Pele: Thousands Of Mourners Gather To Pay Their Last Respects

Earlier today, thousands of football fans across the world trooped out to mourn Brazilian legend, Pele, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 82.

The body of Pele left the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, where he died after a lengthy battle with colon cancer, to the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Sao Paulo on Monday, January 2.

Before his body arrived at the stadium, where he started his professional football career, spectators from all walks of life had already packed the stands and lined the streets.

Reports in Brazil claimed that thousands of fans had already gathered on the streets as the hearse arrived at the stadium on Monday morning, with some queuing overnight to see the coffin.

A procession through Santos’ streets will follow the private family funeral on Tuesday.

Recall that Brazil’s government declared three days of national mourning following Pele’s passing.

Pele, arguably the best footballer in history, has been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021. He was pronounced dead weeks after his body stopped responding to treatment.

“We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele,” said Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who attended the memorial.

Pele will be laid to rest at the vertical cemetery, Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica in Santos on Tuesday.