Cafu in mourning after son Danilo dies of heart attack whilst playing football

Cafu in mourning after tragic death of his eldest son. (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The son of Brazil legend Cafu has died after suffering a heart attack while playing football with friends.

Reports in Brazil claim Danilo, the eldest son of the former AC Milan full-back, tragically passed away while playing at his family home in Barueri.

Danilo was one of Cafu’s three sons.

Brazilian club Sao Paulo, where Cafu started his career in 1989, wrote on Twitter: "Sao Paulo Football Club deeply regrets the death of Danilo, son of Cafu. The club sympathises and wishes the tri-colour idol and his family and friends 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

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte also report Danilo’s death was confirmed by Cafu’s friend and former teammate Paulo Sergio.

Cafu's former clubs AC Milan and AS Roma have also past on their condolences.

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

The club sends its deepest condolences to Marcos Cafu and his family at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN)

September 5, 2019

Cafu is widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest ever full-backs, winning 142 caps, two World Cups and two Copa Americas with Brazil.

In 2007, he won the Champions League with Milan having won two Serie A titles during his 11-year spell in Italy.