SAO PAULO — A jacket that belonged to football icon Pelé during the 1966 World Cup has gained popularity among fans of pop artist Bad Bunny after he borrowed it from a collector’s sports merchandise shop and showcased it at his concerts in Sao Paulo last week, marking his inaugural performances in Brazil.
Bad Bunny’s homage to the three-time World Cup champion, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, also featured a modification in the lyrics of the song “Monaco,” where the Puerto Rican performer sang “scoring a goal after Pelé and Maradona” instead of “after Messi and Maradona.”
Cássio Brandão, the proprietor of the Alambrado Futebol e Cultura store, specializes in historical soccer memorabilia and jerseys, boasting a collection of over 7,000 items. He possesses 115 pieces that were once owned by Pelé and played a role in Bad Bunny’s selection of the jacket.
“He took excellent care of the item. It returned only damp with sweat, but it was in perfect condition. They were very cautious. It came back in the same suitcase,” Brandão stated.
Pelé’s official Instagram account subsequently expressed gratitude to the artist for the tribute, noting that when someone like Bad Bunny pays homage to “the King on Brazilian soil, it signifies that the crown remains radiant.”
View this post on Instagram
“I believe that today, when I see Bad Bunny doing this, it brings me joy to think that many children across Brazil and around the globe are turning to YouTube to learn more about Pelé, watching his goals and gaining a deeper appreciation for the significance and greatness of this individual, who is the greatest football player in history and, in my view, the greatest Brazilian to have ever lived,” Brandão remarked.
