Bad Bunny Sports Soccer Legend Pelé’s 1966 World Cup Jacket During Brazil Shows

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny paid tribute to late soccer icon Pelé by wearing his 1966 World Cup jacket during recent concerts in Brazil. The jacket, owned by a São Paulo collector with over 7,000 soccer items, was carefully returned after the performances.

SÃO PAULO — A historic soccer jacket once worn by legendary player Pelé during the 1966 World Cup has gained renewed attention after Puerto Rican pop sensation Bad Bunny borrowed it for his debut concerts in Brazil.

The reggaeton star donned the iconic piece during his São Paulo performances, marking his first shows ever held on Brazilian territory. Bad Bunny’s homage to the soccer icon, who passed away in 2022 at 82 years old, extended beyond just wearing the jacket — he also modified lyrics in his song MONACO, replacing “Messi and Maradona” with “scoring a goal after Pelé and Maradona.”

The valuable garment belongs to Cássio Brandão, who runs Alambrado Futebol e Cultura, a specialty shop focused on historic soccer collectibles and uniforms. His collection spans more than 7,000 pieces, with 115 items specifically connected to Pelé. Brandão played a role in selecting the jacket for Bad Bunny’s tribute.

“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.

The tribute resonated beyond the concert venue, with Pelé’s official Instagram account expressing gratitude to the artist. The post noted that when someone of Bad Bunny’s stature honors “the King on Brazilian soil, it means the crown is still shining.”

Brandão believes the crossover moment will introduce Pelé’s legacy to a new generation of fans worldwide.

“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.