The football world will continue to pay their respects to Pele at a funeral ceremony for the legendary forward in Sao Paulo today.
Pele, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, died at the age of 82 in December. Tributes have flooded in from the footballing community and beyond for a man widely considered to be one of the best – if not the best – to ever play the game.
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, whose term came to an end at the turn of the year, declared three days of national mourning after Pele’s passing. A number of footballers past and present have shared tributes on social media, while a funeral reception and parade through Sao Paulo will allow many to pay their respects in person.
We will be providing live coverage throughout the day – with Andy Lines and Andy Stenning on the ground in Santos – so stay with Mirror Football for updates.
Brazil remembers
It was an emotional affair as Pele’s funeral brought in adoring fans by the thousands, all wishing to bid farewell to an icon of the game.
The lengthy queues continue…
ICYMI – A moving firework display for Brazil’s footballing hero
Neymar’s absence explained
Neymar’s father has arrived and explained that his son was unable to make the journey to Brazil from France at such short notice.
“Neymar will not be able to attend Pelé’s funeral,” Neymar Santos senior revealed. “My son asked for me to come here in his presence.”
Adoring fans continue to pay their respects
Mourners gather around Pele
Long Live the King!
Pele’s coffin is carried past a banner that reads simply: Long Live the King!
Fans still in full voice
Back in the huge queues, fans remain in full voice as they wait for their opportunity to say their goodbyes to Pele.
Queues around the block
Some more from outside the stadium
Infantino makes request
Gianni Infantino has been seen paying his respects, and the FIFA chief has also made a request to the footballing world.
“We’re… going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele,” he said.
Pele’s wife wipes away tears
Marcia Aoki, Pele’s wife of six years, was seen wiping away tears during her husband’s funeral.
An emotional day
Gianni Infantino speaks to Edinho
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was spotted exchanging words with Pele’s son Edinho.
Pele’s mother arrives to say her goodbyes
Pele’s 100-year-old mother Celeste has arrived to pay her respects, Daily Mirror chief reporter Andy Lines reports.
Fans have gathered in their masses
Fans continue to filter in
A farewell to a great
First fans pay their respects
Those from the front of the queue have had their chance to say goodbye.
Fans begin to file in
The first of those fans, many of whom queued for hours, have begun to enter the stadium.
Pele’s son pays his respects
Pele’s coffin carried into Santos’ stadium
Pele’s son Edinho has been among those paying respects
Urbano Caldeira pays tribute
Santos’ Urbano Caldeira Stadium is currently decked out with a number of flags, banners, flowers and placards as supporters pay tribute to Pele.
FIFA President arrives
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived at the stadium to pay his respects to Pele.
He is among a clutch of VIPs set to arrive over the next hour or so.
Brazil shirts in the queue
More than one Brazil shirt with Pele’s name and number has been spotted in the queue.
Where Pele will be laid to rest
Final preparations
In around an hour, Pele’s coffin is expected to arrive inside the stadium.
Preparations for the wake are underway
Carnival atmosphere in the queue
Santos fans waiting to pay their respects have been singing about their hero.
