A grieving Brazil today bids a final farewell to soccer legend Pelé, who died last week at the age of 82.
Since Monday, the public has been able to visit Pelé’s open casket in the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, São Paulo. The stadium is home to the football club Santos, where Pelé made his professional debut in the Brazilian league as a 15-year-old.
According to Brazilian TV Globo, close to 10,000 fans have passed the coffin.
Pelé’s coffin has been decorated with the flags of Santos and Brazil, and white flower bouquets sent by, among others, the football team Real Madrid.
Image: STELLA Pictures/ddp/abaca press/AOP
Pele, Brazil
This evening Finnish time, Pelé’s funeral procession will pass through the city of Santos in the state of São Paulo. The train will also pass the house of his mother, Celeste Arantes. She is 100 years old and still alive.
Pelé is known as one of the greatest soccer players in world history. He helped win three World Cups with Brazil, and is still one of the most legendary names in football history.
Source: AFP
