Brazil bids farewell to Pele with 24-hour wake

January 02, 2023

Even as early as late on Monday night, fans began to queue to see Pele’s coffin inside the Santos stadium.

Fans wait outside Santos' stadium ahead of Pele's funeral — Late on Monday night, fans wait outside Santos’ stadium for the doors to open for Pele’s funeralImage: Matias Delacroix/AP Photo/picture alliance

Outside the Vila Belmiro stadium, home of Santos football club where Pele played most of his career, Pele jerseys are on sale.

Pele shirts on sale outside the Santos stadiumImage: Matias Delacroix/AP Photo/picture alliance

At the club where Pele played over 600 games and scored more than 600 goals stands a statue of Pele’s famous Santos jersey. The Brazilian flag flew at half-staff.

Brasilien Vorbereitungen für die Beerdigung von Pele — Image: Fernanda Luz/AA/picture alliance

Inside the stadium, the fenced walkway is set up for fans to walk past, five meters away, and pay their respects.

The hearse carrying Pele’s coffin arrives at the stadium in Santos for a 24-hour wake before Pele is bured in a private ceremony on January 3.

More fans gather outside the Santos stadium as the country pays homage to its greatest footballer.

Brasilien Pele wurde im Stadion von Sao Paulo aufgebahrt — Image: Matias Delacroix/AP Photo/picture alliance

Edinho (right), the son of Pele, prays next to his father’s coffin.

Pele’s coffin on display in Santos, the 82-year-old’s face covered by a veil and his head surrounded by flowers.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (third from the right) pays his respects. Earlier in the day, Infantino said he was going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums after Pele.