Kuranyi: Pelé 'plays football in heaven with Maradona'

Created: 12/30/2022, 1:43 p.m

Former soccer player Kevin Kuranyi speaks in Stuttgart, Germany, 27 November 2017.

© Marijan Murat/dpa/archive image

Former German international striker Kevin Kuranyi witnessed the grief for soccer idol Pelé up close while on vacation in Brazil.

“People here are very, very sad.

Everyone is taking to the streets, everyone is crying for the greatest footballer of all time.

It's a sad day for football, for the people in Brazil," said the former professional of VfB Stuttgart, FC Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Friday of the German Press Agency.

Rio de Janeiro - "I grew up here and everyone who has anything to do with football mourns him," Kuranyi continued.

The 40-year-old was born in Rio de Janeiro and grew up in Petrópolis.

He played 52 international matches for Germany.

Today he lives in Stuttgart.

"It's not easy here, but we will all remember him as the king of football," Kuranyi said, adding: "He will always live in the football world and of course he's playing football with Maradona in heaven now. "

Legendary Brazilian soccer player Pele died on Thursday at the age of 82 from cancer.

dpa