The most famous barber in the history of Brazilian sport, João Araújo, known as Didi, died this Tuesday (24), in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo. He was 87 years old and became known throughout the country for taking care of the hair of the then promising young man Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who would soon become known worldwide as Pelé, the King of Football.
The friendship between Didi and Pelé lasted 66 years, until the athlete’s deathin 2022. During all this time, and already living far from Santos, Pelé continued to visit Didi’s barbershop whenever he went to town.
Known for his simplicity and easy smile, Didi liked to tell the story of when he met Pelé, then about to turn 15 and making his debut at Santos – with a goal against Corinthians de Santo André. The barber also left modesty aside to remember the topknot he created for the athlete and which, for a long time, was fashionable among young people in the late 1950s and early 1960s. According to the player, the idea for the topknot was his, to honor his father, fellow player Dondinho, but it was Didi who executed it to perfection, to the point that the cut became an easily recognized symbol.
Two great coincidences helped to cement the friendship: born in Rio Pardo de Minas, in the north of Minas Gerais, Didi arrived in Santos in the same year as Pelé, who was also from Minas Gerais, from Três Corações.
“As soon as Pelé arrived at the salon, he was a little suspicious, after all I was also very young. He asked if I could cut my hair, leaving a pompadour. I replied: “Let’s try!”. If you like it, I’ll gain a client; if you don’t, at least you’ll have a friend”, said Didi, according to an article published in website do Santos, in 2018.
The success of the King made the success of the barber who took on the locks of other stars of the almost unbeatable Santos Futebol Clube, such as Coutinho, Pepe, Mengálvio and many other athletes who frequented the modest salon located in front of gate no. 6 of the Urbano Caldeira stadium, in the Vila Belmiro neighborhood, in Santos.
Didi, barber of former player Pelé, by former player Pepe – Santos
In a statement, Santos lamented the death of the “legendary” Didi. On his social networks, the former left winger of Santos and the Brazilian team, Pepe (José Macia), commented on the death of “our beloved barber”.
“His barbershop, next to Vila Belmiro, was never just a space of care and vanity. It was a meeting point for lively conversations, laughter and friendships that spanned generations”, wrote Pepe, stating that he is missed “for a simple, generous man who was always ready to listen”.
The report from Brazil Agency was unable to contact Didi’s relatives or the hospital where he died. According to regional press outlets, he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest after undergoing two surgeries. His wake took place today, at Beneficência Portuguesa, and his body was cremated at the Ecumenical Necropolis Memorial, also in Santos.
