FIFA: Cape Verde Becomes First To Name Stadium After Pele

Cape Verde has adhered to the call by the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino to name a stadium after Brazilian legend, Pele.

Following Pele’s death, Infantino called on every nation to name a stadium after the football legend.

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde disclosed that the African country would name their national stadium, Estádio da Várzea after pele who died aged 82 on December 29.

Cape Verde share Portuguese as a common language with Brazil.

The Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva noted that Cape Verde and Brazil had a history and a culture that go hand in hand.

Silva stated that the two countries are sister countries, linked by language and by very similar identities.

The Prime Minister said, “Pele was and will always be a reference in Brazil, in our Portuguese-speaking world and in the rest of the world, being an idol that connects several generations.

”As a tribute and recognition to this figure who makes us all great, I manifest the intention (of the Government) to name our national stadium as ‘Pele Stadium’ in an initiative to which, I believe, several countries around the world will accompany us.”

The official Cape Verde government website said that the executive had already notified FIFA of its intention to change the name of the stadium.