Panamanian soccer legend Luis Ernesto 'Cascarita' Tapia, often called the "Pelé of Central America," has passed away at the age of 80, with the cause of death not yet disclosed, as reported by Panamanian news outlets.

Tapia is celebrated as a trailblazer in Panamanian soccer. Among his many achievements, he scored the crucial goal in Panama’s first-ever World Cup qualifying victory, a 3-2 win against Costa Rica for the 1978 Argentina qualifiers. In a 2019 interview with Agencia EFE, he recalled, “That goal and the match itself were unforgettable. It was a huge win and, I believe, the first step towards what Panamanian soccer has become today.”

Born on October 21, 1944, in the neighborhood of El Chorrillo in Panama City, Tapia began his soccer journey in 1962 with Deportivo El Granillo. 

At 18, he made his debut for Panama's national team and competed in his first international tournament, the 1963 Norceca Championship in El Salvador, captivating fans and professionals alike.

In El Salvador, Tapia was convinced by Panamanian official Manuel Ruglianchi to join Alianza, a team where he became a historic figure from 1963 to 1970. With Alianza, Tapia won three consecutive championships and remains the fifth-highest scorer in the club's history with 32 goals. He also faced off against iconic teams like Brazil’s Flamengo, scoring twice, and Mexico’s Club América, where he shared the field with Vavá, a Brazilian World Cup champion.

Tapia cherished his encounter with his idol Pelé, whom he greatly admired since childhood. In March 1971, he had the chance to share the field with Pelé when Santos faced Atlético Marte, where Tapia was a star player, in Panama’s Rommel Fernández Stadium. Following his retirement, Tapia briefly coached in Panama, including stints with Atlético Perú and Atlético Panamá.