LAST UPDATE | 2 Jan 2023
MOURNERS BEGAN PAYING their respects to Pele in a solemn procession past his coffin at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in his home town of Santos earlier today.
The Brazilian football great died on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.
Pele’s coffin was placed on the field where he scored scored some of the best goals of his career. Mourners walked past his casket in the 16,000-seat stadium outside Sao Paulo.
Vila Belmiro was decorated with Brazilian flags and No 10 shirts that became popular after Pele started wearing them for Santos and Brazil.
The stands filled up with bouquets of flowers placed by mourners and sent by clubs and star players — Neymar and Ronaldo among them — from around the world as loudspeakers played a song named Eu Sou Pele (I Am Pele) that was recorded by the Brazilian himself.
His funeral was scheduled start at 10am local time (1pm Irish time), and the burial will take place in a vertical cemetery 600 metres away tomorrow.
Fans started arriving at the stadium in the early hours of this morning to pay their last respects to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, globally known as Pele.
Among them was Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who told journalists that every country should name a stadium after the three-time World Cup winner.
“I am here with a lot of emotion, sadness, but also with a smile because he gave us so many smiles,” Infantino said. “As Fifa, we will pay a tribute to the ‘King’ and we ask the whole world to observe a minute of silence.”
Another mourner was Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes.
“It is a very sad moment, but we are now seeing the real meaning of this legendary player to our country,” Mendes told journalists. “My office has shirts signed by Pele, a picture of him as a goalkeeper, also signed by him, DVDs, photos, a big collection of him.”
Mendes also said Pele was a humble man despite his global fame, and that he deserves every tribute.
After Pele’s funeral, his casket will be ushered through the streets of Santos before his burial. Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other dignitaries are expected to attend.
Pele had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical centre where he had been treated said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer.
Mendes also said Pele was a humble man despite his global fame, and that he deserves every tribute.
Inside the Vila Belmiro, a large tent has been set up in which to place Pele’s coffin.
After Pele’s funeral, his casket will be ushered through the streets of Santos before his burial. Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the wake for Pele on Tuesday, his office said.
Lula, who took office on Sunday for a third term, “will pay his respects and tribute to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, ‘Pele,’ and his condolences to his family on Tuesday at 9:00 am (1200 GMT),” his office confirmed in a statement.
Pele had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical centre where he had been treated said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer.
Additional reporting from – © AFP 2023
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