SANTOS, Brazil (AP) 鈥� As the approaches, the image of one of Brazil’s most recognizable footballers lives on in Santos, the one-time home of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, far better known as .
Tourists like Mario 脕lvarez Gami帽o, a 67-year-old retired salesperson from , flock to Santos to see anything that connects the to the man. The soccer legend’s legacy is everywhere 鈥� in vibrant murals by street artist Eduardo Kobra, among the memorabilia of his beloved club and even on posters glued to local lampposts.
鈥淗is legacy is fundamental. His life will always be an example to follow,鈥� 脕lvarez said. 鈥淎t the moment we have Cristiano Ronaldo … but he lacks something that 笔别濒茅 had, which is humility. … He was really a genius.鈥�
笔别濒茅, who died in 2022 at age 82, played at Santos Futebol Clube for most of his career, from 1956 to 1974. He also played for Brazil’s team in the World Cup 鈥� including three wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Santos is also home to the 笔别濒茅 Museum, where fans can learn more about 笔别濒茅’s life and see various memorabilia, including jerseys and trophies.
鈥淲hen you tell a foreigner you鈥檙e from Santos, the first thing they say is 鈥槺时鸨裘┾��. That鈥檚 why we at the museum have a great responsibility: to carry the name of 笔别濒茅 and the city of Santos,鈥� said museum director Paulo Monteiro. “After his death, we now have a greater and more difficult mission, which is to keep his legacy active and alive.鈥�
Many of the more than 400,000 residents of Santos never had the chance to see 笔别濒茅 in action, but they want the legacy to live on.
Among them is bar owner Anderson Albino.
鈥淎s local business owners, we see how much international media comes here and how that draws huge numbers of visitors,鈥� Albino said. 鈥淔or those of us from the city, it鈥檚 a privilege that 笔别濒茅 played for Santos.鈥�
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Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.
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