A life-size, bronze statue honoring Brazilian football legend Pele is to be unveiled in June for the reopening of Rio’s renovated, iconic Maracana Stadium.
Renowned Brazilian sculptor Ique is currently putting the finishing touches to the 300-kilogram (660 pound) statue, based on photographs of a goal Pele scored in Brazil’s 4-1 win against Czechoslovakia during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
“It is a difficult work as it is the moment when Pele jumps and pumps his fist into the air to celebrate his goal,” the sculptor, who worked for 30 years as caricaturist for the Rio-based Jornal do Brasil, told AFP.
