Fans Mourn Pelé in Brazil Stadium

In a mournful procession past his casket at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in his birthplace of Santos, thousands of mourners started paying their respects to Pelé on Monday.

The legendary Brazilian soccer player lost his fight with cancer on Thursday. He was 82 when he won the World Cup three times.

On the field where he scored some of his best goals, Pelé's casket was positioned. In the middle section of the 16,000-seat stadium outside of Sao Paulo, mourners passed by his coffin. There will be a Catholic Mass said on Tuesday before his burial at a local cemetery.

Brazilian flags and No. 10 shirts, which became well-known after Pelé started sporting them for Santos and Brazil, were displayed throughout Vila Belmiro.

Loudspeakers played a song called "Eu sou Pelé" ("I am Pelé") that was recorded by the Brazilian himself as the stands filled up with bouquets of flowers left by mourners and brought by clubs and famous players, like Neymar and Ronaldo, from all over the world.

To celebrate Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, supporters showed up early.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, was one of them and suggested to journalists that every nation name a stadium after Pelé.

Infantino remarked, "He brought us so many smiles. I am here with a lot of emotion, loss, but also with a grin. As FIFA, we will honour the "King" and request that everyone observe a moment of quiet.

Justice Gilmar Mendes of the Brazilian Supreme Court was in line with another supporter and friend.

Mendes told reporters, "It is a very sad moment, but we are now realising the full value of this famous player to our country. "In my office, I have clothes that Pelé has autographed and a photo of him as a goalie that he has also signed. Photos, DVDs, and a sizable collection of him."

Mendes added that despite his widespread recognition, Pelé remained a modest man and deserving of all honours.

Before his burial, Pelé's coffin will be carried through the streets of Santos. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, and other dignitaries are anticipated.

Since 2021, Pelé has had therapy for colon cancer. According to the hospital where he had been admitted, the malignancy caused multiple organ failure, which is how he passed away.

With 77 goals in his career, Pelé continues to rank among the team's all-time leading scorers. He guided Brazil to World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970. During the World Cup in Qatar this year, Neymar tied Pelé's record.