FIFA to ask every country to name a stadium in honour of Pele
FIFA will ask every country in the world to name a stadium in honour of Pele, its president Gianni Infantino said on Monday.
The Brazil great, who won the World Cup three times and scored over 1,000 goals in his career, died on December 29 aged 82 after a battle with cancer.
Infantino, who was in Brazil for Pele’s funeral in Sao Paulo, told local reporters: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.”
Maracana
In April 2021 Rio de Janeiro abandoned plans to name the famous Maracana Stadium after Pele after it was vetoed by the state governor.
Pele’s coffin was placed inside the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos on Monday, the home ground of the club where he spent virtually his entire career.
Infantino released a statement on the day of Pele’s death which began: “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele.”
He described Pele as an “exemplary sportsman” and added: “Pele had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped.
“His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.”
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We should name one after Maradona.
Forget stadia named after Pele.. Create a scholarship in his name for up & coming footballers from poor backgrounds Pele came from poverty himself and it would be a fitting tribute to such a wonderful player.
Change the name of Cardiff or Swansea’s ground to Stadiwm Pêl-e Droed. They might start playing like pros 😂
What a ridiculous suggestion!!!
Nope, Pele is an important icon, but he is Brazils icon not Cymru’s. Be nice if FiFA created something as a world body though.
I’m surprised Gianni Infantino didn’t use the occasion to continue with his “philosophy”.
Today I feel Brazilian. Today I feel Pele.
We did name a stadium after a bank/building society so funny to see those taking the high ground here
We didn’t!!! The traitors in the WRU did.
Why? Was he from Wales? He was a great player, no doubt…but why him? What about all the other football greats? How about we name a stadium after John Charles first!!!
john. Charles would be fine, point is wales has named stadiums after banks and buildING SOCIETIES so don’t know why you are complaining