02:21Colombia: 'King Pele' stadium hosts first match after changing name in tribute to Brazilian football icon
Llaneros FC and Sociedad Deportiva Aucas went head-to-head in the first Latin American stadium to be named after Brazilian football icon, Pele, in Villavicencio on Thursday.
Hundreds of fans flocked to the Bello Horizonte 'Rey Pele' Stadium to watch the local Colombian squad tie 1-1 against the Ecuadorian league winners in the first friendly game since the stadium was renamed.
Governor of Colombia’s Meta region, Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, announced that the words 'Rey Pele' (King Pele) would be added to the stadium’s name on January 4, “so future generations will know who this icon of world soccer was.”
The name change came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino call to all FIFA member federations to name one stadium after the late Brazilian icon.
Cape Verde became the first nation to accept Infantino’s request, naming their national stadium to 'Pele Stadium'.
Soccer legend Pele, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, died on December 29 at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.
The Brazilian was the only player in history to win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele also holds the world record of 1,279 goals in 1,363 appearances across all matches, including friendlies.
02:21Llaneros FC and Sociedad Deportiva Aucas went head-to-head in the first Latin American stadium to be named after Brazilian football icon, Pele, in Villavicencio on Thursday.
Hundreds of fans flocked to the Bello Horizonte 'Rey Pele' Stadium to watch the local Colombian squad tie 1-1 against the Ecuadorian league winners in the first friendly game since the stadium was renamed.
Governor of Colombia’s Meta region, Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, announced that the words 'Rey Pele' (King Pele) would be added to the stadium’s name on January 4, “so future generations will know who this icon of world soccer was.”
The name change came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino call to all FIFA member federations to name one stadium after the late Brazilian icon.
Cape Verde became the first nation to accept Infantino’s request, naming their national stadium to 'Pele Stadium'.
Soccer legend Pele, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, died on December 29 at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.
The Brazilian was the only player in history to win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele also holds the world record of 1,279 goals in 1,363 appearances across all matches, including friendlies.