The head of the game’s governing physique Gianni Infantino Monday stated that FIFA will ask all of the world’s nations to call a stadium for Brazilian soccer legend Pele on the late icon’s wake.
Infantino was within the metropolis of Santos, Brazil, to pay his ultimate respects to the participant extensively thought of the best of all time, who died Thursday at 82.
“We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele,” Infantino informed journalists on the Vila Belmiro, the stadium the place the participant referred to as “The King” first exploded onto the world stage along 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 midst 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 a protracted battle with most cancers.
Monday’s wake might be adopted by a funeral procession via the streets of Santos Tuesday, then a non-public interment ceremony.
