FIFA will ask all of the world’s nations to call a stadium for Brazilian soccer legend Pele, the top of the game’s governing physique, Gianni Infantino, stated Monday on the late icon’s wake.
Infantino was within the metropolis of Santos, Brazil, to pay his remaining respects to the participant broadly thought of the best of all time, who died Thursday on the age of 82.
“We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele,” Infantino advised journalists on the Vila Belmiro, the stadium the place the participant referred to as “The King” first exploded onto the world stage together with his exploits for his longtime membership, Santos FC.
Attending the 24-hour wake together with the heads of the South American and Brazilian soccer confederations, Infantino was among the many first to pay homage earlier than Pele’s open casket, which was displayed in the course of the sector at Vila Belmiro stadium.
“We’re here with great sadness,” Infantino stated. “Pele is eternal. He’s a global icon of football.”
FIFA had already flown the flags of the world at half-mast Friday outdoors its headquarters in Zurich in honor of Pele, whom the group has named as the best participant of the twentieth century.
Pele, the one participant in historical past to win three World Cups, died at a Sao Paulo hospital after an extended battle with most cancers.
Monday’s wake shall be adopted by a funeral procession by the streets of Santos Tuesday, then a personal interment ceremony.
