Prominent Sierra Leonean Journalist, Umaru Fofana has joined the rest of the world in mourning the death of Brazilian football icon, Pele, who he referred to as “My Greatest Footballer of All Time”.

Pele, real name ‘Edson Arantes do Nascimento’ who is regarded to many football lovers as the greatest footballer of all time died on Thursday evening after suffering a debilitating bout of cancer.

He won three World Cups and scored over 1,281 goals, becoming the original football icon in a long career for which he was named the “Player of the Century” in the year 2000.

Joining the rest of the world, in pouring tribute to the football legend, BBC’s Umaru Fofana wrote on social media, “My own greatest footballer of all time has died. Rest in peace, Pelé“, along with an image of the Brazilian Legend holding the coveted World Cup Trophy.

Pelé was admitted to a hospital in São Paulo in late November for a respiratory infection and for complications related to colon cancer. Last week, the hospital said his health had worsened as his cancer progressed. He died on Thursday, at age of 82, from multiple organ failure due to the progression of colon cancer, according to a statement from Albert Einstein Hospital.

Everything that we are, is thanks to you,” his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote in a post on Instagram, under an image of family members holding Pele’s hands. “We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”