He gained immortality long ago, he will be with us forever. His life was more than just football, FIFA president says of Pelé

A few hours ago, Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Football Federation (FIFA), made a statement about the deceased Pelé in a way that cannot be put into words. However, he also said that Pelé had long since achieved immortality and would be with us forever. In other words, legends live forever.

A star of Brazil, a major football figure, a great man, in short, a legend and a record breaker. These are the exact words that can be used to clearly express who Pelé was, whereupon a few more superlatives could be safely applied to him.

In short, ‘O Rei’ was unique in many ways. As Erling Haaland aptly wrote in his Twitter post, everything we now see players do on football lawns, Pelé did first.

An extraordinary record-breaker

Pelé has left a truly remarkable mark on the world of football. For example, he was the only player to win the World Cup three times. At just 17 years old, he scored in the 1958 World Cup final in Sweden when he flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed it into the net.

The Brazilian legend left this world yesterday, Thursday 29 December, with the Brazilian government declaring three days of national mourning.

And perhaps there is no need to recall Pelé’s iconic goal-scoring celebration, when he punched his fist in the air. And while he was always a killer marksman, he maintained respect for his opponents and was an exemplary sportsman.

Infantino’s statement

The FIFA president himself has also commented on Pelé’s death, saying that he had the privilege of meeting the legendary Brazilian on several occasions.

“In 2016, already as FIFA president, we were side by side at the premiere of Pelé’s film, which reminded me of sitting next to my father in 1981 when he brought me to see the film Escape to Victory, in which Pelé starred alongside Sylvester Stallone and other famous actors,” Infantino told FIFA‘s official website.

“I was 11 years old and my father told me what a great player Pelé was. The fantastic goal he scored in the film was the only glimpse of his incredible ability at the time. The moments I spent with him will always remain in my memory and in my heart,” added the president of the International Football Federation.

“When he was with you, it was as if the world stopped. His life is more than just football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and around the world. His legacy cannot be summed up in words. Today we all mourn the loss of the physical presence of our dear Pelé, but he has long since achieved immortality and will therefore be with us for eternity,” he concluded.

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