Santos backtracked on the idea of retiring its number 10 shirt after the death of Pelé, who immortalized the number during his time at the club, between 1956 and 1974. In an old interview given by the King of Football to influencer Bolivia, which circulates on social networks, he suggests staying with the number in use.
“It’s better, perhaps, to leave the number 10 because then people will never forget it”, said Pelé at the time.
“There is an old video that reached us in which Pelé talks about his desire to keep the number 10 shirt. The concept has changed a little, now. We leave it to talk to the family later, now is not the time”, he explained to Sheet President Andres Rueda.
The King died this Thursday (29), aged 82, from multiple organ failure resulting from colon cancer.
“The interview changes our view on the subject a little. In the video, Pelé says he has to continue using it. Everything is open, but for now, we will continue with the 10 normally”, he added.
Before having access to the video, the director had stated in an interview with BandNews radio that he would propose to the Deliberative Council the retirement of the shirt and that, even before the definitive decision, the club would not use the item during the first competitions of the year: the São Paulo Cup. Paulo de Futebol Júnior and the Paulista Championship.
“With this understanding of the (Pelé) family, we are going to propose to the Council that they retire the number 10 shirt. This has a bureaucratic procedure, Council meeting, approval… no longer wear the number 10 shirt from January onwards, hoping that it will become a final decision by our Board”, Rueda had said.
The tribute to the King of Football divides opinions among advisers. For a wing, the homage is late and should have happened while still alive. Some point out that players of little representation from the club have already used the number, devaluing the homage.
“I, in particular, have always been in favor. I think it’s an excellent tribute. Now, why this was not mentioned before… the opinion of the partners is somewhat divided, there is a part that wants the shirt to be retired and another large part does not want, that the fact that she is present will always bring the memory that Pelé is together with the team playing”, argued the top hat.
Last year, during the discussion about changing the club’s bylaws, some advisers suggested retirement, but the proposal was never put to the vote.
Statutorily, the proposal would still need to enter the agenda to be voted on and made official by Santos.
In January, the club will display a crown in honor of Pelé on its shield, just above the badge. The symbol was positioned between the stars referring to the 1962 and 1963 world titles, won by the club in the golden years of the King of Football.
The honor was proposed in Santos’ new statute, approved in November of this year. According to article 103 of the document, the club will start to use a crown over the stars of the world titles in all its shirts, “in permanent homage to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, King Pelé”.
The change applies to the women’s and men’s teams, which will use the new coat of arms in professional and amateur football games, in addition to futsal.
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