Scores of Brazilian fans assembled in the streets of Santos, Sao Paulo, to bid their final farewell to the football legend Pele in his hometown on Tuesday.
Following a long battle with colon cancer, Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died at the age of 82 on December 29, 2022. Footballers from around the world, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo, paid tribute to Pele after his death, and fans gathered at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos to view his open casket as the football great lay in state for 24 hours.
Ahead of his private burial, Pele’s remains were carried out of the stadium by a military guard. His widow, Marcia Cibele Aoki, was overcome with emotion as the three-time World Cup winner’s casket was escorted by the guard.
Pele’s casket, draped in a Brazilian flag, was carried on a fire engine for the procession through Santos. Adoring fans gathered in Santos FC and Brazil football shirts, many adorned with Pele’s number 10, to celebrate the player’s life as the procession made its way through the city.
In accordance with Pele’s wishes, prior to his private family burial, the procession passed his mother’s house before reaching their destination at the Ecumenical Memorial Necropolis cemetery. The former Brazilian Minister of Sports and football icon was laid to rest in the Necropolis, which overlooks Santos’s Vila Belmiro Stadium, which had been his football home for many years.
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