FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he will ask international federations affiliated to the entity to name at least one stadium each to honor Pelé, who died last Thursday (29) due to the failure of multiple organs as a result of the progression of lung cancer. colon.
“We’re going to ask that every country in the world have at least one stadium named after Pelé so that children know how important he is. It’s a great football that moved us”, said Infantino.
The director of the entity arrived in Vila Belmiro to accompany the wake of the King of Football alongside the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, and of the FPF (Paulista Football Federation), Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos.
“The proposition [dos três corações na camisa] it was done and is still going strong, it’s just a question of justice. Pelé stays in the hearts of all people who love football,” agreed Domínguez.
Infantino and the other top hats went up to the president’s room of Santos Futebol Clube, Andres Rueda, to await the start of the ceremony, scheduled for 10 am (Brasília time).
“Pele was a legend and was a gift from the gods to give emotions to people. Many people had emotions and laughed thanks to Pelé because he gave that to people,” he said.
Before being opened to the public, Vila Belmiro already had a considerable line around the stadium. The president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, recalled the first match in which he saw Pelé play, in Ilhéus.
“Unforgettable, I was 13 years old, but since I was nine I had already heard Pelé’s achievements. It was very difficult to have television at that time, but we listened on the radio. dad to take me to the game. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. Santos won 3-1 and he scored the third goal. The crowd went crazy whenever Pelé took the ball. I think everyone was Santos , even though I’m from Ilheus,” he said.
The body of the former player arrived at the stadium that designed him for football at 4:54 am, after a two-hour procession from Albert Einstein Hospital, in the south zone of São Paulo.
Members of an organized crowd set off fireworks as the body arrived in a hearse escorted by scouts and police cars.
Since then, the queue has grown slowly until supporters and fans arrive in droves from 8:30 am.
Before the leaders, the first official at the wake was minister Gilmar Mendes, a Santos fan and friend of the King of Football.
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