Shining Bright in the Golden Crown, Pele at Eternal Rest... "Surreal Energy"

Golden Casket Containing the Body of Soccer Emperor Pele Revealed

The 'Golden Coffin' containing the body of the 'Football Emperor' Pel?, who passed away at the end of last year, has been unveiled, drawing a continuous stream of mourners, major foreign media outlets including AFP and AP reported on the 15th (local time).

According to reports, Pel?'s tomb at the Necropol Ecumenica cemetery in Santos, S?o Paulo, Brazil, has been opened to the public.

Pele's son Edinho and Pele's coffin
Photo by EPA Yonhap News

This 14-story cemetery is the tallest cemetery in the world and is listed in the Guinness World Records.

Originally, Pel? was not buried here. He was interred on the 9th floor overlooking the Vila Belmiro stadium, where Santos FC, the club he played for during his lifetime, is located.

However, honoring the family's wish to welcome more fans, a new tomb was prepared in a separate room on the 2nd floor, covering an area of about 200 square meters.

A golden statue of Pel? stepping on a soccer ball is installed on both sides of the entrance, and the golden coffin is placed on the floor covered with artificial turf resembling a football pitch.

Pele's coffin placed at the tomb
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Photos of fans cheering for Pel?'s play are hung on the walls.

Visitors must make a reservation through the cemetery's website to visit the tomb. The maximum number of visitors allowed per day is 60.

Pel?'s son, Edinho, said, "People who knew my father and those who were with him created this with great love," adding, "I am proud of the outpouring of affection and respect for my father."

Irika Nascimento, who identified herself as an economist, also expressed admiration, saying, "I am trembling. This place has a surreal energy."

Pele's 'Golden Crown'
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Paulo Campos, the caretaker, said, "Since this is the place where the 'king' resides, everything is richly and meticulously planned with heartfelt tribute."

Pel?, regarded as an icon of Brazilian football, passed away at the age of 82 last December after battling cancer.

Pel? is the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times (1958, 1962, 1970) during his lifetime.

During his active career, he scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and played 1,366 games with 1,281 goals according to FIFA records, earning him the title of 'Football Emperor.'

Pel?, the Football Emperor Listed in the Brazilian Dictionary... 'Outstanding and Unique'

Brazil's 'Soccer Emperor' Pele
[Photo by AFP]

Meanwhile, Pel?'s name has been turned into an adjective and included in the Portuguese dictionary of Brazil. The adjective 'Pel?' means 'outstanding, unparalleled, unique.'

According to foreign media reports including AP, the 'Michaelis Dictionary,' a Portuguese dictionary published in Brazil, announced that the word 'Pel? (Pel?)' has been added to the dictionary as both a noun and an adjective.

The Michaelis Dictionary also explained the dictionary meaning of Pel? as "the nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940?2022), regarded as the greatest athlete of all time: outstanding, unparalleled, unique." It provided example sentences such as "he is a Pel? basketball player," "she is a Pel? tennis player," "she is a Pel? actress," and "he is a Pel? doctor."

AP reported that this was the result of a signature campaign by more than 125,000 Brazilian citizens to honor Pel? by having his name included in the dictionary.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.