Brazilian President Lula bids farewell to deceased Pelé, private funeral | Foreign football

The new Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has said goodbye to the late football legend Pelé in the stadium of Santos. Thousands of football fans said goodbye to Pelé during a vigil over the past 24 hours, who died on Thursday at the age of 82 after a long illness.

President Lula, together with his wife Janja, had come by helicopter to Pelé’s final resting place. Lula landed on an adjacent soccer field and covered the last few miles to the stadium in a car. At the coffin, the president expressed his condolences to the family and held a joint prayer for Pelé with them.

Pelé’s coffin has been in the Santos stadium for 24 hours. A procession is currently taking place through the streets of Santos. The funeral procession takes one more detour especially for his hundred-year-old mother Dona Celeste. The funeral was to begin at 2 p.m. It takes place in a closed circle.

Health complaints

Pelé had been struggling with health problems for years. At the end of last year, the Brazilian football legend was hospitalized because he had been suffering from colon cancer for a long time. The former top attacker is known as one of the best football players ever. Pelé is the only player in history to be crowned world champion three times.

Lula with Pelé’s son, Edinho. ©AFP

Fans outside the stadium.

Fans outside the stadium. © REUTERS

Thousands of fans around the stadium.

Thousands of fans around the stadium. ©AFP

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