(Rio de Janeiro) Via a light projection, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was decorated with a number 10 Pelé jersey, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the legendary soccer player’s death.
Pelé died of colon cancer at age 82.
The ceremony also included a message from Pope Francis. Pelé was a devout Catholic.
“Pelé, as Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento became known worldwide, was undoubtedly an athlete who showed in his life all the positive traits of a sportsman,” the pontiff said, as an orchestra played.
“The memory of the “King of Soccer” remains indelible and encourages new generations to seek in sport a means of strengthening the bonds of unity between us. »
Religious ceremonies were held at the Pelé Museum in Santos, the port city he put on the map with his goals and successes for the Santos club, and in the small town of Tres Corações, where he was born in 1940 .
Santos also paid tribute to him at the Vila Belmiro stadium, where Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, one of Pelé’s sons, released 10 white balls in the middle of the field. Pelé’s funeral took place at the stadium.
FIFA paid tribute to him with a video of the highlights of his career.
Pelé is the only man to win the World Cup three times.