Who better to understand the heights to which Pele took his country Brazil than Brazil? Brazil thought how to keep Pele alive for the rest of his life. The decision was made to build a museum in Pele’s name to enshrine the emperor of football in a golden frame. The famous Brazilian architect Oscar Neymar was commissioned to build the museum named after Pele. Collected all the memorabilia of Pele’s football career. From boots to everything in his life, to winning the World Cup, everything is kept there. After many ups and downs, the museum was inaugurated in 2014.
Although I went to Brazil to cover the World Cup in 2014, I did not have the opportunity to visit Pele’s museum. An opportunity to visit Pele’s museum came in 2016 while covering the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil. Pele Museum in Santos City. A bit far from Santos Club. The chance to visit Pele’s museum came about because of the taxi driver.
You have to buy a ticket to enter the museum. A visitor will be impressed at the first sight after entering. It is unbelievable that such a beautiful plan has been arranged to keep the football player alive. As soon as the ticket is entered, various souvenirs are sold in the name of Pele on the right. On the left is the big screen to watch Pele play.
Out front is a snack shop. The main museum was not yet entered. When you enter, you will see the four sides. What’s not there? All the photos of Pele’s football career are bound in gold frames. Pele has jerseys, boots, pants, tracksuits. Many important objects of Pele’s use are adorned. Different types of paper carting with Pele. Photo of World Cup winning trophy. Where did you play and win the match? All the records you have made can be seen.
The Brazilian football superstar started playing for the Santos club at the age of 15. Played 28 years in this club. Took to other heights. Pele has brought as much success as possible. The record says that Pele scored 643 goals in 659 matches in 18 years. Santos has brought 26 trophies to the club. Because of Pele, Bangladesh football fans have memorized the name Santos FC for ages. After a year at the club, he broke into the Brazil national team at the age of 16 and won the 1958 World Cup at the age of 17. Then Pele’s Brazil won the World Cup in 1962 and 1970. Manik Pele, the black man of football, scored 77 goals by playing 92 matches in the national team. Football gave him two hands full as he gave to football. In Brazil, when discussing any sport, not just football, they talk about Pele. Brazilians consider him the god of football. I think Pele popularized the game of football on this planet by showing his magic of feet. Although the Brazilian footballers who played before and after Pele had many contributions, Pele changed the color of football. Brazil is embedded in the minds of people all over the world as a country of football. Arrangements have been made to keep this man alive throughout his life by building a museum.
From the ground floor of the museum, one has to take the escalator to the second floor. Go there and see the TV monitor. You can turn the monitor around to see Pele’s entire craft if you want. It is written which World Cup game you want to watch. Want to see Pele’s memorable goal. Pele’s hundred goal shot will be seen. You will be intoxicated by the colorful world of football. It would seem that if Pele had not been born, football would not have been born. The thrill of seeing Manic Pele, the black man of football, started in a textbook book, is fulfilled by visiting the museum. A few hours passed in a whirlwind. Meanwhile the security officer’s call is in the original Portuguese. He asked to leave even though he did not understand. Didn’t get a chance to see the third floor. The pictures left behind on the way of farewell were like glue to the eyes. The thrill of the golden moments of visiting Pele’s museum lingered on for years.
