Stadium news #32
In March 2021, the Rio de Janeiro state legislature voted to change the name of the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho. The stadium is currently named after a journalist who lobbied for its construction in the 1940s. The 78,000-capacity venue might be known as the Estádio Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Rei Pelé in the near future. Edson Arantes do Nascimento is the full name of the Brazilian football legend who is widely known as Pelé, while Rei means King in Portuguese. The state governour of Rio de Janeiro must approve the name change before it becomes official. Some football fans say the naming honour should be given to someone from Rio de Janeiro, unlike Pelé who was born in Minas Gerais.
