Emotional tributes and messages are pouring in from around the sports world after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history.

Queen Elizabeth was deeply associated with various sports throughout her life. She presented England's only ever World Cup trophy to iconic captain Bobby Moore at Wembley Stadium in 1966, and was the first monarch to host a football team, Arsenal, at Buckingham Palace in 2007.

As the head of the British royal family, she played a prominent role in the 2012 London Olympics, filming an entertaining video with James Bond actor Daniel Craig in the opening ceremony. She also traversed the globe to attend some of the biggest sporting events, from Major League Baseball to the Kentucky Derby. 

Brazilian football legend Pele, who has endured some health scares in recent years, was among an avalanche of sporting personalities and governing bodies who paid tribute to the Queen.

"I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana," the three-time World Cup winner tweeted. "Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will last forever."

The sentiment was echoed by Harry Kane, who aims to join Moore as the only England captains to lift the most coveted trophy in sports when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in November. "The Queen was an amazing inspiration and will be remembered for her incredible years of service to this country. Rest in peace, Your Majesty," he said.

All Premier League clubs posted individual messages paying homage to Queen Elizabeth, with Manchester United and West Ham both holding a minute's silence prior to their Europa League games on Thursday night. Several United fans were seen crying in the stands, while flags at Old Trafford were at half-mast as a sign of the club's "utmost respect" for the queen.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the governing bodies of tennis in both the UK and U.S. also paid their tributes, while 12-time Grand Slam champion Billie-Jean King posted a heartfelt message on Twitter, reflecting on a "special moment" when she met the queen at Wimbledon in 2010.

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. For 70 years, her leadership, impact, and influence on the United Kingdom and the entire global community has been immense. I met her in 2010 at Wimbledon, and it was a special moment for me," wrote King, who founded the Women's Sports Foundation and the WTA.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, meanwhile, spotlighted Queen Elizabeth's "exceptional leadership, grace, wisdom and fortitude" in his tribute. "She has been a source of continuity and comfort, and she will be grievously missed by us all," Coe said.

In horse racing, the sport most closely linked to the queen, the British Horseracing Authority mourned the loss of one of its great advocates. "Her Majesty has been one of the greatest and most influential supporters in the history of horse racing," read a statement. "It is right, therefore, that all racing is suspended for today and tomorrow as we begin to grieve Her Majesty's passing..."

Apart from horse racing, all Football League fixtures on Friday have been called off, while the third Test between England and South Africa and the PGA championship at Wentworth are among the sporting events in Britain to be put on pause as a mark of respect.

According to multiple British media outlets, governing bodies across a range of sports will hold urgent talks on Friday to decide whether play should resume at the weekend with details of the official period of mourning still to be ironed out.