While Neymar has been receiving a lot of flak for not attending Pele's funeral, his father attended the occasion instead of him. In an interview, Neymar's father said that his son asked him to attend the funeral in his absence. A sea of fans had gathered to pay their last respects to the Brazil legend who passed on December 30 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Neymar’s father upon arrived at the Vila Belmiro for Pelé’s funeral viewing:
“Neymar will not be able to attend Pelé’s funeral. My son (Neymar) asked for me to come here in his presence.” 🇧🇷😢pic.twitter.com/a1sgPoE0kV— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) January 2, 2023
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that FIFA will ask every country to rename one of their stadiums in the name of Brazilian legend, Pele.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is in Brazil for Pele's funeral, told reporters: "We're going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele."
Read more: https://t.co/H1t7uVILgZ
📺Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/LQA4igLxuT— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 2, 2023
Thousands of fans have arrived at the Vila Belmiro Stadium to pay their final tribute to the Brazilian legend Pele.
Thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects to Pele as his coffin arrived at his former club Santos' stadium ahead of his funeral on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/aMwtZGysCP— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 2, 2023
As fans file past Pele's coffin inside the Vila Belmiro stadium, a large number of fans wait outside the stadium in massive queues. While waiting they sing songs praising the immortal legends of the late King of Football.
Celeste Arantes do Nascimento, mother of Pelé, is 100 years old and lives far from the spotlight in Santos. She is in ill-health yet arrived in the Vila Belmiro to pay his beloved son last respects.
The long wait of fans of bidding the late Brazilian legend one final goodbye finally comes to an end as Pele's open coffin is placed at the centre circle of the Vila Belmiro stadium. Fans have 24 hours to file past it before his funeral tomorrow.
Pele’s open coffin has been placed on the centre circle at Vila Belmiro pic.twitter.com/ys9rIW8e7k— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) January 2, 2023
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived in Vila Belmiro to attend Late Pele's wake. He said that he hopes there will be a stadium in every country in the world named after Pelé: “all children need to know who that man was”.
Last minute preparations continue inside the Vila Belmiro stadium of Santos FC as Pele's coffin set to arrive within the next one hour for the 24-hour wake. Fans await to give the late Brazilian legend one final goodbye.
Last minute preparations inside stadium. Pele coffin expected in next hour. @MirrorFootball pic.twitter.com/tDb321v6Jl— Andy Lines (@andylines) January 2, 2023
Brazilian legend Pele will be interred in a special mausoleum in a cemetery in Santos. Before that fans will bid good bye to the three-time World Cup winner. A 24-hour public wake will take place in Santos FC's stadium. Here are a few reactions of the fans.
Brazilians bid a final farewell this week to football giant Pele, starting with a 24-hour public wake at the stadium of his long-time club, Santos pic.twitter.com/CWezS2z9wd— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 2, 2023
Watch an emotional video of fan narrating Pele's 1000th goal, as heard on radio commentary!
Fan Narrates Pele's 1000th Goal Based on Radio Commentary Ahead of Brazil Football Legend's Funeral (Watch Video)#Pele https://t.co/203lkEDjIa— LatestLY (@latestly) January 2, 2023
Arguably one of the best ever to have played football, Pele is not doing too well, according to reports. The Brazil football legend had been admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo late November with a respiratory. With his cancer at an advanced stage, his family had gathered at the hospital on Christmas with his daughter posting a picture of him while writing, "We're still here, in the fight and in the faith. One more night together." Please check here for live updates regarding his health status. Tribute to Pele! Santos FC Adds Golden Crown to Their Badge in Honour of the Football Legend.
According to reports, the 82-year-old needs care for renal and cardiac dysfunction. Pele has been under treatment ever since a surgery to remove a tumour from his colon was done in September 2021. A Brazilian newspaper had reported that the legendary footballer was put on palliative care as chemotherapy was not working but that was denied by his family. Romario, Brazilian Football Legend, Wishes Pele Quick Recovery, Says, 'The World Is Praying For You'.
Tributes have poured in for the Brazil legend with Romario wishing him a speedy recovery. Pele has been under treatment but has been active on social media. He sent his regards to the Brazil team following their semifinal elimination at FIFA World Cup 2022. Also, he congratulated Argentina for their terrific win in the final against France and wrote, “Certainly Diego would be smiling today.”