Brazil has three days of national mourning for Pele

In a short post on personal Twitter, President Bolsonaro wrote: "I am very sorry that a man who once brought Brazil's name to the world through football has passed away. He turned football into art and joy. May God comfort the family and welcome Pele with boundless love."

After declaring a three-day national mourning, Mr. Bolsonaro said the ceremony to pay respects to Pele will take place from 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 2, Sao Paulo time, for 24 hours, at Vila Belmiro, home of Santos club. People will be allowed to visit the legend who passed away at the age of 82.

Pele's funeral took place on Tuesday, January 3 at the Ecumenical Necropolis, Santos City, with only members of Pele's family present.

Pele spent 18 years playing for Santos club, from 1956-1974. The city decided to mourn for seven days after his death on December 29. Santos also changed the profile picture on social networks, to the shape of a crown with rays of light from the top down. In the lower left corner of the photo, it reads: "Edson Arantes do Nascimento 1940 - 2022".

Edson Arantes do Nascimento is Pele's full name, when he was born on October 23, 1940 in the city of Tres Coracoes, state of Minas Gerais. The Guinness World Record once recognized Pele as the most goalscorer of all time, with 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches, including friendlies. He is also the only player in history to win the World Cup three times, with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

On December 29, Pele died after being treated at Albert Einstein Hospital, Sao Paulo city, Brazil for colon cancer, kidney and heart failure. During his time playing, the Ballon d'Or was not awarded to players outside of Europe. But France Football magazine later claimed Pele would receive seven Ballon d'Or if they awarded the award to a non-European player.