THOUSANDS of fans lined the streets of Santos for Pele’s funeral.
And the new Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was among those to pay tribute to the national icon ahead of his burial.
The three-time World Cup winner passed away last Thursday aged 82 following a battle with cancer.
His body was placed in an open coffin in the middle of the Vila Belmiro Stadium in the Brazilian city where he played for 18 years with 230,000 mourners filing past after a 2km queue.
The coffin was carried by ex-Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto as well as Pele’s son Edinho, with floral wreaths sent by Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid.
Edinho was visibly emotional while Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki was comforted by Lula and Fifa president Gianni Infantino also paid his respects.
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And after 24 hours, it was draped in a Brazil flag guarded by army soldiers this morning for the procession through the city.
The fire engine drove slowly past the house of his 100-year-old mother before arriving at his final resting place on the ninth floor of the 14-storey ‘vertical cemetery’ with a small ceremony for family members and friends.
The Memorial Necropole Ecumenica includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and even overlooks Pele’s beloved stadium.
Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
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But despite the deep sadness at his passing, the public are also celebrating his life with singing, dancing and even fireworks.
Pele burst on to the global stage in 1958 and helped Brazil win back-to-back World Cups four years later.
His success in 1970 ensured he became and remains the only person to win three World Cup tournaments as a player.
At club level, Pele enjoyed 18 sensational years with Santos, the team he made his debut for aged 15.
Overall, he scored a staggering 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies, which is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He also managed a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
