Santos, one of the most traditional clubs in Brazil and which on Wednesday was relegated for the first time in its 111-year history, will refrain from wearing the number 10 shirt of its greatest idol, Pelé, while playing in the second division of the Brazilian Championship.
The decision was announced at a press conference by the lawyer and business administrator Marcelo Teixeira just one hour after being elected this Saturday as the new president of Santos, after a vote in which there was no shortage of incidents or protests due to the serious crisis it is experiencing. the club that, in addition to Pelé, has idols such as Neymar, Robinho and Rodrygo.
"In the Paulista Championship we will be able to perform normally with the number 10 shirt, but in the Brazilian Championship, as long as we do not rise again to the top category, a level worthy of Pelé, we will not perform with the number 10 shirt," stated Teixeira, who returns to the command of the club that he already presided over for six terms between 1992 and 1993 and between 2000 and 2009.
For the leader, chosen to help Santos get out of the biggest crisis in its history, the second division is not up to the number (10) eternalized by Pelé.
"In his memory and in his honor, since this year we dedicated it to tributes to Pelé after his death (on December 29), we will continue with that mission. As long as we do not return (to the honor division), the Santos Fútbol Club will not wear the most glorious shirt in its history, the number 10," Teixeira said.
The 10 shirt had been worn by Venezuelan Jefferson Soteldo, one of the few players who has escaped criticism for the club's humiliating relegation.
Teixeira, 59, was elected president of Santos with 4,762 votes (54.2% of the total), with which he greatly surpassed the other four candidates: Maurício Maruca, 1,378 (15.6%), Rodrigo Marino, 1,073 votes (12.2%), Ricardo Agostinho, 1,011 (11.5%), and Wladimir Mattos, 562 (6.4%).
