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SAO PAULO. — A hearse carrying Pele’s body yesterday arrived at Santos football stadium for fans to say a final farewell before the legend’s funeral.
Fans lined up early yesterday outside the Vila Belmiro Stadium ahead of Pelé’s funeral in his hometown of Santos.
The Brazilian football great died on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.
Pelé scored some of the best goals of his career at the 16 000-seat stadium outside Sao Paulo. His funeral is scheduled to start at 10am local time, and the burial will take place in a vertical cemetery only 600 metres away today.
Fans started arriving at the stadium in the early hours of yesterday to pay their last respects to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, globally known as Pelé.
One of them 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 Pelé, a picture of him as a goalkeeper, also signed by him. DVDs, photos, a big collection of him.”
Mendes also said Pelé was a humble man despite his global fame, and that he deserves every tribute.
Inside the Vila Belmiro, a large tent has been set to place Pelé’s coffin.
After Pelé’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.
Pelé had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical centre where he had been hospitalised said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer.
His funeral will be held in the stadium where he played some of the best matches of his career.
Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon — but stopped responding to care.
Last Thurday evening the news broke that the greatest player in history has sadly passed away due to multiple organ failure as a result of his cancer.
Pele died with his family by his side and holding his hand.
The South American nation is now preparing to say goodbye to the football legend as his funeral takes place yesterday and today.
His coffin arrived at the Santos pitch early yesterday after travelling from hospital in Sao Paulo.
Pele will be placed in the centre of the field and fans will be able to pay their respects for 24 hours before a procession through the streets of Santos to celebrate the icon.
Visitation started at 10am (Brazilian time) yesterday and will finish today at the same time.
Pele’s coffin will then be carried through the streets and will pass in front of the home of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste.
The burial will take place at the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica and only family will attend.
His final resting place will be in a unique “vertical cemetery” in a 14-floor building which includes 14 000 vaults, a waterfall and a car museum.
It includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and a mausoleum “for families who want to preserve their legacy in a more personal and private way”.
It even contains a tropical garden that includes a small rooftop cafe and a waterfall also.
Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970 – the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1 279 goals in 1 363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He also scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
The current Brazilian No.10 has led the huge outpouring of tributes to the late, great superstar along with modern day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Pele made his debut for his local team Santos aged just 15 and won his first cap for the Brazil national team at 16. He won the World Cup in 1958 aged just 17, and then won it again in 1962 and 1970.
The South American superstar racked up 643 goals in 659 appearances for club side Santos across his 18-year spell.
He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos. — The Sun
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