Football star Pele buried in Brazil

Pele, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, was buried in his hometown of Santos, Brazil, on Tuesday.

Pele led Brazil to three World Cup championships in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He was one of the world’s most famous athletes in his 1960s and his 1970s.

The civil war in Nigeria was temporarily halted so he could meet the president and queen and people could watch him play.Many Brazilians believe Pele’s football skills helped put the country on the map stage first time.

Thousands of soccer fans attended his funeral stadium He made Vila Vermiro famous. He started playing football for his club Santos at the age of 15.

Fans such as Neymar and Ronaldo and flowers of famous players filled a corner of the stadium. Behind him one of the stadium’s goals was lined with Pele’s number 10 shirt. Then the sound of the song “Eu sou Pelé” (“I am Pele”) filled the air.

Among the mourners were Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the organization that runs world football and hosts the World Cup. Infantino said every country should name a stadium after Pele.

“I am here with many emotions and sorrows, smile Because he gave us so many smiles,” Infantino said. “As FIFA, we compliment I ask the whole world to observe a minute’s silence in honor of the “King”. ”

Pele’s best friend and former Santos player Manoel Maria was there. “If I had all the wealth in the world, I would never be able to repay what this man did for me and my family.”

While waiting to enter the stadium, Caio Zarke called Pelé “the most important Brazilian of all time”. One girl, Geovana Sarmento, came with her father. They waited three hours to get inside. She added, “He’s one of the greatest people ever. We had to honor him.”

But one man criticized a famous Brazilian footballer for missing his funeral. ‘Where’s Ronaldo Nazario? Where’s Kaka, where’s Neymar? bakery next to the stadium. “Do you think they will be as memorable as Pele? they I didn’t want to stop their vacation, that’s the problem. ”

After the ceremony, Pele’s coffin, draped in flags of Brazil and Santos Football Club, was taken by fire engine through the streets to the cemetery.

I’m Dan Friedel.

Dan Friedel adapted this story for VOA Learning English, based on an Associated Press report.

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the words of this story

stage –n. The platform on which the performance will be performed

stadium –n. a large building with many seats where sporting events take place

smile –n. The expression on your face that expresses happiness

compliment –n. something done to show respect, affection, or someone

bakery –n. Places where bread and other grain products are baked

Man –n. A casual way of referring to a man or person

coffin –n. box for corpse before burial

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