Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: E-man on May 13, 2006, 07:42:37 PM
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Pele, at 17, was old pro compared to Walcott
By Keir Radnedge (Telegraph)
13/05/2006
Brazilian legend tells Keir Radnedge he had much more experience going into his first World Cup than young England forward.
Theo Walcott will face a more demanding test at the World Cup in Germany than the 17-year-old Pele did in Sweden in 1958.
The judge delivering that verdict should know, being the great Brazilian himself.
Walcott, on the day of England's opening match against Paraguay in Frankfurt, will be 17 years 86 days compared with Pele's 17 years 235 days on his World Cup arrival against the Soviet Union in Gothenburg.
Pele, inserted along with Garrincha into a stuttering Brazilian attack which had scored three goals against Austria but none against England, soon made his presence felt.
He scored a quarter-final winner against Wales, a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and two more in the 5-2 victory over Sweden in the final.
Here similarities end when it comes to assessing Walcott's potential for a similar feat.
Pele, still living the World Cup dream now as tournament spokesman for official sponsor MasterCard, has heard of Walcott but, in common with England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and most fans and media, has yet to see him play.
But he is wary of comparisons. After all, Pele has heard them all before from England: most recently in Euro 2004 when Eriksson compared Wayne Rooney's impact with that of Pele, just before the striker's ill-fated initial foot fracture in the quarter-final upset against hosts Portugal.
Pele said: "When I came into the Brazil squad I was surrounded by experienced players like Didi, Zito, Nilton Santos. Didi said to me: 'Listen Pele, don't try to do anything different to the way you play with your club. Don't think you have to change your style because now you are in the national team. It's not like that. You're here because of the way you play each week so that's all anyone wants from you.'"
Pele is happy to hand down the advice afforded him in turn by one of the greatest playmakers in the history of the World Cup, but sees few other links between his experience in Sweden and the one Walcott may live in Germany.
Simply, Pele started younger. He said: "Walcott has not played a game in the Premier League yet.
"But when I went to that World Cup in Sweden I had been playing in the first team with my club, Santos, for a year.
"Also, I had played I think five times for Brazil, the first time when I was still 16 and I scored a goal against Argentina. And that was almost a year before the World Cup.
"So when I went to Europe and to Sweden I was more or less engaged with the team and the way everything worked.
"In fact, the only thing that was new to me was the travelling because I had never made a big trip abroad before like that with the national team."
For the record, Pele scored on his senior debut for Santos in September, 1956, when he was not yet 16. He was still more than three months short of his 17th birthday when he made that goal-scoring debut for Brazil against Argentina in 1957.
Maybe further comparison should be deferred until after Walcott and England win the World Cup.
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Legendary footballer Pele for W/Cup draw.
T&T Newsday Reports.
FIFA Vice President Jack Warner has promised that the campaign for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup would “break all boundaries ” and it appears as though organisers are well-positioned to deliver on that promise.
For the launch of the emblem of the U-17 World Cup, the LOC was able to attract star power in US goalkeeper Hope Solo, Christine Sinclair of Canada, Brazilian Aline Pellegrino and Tiffney Milbret.
Now on the eve of the LOC’s World Cup campaign, organisers have gained the support of yet another international name, and it’s football legend Pele.
The Brazilian superstar, who last visited this country in 1987, is expected to attend the draw for the U-17 World Cup next year.
The initiative to gain the support of the Brazilian was spearheaded by Special Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and FIFA Vice President Jack Warner.
Warner, who is in Mexico, held an impromptu meeting with Pele on Wednesday evening, during which he delivered the invitation on behalf of the LOC.
Warner has described the talks as “positive.” “The meeting went very well. I have been mulling over the idea of inviting Pele for quite a while.
“You see the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is not just about creating stars but it must attract stars and who better to attract, than the legend himself Pele.”
Warner went on to add that, “The final details are still being worked out, but Pele has indicated his willingness and availability to attend the U-17 World Cup. We will as is customary have a number of follow up discussions but this country will see Pele again.”
When questioned about whether a female player would have been better to promote and raise awareness of the tournament, Warner said: “Football is the beautiful game, we see no race, gender or colour and we are all one family. Whether it be Marta or Pele or Blatter promoting this tournament, in the end its all about the promotion of this game.
“We work in unity, a family united with one goal. We don’t see the messenger but the message and the message of this tournament is, “the home of Women’s Football is Trinidad and Tobago.”
Deputy CEO and Director of Marketing of the LOC, Nataki Kerr says the development is testimony to the appeal of Women’s Football.
“The statistics are clear. Women’s football is a growing phenomenon. The fact that a footballer of such international repute such as Pele is willing to attend this draw says volumes of the appeal of Women’s Football.” The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will get going on September 5, 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago.
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http://monkfromhavana.wordpress.com/tag/soccer/
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All I can say iz a good ting Steve mother eh name him Mike instead. Dah could ah be real presshah.
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All I can say iz a good ting Steve mother eh name him Mike instead. Dah could ah be real presshah.
Or Isaac :beermug:
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All I can say iz a good ting Steve mother eh name him Mike instead. Dah could ah be real presshah.
All I can say iz a good ting Steve mother eh name him Mike instead. Dah could ah be real presshah.
Or Isaac :beermug:
;D ;D
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Great great great player! But my word, talk about oral Diarrhea dat does spew from his mouth.
Not as bad as his "Nicky Butt being one of Englands greatest players," but please, activate yuh brain before your mouth nah!!!
Pele says Lionel Messi isn't the best player in the world today - much less of all time.
Pele said Wednesday that young Brazilian striker Neymar is better than the Argentina forward, and reiterated that he doesn't think Messi belongs in the conversation about who is the best player ever.
That debate has long centered around Pele and Diego Maradona, but many have started including Messi after a series of outstanding performances with Barcelona.
Pele, however, said at an event celebrating the centennial of Neymar's club Santos that ''there's always this Maradona comparison, saying that he's better than Pele. Now some are saying that Messi is better than Pele. Well, he has to be better than Neymar first, which he isn't yet. He has more experience.''
The 20-year-old Neymar is seen as Brazil's greatest player at the moment.
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
a rank sh!thound who only scoring a setta penalty ;D
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
a rank sh!thound who only scoring a setta penalty ;D
Exactly.
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
a rank sh!thound who only scoring a setta penalty ;D
Exactly.
:rotfl: :rotfl:
He have 'bout tree more to score against RM this season alone!
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
a rank sh!thound who only scoring a setta penalty ;D
Exactly.
:rotfl: :rotfl:
He have 'bout tree more to score against RM this season alone!
If he score three, Ronaldo scoring six.
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who is Pele??
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I agree with the man! Who's Messi???
a rank sh!thound who only scoring a setta penalty ;D
Exactly.
:rotfl: :rotfl:
He have 'bout tree more to score against RM this season alone!
If he score three, Ronaldo scoring six.
he would probably need to.....to ketch up. (and, ah didn't say "three" ah said "tree")
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Pele is a colossal idiot.....always was and always will be......
Distant third to El Diego and soon will be fourth after the Messi one
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Half of Pele goals were off sides goals when they had no off side rules and the game as a striker was earlier than today.
Pele might be a legend but not mines.
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Half of Pele goals were off sides goals when they had no off side rules and the game as a striker was earlier than today.
Pele might be a legend but not mines.
dat is pure horse sh!t
In fact the offside rule was more difficult as you needed to have 2 players between you and the goal rather than 1 nowadays.
Also no yellow and red cards... you should see the kinda agricultural tackles Pele used to get... Maradona get some good jamming too.
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Half of Pele goals were off sides goals when they had no off side rules and the game as a striker was earlier than today.
Pele might be a legend but not mines.
dat is pure horse sh!t
In fact the offside rule was more difficult as you needed to have 2 players between you and the goal rather than 1 nowadays.
Also no yellow and red cards... you should see the kinda agricultural tackles Pele used to get... Maradona get some good jamming too.
???
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Dem Brazilians getting on!
CBF director hits out at Barcelona: They won nothing before Messi, Xavi & Iniesta
The Brazilian official believes that not all teams should follow the Catalan outfit's footballing model and urged Santos to remain true to their values
Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) director Andres Sanchez has launched another attack on Barcelona, hitting out at suggestions that all clubs should follow the Blaugrana's footballing model.
Barca's La Masia academy and the attractive brand of attacking football practised by Pep Guardiola's men, have won many fans in recent years, as the Camp Nou outfit have stormed to three consecutive Spanish titles.
But the former Corinthians president feels that it is detrimental to Brazilian football to follow the Catalan model, and that such talk devalues other approaches to the game.
"What is this bullsh*t saying that we have to follow Barcelona? Are Real Madrid then just a bunch of morons?" he told Brazilian television programme Cartao Verde.
"Much of Corinthians' marketing approach was inspired by Barcelona, but you can't take the same road as Santos and think that Brazilian football is worthless.
"Barcelona are a respected team, but if the Barcelona system is so flawless why did they not win anything 10 years ago? Xavi, [Lionel] Messi and [Andres] Iniesta do not appear every year.
"The difference in the youth system is that while we want our youngsters to win titles, the key is not trophies but unearthing great players."
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Pele is to this day the greatest player ever to date hands down , there is no arguing , not forgetting the great brazilian Garrincha who many will testify was even better than pele , but thats another subject for another day ..... ! when messi wins 3 worldcup medals , and score over 1,289 goals then messi can be mentioned in the same breath... let the arguments/ discussions begin... i had the opprtunity to see the great pele up close twice live with santos and the new york cosmos at the queens park oval along with beckenbauer . chinaglia, edu. ferreira what a treat thats when great ballers use to come to our shores in TNT saw teofilo cubillas the peruvian pele as they use to call him at the time .....ok the bottom line pele was the greatest and is still the greatest hands down ..
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Half of Pele goals were off sides goals when they had no off side rules and the game as a striker was earlier than today.
Pele might be a legend but not mines.
dat is pure horse sh!t
In fact the offside rule was more difficult as you needed to have 2 players between you and the goal rather than 1 nowadays.
Also no yellow and red cards... you should see the kinda agricultural tackles Pele used to get... Maradona get some good jamming too.
???
my bad including the keeper it would have been 3 players back then as opposed to 2 players nowadays.
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Pele is to this day the greatest player ever to date hands down , there is no arguing , not forgetting the great brazilian Garrincha who many will testify was even better than pele , but thats another subject for another day ..... ! when messi wins 3 worldcup medals , and score over 1,289 goals then messi can be mentioned in the same breath... let the arguments/ discussions begin... i had the opprtunity to see the great pele up close twice live with santos and the new york cosmos at the queens park oval along with beckenbauer . chinaglia, edu. ferreira what a treat thats when great ballers use to come to our shores in TNT saw teofilo cubillas the peruvian pele as they use to call him at the time .....ok the bottom line pele was the greatest and is still the greatest hands down ..
Different argument altogether. The thread is about pele's comments on Neymar vs Messi.
Last time Pele goat mouth a player was Robinho. Lets hope Neymar just keep on learning and move towards greatness in a humble manner.
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Pele is to this day the greatest player ever to date hands down , there is no arguing , not forgetting the great brazilian Garrincha who many will testify was even better than pele , but thats another subject for another day ..... ! when messi wins 3 worldcup medals , and score over 1,289 goals then messi can be mentioned in the same breath... let the arguments/ discussions begin... i had the opprtunity to see the great pele up close twice live with santos and the new york cosmos at the queens park oval along with beckenbauer . chinaglia, edu. ferreira what a treat thats when great ballers use to come to our shores in TNT saw teofilo cubillas the peruvian pele as they use to call him at the time .....ok the bottom line pele was the greatest and is still the greatest hands down ..
Different argument altogether. The thread is about pele's comments on Neymar vs Messi.
Last time Pele goat mouth a player was Robinho. Lets hope Neymar just keep on learning and move towards greatness in a humble manner.
haha Yeah...
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Observer its nothing personnal bro with all due respect , pele has all rights to express his take on whom he believes is the more talented of the 2 players ( the neymar vs messi ) comments . there will always be debates and arguments regarding such topics , i do acknowledge as you mention its a neymar vs messi subject !!!!!. however just had to give my take when as you say some are comparing messi to pele , he aint reach there yet... . but sticking to the issue of neymar vs messi comments many of us may have a different take on that , however i happen to admire both players neymar and messi only time will tell by their overall achievements who is deem better , history will be the judge , i just hope they both remain injury free and continue to entertain us with their godgiven talents respect to you bro......!!!!!!
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Half of Pele goals were off sides goals when they had no off side rules and the game as a striker was earlier than today.
Pele might be a legend but not mines.
dat is pure horse sh!t
In fact the offside rule was more difficult as you needed to have 2 players between you and the goal rather than 1 nowadays.
Also no yellow and red cards... you should see the kinda agricultural tackles Pele used to get... Maradona get some good jamming too.
Weh yuh expeck sam yuh say bout pele, after all pele wasn't an indian or ah white man.
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Sam doh dig no horrors... yuh mightn't be a fan of Pele but yuh is surety a fan of football.
I find Messi is garbage ;) but i does still appreciate SOME ;) of his play ::)
show me how much offside goal in this video
http://www.youtube.com/v/88BQYlJ5dUQ
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ah find this as a related video...
watch how man fraid to rush Garrincha nah oh garrdo :rotfl:
http://www.youtube.com/v/fXAm1c_a9NY
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You know Pele will never choose an Argentinian over a Brasilian. And he entitled to make that choice!
Any talk of Messi being the greatest ever, needs to wait until Messi's career is over, and then the comparisons can be made to others.
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ah find this as a related video...
watch how man fraid to rush Garrincha nah oh garrdo :rotfl:
http://www.youtube.com/v/fXAm1c_a9NY
Yeah, but I would like to see how Garrincha would handle Stoke on a cold Wednesday night... ;D
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ah find this as a related video...
watch how man fraid to rush Garrincha nah oh garrdo :rotfl:
http://www.youtube.com/v/fXAm1c_a9NY
Yeah, but I would like to see how Garrincha would handle Stoke on a cold Wednesday night... ;D
Hahahah oh gosh boy...
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995868/?ref_=nv_sr_1 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995868/?ref_=nv_sr_1)
Excellent Cinematographer and Editor attached with some good actors...
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Pelé Added to NSCAA 2015 Convention Roster
Pelé at the Convention:
In addition to attending a number of Convention events, Pelé is also appearing on behalf of G-Form, a Rhode Island-based company that has revolutionized protective gear. The company will be officially introducing its new shin guard technology to the U.S. market the week of the Convention.
“I want to thank the NSCAA for again welcoming me back to its esteemed event. It has been a while since I was last able to attend,” Pelé said. “I’m excited to see how the event has grown, as well as represent G-Form and educate everyone about this great technology.”
The 2015 NSCAA Convention is Pelé’s fourth time attending the event. He previously attended in 1990 in Cincinnati to receive the NSCAA Honorary All-America award. He was also a special guest at the 1994 Convention in Santa Clara, and 1998 Convention in Cincinnati.
http://www.nscaa.com/news/2014/12/2015-convention--pele-as-special-guest?utm_medium=short_url
Featured Guests/Presenters:
Landon Donovan
USMNT and MLS Player,
LA Galaxy
Laura Harvey
Head Coach,
Seattle Reign
Sir Alex Ferguson (Honorary All-American)
Legendary Head Coach,
Formerly Manchester United FC
Miguel Cardoso
U21 Head Coach,
FC Shakhtar
Schedule:
https://www.nscaaconvention.com/ehome/nscaa15/schedule/?&
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Gally, David reflect on Pele’s great impact.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Former T&T footballers Everald “Gally” Cummings, and Steve David were both sad, but still full of praise for Brazilian football legend Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, who died at the age of 82 on Thursday.
Born, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but known as Pelé, he is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
The only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962, and 1970, Pele was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.
He had been suffering from kidney and prostate problems in recent years after having surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to the same hospital in late November 2022 where he died.
The 74-year-old Cummings, who played for six years in the North American Soccer League as well as professionally in Mexico and coached the T&T’s Strike Squad, said, “As a young boy coming up in the footballing world in T&T we use to get an opportunity to go to the Sports Council near Empire Cinema up by the Princess Building Ground, and we use to see all the stars like Sir Stanley Matthews from England, and Pele.
“So the first place I saw him was on World News where people in the community got the chance as young sportsmen to see these things at the British Council, and what stayed with my mind all the time was the kind of magic he used to create on the field and when I went to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1968 when we won the championship, the North American Soccer League Championship decided to bring Pele because they brought all sorts of teams there like Manchester United, and when Santos of Brazil was supposed to come it was the first time in Atlanta, Georgia, during the ‘Jim Crow’ law we had 25,000 people coming out to see a black player, and it was amazing because our games only used to attract 6,000 or 7,000 people and Pele brought out 25,000 people with Santos.
“What was amazing before the game was my teammate at Atlanta was Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, one of the best players coming out of Jamaica said, ‘Gally let’s go visit the King’ at his hotel and I said to him, ‘boy we can’t go there just so’, and he replied, ‘why not?’, and we went to visit Pele and he accepted us with open arms because we told him we will be playing against him the day after, and that is where I saw the genius in the man, not on the field, but the way he dealt with us and the kind of respect he showed us as young players in Atlanta.
“And the during the game I was like a kid in a candy store, I was playing a game and watching a player, so I was ball-watching and playing at the same time, which is very difficult to do at age 19. And he (Pele) did something that I took away from him and put it into my game and extended it and do different things, and what was amazing was that is that he had something where he stepped over the ball and you saw no movement and then his back leg would flick the ball through your legs.
“I used to call it a late drag flick, so I took that and put it in my game and it became my signature move when I was playing the national team, but what was amazing is that when they played us in Atlanta they beat us 6-2, and we had beaten all the teams like Manchester United, and Arsenal and all other English teams who came to Atlanta, because we had a predominantly English team, but when Santos came with that different ‘Samba’ style it mesmerised us and Pele scored two of the goals and assisted on two.
“But what I admired about him is the respect he had for people and the fact is that he never got on as though he was better than you, he always had time to talk to you with his broken English and Portuguese.
“In 1972, Dr Eric Williams brought Santos to Trinidad and Tobago as part of our Independence Day celebrations at that time I was playing with the New York Cosmos and I got an opportunity to come home, join the national team play against him (Pele) at the Queen’s Park Oval and he scored a header against us and nobody moved when he scored that header, nobody moved when the cross came over from Edu.
“People came out from 9 o’clock in the morning for this game at the QP Oval that was supposed to start at 4 pm and that is how important he was, and what I admired about him was that other than being a very good individual player all those skills and mastering the ball with his touch he was a team player also.
“Because if he scored two, bet your life he assisted about two as well, and then in 1974 when I left for Mexico he came and join the Cosmos and I remembered a teammate from when we won the Championship in 1972 called me and said Pele was with us now, but even though we played in different times at the club, what brought us together was that Cosmos had reunions every year, and I would see him at the reunions and we would talk about the movie Victory with Vernon Rod because in that movie Pele acted as a Trinidadian, which brought us close together when we met because I used to give him fatigue when we meet, and the last time I saw him was in 2015 or 2018 in New York when I took my entire family and he had the chance to meet my wife and kids and my grandkids and stuff and it was beautiful.
“What I can say today after the World Cup that just passed by, a lot of people started comparing people with Pele, but for me no, you can’t do that, I don’t care who and what they can do, I respect everybody’s ability, but Pele is in a different class by himself, he is a ‘God sent’.
“I was privileged to know the man and I feel very sad because this week was a trial for me because on Monday last I lost my elder sister, and then yesterday (Wednesday) I lost my mentor in calypso (Black Stalin), and then today Pele, but in all my coming together with him I always had a smile on my face because he practices what he preaches, he always had something positive to say and if its character that makes the man, then I think Pele will reign supreme when coming to the character in football and off the field, he was the greatest for me.
The 71-year-old David who also plies his trade in the North American Soccer League, reflecting on Pele’s career, “Pele was such a great person, personality and the best football that ever lived hands down, there is no comparison.
“He had no faults in his game, and he was always on the money all the time, giving you advice on the game, and all his time he never refused a kid an autograph.
“He was such a nice person, words cannot express how he carried about himself and he was just the best.
“In 1976, when we both played for the North American Soccer League against Italy, I believe in Washington DC, and I know he was a little bit older than me around 35 or 36, and he went on a run with me, and I didn’t play the ball to him because I saw the defender already took off and was going for him, so I kind of hold back the pass, and after he asked me why didn’t you play the ball and I said to him I just thought the defender would of had you, and he said no, no give it to me, play it, and another one came and I played it and we just looked at each other and smiled.
“After that game, a reporter asked me how did I feel playing with Pele and I just responded to ask Pele how he felt playing with me. But we had great times and I am stunned, and in awe that he passed. I know we have to go someday but he was such a nice person, St Peter got a great personality and seems to be building up a great team because he has got George Best, Eusebio, and Pele now, it’s unbelievable,” said a sombre David.
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Angus Eve pays tribute to Pele: For me, he meant everything
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
FORMER national footballer and head coach of the men's national team Angus Eve said Brazilian football legend Pele influenced players in TT as it was inspiring to see someone looking like him on the world stage.
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died on Thursday in Sao Paulo, Brazil after battling cancer. He was 82.
“Firstly, this is one of the saddest days in football for us because we have lost not just an icon of the game, but an absolute legend,” Eve said.
Eve said seeing a football star of African descent inspired people in TT. “I think a lot of our influences as footballers in TT would have come from him. To see somebody who looks like you, who was doing what he was doing at the time that he was doing it, it made you feel proud, it made you want to play the game. He came from humble beginnings just like us and to rise to the level he has risen to (was impressive). For me, Pele meant everything. Besides my local heroes, Pele would have meant everything to me as a footballer.”
Eve said Pele is the greatest ever. “In my opinion, he is still the best footballer that I have ever seen play.”
Johan Cruyff from The Netherlands was a top player after Pele. Eve said Cruyff was remembered for the “Cruyff turn” but Pele was demonstrating that move long before.
In 1994, Pele was invited to Trinidad for the Caribbean Cup final between TT and Martinique at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair. Eve was part of the TT team and met Pele.
Reflecting on the 1994 match in Trinidad, Eve said, “I have tears in my eyes right now because I remember that day like if it was yesterday…we got to take pictures with him and we got to meet and converse with him…it was a fantastic honour…knowing that I have met him over my lifetime is good.”
Former national footballer Hutson Charles said, “Pele did a lot for football. It is a great loss. Pele really was one of the greatest to ever grace the football field. He will be missed.”
TT defeated Martinique in the final in 1994 with Eve and Charles getting on the score sheet.
Charles said, “On that day it was a big inspiration not just for me, but for the team…it was a big inspiration meeting the king of football.”
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Gally, David reflect on Pele’s great impact.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Former T&T footballers Everald “Gally” Cummings, and Steve David were both sad, but still full of praise for Brazilian football legend Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, who died at the age of 82 on Thursday.
...
“What was amazing before the game was my teammate at Atlanta was Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, one of the best players coming out of Jamaica said, ‘Gally let’s go visit the King’ at his hotel and I said to him, ‘boy we can’t go there just so’, and he replied, ‘why not?’, and we went to visit Pele and he accepted us with open arms because we told him we will be playing against him the day after, and that is where I saw the genius in the man, not on the field, but the way he dealt with us and the kind of respect he showed us as young players in Atlanta.
...
Is this defining of what distinguishes a Jamaican from a Trinbagonian? Partially?
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Corneal not in favour of naming stadia after Pele.
By Rajiv Suratsingh (T&T Guardian).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has requested for all FIFA member nations to name a stadium in honour of Pele.
The Brazil great, who won the World Cup three times and scored over 1,283 goals in his career, died on December 29 at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.
Infantino, who was in Brazil for Pele’s funeral in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, told local reporters: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.”
It is unclear how this proposal will work in practice as few national federations own their stadia and the ones that do are more likely to name them after local heroes or sponsors. However, there may be clubs or cities who welcome the idea of naming their stadium after such an iconic figure, even if there is no obvious connection.
In April 2021 Rio De Janeiro abandoned plans to name the famous Maracana Stadium after Pele after it was vetoed by the state governor.
Infantino released a statement on the day of Pele’s death which began: “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele.”
He described Pele as an “exemplary sportsman” and added: “Pele had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. He said, “His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.”
On Wednesday, Guardian Media Sports reached out to local veteran football legend Alvin Corneal for his thoughts on the request made by the FIFA President. While Corneal acknowledges the greatness of Pele, a man who he has worked with, and shared a friendship with for years, he believes this is not a decision that should be taken by FIFA.
Corneal said, “What happens tomorrow if, god forbid, Messi dies, or Ronaldo? Maradona for sure must be a contender. It would be nice if the countries decide on their own to do it but FIFA must not do it. FIFA should leave the countries of the world to demonstrate their feelings about the situation “
Infantino’s justification of FIFA’s request came when he stated, “In 50 years and 100 years from now when children are asking who was Pele, they need to remember him all over the world in a place where you score goals, where you feel emotions”.
At least one nation has already responded to FIFA’s request as Cape Verde is set to rename its national stadium after Pele.
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Corneal said, “What happens tomorrow if, god forbid, Messi dies, or Ronaldo? Maradona for sure must be a contender. It would be nice if the countries decide on their own to do it but FIFA must not do it. FIFA should leave the countries of the world to demonstrate their feelings about the situation “
Alvin Corneal's comment does not stand up to rigorous scrutiny. I am being charitable rather than harsher.
I suppose the journalist didn't think it worthy of merit of soliciting an alternative view.
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Corneal said, “What happens tomorrow if, god forbid, Messi dies, or Ronaldo? Maradona for sure must be a contender. It would be nice if the countries decide on their own to do it but FIFA must not do it. FIFA should leave the countries of the world to demonstrate their feelings about the situation “
Alvin Corneal's comment does not stand up to rigorous scrutiny. I am being charitable rather than harsher.
I suppose the journalist didn't think it worthy of merit of soliciting an alternative view.
I think Corneal had it right there^^ which echoes the statements of a harsher critique on the suggestion here: Infantino’s call for Pelé stadiums everywhere is a monument to folly by Jonathan Wilson (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/jan/07/gianni-infantino-fifa-pele-stadiums-everywhere-monument-to-folly)
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Corneal said, “What happens tomorrow if, god forbid, Messi dies, or Ronaldo? Maradona for sure must be a contender. It would be nice if the countries decide on their own to do it but FIFA must not do it. FIFA should leave the countries of the world to demonstrate their feelings about the situation “
Alvin Corneal's comment does not stand up to rigorous scrutiny. I am being charitable rather than harsher.
I suppose the journalist didn't think it worthy of merit of soliciting an alternative view.
I think Corneal had it right there^^ which echoes the statements of a harsher critique on the suggestion here: Infantino’s call for Pelé stadiums everywhere is a monument to folly by Jonathan Wilson (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/jan/07/gianni-infantino-fifa-pele-stadiums-everywhere-monument-to-folly)
The addition of Wilson is neither sufficiently persuasive nor all-encompassing of the considerations.
Alvin Corneal's reasoning is defective. Apparently he (Corneal) didn't "live" the era in which he (Corneal) lived.