Farewell to Football Legend Pele
The procession began at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, home to Pele's former team Santos, with his coffin being carried through the streets of Santos, including the 100-year-old mother's neighborhood. The final journey continued to the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica, where a private burial took place.
The legendary three-time World Cup winner passed away on Thursday at the age of 82 due to multiple organ failure following a prolonged battle with colon cancer. Since then, tributes have poured in from around the globe, and people of all ages flocked to attend his 24-hour public funeral that took place on Monday in the Santos Stadium, known as Villabermi, holding 16,000 seats.
According to Santos, over 230,000 people attended the ceremony, many of them donning Brazil's iconic yellow jersey. Despite the stadium gates being closed, thousands of mourners still lined up, with many being turned away.
Local police reportedly boosted security due to the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the ceremony. Lula paid his respects to Pelé's wife at the memorial by Tuesday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also visited to offer his condolences.
A number of world leaders and football associations paid tribute to the football god. FIFA pledged to honor Pelé by requesting every football federation to stand in silence before each match and consider naming a stadium after him.
Born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé was hailed as one of the greatest players of all time. He participated in four World Cups and became the only player to win three in history. A true icon, he once described himself as "being born to play football, like Beethoven was born to compose music, and Michelangelo was born to paint."
Despite the countless tributes and public funeral, private family members bid their farewell to the beloved legend at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica, honoring his life and legacies off the field.
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Pelé's private funeral took place due to the family's wishes and legacy. Upon his death, he was considered a unique figure in many aspects, having set new standards in football and inspiring entire generations.
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