December 29, 2022, 21:17 PM
December 29, 2022, 21:17 PM
The Christ the Redeemer was illuminated in green and yellow and the mythical Maracana stadium, in gold. Rio de Janeiro paid homage to the soccer idol Pelé, who died this Thursday at the age of 82, while the cariocas tried to assimilate the loss of the “King”.
“A simple black man who established himself in the world as King. Who among us mortals would achieve that today?” lamented Osmilton Pereira, a 61-year-old school secretary.
Despite not being his hometown or where he spent his career in Brazil, Rio, the “Wonderful City” that breathes soccer, was invaded by mourning for the death of the “King”, world champion with the Brazilian team in 1952, 1962 and 1970.
It is about the death of an “idol” who impacted Joao Carlos, a 54-year-old accountant, “as a Brazilian”. who explained his pain by highlighting how Pelé “represented the country in cups” of the World.
Two of the greatest symbols of the city, the Christ from the top of the city and the Maracana, stadium where Pelé scored his 1,000th goal in 1969, were lit up in the late afternoon to pay tribute to the “King”.
“Illuminated in gold in tribute to the greatest of all time. Thank you for everything once again, and rest in peace, King”, posted on Twitter the official Maracana account, which shared an aerial image of the stadium.
Gustavo Silva, a 31-year-old physical education teacher, told AFP that the death of Pelé, who had been hospitalized in Sao Paulo for a month due to complications in the treatment of his colon cancer, leaves a void not only in Brazil.
“We are very sad, I think he is one of the greatest football idols, not only for Brazilians, but for the world. He was suffering due to his illness and we will miss him,” Silva said.
– An “incalculable” loss –
Luiza Rodrigues, for her part, associated the overcast sky in Rio this Thursday with the emotional state of the Brazilians before the departure of the star.
“It’s very sad. The rain today has a fair meaning,” said the 21-year-old student.
For many Brazilians, there will no longer be another like the “King”: there is no heir and his throne will remain empty forever. “The King of football is Pelé, it is an incalculable loss,” lamented Daniel Rubens, a 38-year-old businessman.
