Soccer stadium in Mexico to be named after Pele

Soccer stadium in Mexíco to be named after Pelé.

October 18, 2001 -- The greatest soccer player ever, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as "Pelé" will go on a four day tour in Mexico to promote the debut of a soccer stadium bearing his name.

The Universidad de Futbol stadium in Pachuca, 35 miles northeast of Mexico City, will be known as "King Pelé Stadium.''

Often called "the King of Football'' Pelé lead Brazil to World Cup championships in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pelé told a crowd of 300 fans on Wednesday that he was proud officials chose to name the new stadium after him because "soccer is a sport for all classes of people.''

Pelé told reporters after the ceremony that it never crossed his mind to accept one of the dozens of
soccer coaching positions he has been offered because "it is the hardest job in the world.''

During a 1957-1977 career, Pelé played in 375,000 games and scored 281,000 goals. Now 60 years old,
he has been the personal guest of more than 55 heads of state and three popes and has dozens of soccer
stadiums named in his honor worldwide.