SouthernWorldwide.com – A towering tribute to football legend Pelé was officially revealed in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Thursday, honoring his remarkable career and his connection to the city.
The statue, a significant monument to the Brazilian icon, was erected to celebrate his unparalleled achievements with the Brazilian national team. Pelé, who passed away at the age of 82 in 2022, secured one of his three World Cup victories in Mexico during the 1970 tournament.
Governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, expressed his enthusiasm during the unveiling. “This monumental figure of this great player, who played here and scored a great goal, is a great gift to the people of Jalisco and to all visitors,” he stated. Lemus further elaborated on the special bond between Pelé, the Brazilian team, and Guadalajara. “Pelé loved Guadalajara, and the Brazilian national team fell in love with it because the Mexican public gave them everything in 1970.”
Standing an impressive 9.5 meters (31 feet) tall, the statue is prominently situated in a public space known as Plaza Brazil. This location is adjacent to the Jalisco Stadium, a venue that has a rich history, having hosted matches during both the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups. The Brazilian national team’s journey to their 1970 title saw them play their initial group stage games, quarter-final, and semi-final matches at the Jalisco Stadium before ultimately defeating Italy in the final held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Governor Lemus highlighted the statue’s potential to become a significant landmark. “People who come to the Jalisco Stadium now will stop to take pictures. This statue will be a landmark, especially since it depicts a football star like Pelé,” he commented. He added, “It’s a great gift for the World Cup.”
Guadalajara is set to play a role in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, scheduled to host four first-round matches. These fixtures include South Korea versus the Czech Republic on June 12, Mexico against South Korea on June 18, Colombia playing Congo on June 23, and Uruguay facing Spain on June 26.
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Reporting by The Associated Press.
