The Football Museum celebrates the Women’s World Cup with a historic piece from women’s football: a jersey from Esporte Clube Radar, worn by Iracema Ferreira, known as Rata, now on display in the Pelé Room.
The Football Museum, located in the heart of the Pacaembu Stadium, is already alive with the atmosphere of the Women’s World Cup with an exciting new addition to its iconic Pelé Room. Starting this week, visitors will have the opportunity to see a jersey of immense historical value, belonging to the legendary Esporte Clube Radar and worn by former player Iracema Ferreira, affectionately known as Rata.
This piece from 1983, which bears witness to a crucial period in Brazilian women’s football, now occupies the display case that previously housed an autographed jersey from the men’s 1994 Brazilian national team. This initiative by the Football Museum, an institution of the Secretariat of Culture, Economy, and Creative Industries of the Government of São Paulo, underscores the importance of valuing and immortalizing the figures and moments that have shaped national sports, especially women’s football.
The Undeniable Legacy of Esporte Clube Radar
Esporte Clube Radar holds a central and undisputed place in the rich tapestry of Brazilian women’s football. The team is unanimously recognized as the most influential and victorious during the period spanning from the sport’s revival after the prohibition ended in 1979 to the formation of the first Brazilian national team in 1988. This interval marks a golden era for the Rio de Janeiro-based club.
From 1983, the year of the official regulation of women’s football in the country and the year of the piece now exhibited at the Football Museum, until 1988, Radar dominated the scene, winning an impressive six state and national titles. A true winning machine that paved the way for future generations and consolidated the presence of women in sports.
Between the Eternal King and Tomorrow’s Brilliance
The celebrated jersey worn by Pelé in the final of the 1970 World Cup, a treasure for sports enthusiasts, will remain on display in the Pelé Room for the coming months, allowing more fans to appreciate the history of the King of Football. However, the future holds new excitements for the space dedicated to the greatest player of all time.
After this period, Pelé’s main display case will undergo a significant renovation. The major novelty will be intrinsically linked to the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, which Brazil has the honor of hosting in 2027. A promise that Pelé’s legacy will continue to inspire, while also opening doors for the achievements of women’s football.
The Display Cases That Tell Stories
Since 2024, the Pelé Room at the Football Museum has been revamped to offer an even richer experience, with two display cases strategically dedicated to jerseys. One is exclusively reserved for exhibiting original pieces worn by Pelé in iconic moments of his legendary career.
The other, in turn, is a dynamic space that showcases objects related to athletes who symbolize remarkable sporting achievements, always in dialogue with temporary exhibitions and the vibrant cultural programming of the Museum. This concept allows for revisiting the rich histories of the World Cups from 1958 to 2022 and broadening the perspective on all those who, in some way, helped build great Brazilian football.
Behind the Scenes of Historical Preservation
With each item change, the behind-the-scenes operations at the Football Museum become intensely active. This is a special moment that involves and mobilizes multidisciplinary teams from museology, operations, assembly, and communication. Handling such valuable uniforms is a delicate task.
It is carried out by a select group of highly qualified professionals, who use gloves and apply rigorous conservation techniques to ensure the integrity and longevity of each item. The detailed process of installing Radar’s historic jersey will soon be shared on the Museum‘s social media, offering an exclusive glimpse into the meticulous work behind the exhibition.
The Impact and Future Projections for Women’s Football
The inclusion of Iracema Ferreira, Rata‘s jersey, in the Pelé Room of the Football Museum transcends a simple exhibition; it is a significant milestone in the celebration of women’s football and in the diversification of the sport’s historical narratives. Alongside King Pelé‘s jersey, the piece from Esporte Clube Radar reinforces the importance of recognizing and honoring the pioneers who opened paths and built the rich trajectory of the sport in Brazil.
This move by the Football Museum is an essential preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted on Brazilian soil, projecting a future where the history and present of women’s football gain increasing visibility and deserved recognition, inspiring new generations of athletes and fans of the sport.
Football Museum
Praça Charles Miller, s/n – Pacaembu – São Paulo
Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
First Tuesday of each month, until 9 PM (last entry at 8 PM)
R$ 25.00 (full price) and R$ 12.50 (half price)
Children up to 7 years old are free
Free on Tuesdays
Guaranteed tickets online:
Special Blue Zone Parking — R$ 6.95 for three hours
