The son of the former Brazil captain and two-time World Cup winner Cafu has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 30 while playing soccer near his family home in Sao Paolo.
Reports from Brazil say Danilo Feliciano de Moraes, Cafu’s eldest son, complained of feeling unwell and was rushed to the Albert Einstein Hospital where he later died.
Several prominent football clubs have taken to social media to express their condolences to Cafu, 49, who represented his country a record 142 times over a 16-year career.
Sao Paulo—Cafu’s boyhood club—wrote on Twitter: “Sao Paulo Futebol Clube deeply regrets the death of Danilo, son of Cafu. The club sympathises and wishes the tricolor idol, family and friends a lot of strength.”
O São Paulo Futebol Clube lamenta profundamente o falecimento de Danilo, filho do @officialcafu. O clube se solidariza e deseja muita força aos familiares e amigos do ídolo tricolor.
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) September 5, 2019
AC Milan also expressed its support for Cafu, who ran out 119 times for the Rossoneri, winning six titles including the 2007 Champions League.
“It’s with a sad hear that we offer our deepest condolences to his family at this saddest of times,” the Italian giant tweeted.
Our @officialcafu has lost his son, Danilo. It’s with a sad heart that we offer our deepest condolences to his family at this saddest of times ????
Marcos, in questo momento di profonda tristezza ogni rossonero è con te e la tua famiglia. Il nostro abbraccio va a voi ????
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 5, 2019
Inter Milan, Roma, Real Madrid and European soccer’s governing body UEFA have also tweeted their condolences.
El Real Madrid C. F. expresses its deep regret at the passing of Danilo, the son of Brazilian football legend @officialcafu.
The club wishes to convey its condolences to Cafú and his family and shares in his grief in these difficult moments.
— Real Madrid C.F. ???????????????? (@realmadriden) September 5, 2019
Everyone at UEFA wishes to send their sincerest condolences to Cafu following the passing of his son, Danilo.
The thoughts of the whole football world are with you and your family at this tragic time.
— UEFA (@UEFA) September 5, 2019
The news of Danilo’s passing was confirmed by Cafu’s long-time friend and Brazilian teammate Paulo Sergio, according the Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte.
Cafu is widely regarded as one of the game’s best ever right-backs. He lifted 20 trophies with five different clubs.
In addition to his World Cup triumphs in 1994 and 2002, Cafu won two Copa Americas—in 1997 and 1999—and the 1997 Confederations Cup. He is working with FIFA as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
