Deschamps: We all dreamt of playing like Pele

France coach Didier Deschamps says he dreamt of playing like Pele when he was a kid.

The three-time Brazil World Cup winner died Thursday at the age of 82 after his unsucceesful battle with cancer.

Deschamps has joined millions of sports stars and coaches all over the world to pay tribute to the man who left an important mark on and off the pitch.

Deschamps witnessed the quality of Pele and pointed out that Pele was an imposing figure on and off the pitch. He also added that everything he achieved as a footballer will remain in eternity.

‘Like all legends, he seemed immortal. Pelé was the alliance of beauty with efficiency. His talent and honors will remain forever etched in our memory’, Deschamps was quoted as saying by Spani’s top newspaper, AS.