The International Football Federation (FIFA) paid tribute Thursday evening to Pelé, “the immortal forever with us”, and its president Gianni Infantino hailed a “legacy (…) impossible to sum up in words”. “Football and the world mourn King Pelé”, writes FIFA on its website, dedicated to the memory of the Brazilian, the first planetary football star and national monument in his country, who died Thursday at the age of 82 at the age of 82. Sao Paulo hospital where he had been admitted a month ago to treat colon cancer.
FIFA, which had named him “Footballer of the 20th Century”, posted on its home page, adorned in black, two photographs of the “King”, one where he presses a football against his cheek left, the other where he brandishes the World Cup trophy, which he is the only player to have won three times (1958, 1962 and 1970). “He is nicknamed the King and his face is undoubtedly one of the most famous in the world of football”, writes FIFA.
“Pelé has carved out a place for himself commensurate with his immense talent”
“Named the greatest player of the 20th century by FIFA in his time, Pelé has carved out a place for himself commensurate with his immense talent in the legend of world football”, continues the governing body before unfolding a long file devoted to the player. It recalls several of the records set by the Brazilian, who “remains to this day the youngest world champion in history” when the Auriverde were crowned in 1958 in Sweden. Pelé was then only 17 years old.
“Pelé is both the youngest scorer and the youngest scorer of a hat-trick in the history of the World Cup, but also the youngest finalist and the youngest scorer in the final”, notes FIFA. In a statement, Infantino lamented that “day we lost Pelé”. “Pelé had a magnetic presence,” wrote the FIFA president, offering his “sincere condolences to his family, friends, the CBF (Brazilian Federation), and all football fans.”
“Today we mourn the loss of his physical presence, but Pelé had long since achieved immortality and therefore he will remain with us for eternity. »