THOUSANDS of fans lined the streets of Santos for Pele’s funeral.
And the new Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was among those to pay tribute to the national icon ahead of his burial.
ReutersPele’s coffin was placed in the centre of the pitch of the Santos stadium[/caption]
ReutersArmy soldiers carried the coffin out of the ground[/caption]
AFPBrazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and wife Rosangela attended the wake[/caption]
AFPHe comforted Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki at the stadium[/caption]
ReutersFans lined the streets to celebrate the life of the Brazil icon[/caption]
Keith Campbell – The Sun GlasgowPele won three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970[/caption]
The three-time World Cup winner passed away last Thursday aged 82 following a battle with cancer.
His body was placed in an open coffin in the middle of the Vila Belmiro Stadium in the Brazilian city where he played for 18 years.
And after 24 hours, it was draped in a Brazil flag guarded by army soldiers this morning for the procession through the city – including past the house of his 100-year-old mother – before his final resting place on the ninth floor at the world’s tallest ‘vertical cemetery’ with a small ceremony for family members and friends.
The Memorial Necropole Ecumenica includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and a mausoleum “for families who want to preserve their legacy in a more personal and private way”.
Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
The forward burst on to the global stage in 1958 and helped Brazil win back-to-back World Cups four years later.
His success in 1970 ensured he became and remains the only person to win three World Cup tournaments as a player.
At club level, Pele enjoyed 18 sensational years with Santos, the team he made his debut for aged 15.
Overall, he scored a staggering 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, which is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He also managed a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
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APPele played for Santos for 18 years[/caption]
Refer to CaptionPele was treated and passed away in hospital in Sao Paulo[/caption]
AP:Associated PressPele is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time[/caption]
Pele spent the majority of his club career with SantosAction Images – Reuters