Two More Countries Rename Stadiums After Football & Brazil Legend Pele

Two more countries have renamed stadiums after the late Brazilian football icon, Pele, who passed away on December 29. 

In his honour, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged all member nations to name a stadium after the Brazilian superstar, who is tagged the ‘greatest of all time’. 

Cape Verde became the first nation to heed FIFA’s call, renaming the 15,000-seater Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde, located just outside the capital of Praia, after the late Brazilian. 

They have now been joined by both Guinea-Bissau and Colombia. The west African nation's Bissau government announced that their facility in Bafata will be named after Pele.

 According to the statement, a decision was reached by the Guinean head of state and the council of ministers, to recognise Pele as the 'king of world football', via The Cable: 

“As a result and as an expression of public recognition of the status of King of World Football that is granted to him [Pele], the Council of Ministers decided to name the Regional State of Bafatá ‘Pele Stadium’ in response to the appeal of the president of FIFA.”

 Similarly, the governor of Colombia’s southern metro department, Juan Guillermo Zuluaga announced that the 15,000-capacity Villavicencio stadium would bear Pele’s name.

He said: 

“From the Colombian plains, we announce to the world that our wonderful stadium in Villavicencio will be called Bello Horizonte 'Rey Pelé'. The future generations should know who this icon of world football was. We have accepted FIFA’s suggestion.” 

Source: SportsBrief