A day after the funeral of three-time world champion Pele, who died at the age of 82, the first stadium named after the legendary football player has already been built.
But not in Brazil, not even in South America: the national stadium of the Republic of Cape Verde near the coast of Africa, the former national stadium of Cabo Verde, will bear Pele’s name following a presidential decree on Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the Brazilian legend’s funeral on Tuesday that a stadium in every country should be named after Pele (an idea floated by Pele’s son, Edinho).
“This is a tribute to getting to know him and that he made all of us great. Although Edson Arantes de Nascimento is physically gone, he will soon be a symbol for the masses showing that sport can unite the world. The culture of the Republic of Cape Town and Brazil go hand in hand, proving that they are two nations Two sisters, united by a common language and a similar identity.
As a tribute and appreciation for this figure that makes us all great, I express the intention to name our national stadium the “Pelé Stadium”, in an initiative that I believe will be followed by several countries around the world,” Ulises Correra e Silva wrote on Facebook. Pele has always been a point of reference and will forever be so in Brazil In his Portuguese-speaking country and around the world, he will be a role model that connects generations,” wrote Ulisses Correira e Silva, Green Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Town.
