"One year without Diego. Friends forever," Pele wrote on Instagram, posting a picture of the two of them embracing with big grins.

Pele and Maradona, who never faced each other on the pitch, often vie for the title of best footballer in history.

But Pele, 81, has put their sometimes-testy rivalry behind him since Maradona's death, focusing instead on the warm friendship they also shared.

"The world has lost a legend," he wrote the day Maradona died of a heart attack.

"One day, I hope, we will play soccer together in the sky."

Pele and Maradona were jointly named best player of the 20th century by FIFA in 2000 --the Brazilian chosen by a jury of experts, the Argentine in a popular vote by fans.

Keep resting king of football Diego Maradona. Don't even know him but I've heard much about him. Heard football was the most watched sport in his time. Pele too knows his onions in the field of football. Both are great players but I didn't watch any play cos I wasn't born them.

legends indeed