Cup three times.

Seven-time snooker world champion O’Sullivan has shared a picture of when he met Pele – with both largely viewed as among the best players to have played their respective sports.

O’Sullivan wrote on Twitter: “A footballing legend but most of all what a man.

“Genuinely a lovely person I was honoured to meet. Remember, everything you see now in football, Pele did it first! RIP.”

Former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy has also shared his memories of meeting the three-time World Cup winner, saying: “He seemed a truly lovely man, full of energy and kindness.

“I was amazed to discover he enjoyed following #snooker too.”

Pele’s love of snooker came to fruition in 2021, when he took to Instagram to campaign for the game to be included in the Olympics.

Posting a picture of a younger version of himself taking to the table, Pele wrote: “Who agrees that snooker should be in the Olympic Games?

“I’m sure we have great players all over Brazil. We’ll win gold medals when that happens.”

Bids to have snooker included in recent Olympic programmes have been unsuccessful.

Snooker player Joe Perry wrote on Twitter: “Without doubt one of sports biggest icons has left us. RIP PELE.”