Lula da Silva in Pelé in 2008. — © AFP
New Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attends the vigil for football legend Pelé on Monday, a day after his inauguration, Brazilian media report.
mtmBron: BELGIAN
Lula, 77, was proclaimed Brazil’s president for a third time on Sunday after being sworn in before Congress. He succeeds far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who left the country two days before the end of his mandate. Bolsonaro was defeated by the icon of the left wing in the October 2022 elections.
The country’s new leader will travel to Santos, Pelé’s home city, on Monday, according to local media. A 24-hour vigil will take place there. The funeral procession will depart from the Morumbi business district and continue until Santos’ Vila Belmiro Stadium. There, Pelé’s chest will be placed on the center circle of the field. The public can pay a final salute. Pelé himself asked to receive his last tribute at the stadium of his beloved club. The former striker scored 288 goals at the Vila Belmiro stadium between 1956 and 1974.
The coffin will travel 80 kilometers during the procession to the stadium and will be accompanied by military police vehicles and a fire truck. The procession also passes the home of Dona Celeste, Pelé’s mother, who celebrated her 100th birthday on the opening day of the World Cup.
