Cape Verde’s prime minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva has announced that his nation plans to name its national stadium after Brazilian legend, Pele, following FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s suggestion on Monday.
Infantino said that the football governing body will ask all of the world’s countries to name a stadium after Pele, the only player in football history to win three World Cups, who died at a Sao Paulo hospital on December 30, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister José said in a Facebook post that Cape Verde, a West African country, and Brazil are “two brother countries, connected by language and by very similar identities,” therefore, to honor one of the greatest footballers in history, he is suggesting their country’s national stadium be renamed “Pele stadium.”
“Pelé was and will always be a reference in Brazil, in our lusophones, and throughout the rest of the world, being an idol that connects several generations,” he wrote.
“As a 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.”
José further disclosed that the government of Cape Verde has already informed FIFA of their intentions and asked what the general citizenry of his country thoughts about the plan.
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.
