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Pele pays tribute to "my idol" Muhammad Ali

Xinhua, June 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazilian football great Pele has paid tribute to Muhammad Ali, after the boxing legend died on Friday at the age of 74.

"The sporting universe has just suffered a big loss. Muhammad Ali was my friend, my idol, my hero," Pele said on Instagram.

"We spent many moments together and always kept a good connection throughout the years. The sadness is overwhelming. I wish him peace and I send love and strength to his family."

A spokesman for the Ali family said the three-time world heavyweight champion died of "septic shock" after being taken to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday with a respiratory illness.

Ali had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than 30 years.

Pele, 75, and Ali reached the peak of their sporting careers at roughly the same time.

Pele was a member of Brazil's 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cup winning teams while Ali won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and the world heavyweight title in 1964, 1974 and 1978. Endit