Brazil is now sixth in the South American standings after struggling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
In an interview with AFP a few days before Pele’s death anniversary on Friday, his son Edinho stated that his father “would have been sad” about the current situation of the Brazilian national team. Brazil is now in sixth place in the South American standings, which is the final spot that grants direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, having failed to qualify. Due to a strained knee ligament, Neymar—the Selecao’s biggest player right now—is out for an extended period of time.
Edinho, 53, one of Pele’s seven offspring, remarked, “This crisis didn’t appear overnight, there are big and complex problems.”
“We are experiencing a decline… we still have great players but in previous times we had more high-level players than we do today.”
Edinho, who was raised by his mother after Pele and his mother divorced shortly after they moved to New York when he signed for New York Cosmos in 1975 but grew closer to him later in life, added: “There is no doubt, if (Pele) had been there this year, he would have been very sad.”
Santos, the Brazilian club where Pele spent the majority of his career, is likewise going through a difficult time after being relegated to the second level for the first time in its 111-year history.
The club is beset by financial difficulties and boardroom schisms.
“Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise. “Anyone who has followed the daily life of the club could have predicted such a scenario, and it has ended up happening,” said Edinho, who was Santos’ goalie for numerous seasons.
The rituals marking the first anniversary of Pele’s death from cancer at the age of 82 on Friday are expected to be low-key.
The six surviving offspring of the man largely regarded as the greatest player in history will hold a virtual reunion to honor the occasion, as several live in the United States, while a celebration is planned for the mausoleum in Santos, which opened to the public in May.
Edinho, whose life has been far from easy as a result of his time in prison for money laundering and drug trafficking, said the loss of the charismatic guy who scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil has left a great void in the family’s lives.
“He was exceptional, and we miss him a lot,” Edinho added. “He carried our country’s name through football, which we are very proud of.”
