First FIFA nation takes up Gianni Infantino's demand to name stadium after Pele
Cape Verde Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correira e Silva has confirmed that the country's national stadium will be named after Brazil legend Pele.
The three-time World Cup winner passed away on Thursday after a long battle with colon cancer. Pele was forced to have surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021, and had required regular medical treatment before being admitted back to Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in November.
Pele was later diagnosed with a respiratory infection before subsequently being moved to palliative care when his body became unresponsive to chemotherapy. The former New York Cosmos striker's condition slowly worsened as doctors and nurses tried to make him as comfortable as possible.
It was confirmed on December 29 by his daughter, Kely Nascimento, that Pele had died at the age of 82. She wrote on Instagram : "Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."
Following the passing of Pele, Gianni Infantino bizarrely called for all 211 national football associations to name a stadium after the late, great Pele. "We are also going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele," the FIFA chief.
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Cape Verde have since become the first nation to follow through with that demand after Correira e Silva confirmed that the 15,000-seater national stadium - previously known as Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde - is to be renamed the 'Pele Stadium'.
Pele and Gianni Infantino (FIFA via Getty Images)In statement published on social media, Cape Verde's PM stressed that the decision is a spinoff of the historical ties that his country shares with Brazil. "Cape Verde and Brazil have a history and culture that go hand in hand, considering they are two sister countries, linked by language and very similar identities." the statement read.
"And with the physical disappearance of Edson Arantes de Nascimento, King Pelé, born a Brazilian citizen, who soon became a planetary figure, an icon of the masses showing that sport has the power to unite the world, it is now our wish to pay tribute to him.
"Pelé was and always will be a reference in Brazil, in our Portuguese-speaking countries and in the rest of the world, being an idol that links several generations. As a tribute and recognition to this figure that makes us all great, I manifest the intention of naming our national stadium as "Pelé Stadium", in an initiative that, I believe, will be followed by several countries around the world."
Correira e Silva is hopeful that several other countries will emulate their action after hundreds of fans mocked the idea on Twitter. He added: "We have already communicated our intention to FIFA, because it was that institution that launched the challenge and we hope to be able to perform this symbolic act soon."
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