The funeral of legendary Brazilian footballer Pele is currently ongoing in Santos, Brazil, with the footballer’s mother, Celeste, still unaware of his passing.
Pele’s mother, Celeste, has been in a coma and occasionally opens her eyes, but does not seem to be aware of what is being said to her.
The body of the legendary footballer was taken through her neighbourhood on Tuesday as part of final funeral rites.
The footballer, who won three World Cups with Brazil, passed away in late December. He had been receiving treatment at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo and his daughter, Kely Nascimento, posted an emotional tribute after her father’s passing.
Pele’s wake took place at Estadio Urbano Caldeira (also known as Vila Belmiro), the home of Santos, the club where he spent the majority of his iconic playing career. His coffin on Tuesday travelled through the streets of Santos, before passing through the neighbourhood of his 100-year-old mother.
Maria Lucia do Nascimento, Pele’s sister cares for her mother and revealed Celeste was unaware of Pele’s death. “We talk but she doesn’t know the situation. She’s in her own world,” Maria Lucia said.
“She opens her eyes when I mention his name and say, ‘we’re going to pray for him’, but she’s not really conscious of what I’m saying.”
Pele’s final place will be the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica, a vertical cemetery that will allow him to overlook Santos’ stadium, with a private funeral ceremony due to be attended by family members only.
Celeste turned 100 in November, with Pele sharing a message on social media to mark the occasion. “Today, we celebrate 100 years of Dona Celeste’s life,” he wrote at the time.
“From a young age, she taught me the value of love and peace. I have well over a hundred reasons to be thankful for being her son. I share these photos with you, with great emotion to celebrate this day. Thank you for every day by your side, Mom.”
