Paris Stadium renamed in honor of Pelé: FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends inauguration

On Saturday, the Stade Boutroux in Paris was officially renamed the Pelé Stadium in a ceremony attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

This change is part of a global initiative to honor the legendary Brazilian footballer, following a decision made in March 2023.

The renaming of the Parisian stadium adds it to a growing list of venues named after Pelé, including the Bello Horizonte Rey Pelé Stadium in Colombia, the Pelé Stadium in the Maldives, and Kigali’s Pelé Stadium in Rwanda.

During the ceremony, Infantino highlighted Pelé’s unparalleled influence on the sport.

“Football unites people, and Pelé united the world like no one else. He was the first international star and global icon of football. When he passed away a year and a half ago, I urged that a stadium or site in every country be named after Pelé. It’s vital that children around the world remember and know who Pelé was,” he said.

The event, held in Paris’s 13th arrondissement, also marked the promotion of Atlético de Paris 13 to the third tier of French football.

Infantino took the opportunity to emphasize Pelé’s lasting legacy. “Pelé was the first to achieve amazing feats with the ball.Many have tried to emulate him—some succeeded, some didn’t—but we must always remember what Pelé did for football. That’s why it was important for me to be here today,” he added.

Despite the renaming, the Pelé Stadium is not yet certified to host Atlético de Paris 13’s matches in the National league next season.

To address this, €14 million has been allocated for necessary renovations to upgrade the facility.