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- Pele dies age 82
- Infantino attends funeral
- Asks for global tributes
WHAT HAPPENED? Pele’s funeral is currently taking place in Brazil following the legend’s death on December 29 at the age of 82. Infantino is in Brazil to pay his respects and called on nations around the globe to pay tribute to the great name by naming stadiums after him.
WHAT THEY SAID: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pelé,” he told local reporters. Infantino added that such as move would also ensure “children know Pele’s importance”.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The football world is currently mourning the passing of the Brazil great who is the only man in history to win the World Cup three times. Pele also scored over 1,000 goals in a phenomenal career that has ensured he is a household name all over the world.
IN A PHOTO:
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT? A ceremony is currently being held at Pele’s former club Santos for members of the public to pay their respects. A parade through the streets of Santos will then follow on January 3 before a private burial at the Memorial Necropole.
He told local reporters on Monday: “We are also going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.”
The request comes as mourners line the streets outside of Santos’ football stadium in order to pay their respects.
Part of Pele’s funeral is being held at the stadium.
His coffin has been placed in the middle of the pitch and fans will be able to pay their respects for 24 hours before a procession through the streets of Santos to celebrate the icon.
However, Infantino’s suggestion of naming stadiums drew ridicule on social media from Argentina fans, who are fierce rivals of Brazil — one of the Argentina supporters’ most popular songs includes the line “Maradona is greater than Pelé”.
“We’re going to