The legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, whose official name since 1966 has been “journalist Mario Filho's stadium”, could be renamed from that of the living Brazilian football legend, “Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pelé”, known as “King Pelé”. ".
The Rio state parliament on Tuesday approved the proposed name change.
The decision now rests with interim governor Claudio Castro, who has 15 days to formalize it.
The name of journalist Mario Filho would be kept for the sports complex surrounding the stadium.
When questioned, the spokespersons for Pelé, 80, considered by many to be the greatest footballer in history, did not react to this announcement immediately.
Inaugurated on June 16, 1950 for the World Cup, the stadium was first the scene in front of nearly 200,000 people of the still vivid trauma of the defeat during the final meeting against the Uruguayan neighbor carrying the Jules Rimet trophy (2- 1).
Pelé's legendary career
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