Maracana Stadium to be named after Brazil Legend Pele

The Maracana, Brazil's iconic Stadium is to be named after the South American country's Legendary footballer Pele.

Aerial view of the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

According to BBCSport:

The move follows a vote by the Rio de Janeiro state legislature to change the venue's name to the Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Rei Pele stadium.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento is the 80-year-old's full name, while Rei means king in Portuguese.

The Rio de Janeiro's state governor must approve the name change before it becomes official.

 

Brazil Legendary Football player Pele

Pele who has lifted the World Cup three times as a player for Brazil netted his 1,000th goal right inside the Stadium in 1969 when playing for Santos against Vasco da Gama.

Pele, the famous Brazilian football player celebrating his 1000th goal in front of the triumphant number formed by footballs. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

The Maracana hosted the 1950 and 2014 World Cup Finals, and the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics.