Rio honours Pele’s legacy with new life-size wax figure ahead of World Cup

Life-Sized Tribute Unveiled

The wax museum in Rio de Janeiro, located within the AquaRio marine aquarium complex, unveiled a statue of Brazilian football legend Pele on Wednesday in a tribute marking the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Footage shows the life-sized wax statue of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, and depicts him wearing a replica of Brazil’s kit from its victorious 1970 World Cup campaign in Mexico.

Two Years in the Making

The statue took two years to complete and was crafted by a team of 20 artisans from various disciplines in London. Museum director Joao Paulo said the work was based on a photograph personally approved by Pele.

“Upon learning of the mobility difficulties [Pele] had, we took advantage of an event he had as a sponsor in Barcelona. We met with him there and spent between four to five hours taking all his body measurements and photographs to then be able to start the process,” Paulo shared.

Celebrating Pele’s Enduring Legacy

The tribute joins a series of initiatives in Brazil and abroad commemorating Pele, who died in December 2022 and remains the only footballer to have won three World Cups.

“It is an immense pleasure to have this inauguration of the statue of Pele here at the Wax Museum. […] The aquarium, besides being an excellent marine conservation facility, is also entertainment and tourism,” said Founder and President Director of AquaRio, Marcelo Szpilman.

Countdown to the 2026 World Cup

The statue’s inauguration comes just days ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico – the first tournament to be hosted by three countries and the first to feature 48 national teams.

Brazil will enter the tournament hoping to claim a record-extending sixth world title and end a 24-year wait for World Cup glory since lifting the trophy in South Korea and Japan in 2002.