03:07Brazil: 'Our last respects to King Pele' - Fans say goodbye to football legend at Santos Stadium
The Caldeira Urban Stadium, home to Santos FC, held the final farewell for its former player and Brazilian football icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pele, on Monday.
"We came here to pay our last respects to King Pele, he is a great idol not only for Santos fans but for all Brazilians and indeed for the whole world, for the legacy he left here for all of us", said Jair, one of the fans attending.
Thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects, joining long queues in front of the stadium. His coffin was carried to the centre circle of the pitch, lying in state for 24 hours ahead of a private family burial on Tuesday.
"Pele for me was the greatest player of all time," said Wagner, another attendee. "What player do you know on planet Earth who scored 1,283 goals? Only Pele himself!"
Pele died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, following a battle with colon cancer. He remains the only footballer to win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
03:07The Caldeira Urban Stadium, home to Santos FC, held the final farewell for its former player and Brazilian football icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pele, on Monday.
"We came here to pay our last respects to King Pele, he is a great idol not only for Santos fans but for all Brazilians and indeed for the whole world, for the legacy he left here for all of us", said Jair, one of the fans attending.
Thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects, joining long queues in front of the stadium. His coffin was carried to the centre circle of the pitch, lying in state for 24 hours ahead of a private family burial on Tuesday.
"Pele for me was the greatest player of all time," said Wagner, another attendee. "What player do you know on planet Earth who scored 1,283 goals? Only Pele himself!"
Pele died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, following a battle with colon cancer. He remains the only footballer to win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.