Berlin (dpa)
Swiss Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), mourned the legend Pelé with moving words, underlining that he left a legacy that “words cannot express” and that “he truly reached eternity and it will stay with us forever.”
Prominent stars such as Lionel Messi, Brazilian Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo offered their condolences on the death of legend Pele, then Infantino offered his condolences with touching words published by the International Federation. Infantino said: To all who love the good game, it’s the day we never wanted to come, the day we lose Pele, the king was unique in many things.
He added: “He was the only player to win the World Cup three times, and he had unrivaled skill and imagination. Pele did things no other player would even dream of doing, like the famous dribbling in the semi-finals of the 1970 World Cup that came to be known as the “dribble.” Pelé, or the goal he scored aged 17 in the 1958 World Cup final, when he flicked the ball past a defender, before hitting the net with an aerial launch.
He added: The celebration of the ‘Brown Jewel’ with his goals, as he leaps through the air, has become one of the most famous images that have become associated with our sport and etched in his memory. trace of what he was able to do because he lived in an era in which televised football was still taking his first steps.
Infantino went on to praise Pele, saying, “The most important thing to watch is the ‘king’ as he ascends the throne with a broad smile on his face. Football was violent in those days, which Pele sometimes suffered from. However, although he was a master at defending himself, he had a first-rate sports ethic, especially with an innate respect for his opponents.
Infantino added: I had the honor of meeting him on several occasions, and in 2016 I was with him as FIFA president at the first screening of his film, which reminded me of sitting next to my father in 1981 when he took me to see the film “Escape to Victory”, in which Pele starred alongside Sylvester Stallone and a number of other stars.
He said: I was only eleven when my father told me about the wonderful player Pele, and the goal he scored in that film was the way to see a glimpse of his incredible skills.
She added: “The moments I spent with him will forever be etched in my memory and etched in my heart. Pele had an attractive presence and time stood still with him. His life was too wonderful to be reduced to the limits of the football. He had the ability to change opinions for the better in Brazil, South America and the world at large, his legacy cannot be expressed in words. Infantino concluded his speech by saying, “I extend my sincere condolences to his family , to his friends, to the Brazilian Football Confederation, to Brazil and to all the football fans who loved him. Today we mourn the loss of our dear Pele’s physical presence, but he truly achieved eternity a long time ago, so he will stay with us forever.
