Thousands say goodbye to Pelé in a moving final goodbye

At 10:00 a.m. Monday, Pele’s funeral wake began at Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium, where the team estimates around 230,000 people were able to come to say a final farewell to O Rei after his death on December 29.

The traffic of people was constant during the 24 hours in which access to the remains of the triple world champion was granted, receiving fans even at dawn. The only interruption in the passage of fans along one side of the burning chapel occurred around 3:00 a.m. in order to change the flowers that surrounded Pelé’s body at the vigil, leaving only his face and hands visible for the people present. . The enthusiasm was such that at that time the waiting time in the line was about two and a half hours.

Also at dawn came the moment when the organized bar of the Santos club had a moment to pay homage to him in their own way. Fans arrived with canvases, flags and even flares to accompany the family of the club’s biggest idol .

One of the most anticipated authorities on that day was that of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose arrival took place around 9:15 a.m. The 77-year-old progressive leader, a huge football fan, stayed for about half an hour and took part in a religious act.

After his departure, Lula published on his social networks a photograph recounting his visit in which he declared “goodbye to the king Rest in peace, Pelé. ”.

It was the president’s first official trip to Brazilian territory after taking over as head of state for the third time.

After the public access was closed and the last person who managed to queue passed, one of the most emotional moments came. Pele’s coffin has been closed, unleashing tears for his widow Marcia Aoki and their children .

After a few moments, cadets from the Barro Branco School of Military Police in Sao Paulo lifted the coffin and escorted it to a fire truck that acted as a hearse to transport it through the city.

Throughout the trip, O Rei was accompanied by the people left on the side of the road to be part of the farewell. There were cheers for the former striker’s figure, applause, flags and even fireworks.

The procession was 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 traveled along Canal 2 to Avenida da Paira, where it continued to the door of the house of Celeste Arantes, Pelé’s mother. At that minute, another emotional moment was experienced due to the large number of people who came to the place .

After that, Pelé’s body was taken to the Memorial of the Ecumenical Necropolis, to be buried there after a ceremony reserved for his relatives.

In the middle of the procession, the mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, announced via his official Twitter account that one of the streets surrounding the Maracanã stadium will be renamed Avenida Pelé.

“The Avenida Radial Oeste that surrounds the Maracaná will be renamed Avenida Pelé tomorrow! The decree will be published in the Official Journal tomorrow! “, wrote.