"They always taught me and told me that he was the king of football": Federer and Nadal both pay tribute after passing of football great Pele

Tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal paid their respects to football legend Pele who passed away aged 82.

Both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are huge football fans and not only that, they played the game growing up. Federer's first sport was football and he played it for a while until he switched to tennis. Nadal was in a similar situation as he was a very good youth player with a chance to go professional but he opted for tennis and the rest is history.

They both paid their respects to football legend Pele who passed away aged 82. Federer wrote on Instagram:

“Thank you for inspiring millions of sports fans and athletes. I count myself so fortunate to have met you and gotten a chance to learn and look up to you. You were one of the first true global sporting icons. Rest in peace King Pele.”

Nadal also posted on social media. He wrote:

“Today a world sporting great is leaving again. A sad day for the world of football, for the world of sport. His legacy will always be with us. I didn't see him play, I wasn't that lucky, but they always taught me and told me that he was the king of football. Rest in peace! The King!”