Fans began paying their respects to Pele in a solemn procession past his coffin at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in his hometown of Santos on Monday.
The Brazilian soccer great had passed away on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.
READ | Pele, the light-footed wizard who charmed the world with ethereal artistry
Brazilians bid a final farewell this week to football giant Pele, starting Monday with a 24-hour public wake at the stadium of his long-time team, Santos. | Photo Credit: AFP
Pele’s coffin was placed on the field where he scored scored some of the best goals of his career. Mourners walked past his casket in the 16,000-seat stadium outside Sao Paulo. His burial will take place in a cemetery only 600 meters away on Tuesday.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former Santos teammates were in attendance of Pele’s last public appearance. Pele’s coffin will also be ushered through the streets of the city later in the day before his burial.
-AP
Here are a few glimpses from the wake ceremony at the Santos stadium:
The Stadium decorated to pay tribute to Pele
Flags remembering Pelé are displayed on the stands as mourners queue inside Vila Belmiro stadium to pay their respects to Pelé. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
O Rei being brought to the centre of the Santos turf
Edinho, son of Pelé and former football player Ze Roberto carried Pele’s coffin into Urbano Caldeira Stadium for his funeral in Santos, Brazil | Photo Credit: People, headed by son, Edinho, transport Pele’s coffin into the stadium.
Pele’s family and friends attending the wake ceremony
Edinho (3-L), prays with people during Pele’s 24-hour wake at the Vila Belmiro stadium. | Photo Credit: AFP
Pele was draped in the colours of the Brazilian flag
The coffin of Pelé’s body is covered with flags of team Santos and Brazil during his funeral | Photo Credit: Getty Images
FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the wake ceremony
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) greets Pele’s son, Edinho (L). | Photo Credit: AFP
Former player and Pele’s teammate Manoel Maria at the ceremony
Former Santos player Manoel Maria during Pele’s wake. | Photo Credit: AFP
Neymar’s father, Neymar Santos Sr. was among those who attended the wake
The daughter of Brazilian football legend Pele, Kelly Cristina chats with the father of Brazilian football star Neymar, Neymar Santos Sr. (R), during Pele’s wake at the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Santos | Photo Credit: AFP
Long queues outside the stadium to get a glimpse of Pele’s last remains before his funeral on Tuesday.
Mourners queue outside Vila Belmiro stadium to pay their respects to Pele before his funeral. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
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