Brazil paid tribute to Pelé on Friday, the first anniversary of the legendary footballer's death, particularly in Santos, where his career began, in Rio de Janeiro and also on social networks.
In Santos, near Sao Paulo, a mass was held at the museum tracing the career of the three-time world champion (1958, 62, 70), who died of colon cancer on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82.
In this city, where he played from 1956 to 1974, the “King” rests in a mausoleum that has been visited by thousands of admirers since his inauguration in May.
The club, the only one in Brazil where Edson Arantes do Nascimento played, released a video and photo to commemorate the date with the caption: “A year without Edson, but Pelé is eternal.”
From Santos Stadium, Edinho, one of Pelé's seven children, also released a dozen white balloons into the sky, according to images posted by the club on social media.
This season, the club with the white and black jersey fell to the second division for the first time in its history.
In Rio de Janeiro, a ceremony was also held at the site of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, which was illuminated in the colors of Brazil as night fell and at which a message from Pope Francis was read.
“The memory of the 'King of Football' remains indelible in the minds of many, urging new generations to see sport as a means of bringing people together,” the pope wrote in his letter, a copy of which was published on Deportivo. GE information page.
A religious ceremony took place in Pelé's hometown of Tres Coraçoes, Minas Gerais state (southeast), at the church where he was baptized.
On Friday, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) published an article honoring the “greatest of all time”, highlighting that his name had been given to several stadiums, including seven outside Brazil.
Finally, FIFA marked the event with a message on social networks: “A year ago we said goodbye to a legend.”