Even in the last days of his life, Pelé (1940-2022) still carried with him the unmistakable well-trimmed topknot that accompanied him for almost his entire life. The inventor of the cut that became the King of Football’s trademark was João Araújo, popularly known as Didi.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento’s barber for more than 60 years, he died in the early hours of this Tuesday (24), at the age of 87, after complications arising from intestinal surgery. He leaves his wife and three children.
Didi had been hospitalized since the beginning of the month at the Beneficência Portuguesa hospital, in Santos, and underwent two surgical procedures to treat intestinal problems, but his health condition worsened. He did not survive a cardiorespiratory arrest in the early hours of the morning.
“After Pelé’s death, he became very depressed. It really affected him,” said Célia Araújo, the barber’s daughter, to the G1 website.
Pelé’s faithful friend met him before the King was “crowned”, when he was just 15 years old. He arrived in Santos the same year he cut the former athlete’s hair for the first time, in 1956, at the age of 18, coming from the quiet Rio Pardo de Minas, in the northern region of Minas Gerais.
In the first meeting, Pelé was emphatic: he wanted a cut with a pompadour, something that no one could get right. Didi accepted the challenge and the result was so satisfactory that the partnership lasted more than 60 years. Both are from Minas Gerais, as Pelé was born in Três Corações.
“As soon as Pelé arrived at the salon, he was a little suspicious, after all I was also very young. He asked if I could cut my hair, leaving a quiff. I replied: ‘Let’s try, if you like it I’ll get a client; if you don’t like it, at least you’ll have a friend'”, he said, in an interview with the Santos website in 2018.
Didi’s barbershop, located close to gate 6 of Vila Belmiro, has become a tourist attraction. There, he proudly displayed gifts he had received, such as football boots, paintings and autographed photos with the dedication: “For Didi, the greatest barber in Brazil”.
In addition to Pelé, Didi took care of the look of other Santos legends, such as Pepe, Mengálvio and Coutinho. On their social networks, Santos and former players lamented the departure.
“His barbershop was never just a space of care and vanity. It was a meeting point for lively conversations, laughter and friendships that spanned generations. We miss a man who was simple, generous and always ready to listen. Go in peace, dear Didi. His memory will remain alive in every story told in that chair”, wrote Pepe.
Until shortly before Pelé’s departure, the barber constantly went to the former athlete’s residence, in Jardim Acapulco, in Guarujá, to see him and cut his hair.
On the day of the King’s death, on December 29, 2022, he closed his doors as soon as he was informed of the loss of his friend.
coluna.obituario@grupofolha.com.br
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