Pelé’s funeral: the emotional images of the massive farewell to O Rei in the city that saw him succeed
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- BBC News World
image source, Reuters
Thousands of people gathered to see Pelé’s coffin that was carried in a fire truck through the streets of Santos.
On a day of mourning and commemoration, tens of thousands of fans bid farewell to what many consider to be the greatest soccer player in history, King Pelé, who died on December 29 at the age of 82.
The funeral in the stadium of his lifelong club, Santos, was attended by the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, who accompanied Edinho, son of the legendary soccer player, and other relatives .
image source, Getty Images
Santos opened the doors of their stadium to say goodbye to their greatest idol.
image source, Getty Images
Pelé reached the hearts of many fans with his football and his legacy.
Deofilo de Freitas lined up on Monday to pay his respects to Pelé and watched the procession on Tuesday to say his last goodbye.
The fan tribute
By Katy Watson, BBC South America correspondent, from Santos
Pelé’s coffin was paraded through the streets of Santos in a fire truck, as is the tradition in Brazil, while fans accompanied the procession chanting “Pelé, a thousand goals.”
Hundreds of people carried banners and wore jerseys with the number 10 that the footballer made so popular.
It was a day of mourning for the man Brazilians call the king, but clearly it was also a time to celebrate his life.
There was joy in the streets in a demonstration that Pelé is, and always will be, the greatest source of pride for Brazil.
Deofilo de Freitas was first in line at the stadium on Monday, but wanted another chance to see his idol before the funeral.
“Pelé was the Pelé of the people, he was one of us,” he said. “It will be hard to find someone like him.”
“In addition to being the best player in the world, he was a wonderful human being,” he emphasized.
The Santos club, where Pelé spent most of his career, tweeted: “Our eternal King Pelé says goodbye in Vila Belmiro, his home, with his people.”
image source, Reuters
Pelé was one of the greatest reasons for pride for Brazilians.
image source, Reuters
The emotion was palpable in the streets of Santos.
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Among those attending the funeral was the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
image source, Getty Images
According to Santos, more than 230,000 people attended the funeral.
image source, Reuters
The popularity of the number 10 in football began thanks to Pelé.
image source, Getty Images
The funeral procession toured the streets of Santos and passed in front of the house of Pelé’s mother, Dona Celeste, who is 100 years old.
image source, Getty Images
Pelé has been the only player to win three World Cups.
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