Pelé: thousands of fans and many VIPs at the wake

The coffin is displayed at Vila Belmiro, the Santos stadium.

Thousands of fans in Brazil are paying tribute in these hours to Seleçao legend Pelé, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who passed away at the age of 82 last Dec. 29.

The hearse carrying the Greenoro star’s coffin has arrived at Vila Belmiro, the Santos stadium, where a wake open to the public is being held as of 2 p.m. Italian time, and which is expected to be attended by the newly elected President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Other personalities who are already in attendance include Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who arrived along with Conmebol President Alejandro Dominguez and Brazilian Football Federation (Cbf) President Ednaldo Rodrigues. Ansa reports.

Long lines formed outside the stadium of fans, many of them dressed in Santos jerseys, who had come to pay their last respects to O Rei. Some of them had been lining up, to make sure they could get in, since late Sunday afternoon. Upon the arrival of the hearse with Pelé’s body, there were fireworks and a great waving of flags.

The coffin with the remains of the three-time world champion, transported by attendants, O Rei’s son Edinho, who is the coach of a national Serie B club (Londrina), and former Santos number 10 Zé Roberto was placed in the center of the soccer field, where a special covered structure was installed. The municipality of Santos has decreed seven days of public mourning.