More than 230,000 People Attend Pele's Farewell Ceremony

The farewell ceremony for Brazil's three-time World Cup champion Pele has concluded, following his death on December 29 after a prolonged illness. The funeral procession departed from the "Santos" football club stadium, where a civil wake was held. This was reported by the G1 portal, which broadcasted live from the scene.

At the end of the ceremony, the footballer's coffin was placed on top of a fire truck and covered with the Brazilian flag. The motorcade was escorted by military police motorcycle riders and traversed the city's streets, including passing by the home of the athlete’s century-old mother, who still resides there.

The football legend will be buried in the world's tallest vertical necropolis, the "Ecumenica." According to the organizers of the event, more than 230,000 people bid farewell to Pele in just one day, with nearby streets bustling with crowds on Monday and Tuesday. His coffin was placed on a platform under a canopy at the center of the stadium, where he made his debut with "Santos" in 1956.

It is worth noting that Pele passed away at the age of 82 after being diagnosed with colon cancer in September of last year. The athlete was unexpectedly hospitalized in November 2022 with general body swelling and heart failure. Reports later emerged that Pele’s body had stopped responding to chemotherapy, and he was given only palliative care.