Gianni Infantino has launched a proposal amid his visit to the wake of the three-time world champion which takes place at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos.
On December 29, the news of Pelé’s death shook the world. The triple world champion had spent the last month hospitalized in a clinic, accompanied by his relatives.
After his death, it was established that a public vigil would be held at the Vila Belmiro de Santos stadium, the club he represented and felt identified with. The transfer of Sao Paulo’s body was carried out in the early hours of this Monday and despite the time, he had several supporters on his way before arriving at the sports venue .
About 20 minutes before the start of the public ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m., Pelé’s coffin was brought to the center of the field. His son Edinho and Zé Roberto, who wore Santos’ number 10 jersey between 2006 and 2007, stood out there.
After being left in the center of the lying in state surrounded by flowers and with a guard of honor, the family removed the top of the coffin and covered O Rei’s face and hands, the only body parts in sight, with a white veil .
In addition, the stands and other areas of the stadium have been covered with a few canvases. On one was the text “Viva O Rei”, while on the other side it was written “Pelé 82 years old. In the center of these, a gigantography was located with the number 10 in celebration.
Meanwhile, thousands of people crowded around the sports venue for the chance to say goodbye to the former footballer. Authorities in the region themselves predict that millions will be present for the farewell both at the wake and on the journey of the body to the cemetery. .
Visit of the football authorities
Several people related to the sport came to the site, among them the president of Conmebol Alejandro Domínguez, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation Ednaldo Rodrigues and the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino.
In fact, before entering the ceremony, the international football boss made a particular proposal after acknowledging the legacy of the three-time world champion in the sport.
“Pele is eternal. Pelé is a global football icon. Pele first did a lot of things in football that 99% can only dream of doing and the remaining 1% did it after Pele. That is why we are here with enormous sadness, but also with joy, the joy of Pelé. Pele’s smile ”, began by saying Infantino.
“Pelé left an incredible legacy for football; a unique heritage . I think he was a gift from God, which very few people in the world have. It’s a gift that touches people’s hearts and emotions,” he continued.
Then he made a particular proposal. “We are going to ask all the countries in the world to name a stadium after Pelé . I think young people all over the world, of all generations, need to remember Pelé and the joy he brought to football. May children of 20, 30, 50 or 100, when they score goals at the Pelé stadium in any country in the world and ask who he was, know that he was a great footballer, who made us emotional” , did he declare. .
Funerals
After the wake, which will last until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, only family members, the president of Brazil and other Santos idols will have access to the structure set up in the center of the field. All fans will have to wait in the street.
After the ceremony in Vila Belmiro, scheduled for 12:00 p.m.Pelé’s body will continue in procession through the streets of Santos, being protected by an operation in which the military police, the municipal guard and the traffic engineering company will participate. . After leaving the stadium, the coffin will travel along Canal 2 to Avenida da Paira, where it will continue to the door of the house of Celeste Arantes, Pelé’s mother.
After the farewells, Pelé’s body will be transported to the Ecumenical Necropolis Memorial where he will be buried in the middle of a ceremony reserved for his relatives.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
