Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the renewal of the “Rei Pelé” Training Center concession to Santos FC for another 40 years on Thursday, an agreement that resolves a legal dispute between the State and the sports club.
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The agreement, signed during a ceremony at the Planalto Presidential Palace in Brasília, establishes an initial 20-year term with an automatic renewal for another 20 years. The facilities, owned by the Brazilian State, will remain under Santos’s management in exchange for a monthly payment of 145,000 reais—equivalent to approximately 24,700 euros or 27,850 dollars.
As part of the deal, the club is required to carry out social initiatives, invest in its youth academy, and maintain the sports complex. The Brazilian government’s goal is to retain public ownership of the property while ensuring its use for the training and development of athletes in the city.
The “Rei Pelé” Training Center covers an area of 38,900 square meters and is valued at just over 79.7 million reais (equivalent to 15 million dollars). Over the 40-year term of the new concession, the public administration is expected to receive a total of approximately 11 million dollars.
Presidente Lula participa do ato de concessão do Centro de Treinamento Rei Pelé https://t.co/YG1PYveEwZ
— Lula (@LulaOficial) October 1, 2026
The document also acknowledges a debt owed by Santos of nearly 23 million reais (4.4 million dollars at current exchange rates) related to the previous concession and the obligation to guarantee monthly revenue for the use of the facilities. The club will be allowed to settle this amount over a period of 120 months.
Santos President Marcelo Teixeira described the agreement as historic, stating that it would enable the club to “fulfill its goal of discovering boys and girls for world football,” while also collaborating with local schools and charitable organizations.
Amid the controversy between clubs and the government regarding the ban on sports betting in Brazil, Sports Minister Paulo Henrique Cordeiro maintained that soccer is a symbol of life that cannot bear the stain of the betting industry. He also highlighted that the renewal reflects the importance the executive branch attaches to Brazilian soccer.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rallied thousands of supporters in Belém’s Republic Square during the final stage of the presidential campaign.
Addressing the crowd, Lula expressed confidence in the vote and sent a clear message to his opponent, Senator Flávio… pic.twitter.com/GPR3zhTRH3
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 29, 2026
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