PELE’S final resting place will be in a unique “vertical cemetery” in a 14-floor building which includes 14,000 vaults, a waterfall and a car museum.
The world of football is in mourning after it was announced yesterday that the Brazilian legend had passed away aged 82 in his homeland.
Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon but stopped responding to care.
However on Thurday evening the news broke that the greatest player in history has sadly passed away due to multiple organ failure as a result of his cancer.
And as the South American nation prepares to say goodbye to their greatest son, details of his final resting place have been revealed.
The legend will be embalmed and taken from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo before his public funeral at Santos’ stadium, Vila Belmiro, on January 2.
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His coffin will be placed on the pitch so that supporters can pay their respects for 24 hours before a procession through the streets of Santos to celebrate the icon.
It will pass through Canal 6, where Pele’s mother lives, and continue to a unique ‘vertical cemetery’ called Memorial Necropole Ecumenica, where he will be privately buried alongside other family members.
It stands between skyscrapers and lush forests and, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the tallest vertical cemetery in the world with 14 storeys and 14,000 vaults.
It includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and a mausoleum “for families who want to preserve their legacy in a more personal and private way”.
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It even contains a tropical garden that includes a small rooftop cafe and a waterfall also.
However, perhaps the strangest thing about it, is there is also a classic cars museum within the huge huge property too.
It was built in 1983 by eccentric architect Pepe Altstut, and it continues to be extended.
It has even become a tourist attraction in its own right.
From the upper floors of the necropolis the view takes in the Vila Belmiro stadium where Pele started his career.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970, the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
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His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He also scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
The current Brazilian No.10 has led the huge outpouring of tributes to the late, great superstar along with modern day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Pele made his debut for his local team Santos aged just 15 and won his first cap for the Brazil national team at 16.
He won the World Cup in 1958 aged just 17, and then won it again in 1962 and 1970.
The South American superstar racked up 643 goals in 659 appearances for club side Santos across his 18-year spell.
He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
