Santos’ first match after Pelé’s death had a series of tributes to the star. The King of football was revered before the ball rolled and also during the white-and-white team’s game against Mirassol, in Vila Belmiro, for the first round of the Paulista Championship.
The moments leading up to the game had the stadium’s floodlights turned off. The lawn was illuminated with lights that marked the lines of the field where the number 10 reigned. Lights on the ground formed the image of the traditional celebration with the punch in the air.
On one side of the field, a giant photo of Pelé celebrating a goal for the Brazilian team with Jairzinho, an iconic figure, was placed. On the other, the genius wore the Santos shirt and waved to fans at Maracanã.
In the center of the lawn was a throne. In it was placed by old companions, like Clodoaldo, a large crown. In the stands, fans displayed banners and banners with the inscriptions “Eternal Pelé” and “Viva o Rei”.
Santos athletes did not play with their traditional numbers. There was always an account whose result was the number 10. Marcos Leonardo, for example, was not number 9. It was “9+1”. Zanocelo wasn’t the 2. It was the “2×5”.
The sponsors on the uniform adopted the white color, imperceptible from a long distance. Thus, the beach team’s uniform resembled the one used by the King, all white. From the tribunes, the widow Márcia Aoki accompanied the match, moved.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
