Pelé, the first global soccer superstar, died Thursday in São Paulo, Brazil, at the age of 82.
The Brazilian athlete was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in November due to a respiratory infection and complication in his colon cancer. In a statement, the hospital said he died of multiple organ failure caused by the cancer.
Videos shared Thursday by Twitter user @The_Lostinhoo shows fans gathering Thursday afternoon outside Urbano Caldeira stadium, widely known as Vila Belmiro, the home of Pelés first football club, Santos FC. As night fell the crowd of mourners grew larger, waving flags.
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Três Corações, is the only player in history to win three World Cups. He played his first World Cup at age 17 in 1958, and scored three goals against France in the semi-final and two against host Sweden to win the title.
A public wake will be held at the stadium in Brazils São Paulo state, according to a Thursday statement from Santos FC. Pelés body will be moved at dawn on Monday and his coffin will be placed at the center of the pitch.
The wake will continue until Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time, and a funeral procession will carry Pelés coffin through the streets to the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica cemetery in Santos for a private funeral.
