Exemplary athlete and owner of incomparable skill and imagination. That’s how Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA (International Football Federation), defined Pelé in a text in which he paid homage to the King of Football, who died on Thursday (29) at the age of 82.
In a letter published on the website of the world’s largest football entity, the manager recalled the occasions on which he was personally with Pelé and revealed that he had admired the King since childhood. “Pelé did things that no other player could dream of […] His legacy is impossible to sum up in words,” he said.
The entity also published a video with testimonials about Pelé and scenes from the career of the former number 10 of the national team. Read the text and watch the video below:
Read Infantino’s letter in full:
“Imortal Pelé – forever with us
For all those who love the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele.
‘The King’ was unique in many ways.
He was the only player to have won the World Cup three times, and his skill and imagination were unrivaled. Pelé did things that no other player would dream of, like the famous dribble [“da vaca”] in the 1970 semi-final. Or the goal he scored in the 1958 World Cup final, aged 17, when he took a hat-trick at the defender and kicked the ball into the net.
The sight of him punching the air in celebration is one of the most iconic in our sport and is etched in our history. In fact, as televised football was still in its infancy at the time, we only saw small glimpses of what it was capable of.
Most importantly, “The King” ascended the throne with a smile on his face. Football could be brutal in those days, and Pele often got the rough treatment. But although he knew how to defend himself, he was always an exemplary sportsman, with genuine respect for his opponents.
I had the great privilege of knowing him and being with him on several occasions. In 2016, already as president of FIFA, I was side by side with him at the premiere of Pelé’s film, which reminded me of when I sat next to my father, in 1981, when he took me to watch “Escape to Victory” [Fuga para a Vitória, de 1981]which Pelé starred in alongside Silvester Stallone and other famous actors.
I was 11 years old and my father told me that Pelé was a great player. The fantastic goal he scored in that film was the only way, at that moment, to get a glimpse of his incredible skills.
The moments spent with him will forever remain in my memory and in my heart.
Pelé had a magnetic presence and when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped.
His life is more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, South America and the world.
His legacy is impossible to sum up in words.
To his family and friends, to the CBF, to Brazil and to all the fans who loved him so much, I express my sincere condolences.
Today, we all mourn the loss of our dear Pelé’s physical presence, but he achieved immortality a long time ago and so he will be with us for all eternity.”
Gianni Infantino
Watch the video published by FIFA:
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