Pelé laid to rest after funeral procession through Santos
Brazilian soccer great Pelé was laid to rest Tuesday following a funeral procession through the streets of Santos, where he spent much of his prolific career.
Large crowds came together as a firetruck drove the casket adorned with Brazilian and Santos FC flags to the cemetery where Pelé was buried.
The procession followed a Mass at Vila Belmiro Stadium, the home of Santos FC. A 24-hour wake at the stadium began Monday and brought thousands of visitors.
Pelé died Thursday at age 82 after suffering organ failure following a battle with colon cancer.
“If I had all the wealth in the world I would never be able to repay what this man did for me and my family,” said Manoel Maria, a former teammate of Pelé who went to the stadium to pay his respects. “He was as great a man as he was as a player; the best of all time. His legacy will outlive us all. And that can be seen in this long line with people of all ages here.”
Pelé led Brazil to World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and scored 77 goals in his 92 career international matches. He starred on Santos FC from 1956 to 1974, scoring 618 goals with the club, before playing for the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977.
“Pelé is the most important Brazilian of all time,” said Caio Zalke, a fan who attended the public viewing. “He made the sport important for Brazil, and he made Brazil important for the world.”
The official Santos FC song played Tuesday as Pelé's casket was taken into the cemetary.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wasn’t at Tuesday’s service, nor were Brazilian soccer stars Kaká and Neymar.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were among those in attendance.
“I never saw him play, but loving Pelé is a tradition that goes from father to son in Santos,” said Claudio Carrança, a 32-year-old salesman who attended the stadium viewing.
“I learned his history, saw his goals, and I see how Santos FC is important because he is important. I know some Santos fans have children supporting other teams. But that’s just because they never saw Pelé in action. If they had, they would feel this gratitude I feel now.”
With News Wire Services
