An incredible tribute to a legend. A Pele T-shirt was "put" on the statue of Christ the Redeemer

Brazilians paid tribute to the memory of football icon Pelé on the first anniversary of his death. The legendary footballer passed away at the age of 82 from colon cancer. An image of the Brazilian national team's jersey with Pelé's name and the number 10 was projected onto the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, an iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro. This projection was accompanied by a message from Pope Francis.

In his statement, Pope Francis remarked:

"Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was undoubtedly an athlete who embodied all the positive qualities of a sportsman throughout his life. The memory of the 'King of Football' remains indelible in the history of humanity. This encourages new generations to seek in sports a means to strengthen the bonds of unity among us."

Religious ceremonies were held at the Pelé Museum in Santos and Três Corações, the birthplace of Pelé, honoring the football legend's contributions to the Santos football club and Brazilian football. FIFA also paid tribute to Pelé by releasing a video showcasing the key moments of his extraordinary career, confirming that his legacy will forever reside in the hearts of football enthusiasts worldwide.

It's worth noting that in 1999, the International Olympic Committee named Pelé the athlete of the century, and the Michaelis Dictionary immortalized Pelé by adding his name as an adjective denoting someone as "exceptional, unparalleled, unique." This acknowledgment, driven by a campaign with over 125,000 signatures, recognizes the profound impact of the legend beyond the realm of football.