RETURN OF THE KING
Pele mourners line the streets to say final farewell to football legend at his boyhood club before he is laid to rest
PELE mourners lined the streets today at Santos football stadium to say a final farewell ahead of the legend's funeral.
Three-time World Cup winner Pele died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.
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His funeral will be held in the stadium where he played some of the best matches of his career.
Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon - but stopped responding to care.
On Thurday evening the news broke that the greatest player in history has sadly passed away due to multiple organ failure as a result of his cancer.
Pele died with his family by his side and holding his hand.
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The South American nation is now preparing to say goodbye to the football legend as his funeral takes places place over two days.
His coffin arrived at the Santos pitch early on Monday after travelling from hospital in Sao Paulo.
Pele’s son Edinho helped carry his dad’s coffin on to the pitch at Santos, where the legendary striker played for 18 years.
Fans had camped outside overnight to ensure they could pay their respects to their hero.
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Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki, 56, burst into tears after placing a cross necklace on his body.
She was comforted by Edinho, 52, a former footballer himself, who placed a hand on his dad and said a prayer.
Fifa boss Gianni Infantino was among the mourners at Santos’s ground, which is known as “Pele”.
He said every country will be asked to name a stadium after the icon.
But he sparked controversy by grinning while appearing to take a selfie next to the body.
Pele's coffin will then be carried through the streets and will pass in front of the home of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste.
The burial will take place at the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica and only family will attend.
His final resting place will be in a unique “vertical cemetery” in a 14-floor building which includes 14,000 vaults, a waterfall and a car museum.
It 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”.
It even contains a tropical garden that includes a small rooftop cafe and a waterfall also.
Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970 - the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He also scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team - a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
The current Brazilian No.10 has led the huge outpouring of tributes to the late, great superstar along with modern day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Pele made his debut for his local team Santos aged just 15 and won his first cap for the Brazil national team at 16.
He won the World Cup in 1958 aged just 17, and then won it again in 1962 and 1970.
The South American superstar racked up 643 goals in 659 appearances for club side Santos across his 18-year spell.
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He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos.
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