The Brazilian coastal town of Santos, where sporting legend Pele became a byword for football genius during a glittering club career, was ready to say goodbye to its hero with a 24-hour vigil on Monday.
A memorial will be held at the Villa Belmiro stadium, home of Santos football club, for Pele, who died on Thursday aged 82 after battling stomach cancer.
Local fan Roberto Santos said, “The expectation is huge, the whole world will be here.” “Pele needs no presentation. Pele is everything to us”.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Pele’s given name – was born in the small country town of Tres Coracos in 1940, but moved to Santos in 1956 and lived there for most of his life.
“Pele has left behind millions of Santos fans in our country. He was the creator of Brazilian football,” said Antonio da Paz, a fan waiting outside the stadium for the memorial that began at 10 a.m. (1300 GMT).