Football mourns its King. In Brazil, three days of national mourning for Pelé, the funeral on Tuesday

Three days of national mourning in Brazil for the death of Pele , the legend of world football.

The outgoing president Jair Bolsonaro decreed them, "as a sign of respect after the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento", reads the provision published in the Official Gazette.

O Rey was 82 years old and had been hospitalized at Albert Einstein since the end of November for colon cancer which he had been fighting since September 2021. He leaves behind his wife Aoki and seven children, just one daughter - Kely Nascimento - he announced his death with a post on Instagram: «All that we are is because of you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace,” she wrote alongside a photo of her hands intertwined with those of her sisters and nieces.

«Pele left us today, now he is in the company of eternal stars: Didi, Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Socrates, Maradona. He left a certainty: there has never been a number 10 like him. Thank you Pele,” Brazil's president-elect Lula wrote on Twitter.

THE VIGIL IN THE SANTOS STADIUM, THE FUNERAL ON JANUARY 3

The funeral vigil will be held on Monday, the funeral in Santos on Tuesday 3 January, the team in which he spent almost his entire immense career. The Urbano Caldeira stadium will be open for the vigil, "where Pelé enchanted the world", the club says. The coffin will then be carried in a funeral procession through the streets of the city, before the private religious ceremony. The champion will then be buried in a vertical cemetery considered to be the highest in the world, in the municipality of Santos. A cemetery overlooking the stadium: «It conveys spiritual peace and tranquillity, it doesn't look like a cemetery», said Pelé when buying the niche on the ninth floor of the structure.

THE TRIBUTE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The international media celebrate him as the "King" of football. The tribute on social networks of today's and yesterday's champions is moving.

«He was Monsieur Calcio, the history of football, the discovery of football, all of football. In 1970 I was 15 and grew up with his face in my imagination. Even though we didn't always see him play, we talked about him. He was no longer a man, he was no longer a footballer, he was the God of Football," said Michel Platini.

"You, football. Ciao O Rei», the greeting of Francesco Totti. «The man who changed football», according to Gennao Gattuso.

«Today football has lost the greatest. Of his story and I have lost a unique friend. Football will be yours forever. Rest in peace Pele,” legendary German defender Franz Beckenbauer tweeted.

“A simple farewell to the eternal King Pele will never be enough to express the pain. An inspiration for so many millions, a reference to yesterday, always today. He will never be forgotten and his memory will remain forever in all of us football lovers. Rest in peace King Pele," wrote Cristiano Ronaldo. «Rest in peace», the simple message from Leo Messi, who posted a photo together with O Rei. “The king of football has passed away but his legacy will never be forgotten. Rip Re», wrote Kylian Mbappè instead.

And then the Brazilians. Ronaldo the Phenomenon: «Unique. Fantastic. Technician. Creative. Perfect. Without equal. Where Pele arrived, he remained. Without ever descending from above, the king of football leaves us today - only one. The greatest ever. What a privilege to come after you my friend. Your talent is a school that every player should attend. Your legacy transcends generations. And that's how you stay alive. Today and always, we will celebrate you. Thank you, Pele, rest in peace.'

Neymar: «Before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He has transformed football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, especially blacks. It gave visibility to Brazil».

From Barack Obama to Joe Biden, even NASA has paid homage to the champion.

THE FRIENDLY AT SANT'ELIA

And the memory of Cagliari Calcio could not be missing, who posted a photo of O Rey together with Gigi Riva on the occasion of a friendly match between Cagliari and Santos at the Sant'Elia. That day the strongest in the world faced each other and Rombo di Tuono who, in the opinion of Pelé himself, was the strongest Italian footballer. It finished 3-2 for the Brazilians, one brace each for Riva and Pele.

«Cagliari Calcio joins in condolences for the passing of Pelé. Among the greatest to ever walk a football field, a hero of entire generations. Goodbye O Rei, eternal legend," wrote the club.

NUMBERS AND ANECDOTES

Entire generations started on the suburban pitches inspired by Pelé. Footballer of the century ex aequo with Maradona, Athlete of the century according to the IOC (award awarded in 1999). Complete, total footballer: he shot with power and precision with both his right and left foot, he had a strong head despite his short stature (the goal in the 1970 World Cup was unforgettable when he soared over the blue defender Burgnich), he had speed and dribbling, extraordinary as a finisher and assist man .

Man of records: the only one to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970). Fifa has officially recognized him with 1281 goals, no one has managed to score many in his career.

The Shah of Persia waited for him at an airport for three hours just to be able to take a picture with him, the Chinese border guards abandoned their posts and moved to Hong Kong, attracting the ire of the regime, just because they had learned that the Black Pearl he was in the city that day. In Colombia Pelé was sent off during a match and the crowd invaded the field forcing the referee to flee. The match resumed only with the Brazilian's return to the field. Anecdotes of a legend, and they are not the only ones: at least as numerous as his goals.