There has been a mixed reaction in Brazil to a proposed tribute to Pele, the Brazilain football legend.
Proposed Tribute to Pele divides Brazilians
The proposed tribute to Pele has to do with renaming Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium in honour of the Brazilian football legend.
The Rio State Legislature already gave the green light. This week, Rio de Janeiro Governor Claudio Castro is set to make a final decision on changing the name to ‘Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Rei Pelé.’
This would include the icon’s given name and also his affectionate nickname ‘King Pelé.’
The Maracana stadium is officially named after journalist Mario Filho, a strong advocate for its construction.
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Filho’s grandson Mario Neto complained that there had been no consultation before the decision to rename the stadium was taken.
A stadium in Maceió, in the northeastern part of the country, is already named “King Pelé” in tribute to Pelé’s final World Cup triumph in 1970.
If the Maracana’s change of name is approved, it will come only three months after deciding to rename the San Paolo Stadium in Napoli after the late Diego Maradona.
