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SAO PAULO. — The body of Pele, the greatest football player of all time, will be laid to rest at the home of Santos, where he enchanted the world.
Pele, who died at the age of 82 on Thursday, will go straight from the Albert Einstein Hospital to Estádio Urbano Caldeira in Vila Belmiro at dawn on Monday and the coffin will be placed in the centre of the pitch. The public wake is expected to begin at 10am.
Anyone who wants to say goodbye to the ”King of Football” will enter through two gates and separate to politicians and the authorities.
The ceremony will continue until 10am on Tuesday, January 3, when the parade will take place through the streets of Santos.
The press will have access through gate 20 and prior registration will be required, by email, with the rules informed on the club’s official website.
Pele died at the age of 82 following a long battle with colon cancer. He had been in hospital since late last month.
Daughter Kely Nascimento confirmed his passing with a social media post that said: ”Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
There was a message to the three million followers on Pele’s official Twitter account, too: ”Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love and love, forever.”
Glowing tributes flowed for the only man to win the World Cup three times, first as a 17-year-old in 1958, again in Chile four years later and then the iconic third win in Mexico in 1970.
In his playing career, he scored 1 282 goals in 1 366 games, which included 77 in 92 appearances for his country.
The Brazilian FA posted a photo of their most famous No. 10 celebrating one of those goals and his club Santos posted a sombre image of a golden crown, printing his real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento and the dates of his life.
Earlier this week, Santos added a small crown to their crest, between the stars representing the Intercontinental Cup titles he helped them win in 1962 and 1963. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter