Cape Verde Prime Minister José de Pina Correia disclosed on Wednesday, January 4, that the West African nation approached FIFA with the objective of renaming its national stadium after the late Edson Arantes de Nascimento, popularly known as Pele.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently stated that he would request all countries in the world to name a stadium after the Brazilian legend to honour him for his contribution to the growth of football.
While announcing the news, Correia expressed his hope for other countries to follow suit.
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“As tribute and recognition to this figure that makes us all great, I express my intention to name our national stadium, "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,” part of his statement read.
He added that the three-time World Cup winner united the universe via the beautiful game.
“Cape 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.
“And with the physical disappearance of Edson Arantes de Nascimento, King Pelé, he who early became a global figure, an icon of the masses proving that sport has the power to unite the world, now it's our desire to 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,” ended Correia.
Pele died on Friday, December 29, after a long battle with Colon cancer in a hospital in Sao Paulo.
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