The Government of Brazil on Friday, December 30 announced a three-day National period of mourning in honour of Pele.
A statement from the government's Office of the Secretary of Communication noted that the declaration came from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Outgoing Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro gave the orders ahead of his exit from office on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
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“As a sign of our deepest respect for the great man and superb athlete “Pelé” Édson Arantes do Nascimento, his family, friends, all of Brazil and multitudes of admirers worldwide, a three-day National period of mourning for the Brazilian hero was decreed by President Bolsonaro,” the statement read.
In a previous statement, the Brazilian Government described Pelé as a champion of champions and a living legend.
“Football perfection; the King was almost synonymous with his homeland. Generations to come will remember him as a gentleman off the field, and a magician on it; the epic number 10 shirt, immortalized by his genius,” part of the statement read.
Pele is the only player to have won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, winning his first at the age of 17.
Before his demise, the legendary soccer player was crowned Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee as well as FIFA’s Player of the Century.
He holds the record for scoring 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.
At the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland Member Associations' flags are at half mast as a tribute to Pele.
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