The historic Maracaná Stadium will change its name to “Pelé”, as approved by the Legislative Assembly of the Brazilian stadium building in Rio de Janeiro
Legislative Assembly of the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro has passed a controversial law renaming the legendary Maracanã stadium Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Rei PelHe is considered by the country’s fans as the best football player of all time.
Although lawmakers have pointed out that it is a well-deserved tribute to the three-time world champion, the law has generated intense controversy because it leaves journalist Mario Filho, who now names the stadium that was the scene of the 1950s and the 2014 World Cup final.
The change of the stadium’s name, which now depends on the law sanctioned by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Castro, was criticized by Mario Filho’s relatives., by historians and some sectors of the press.
The author of the law, left-wing MP André Ceciliano, claimed that the sports complex that houses the Maracaná Stadium, which includes the Maracanazinho gym, Julio Delamare water park and the Célio de Barros athletics track, will keep Mario Filho’s name and continue to honor the journalist.
Only the football stadium, which also hosted the football final and the closing ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, will be named Pelé.
“King Pelé is the greatest player of all time. It’s a fitting tribute. Although I have no doubt that everyone will call at the Maracana Stadium.” the legislator said when he admitted that the mythical scene will hardly lose the name of the neighborhood that hosts it.
Ceciliano also rejected the criticism of those who consider the use of the names of living personalities to name public spaces is proselytizing.
“The use of the names of living persons in properties belonging to the public patrimony was a concern of the society to take care of what belongs to everyone and to prevent the privatization of the public space. But in this case, it is a fair tribute to a person recognized worldwide for his legacy in Brazilian football and for providing important services to our country, “he said.
Among the deputies who signed as co-authors of the bill is the former footballer Bebeto, champion with Brazil at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
The draft law was approved by the plenary of the regional legislature as a matter of urgency and by symbolic vote, ie in which only the spokespersons of each party intervened.
Only the Party of the Left Socialism and Freedom (PSOL) expressed its rejection of the initiative.
“Mario Filho was a journalist not only dedicated to democracy, but also very active in the field of sports. I cannot deny that it hurts me to imagine changing my name,” said Flávio Serafini, a PSOL lawmaker.
Mario Filho was the main promoter of the idea that Brazil built the largest stadium in the world for the World Cup that the country organized in 1950 and defended its construction in the Maracanã neighborhood., close to the city center and not in a remote neighborhood where the government at the time wanted to build it.
The journalist was also an important sports writer and organizer of national football tournaments.