FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested that every member association of the football ruling body should honour the late Pele by naming at least one stadium after him.
The legendary Brazilian died on Thursday aged 82 after a battle with colon cancer, and Infantino was attending part of his funeral ceremony today.
Pele, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, will be buried in his hometown Santos tomorrow.
His body was displayed at the Santos stadium today, where he made his name and spent 19 glorious years.
“We are going to ask all the federations around the world to name a stadium after Pele because I believe that future generations have to know who Pele is, and the joy he brought to the world,” Infantino told reporters in Brazil.
If Infantino’s suggestion is carried out, there will be stadiums named after Pele in the 211 countries affiliated to FIFA, including Nigeria.
The only man to ever win the World Cup three times, Pele inspired Brazil to victory in 1958, when he was just 17, 1962 and 1970.
Pele’s club career was spent with only two clubs, his local Santos for 19 years and then the New York Cosmos in the fledgling North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1977, when he retired.
Napoli named the Stadio San Paolo in honour of Diego Armando Maradona just days after his death in November 2020.
The Argentinian legend had played at the Italian club from 1984 to 1991, winning two Serie A titles, the UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup.
