Museum for Pele opens in Brazil

World Today

Brazil has been home to some of the greatest footballers to ever play the game. But none have been better than Pele, arguably the best of all time. Now the port city of Santos, where he made his name and career, has a museum to honor Pele and tell his story. CCTV’s Paulo Cabral attended its opening.

Follow Paulo Cabral on Twitter:@paulonumundo

Museum for Pele opens in Brazil

Brazil has been home to some of the greatest footballers to ever play the game. But none have been better than Pele, arguably the best of all time. Now the port city of Santos, where he made his name and career, has a museum to honor Pele and tell his story. CCTV's Paulo Cabral attended its opening.

The city where Pele rose to fame honored its favorite son Sunday, celebrating the life and career of the Brazilian football great while his country hosted the World Cup.

Hundreds of dignitaries were on hand in the port city of Santos to toast the 73-year-old Pele at the official opening of the Pele Museum – a 4,000 square meter complex inside the city’s old town that cost about $22 million and houses more than 2,500 items related to his career, including trophies, jerseys and images of him with world leaders and celebrities.

Considered by many to be the greatest footballer ever, Pele rose to stardom at Santos FC, where he played between 1956 and 1974. During that period he also led Brazil to three World Cup titles.

Pele rode into the ceremony on a tram and was greeted by wild applause. Visibly emotional, he said the museum was a ”dream” and that he was proud to represent the city and his country.