SAO PAULO (Brazil) – The mother of the great footballer died today at the age of 101 in Brazil Pele, Celeste Arantes. Pelé’s former club Santos and two former collaborators of the three-time World Cup winner announced this to the Associated Press. Arantes has spent the last 5 years in a vegetative state and was not informed of her son’s death in 2022.”Santos Futebol Clube deeply regrets the death of Celeste Arantes do Nascimento, the mother of our eternal king“, declared the Brazilian club on its social channels. “He had 101 years of an inspiring life story. A black woman who faced endless adversity in her life for the sake of her family“, he says. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known throughout the world as Pelé, was one of Celeste Arantes’ three sons. Initially the woman was against her son becoming a professional footballer, but gradually changed her opinion when her son became a footballer successful. Pelé died on December 29, 2022.
The condolences of the foundation
On the football legend’s Instagram profile, managed by the sia foundation, the message of condolence: “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Pelé’s mother, Dona Celeste. A point of reference as a mother, she taught Edson the humanitarian values that she spread and defended throughout her career. Today our feelings are mixed. We are deeply saddened by the departure of “Celestinha”, as her son affectionately called her. At the same time, we will be eternally grateful to her for existing. The Pelé Foundation sends all its affection and solidarity to the Arantes do Nascimento family. May we find comfort in these beautiful images, because behind every idol we know that there is a mother who provides all the structure we need to make our dreams come true. Dona Celeste is the queen mother and she will forever remain in our memories and hearts“.
