a sentimental A wake for football superstar Pele was held in the same stadium where he first astounded the world with his breathtaking brilliance as Brazil started to pay its final tributes to him on Monday.
A coffin with the bones of “O Rei” (the King) was on display in the middle of the field as thousands of football dignitaries and supporters slowly made their way into Vila Belmiro, the stadium where Pele spent most of his playing career with Santos.
According to the president’s office, to “offer his condolences and tribute,” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will attend the 24-hour wake on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. (1200 gmt),, before the funeral procession and burial later that day.
Pele, a three-time World Cup champion who was largely regarded as the best player in football history, passed away on Thursday at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.
The chairman of the South American and Brazilian football confederations, Gianni Infantino, also attended the wake. He announced that Pele’s memorial stadium would be requested by all FIFA member nations.
“Pele is unchanging.” He is an international football star. He spoke to reporters in Santos, a port city 75 kilometres (45 miles) southeast of Sao Paulo.
In order to honour their hero, Carlos Mota and his 12-year-old son Bernardo travelled more than 500 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro.
“Pele’s contributions to Brazil and his World Cup victories shaped my entire childhood.” “He was adored by the nation,” Motota, 59, told AFP.
There are three unassailable truths, as I have frequently reminded my son: “The ball is round, the grass is green, and Pele is the best of all time.”
Bernardo obviously internalised the message.
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“Although I’ve watched the videos, I’ve never seen Pele play.” “He is the best player to have ever lived,” he said.
Vera Lucia, a 75-year-old retired woman who had travelled from Sao Paulo, was likewise sweltering in the sun as she stood in the early afternoon queue that spanned two kilometres.
She said, “I’m just crushed.” “As a family, we always enjoyed watching his matches.”
Pele, real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, burst into the spotlight at the age of 15 when he made his debut with Santos.
He went on to become the only player in history to win the World Cup three times with Brazil: in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Since his passing, tributes have flooded in from all around the world, with a Who’s Who of current and former football greats praising his brilliance for the “beautiful game.”
The wake is expected to draw a steady stream of athletes, politicians, dignitaries, and fans to Santos, though the New Year’s holiday weekend may have an impact on attendance.
By mid-afternoon, over 7,000 people had walked past the coffin, according to TV Globo in Brazil.
Pallbearers in black, led by Pele’s son Edinho, brought his coffin into the stadium.
Marcia Cibele Aoki, the late icon’s widow and his third wife, whom he wed in 2016, sobbed in front of his open casket as she reached out to touch his head. She added a rosary to his casket as well.
The casket was surrounded by white flowers, including bouquets from Real Madrid or current Brazil star Neymar, whose father was present, and draped in the flags of Santos and Brazil.
Public mourning
From all throughout Brazil, which observed three days of national mourning, further tributes have been sent.
A huge picture of Pele bearing the word “forever” may be found in Rio near the Brazilian Football Confederation’s offices.
Sunday’s inaugural ceremony for the newly elected Lula began with a moment of silence in Pele’s honour.
Pele had a precarious health condition due to kidney issues and then colon cancer.
However, he continued to be active on social media, supporting Brazil from his Sao Paulo hospital bed during the World Cup in Qatar and comforting the tournament favourites when they lost in the quarterfinals three weeks before he passed away.
Tuesday’s wake will be followed by a funeral parade through Santos that will pass by the home of Pele’s mother, Celeste Arantes, who is still living and is 100 years old.
A Catholic funeral service will be held at Santos Memorial Cemetery, where the procession will come to a close before Pele is laid to rest in a unique mausoleum.
