Brazil will bid their final farewell to footballing icon Pelé this week with a 24-hour public wake at the Santos Stadium.
The South American nation went into a period of mourning following the 82-year-old’s death on Thursday following a battle with cancer.
The nation will now say its last goodbye to the player who won three World Cups at the Santos Stadium in Brazil where he spent the majority of his career.
The gates to Santos Stadium, where Pelé spent the majority of his career, opened at 10am on Monday morning to thousands of fans arriving to get a glimpse of the coffin positioned in the middle of the field.
The Vila Belmiro stadium has a capacity of 16,000 people but thousands more turned up hoping to join the farewell.
In order to allow as many people into the stadium as possible, the gates will remain open until 10am on Tuesday.
Following the formal proceedings, a parade will take place on the streets of Santos and go past the house of Pelé’s mother.
Since his passing last week, flowers have been left at the statue of the striker in the city. Banners and portraits have been placed around the city in honour of the great footballer.
As tributes continue to pour in for Pelé, security will be strengthened across the city as several high-profile athletes, politicians and dignitaries are expected to arrive.
Not just in Brazil but in several parts of the world Pelé has been honoured with a moment’s silence before domestic league matches. Both in the English and South African first divisions, players held a minute’s silence and wore black armbands for the Brazilian legend.
Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
Pictured above: Pelé
Image source: Stadium Astro
