Sir Kenny Dalglish on Pele: The greatest-ever was so humble but left me starstruck

Like millions of others around the world, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Pele.

I’ve enjoyed reading and listening to the many tributes he has received. Every single word has been well deserved.

My own view is that he was the best footballer we have ever seen.

I’ve felt that way for decades, even after the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi arrived on the scene.

So I’m not saying it now because he has passed away and I’m feeling sentimental. No, it’s because I truly believe it.

The evidence and facts are there for us all to see.

After he burst on to the scene in 1958 as a 17-year-old, he won the World Cup three times with Brazil. He scored more than 1,200 goals in a 21-year career.

Pele also gets my vote because he played in an era when opposition players would routinely kick lumps out of him.

Back then, the pitches weren’t anywhere near as good as they are now, and you had to have an exceptional first touch to survive and thrive.

The balls were also heavier.

Pele entertained and made people fall in love with football. He inspired millions of boys and girls to play the game, and millions more to go and watch it.

© Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock

Growing up, Denis Law was my hero. But going beyond the Scotland jersey, Pele was also an inspiration to me.

I never got to play against him, and I would have loved to have been on the same pitch as him at some stage.

But I did have the good fortune to meet him in 1983 when the English Football Writers’ Association voted me as their Player of the Year.

Pele presented me with the award. It was a great honour and thrill to meet him – and it’s fair to say I was a bit starstruck.

I met him again at Anfield a few years ago. Once more, it was a privilege to be in his company. He was an absolute gentleman.

He spoke a bit of English – some said he spoke better English than me – and it was nice to have a wee conversation with him.

Overall, he was a very humble person, and never wanted to make things about himself. He wanted to talk about others, and what they’d done.

That’s what also made him a wonderful ambassador for the game of football.

He represented the game we all love with dignity and humility.

© PA

Pele was also up for trying new things, and was one of the first to go to play in the United States nearly 50 years ago.

He lit up a room and, regardless of the company he was in, he always got the tone just right.

Yes, he was a thoroughly decent fella – a smiley, happy person. He never seemed to moan or complain. He always looked for the positives.

That’s why the tributes have been endless in recent days.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have also offered some wonderful words on the great man.

They’ve been the benchmark over the past 15 years, and it’s been a privilege to watch the pair of them play so well.

The debate over who is the best between them has gone on for years, and will continue to do so. That’s fair enough.

But Pele stands alone. He was incomparable as a footballer, and leaves behind an impeccable legacy.

Pele has gone – but he will never be forgotten.