٠٠:٠٢:٠١Brazil: President Lula joins thousands of mourners to pay last respects to late football legend Pele
Newly inaugurated President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, paid his respects at the coffin of football legend Pele, at Santos Stadium on Tuesday.
His visit came after an estimated 230,000 mourners had filed past the casket, which was placed in the centre of the pitch on Monday.
Lula is also seen at the funeral service, ahead of a procession to carry the coffin through the streets of Santos where Pele’s 100-year-old mother still lives.
The football icon will be laid to rest later on Tuesday in a private family burial at Memorial Necropol Ecomenica Cemetery.
The stadium, home to Santos FC, is where the Brazilian star played for the majority of his domestic career. The 1,279 goals he scored remains a Guinness World Record and he is the only footballer to win three World Cups; in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died on December 29 at the age of 82, following a battle with colon cancer.
٠٠:٠٢:٠١Newly inaugurated President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, paid his respects at the coffin of football legend Pele, at Santos Stadium on Tuesday.
His visit came after an estimated 230,000 mourners had filed past the casket, which was placed in the centre of the pitch on Monday.
Lula is also seen at the funeral service, ahead of a procession to carry the coffin through the streets of Santos where Pele’s 100-year-old mother still lives.
The football icon will be laid to rest later on Tuesday in a private family burial at Memorial Necropol Ecomenica Cemetery.
The stadium, home to Santos FC, is where the Brazilian star played for the majority of his domestic career. The 1,279 goals he scored remains a Guinness World Record and he is the only footballer to win three World Cups; in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died on December 29 at the age of 82, following a battle with colon cancer.