- Santos FC unveils public funeral date, location
- Football world mourns Brazilian legend
- Pele, Forever The Greatest, Forever In Our Hearts’ – FIFA
As the football world, players, clubs, and supporters mourn the passage of three-time World Cup winner and Brazil hero Pele, all the details on how and where to say goodbye to the King of Football, have been made public already.
Santos Futebol Clube, commonly known simply as Santos or Santos FC, released all the details on how fans can say goodbye to one of the game’s all-time greats.
The proceedings were finalised as Pele’s health deteriorated throughout November and December, with the man himself having a say on where the funeral would take place.
The Funeral
Pele’s public ceremony will take place from Monday, January 2, 2023, until the morning of Tuesday, January 3, 2023. According to the programme of events, there will be gate access for the general public and separate entrances for political officials and other prominent figures, along with members of the press.
Similarly, his private burial will occur following a parade through the streets of Santos on Tuesday, January 3.
Santos’ Stadium To Host Ceremony
Pele will be embalmed and taken from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo before his public funeral at Vila Belmiro (Santos’ stadium) starts on January 2.
The public event will last exactly 24 hours, after which there will be a procession through the streets of Santos celebrating the icon. Then, he will be privately buried alongside other family members in the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica.
Details On The Private Burial
After Pele’s coffin is paraded through the streets of Santos, he will be laid to rest in the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica. This area will not be accessible to the public.
Pele, Forever The Greatest, Forever In Our Hearts’ – FIFA
Meanwhile, figures from the world of sport, politics, entertainment, and millions of fans around the world have continued to offer their thoughts and respects
Leading the mourning charge is the World’s Football governing body, FIFA which in its tribute commented; “The world mourns the greatest footballer in history and a wonderful person. He celebrated the game like no other.
“Pele, forever the greatest, forever in our hearts. He was known as the King and his face is probably one of the most famous in world football.”
Pele’s immense talent earned him a place as a global legend, with FIFA naming him the greatest player of the 20th century. The international federation recalled that the expression ‘O Jogo bonito’ or ‘the beautiful game’ was coined by him.
Around the world, the tributes have come pouring in torrents on social media as personalities and present-day football giants celebrate Pele’s life with an outpouring of support.
Greatest Sportsman The World Has Ever Known – CBF
Brazil’s Football Federation, CBF, described the international legend, as the greatest sportsman the world has ever known. “Our football king was the ultimate representative of a triumphant Brazil and never backed down from difficulties”, the CBF said in a statement.
“Pele, a poor little black boy, showed that there is always a way. He promised his father one world title and he won three. King Pele gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy.”
‘Greatest Footballer In History’ – Blatter
His death was “very sad news”, former FIFA president Joseph Blatter said. “The world mourns the greatest footballer in history and a wonderful person. He celebrated the game like no other”.
‘His Lasting Impact On The Game Is Inestimable’ – Cosmos FC
Cosmos New York, the only club where Pele played outside his historic team, Santos FC, praised the Brazilian’s impact on football. “His lasting impact on the game is inestimable”, wrote the club where Pele played for three seasons, giving the game Americans call ‘soccer’ an audience that had been unprecedented before his arrival in the United States.
Pele ‘Made Football An Art’ – Neymar
“Before Pele, football was just a sport,” Neymar, who tied Pele as Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer of 77 goals at the just-concluded World Cup in Qatar, said Pele had “transformed football into an art”.
The Paris Saint-Germain star wrote on Instagram, alongside two pictures of himself with the late legend; “I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. Before Pele, ’10’ was just a number. He revolutionised everything, making football an art, an entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to black people, and, above all, to Brazil.
“Football and Brazil gained status thanks to the king. He has gone, but his magic will remain. Pele is eternal!”
‘The King Of Football Has Left Us – Mbappé
“Football and Brazil have evolved thanks to the ‘Rei’ (king). He is gone but his magic will remain. Pele is eternal. The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten, rest in peace, King,” wrote Neymar’s teammate at Paris SG, France’s Kylian Mbappé, who is sometimes compared to the Brazilian legend for his numbers and precociousness.
Ronaldo: He Inspired Millions
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was also close to Pelé. “A simple goodbye will never be enough to express the pain that the football world feels,” he wrote.
“He was an inspiration to millions of people, a reference yesterday, today, and forever (…). He will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in all of us football lovers.”
Rest In Peace, Pele – Messi
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, whom Pele did not hesitate to congratulate after his World Cup title, was content with a simple “rest in peace, Pele,” captioning a photo showing the two of them at a Ballon d’Or award ceremony.
Fans Celebrate Pele Outside Santos’ Vila Belmiro Stadium
With the reality of his departure to the great beyond becoming apparent, football fans were seen gathering outside Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium to leave flowers, wave giant flags, and pray for the Brazilian legend as the southeastern city declared seven days of mourning for its hero.
Nicknamed “O Rei” — The King — Pele had one of the most storied careers in sport and is the only player to win the World Cup three times. He spent most of his career at Santos, scoring a remarkable 643 goals in 656 competitive appearances across a spell spanning 18 years, during which he led the club to six league titles, two Copa Libertadores, and 10 Campeonato Paulista titles. – With agency reports
