Gianni Infantino has revealed that FIFA will ask EVERY country in the world to name a stadium for Pele to cement the legacy of the Brazil icon following his death last week at the age of 82
Gianni Infantino announced that FIFA will ask every country in the world to name a stadium after his death last week.
The Brazilian icon has died aged 82 and Infantino will ask countries to honor one of the all-time greats with a gesture.
Speaking as Pele’s funeral began in Santos on Monday, Infantino said: ‘We ask that all countries in the world have at least one stadium with the name Pele.’
Gianni Infantino said he will ask every country to name a stadium after his death
The FIFA president was among mourners at the start of Pele’s funeral in Brazil on Monday
Infantino continued that the reason behind this idea was ‘for children to know the importance of Pele’.
An emotional Brazil began paying respects to football legend Pele today, as his coffin arrived at the stadium where he took his first breath.
Hundreds of fans began filing into Vila Belmiro, home of Pele’s long-time club Santos, where the open casket containing ‘The King”s body was on display in the center circle this morning.
Pele’s coffin was carried to the center of the pitch and fans will be able to pay their respects for 24 hours
The coffin, placed under an awning and surrounded by bouquets of white flowers, will remain there for 24 hours.
Pele is the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
In his more than 20 years as a professional footballer, Pele also amassed more than 1,200 career goals.
It is unlikely that Infantino’s idea to name all these stadiums after Pele will be well received.
It was the latest public comment from Infantino, who wants to remain president until 2021, that raised eyebrows.
Pele is the only footballer to win three World Cups, winning in 1958, 1962 and 1970
Infantino has recently come under fire for his relationship with Salt Bae, who was seen trying to spoil Argentina’s celebrations on the pitch after they beat France in the World Cup final.
FIFA said it would ‘take internal action’ following the incident where the celebrity butcher posed with Lionel Messi and Co.
During the build-up to the World Cup, Infantino also confused fans with a strange pre-tournament speech.
Brazilian icon Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time
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