Premier League confirm Pele tribute plans ahead of Liverpool v Leicester tonight

Premier League teams will be cheering for a minute and wearing black armbands this weekend to mark the sad passing of Pelé. The Brazilian legend has died aged 82 after a battle with colon cancer. West Ham v Brentford and Liverpool's encounter with Leicester are the first two games to take place tonight (Friday night) following Pelé's death.

The world of football is in mourning over the passing of Pelé with the Brazilian widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He is the only man to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, winning his first when he was just 17.

His health had been deteriorating for some time after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021 and was taken to hospital on November 29 with heart and kidney problems. He had been surrounded by his family since Christmas Eve before passing away on Thursday.

The Premier League will join in tributes to his life and legacy with a minute's applause before kick-off this weekend. The teams will also wear black armbands with tonight's encounters between West Ham and Brentford as well as Liverpool against Leicester, the first chances to celebrate his life.

A Premier League statement read: "As a tribute to Pelé, Premier League clubs will remember his contribution to football in matchweek 18 (30 December-1 January) with a round of applause one minute before kick-off. 'dispatch. Players and match officials wear black armbands."

English football have already taken the opportunity to pay tribute to the 82-year-old with the Wembley arch lit up in Brazilian colors after the news broke. The EFL games also featured a one-minute clap before kick-off with a card loaded with fixtures in the Championship as well as Leagues One and Two.

Former England international Lineker has posted a moving tribute to Pelé and said he will have 'football immortality' after his death.

“Pelé is dead. The most divine of footballers and the happiest of men,” Lineker tweeted. "He played a game that only a chosen few have approached. 3 times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow jersey. He may have left us, but he will always have footballing immortality. RIP Pele."

Pelé enjoyed a 20-year career and holds the Guinness World Record for the most goals scored in the history of the sport, with 1,279 goals in 1,363 games. This is a total that includes friendlies. Santos claim Pele has scored closer to 1,000 goals than his tally of 757 in 831 games for them, however.

He was named FIFA Player of the Century along with Diego Maradona in 2000 and among his many incredible accolades are the International Peace Prize, the FIFA Order of Merit and being named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. .

His loss will continue to be felt harshly around the world given all that he brought to the most popular sport on the planet.