Pele Stadium in Cape Verde
Cape Verde will become the first African nation to name a stadium in respect to football legend Pele.
Cape Verde’s national stadium will be renamed after Pele according to a BBC News report.
Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde located just outside the capital Praia and with a seating capacity of 15.000, will be renamed as the Pele Stadium.
Pele is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country, and was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.
Prime minister of Cape Verde Jose Ulisses Correira e Silva wrote on Facebook announcing the news of the countries intentions to honor the Brazilian legend.
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“Cabo Verde and Brazil have a history and culture that go hand in hand, considering that they are two brother countries, connected by language and by very similar identities.
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And with the physical disappearance (Death) of Edson Arantes de Nascimento, King Pelé, born Brazilian citizen, he who early became a global figure, icon of masses proving that sport has the power to unite the world, now it’s our desire h praise him.”
“Pelé was and will always be a reference in Brazil, in our lusophony and all the rest of the world, being an idol that connects several generations.
As tribute and recognition to this figure that makes us all great, I express my intention to name our national stadium, as “Pele Stadium”, an initiative that I believe several countries around the world will follow us.”
We have already communicated to FIFA our intention, because it was that institution launching the challenge and we hope to be able to soon concretize this symbolic act.
We would like to hear your opinion”
While speaking at Pele’s memorial service in Brazil FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that FIFA would be asking every country in the world to name one of their stadiums after the Brazilian Legend.
The footballing legend died on 29 December 2022, aged 82 after suffering from prostate and kidney problems for many years.