Brazil buried their beloved Priyanayakan in the port city where he started his football career seven decades ago. The burial took place in the presence of close relatives at the Ecumenical Necropolis Cemetery near Vila Belmiro, headquarters of the Santos Club.
Since the public screening began on Monday morning at the Santos Maidan, thousands have flocked to get one last look. Brazilian President Luiz Lula and leaders from different parts of the world arrived at the Santos Maidan. After the public viewing, the hearse carrying Pele’s body passed through the city on Tuesday morning. The vehicle traveled slowly along coastal roads and passed the home of 100-year-old mother Celesta Arantes. Thousands of people waited on both sides of the road along the route. Say goodbye.
Helicopters flew over the air escort throughout the journey. Brazilian television channels canceled other programs and only recorded footage of the trip. When Diego Maradona left in 2020, Argentine TV channels did the same.
After touring the city, the funeral rites began at two in the afternoon. The cultural service began with the song of Santos Football Club being played. More than 230,000 people took to the ground on Monday, Santos club saluted its hometown; Pelek lay sleeping in Santos.
Pele died Wednesday of cancer. A year ago he was first diagnosed with cancer and had his colon removed. The star, who was suffering from illness again, was recently hospitalized due to an acute illness. The departure was due to the failure of various bodies.
Most of the 1,283 goals scored by the player, who played for the Santos club throughout his career, were for his own team.
