As this Friday marked one year since the death of the Brazilian football legend, Pelé, several tributes were held in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, where a message from the Pope was read in a ceremony and a t-shirt was projected on the statue of Christ. 10′ of the ‘Selecao’.
In memory of ‘O Rei’, who died in Sao Paulo on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82 from colon cancer, green and yellow lights dressed the emblematic statue, located at the top of Corcovado Hill, at dusk.
The tribute at the sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer included a religious celebration that included a written message from Pope Francis.
“The memory of the ‘King of Soccer’ remains indelible in the minds of many and encourages new generations to seek in sport this means to promote bonds of unity among all,” says the letter signed by the leader of the Catholic Church, according to a copy reproduced on the ge sports site.
The admired ’10’ of the Seleçao, the only footballer to win three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), was also remembered this afternoon with a mass at the museum dedicated to his career, in Santos.
That same city saw him grow and shine in the white jersey of the Santos club, in whose Vila Velmiro stadium he was laid to rest.
The star’s remains are in a mausoleum in the port city, inaugurated last May and visited so far by thousands of fans.
This Friday, Edinho, one of Pelé’s seven children, released a dozen white balloons in the center of the Santos field as a tribute to what many consider the best footballer of all time, according to images released by the club on its networks.
“A year without Edson, because Pelé is eternal. We feel your absence every day,” says a message written on the institution’s networks along with a photo of his idol.
With that São Paulo club, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, won most of his trophies, including six leagues, two Copa Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cups.
Near the first anniversary of their idol’s departure, earlier this month, Santos fell to the second division of Brazilian soccer for the first time in its century-old history.
The club then decided to prohibit the use of the ’10’ while playing in Serie B.
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A religious ceremony was also held in the soccer player’s hometown, Tres Coracoes, in the state of Minas Gerais (southeast), in the same temple where he was baptized.