Brazil Pays Tributes to Pelé One Year After His Death, Christ the Redeemer Wears His Number

Rio de Janeiro paid multiple tributes to soccer legend Pelé on Friday, marking one year since the passing of the three-time World Cup winner at the age of 82 due to colon cancer.

A ceremony at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer, a prominent landmark in South America, included a projection of a Brazil shirt adorned with Pelé's name and number 10 on the statue, along with a message from Pope Francis. Pelé, known as Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was a devout Catholic throughout his life.

In a letter, Pope Francis remarked, “Pelé, as Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento became globally known, was undoubtedly an athlete who showed in his life all positive traits of a sportsman. The memory of ‘the King of Soccer’ remains indelible in the minds of many, and it stimulates new generations to seek in sport a means to strengthen the bonds of unity among us.” Meanwhile, a local orchestra provided musical accompaniment to the ceremony.

Other religious ceremonies took place at the Museu Pelé in Santos, the port city synonymous with Pelé's accomplishments for Santos FC, and in Tres Corações, his birthplace in 1940.

Santos FC organized a tribute at its Vila Belmiro Stadium, where one of Pelé's sons, Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, released 10 white balloons from the center circle. Notably, Pelé's funeral had been held at this stadium.

FIFA, soccer's governing body, also paid homage with a video featuring highlights of the Brazilian great and a message declaring, "Pelé’s legacy will always live on."

Earlier in the year, the Michaelis dictionary in Brazil decided to honor Pelé by incorporating his name as an adjective, indicating someone who is “exceptional, incomparable, unique.” This decision was part of a campaign garnering over 125,000 signatures to recognize Pelé's profound impact beyond the realm of sports.

Pelé spent close to two decades captivating fans and astonishing opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer, both with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. When discussing soccer’s greatest, Pelé is often mentioned alongside the late Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

ब्राजील, पेले की मौत के एक वर्ष बाद श्रद्धांजलि, ख्रिस्ट द रिडीमर पर उनका नंबर।