Brazil Players Wear Jersey With Pele's Name In First Game After His Passing

Mar 26, 2023

by Dewa

Brazil's national team pay a special tribute to their football legend, Pele by wearing the jersey with his name on it during their recent friendly match against Morocco. The match was also Selecao’s first game following the football legend’s passing back on December 29, 2022.

Brazil Players Worn Special Jerseys With Pele's Name in Morocco Friendly

Pele’s passing has been gone for a few months now but Brazil didn’t get to pay any tribute on an official game up til their friendly match versus Morocco this weekend. Following their exit from the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against Croatia on December 9, Selecao didn’t play any international matches. That’s why they were using the game against the Atlas Lions to finally pay homage to their football king.

All of Brazil's players from outfield players and goalkeepers have Pele’s name engraved on the back of their yellow jersey just under the shirt number. Aside from having the three-time World Cup winner’s name on the jersey, Selecao and the match organizers were also asking for a one-minute applause before kick-off as a tribute to the legendary footballer.

Rodrigo Gets the Honor to Wear Brazil's No. 10 Kit Iconic to Pele

The friendly game also turned out as a special occasion for Real Madrid’s starlet, Rodrygo as he was given the opportunity to wear the iconic number 10 kit that has been associated with Pele. Neymar’s absence because of injury pretty much opened up the spot for other players but it was the Los Blancos attacker that get the special opportunity. The PSG star has been the player who bears that iconic number 10 jersey in the last few years and would've still worn it if he was available to play on Saturday.

Pele is widely known as a legend not only in Brazil but also in world football, considering his enormous contribution to the sport. His brilliance in helping his national team win three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970, put him among the best-ever players who have played the game. His health has been troubling him in recent years, especially the last months before his passing.

Unfortunately, despite making the friendly game a homage to their legend, Brazil didn’t manage to pick up a victory in that tie as they lost 2-1 after 90 minutes, with Casemiro scoring their only goal. Nevertheless, the result is certainly not something that the Selecao squad put too much emphasis on in that friendly game. As the friendly fixture is also their first game afer Tite's departure as head coach with Ramon Menezes acting as an interim boss for the time being.