CONCACAF described the late Brazilian footballer Pele as “a true icon of the game”.
The North, Central and Caribbean Football Confederation paid tribute to Pele after he died on Thursday at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, aged 82.
According to officials at the hospital, Pele died at 3:27 p.m. “due to multiple organ failure resulting from the progression of colon cancer related to his preexisting medical condition.”
“The CONCACAF family offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Brazilian football legend Pele,” a statement on the confederation’s website said.
“Pele was one of the greatest players of all time. He inspired players and fans of his own and future generations and brought joy to all who saw him play. The world football family will remember him as a true icon of the game. RIP Pele.”
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, hailed Pele as “immortal – forever with us”.
“For all those who love the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come,” Infantino said. “The day we lost Pele. ‘O Rei’ was unique in many ways. The moments spent with him will remain forever in my memory and in my heart.
“Pele had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and around the world. His legacy is impossible to sum up in words.
“Today we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our beloved Pele, but he achieved immortality long ago and will therefore be with us forever.”
Pele, whose name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, joined Santos in 1956 and turned the small coastal club into one of football’s most famous names.
In a highly decorated, 21-year career, Pele scored 1,281 goals, and he transcended football like no player before or since, and he became one of the first global icons of the 20th century.
Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, joint Footballer of the Century by FIFA and a “national treasure” by the Brazilian government.
