Pelé's death unites a fractured Brazil as the nation begins to mourn

December 30 – In a deeply polarized country, the passing of Pelé, an event that Brazilians and football fans in general hoped would never happen, provided a rare moment of national unity.

When the long-awaited but deeply dreaded moment arrived, Pelé's death still shook Brazil and sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes around the world as well as uninterrupted coverage by local media. The famous Brazilian statue of Christ the Redeemer was illuminated in the colors of the country to celebrate and commemorate the life of Pelé. Outside Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele was treated, a banner of supporters was draped that read "Eternal King Pele".

Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva tweeted, "Few Brazilians have carried our country's name as far as he does...He didn't just play. He put on a full show."< /p>

He had loved watching the greatest player of all time and added "there has never been another number 10 like him. Thank you Pelé."

On Sunday, Lula, who already served two terms as President of Brazil, between 2003 and 2011, will be inaugurated as President of Brazil. At least 19 heads of state will attend the inauguration ceremony as Brazil turns a dark page after the reign of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

The titular declared three days of national mourning following the passing of the footballing icon at the age of 82 on Thursday after a long battle with colon cancer. Bolsonaro's government said Pelé was "a great citizen and patriot, raising the name of Brazil wherever he went".

On Monday, local club Santos will hold a 24-hour wake at the Vila Belmiro stadium, where Pelé excelled for 18 years, tirelessly delivering masterclass after masterclass and winning countless trophies. The next day, a motorcade carrying his coffin will pass through the neighborhood where his 100-year-old mother lives before a private burial.

This will be Pelé's final journey and no doubt also a final tribute to the man who transcended both the game and his country, storming onto the world stage in 1958 as a teenager and cementing his place in the pantheon of the gods in 1970 with Brazil's third victory in the World Cup.

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