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.
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.
And after 24 hours, it was draped in a Brazil flag guarded by army soldiers this morning for the procession through the city – including past the house of his 100-year-old mother – before his final resting place on the ninth floor at the world's tallest 'vertical cemetery' with a small ceremony for family members and friends.
READ MORE ON PELE
Fifa boss Gianni Infantino appears to take selfie next to Pele’s coffin
Fifa ask every country to name stadium after Pele following death of legend
The Memorial Necropole Ecumenica 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”.
Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
The forward 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.
Most read in Football
Reports that Ronaldo ‘has shock clause in allowing him to join Newcastle' denied
Scarborough v Darlington stopped for 40 minutes after female official abused
Man Utd icon Rooney spotted at Wigan vs Hull supporting ex-Derby assistant
Gary Speed’s widow Louise suffers fresh heartache after husband dies
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, which included 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.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Source: Read Full Article
