The Cruyff Foundation launched the Cruyff Court Pelé in Santos, Brazil, in tribute to the two football legends. It will be the 300th Court they have built around the world.
This milestone was achieved with the opening of a new field in Santos, Brazil, a city significantly marked by the legendary footballer Pelé’s illustrious career.
The opening ceremony, held in honor of Pelé whose first death anniversary falls on December 29, took place in the Dique da Vila Gilda neighborhood, one of the poorest areas in Santos. The project was a collaborative effort between the Cruyff Foundation and the Pelé Foundation.
During the event, Santos Mayor Rogerio Santos emphasized the significance of the new field, stating, “The presence of this field here represents security and opportunity for these young people.”
“We recognize that social inequality arises from a lack of opportunities. This is a step towards transformation and making a difference in the lives of these individuals.”
The project holds special importance for the Cruyff Foundation. The new field, located in the city housing Latin America’s largest port and the historic Santos FC, is the 300th in the Cruyff Fields project. These fields are small football pitches designed for safe sports activities for disabled children or areas at risk of social exclusion.
The foundation chose Santos for this new project because it is the cradle of Santos FC, one of Brazil’s most prestigious clubs, and the home of football icons like Pelé, Neymar, Robinho, and Rodrigo.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Johan Cruyff’s daughter and the president of the Cruyff Foundation in Spain, Susila Cruyff, along with some Santos legends who faced questions about the club’s first-ever relegation to the second division.
This field marks the fourth Cruyff Foundation facility in Brazil, with the first having been opened in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, in 2010. The initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to fostering sports and social development in communities in need.
