MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pelé's mausoleum opened, but number of visitors is restricted

Pelé died on Dec. 29, 2022, aged 82

Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé, now has his mausoleum from fans from all over the world to visit. The Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica was opened Monday for as many as 60 daily tourists.

The opening ceremony was attended by his son Edinho and many of Pelé's most loyal fans.

“We still feel a lot of pain, we miss him a lot, but we also feel a lot of pride and joy for all the affection and reverence he has been receiving,” said Edinho. “It is one more memorable moment for our family and to push for our king to be eternal. The place has been designed with a lot of care and love. It is noble, simple, and very pleasant,” he added.

With a dim light, the walls are made with photographs of fans, giving the impression of being inside a stadium. The floor is synthetic grass and in the corners are displayed Pelé's three iconic jerseys: those of Santos, the Brazilian national team, and the New York Cosmos.

The mausoleum will be open between 9 am and noon and between 2 pm and 6 pm for up to 30 visitors each shift. People need to register on the cemetery's website to attend.

Opened in 1991, the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica is about 700 meters from Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium, where Pelé became a legend.

Also buried in that cemetery are Pelé's father João Ramos do Nascimento (Dondinho) and his brother Jair.

Pele died on Dec. 29 aged 82 after a battle with cancer. He remains the only player in football history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970). He scored a world record of 1,281 goals during his more than two-decade career with Santos (1956-74), the New York Cosmos (1975-77), and the Brazilian national team.