RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Christ the Redeemer illuminated with a Pelé jersey among Brazilian tributes to the wonderful soccer player on the first anniversary of his death on Friday.
Pele died of colon cancer at age 82.
Christ the Redeemer projected a Brazil jersey with Pelé’s name, the number 10 and a message from Pope Francis.
“Pelé, as Edson Arantes do Nascimento became world famous, was undoubtedly an athlete who showed in his life all the positive characteristics of a player,” the pontiff said in a letter as a local orchestra played. The ‘King of Football’ remains indelible in the minds of many and inspires new generations to consider the game as a path to the bonds of unity between us. “
The religious ceremonies were held at the Pelé Museum in Santos, the port city he put on the map with his goals and successes of the Santos club, and in the small town of Tres Corações, where he was born in 1940.
Santos also paid tribute at the Vila Belmiro stadium, where Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, one of Pele’s sons, dropped 10 white balls from the center circle. Pele’s funeral was held at the stadium.
FIFA paid its respects with a video of highlights of the Brazilian great with a message: “Pelé’s legacy will always live on.”
Pele is the only man to win the World Cup three times.
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