Before Pelé's funeral, Brazilian supporters reportedly arrived at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos.
The football great passed away from colon cancer on Thursday at the age of 82. In a somber procession, mourners began paying their respects to Pelé on Monday at Santos' Vila Belmiro Stadium.
West of Sao Paulo, in a stadium with 16,000 spectators, Pelé scored some of his best goals.
On Tuesday, at 10 a.m. local time, his funeral is scheduled to start. The funeral will take place at a neighboring "vertical cemetery," a multi-story building utilized in some heavily populated countries to hold the deceased.
Fans started showing up to the stadium early on Monday to pay their respects to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé.
Among the mourning was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who told reporters that each nation need to rename a stadium in honor of the three-time World Cup victor.
Infantino continued, "I'm here with conflicting emotions—loss and joy—because he brought us so many smiles.
"As FIFA, we will honor the "King" and ask that the entire world observe a minute of quiet," the statement read.
One of them was Gilmar Mendes from the Brazilian Supreme Court. Mendes told reporters, "It's a tremendously sad time, but we're finally seeing the full importance of this legendary athlete to our country.
"In my office, I have clothing that Pelé has personally autographed as well as a picture of him playing goalie. a big collection of documents, photos, and DVDs."
Mendes added that Pelé was a simple man who earned every honor despite his widespread fame.
Before being buried, Pelé's coffin will be borne through the streets of Santos.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other dignitaries are expected to attend.
Since 2021, Pelé had been receiving treatment for colon cancer. His multiple organ failure, according to the hospital where he had been admitted, was brought on by the malignancy, which is how he died.
Content created and supplied by: Go-getter (via Opera News )
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