A flood of fans, politicians and football dignitaries turned out to pay their respects
BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led the tributes today as the country said its final farewell to late football legend Pelé, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
That was followed by a massive funeral procession, as Pelé’s casket — draped in the black-and-white flag of Santos and the green-and-yellow one of Brazil — was placed atop a firetruck for a final parade through the city, including an emotional stop in front of the house where his 100-year-old mother still lives.
He scored a world record 1,281 goals during his more than two-decade career with Santos , the New York Cosmos and the Brazilian national team.Tributes have poured in from around the world since his death, with current and former football greats hailing his genius for the “beautiful game”, including Brazil star Neymar, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
A bright red firetruck then transported the coffin through the city, as huge crowds of fans, some in tears, lined the streets and gathered on balconies to say a last goodbye, chanting “1,000 goals, only Pelé!”.The longest stop was outside the beige house where Pelé’s mother, Celeste Arantes, still lives.
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