The body of 'O Rei' Pelé is being laid in state at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, owned by Santos, the lifelong club of the historic Brazilian footballer who has passed away.
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Thousands of fans, friends, and family members of Edson Arantes do Nascimento gather at the sports venue located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to bid farewell to a player who made his mark on football.
However, one of the notable absentees at the wake of the greatest footballer in Brazilian history is German Franz Beckenbauer, a historic player for the German national team and Bayern Munich, who coincided with Pelé at the New York Cosmos in the United States in 1977, where they formed a great friendship.
"I would love to (attend the wake), but unfortunately my health does not allow me to take such a long flight. I will accompany my friend in his final journey in spirit," said the World Cup champion with Germany in '74 as a player and in '90 as a coach.
'The Kaiser' also commented that they had not been in contact in recent years, as both were going through health issues, but he always held a special affection for Pelé.
"We stopped seeing each other because we were both sick. But a friendship that lasts a lifetime... Pelé always used to say to me: Franz, you are my white brother. He was like a brother. Even with complete strangers, he radiated warmth," he added.
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