Pele, Maradona join applause for 'humanity's heroes'

RIO DE JANEIRO - Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo were among 50 global football icons to pay tribute to workers striving to combat the coronavirus pandemic in a video posted by FIFA on Saturday.

The video, which lasts almost one-and-a-half minutes, shows the past and present stars applauding "humanity's heroes" from their respective homes.

"Across the globe, staff and volunteers at medical facilities have been risking their lives on a daily basis to support humankind," the world football governing body said in an accompanying statement.

"Some have, sadly, paid the ultimate price. People working or volunteering in law enforcement, pharmacies, shops, warehouses, delivery services, public transport, and safety and security have also been playing a key role in protecting our way of life. To all of these heroic people: football thanks you, football remembers you and football supports you."

Others to participate in the video included David Beckham, Gianluigi Buffon, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, Zinedine Zidane, Carli Lloyd and Marta, among others.

"As footballers, we are used to receiving applause, but this time, we have the opportunity to show our appreciation for the many people who are risking their lives to protect ours," Beckham said in the statement. "You are humanity's heroes and we want to show that all of football supports you and everything that you do to defend all of us."