Brazilians bid an emotional farewell to Pele with a 24-hour wake and coffin procession
Venture onto the streets of Santos, Brazil, as the city comes to a halt to honor football legend Pelé's life. Gathering crowds and heartfelt tributes, the local public paid their final respects to the king of football with a touching 24-hour wake and a solemn coffin procession.
Open to the public, mourners commenced their journey to the soccer stadium from the early hours of Monday morning.
Tuesday next, Pele's coffin would embark on aprocession through the city's streets, making sure to pass by his beloved mother Celeste Arantes' former residence.
The final resting place for Pelé was set, nestled in the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica cemetery, where a private burial ceremony took place for the family.
As Pelé's funeral car left Albert Einstein Hospital, Saint Paul, a luminous firework display appeared. The three-time World Cup champion had passed away on Thursday due to multiple organ failure, following a prolonged battle with colon cancer.
With heavy military escorte, Pelé's coffin was transported to the stadium, where it was set up in the center.
Fans had congregated since early Monday morning, lining up the streets alongside banners and flags that read, “O Rei” (The King). One fan scrawled on the street edge, “Pelé, thou art eternal.”
Gigantic banners adorned the 16,000 seating capacity Santos stadium, which included one saying, “Long live the King.”
Santos' son, Edson Nascimento, took to Instagram to post a series of stories about his family's journey.
“We bring our King home,” a sign indicated the convoy cruising along the highway. Another man placed his hand on the coffin and inscribed, “We're home.”
Brazilian superstars Romario and Neymar, along with Real Madrid and Sao Paulo Football Club representatives, were among the many who joined in the event.
Pelé's wife Marcia Aoki attended the ceremony and embraced Edson Nascimento, as reported by the Brazilian network CNN.
Upon the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica gates opening, people of all ages surged into the stadium, donning the iconic yellow jerseys of both Brazil's national team and Santos FC.
It was a sun-kissed day and the crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, so much that tears flowed down the faces of many fans as they entered the stadium. The main entrance was decorated with flowers and a Santos Club flag hung at half-mast.
From the moment Pelé's coffin entered the stadium, Pele's song "Meu Legado" (My Legacy) reverberated around, with fans singing along in unison.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the first to pay his respects and express his condolences.
“Pelé is eternal,” Infantino expressed according to Reuters. “The FIFA will honor Pelé, the King, without a doubt.”
“We've asked all football associations across the world to observe a minute of silence before each game and we will invite 211 countries to name a stadium after Pelé. Future generations should know and remember who Pelé was.”
For over six decades, Pele's name has become synonymous with football. Participating in four World Cups and being the only player to win three, his impact deservedly transcends his countless trophies and remarkable scoring record.
“I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to compose music and Michelangelo was born to paint,” Pele famously said.
Born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the revered icon of football was mourned worldwide, while political figures, musicians, and fellow athletes paid tribute to the man who transcended his sport and became a global icon.
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