A jacket worn by football legend Pelé during the 1966 World Cup has captured new global attention after pop superstar Bad Bunny wore it on stage during his recent concerts in São Paulo, marking his first performances in Brazil.
The tribute went beyond fashion. During his shows, Bad Bunny altered the lyrics of his song MONACO, replacing the line referencing “Messi and Maradona” with “scoring a goal after Pelé and Maradona,” drawing loud reactions from Brazilian fans and celebrating Pelé’s enduring influence on world football.
The historic jacket belongs to Cássio Brandão, owner of the Alambrado Futebol e Cultura store, a specialist shop dedicated to football history and memorabilia. Brandão owns more than 7,000 football-related items, including 115 that once belonged to Pelé, and played a role in selecting the jacket for Bad Bunny’s performances.
“He took very good care of the piece. It came back only with sweat, wet with sweat, but it was perfect, in the same condition. They were very careful. It returned in the same suitcase,” Brandão said.
Pelé’s official Instagram account later thanked the singer for the homage, stating that when an artist of Bad Bunny’s stature honors “the King on Brazilian soil, it shows the crown is still shining.”
Brandão said the moment was deeply meaningful for preserving Pelé’s legacy among younger generations. He noted that the tribute could inspire children and teenagers in Brazil and around the world to search for Pelé’s highlights online and learn more about his achievements.
“I think that today, when I see Bad Bunny doing this, it warms my heart to imagine that many kids across Brazil and around the world are going on YouTube trying to learn more about Pelé, watching his goals and better understanding the magnitude and greatness of this figure, who is the greatest football player in history and, to me, the greatest Brazilian who has ever lived,” Brandão said.
