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Mourners began paying their respects to Pelé in a solemn procession past the casket at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in his hometown of Santos on Monday.
The Brazilian soccer player died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He is 82 years old.
Pele’s coffin was placed on the field where he scored some of the best goals of his career. Mourners pass the coffin in a 16,000-seat stadium outside Sao Paulo. His funeral will take place in a cemetery just 600 meters away on Tuesday.
Fans flocked to the stadium on Monday to honor Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele.
One of them is Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Gilmar Mendes.
“It’s a very sad moment, but now we see the true meaning of this legendary player for our country,” Mendes told reporters. “My office has a shirt signed by Pele, a picture of him as a goalkeeper, also signed by him. DVDs, photos, his big collection.”
Mendes also said that Pele is a humble person despite his worldwide fame, and that he should pay tribute.
Pele’s casket will be carried through the streets of Santos before his burial. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other dignitaries are expected to attend.
Pele has been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical center where he was hospitalized said he died of multiple organ failure due to the cancer.
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