The graduated president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), said this Thursday (29) that he had the privilege of watching Pelé on the field and lamented the death of the King of Football.
“Few Brazilians took the name of our country as far as he did. No matter how different the language was from Portuguese, foreigners from the four corners of the planet soon found a way to pronounce the magic word: ‘Pelé'”, he said, in message posted on social media.
Lula stated that he admired the athlete and that he had “passion” to see him wearing the Brazilian national team shirt.
“I confess that I was angry with Pelé, because he always massacred my Corinthians. But, above all, I admired him. And the anger soon gave way to the passion of seeing him play with the number 10 shirt of the Brazilian National Team”, he declared. the future president.
The government of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) issued a statement of regret. The text says that the Brazilian was “one of the greatest athletes of all time” and recalled that he was the “only three-time world champion”.
“He demonstrated by his actions that, in addition to being a great athlete, he was also a great citizen and patriot, raising the name of Brazil wherever he went”, says the note from the government’s Special Secretariat for Social Communication.
“The President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, prays to God to receive him in His arms and give strength and faith to all his family and friends to overcome this difficult moment.”
Pelé was Minister of Sports from 1995 to 1998, during the FHC administration. He took as his flag the modernization of football and the guarantee of labor rights for professional athletes.
Other authorities of the future government also spoke out about the death. The graduated vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), wished prayers to Pelé’s family. “Our affection, our condolences, our prayers and our feelings to the family and fans,” he said.
A Santos fan, Alckmin said that Pelé was a complete athlete.
“Sad news, the death of our dear king Pelé, Edson Arantes do Nascimento. My team, Santos, the ‘fish’, had the greatest attack of all time: Dorval, Mengálvio, Coutinho, Pelé and Pepe. It was a selection “, Alckmin told reporters.
“Our affection, our prayers to dear Pelé, world cup champion in 58, 62 and 70, a complete athlete”, declared the future vice-president.
The current vice-president and elected senator, Hamilton Mourão (Republicanos-SC) said that Pelé “takes with him a little of the joy of all Brazilians” and that national football is “sadder” without him.
Future Sports Minister Ana Moser called Pelé “eternal” and said it was impossible to have someone like him again. She also said she hoped to be able to honor the legacy and representativeness of the athlete.
“It’s impossible to have someone like him again. An athlete who had his peak in the 70’s and is alive, so strong until today. How does all this reproduce? Skin is eternal”, he stated.
Former president Dilma Rousseff (PT) said that no one was a “king so beloved” as Pelé. She thanked the goal screams, tears and smiles that the athlete provided.
“Thank you for the joys you gave to the Brazilian people and the peoples of the world. No one was such a beloved king. I convey to the Brazilian men and women and their families my immense regret,” she said on social media.
Former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB) said, also on the networks, that Pelé is “an indisputable symbol of our nation, a source of pride for all of us”.
“In addition to being consecrated as a legend of world sport, Pelé was an exemplary public man, loyal to his principles, values and to our country. We lost everyone with his departure”, he also said.
The President of Congress, Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), said that Pelé was the most masterful football player the world has seen on the pitch. Pacheco said that the athlete “raised the name of Brazil wherever he went”, and “interrupted wars and conflicts with the ball at his feet and the message of peace”.
“In this moment of sadness, what comforts me, among the many examples left by Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is being sure of the enchantment provided by the Minas Gerais native from Três Corações, who made football something magical for all fans of the sport”, he said.
The mayor, deputy Arthur Lira (PP-AL), also showed solidarity with Pelé’s family through social networks.
“Brazil and the world mourn the death of our eternal Camisa 10, the greatest football player of all time,” he wrote. “The king of football for all the world. The man Pelé leaves us. The eternal Pelé will live forever.”
The future human rights minister said that Pelé “was the first thing that made me like Brazil”, saying that the fact that he was a black man gave him hope. Anielle Franco, who will head Racial Equality, asked that “God and the Orixás comfort their families and friends”.
“Pelé immortalized the best of Brazilian men and women: effort, art, joy, dedication, respect and union”, said the president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Alexandre de Moraes.
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