The Bello Horizonte stadium in the Colombian city of Villavicencio is to be named after Pelé in response to Gianni Infantino’s recent suggestion that FIFA's 211 member associations each name at least one stadium or football venue after the Brazilian legend.

The decision was announced by Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, the governor of Meta department where Villavicencio is located. “From the Colombian plains, we announce to the world that our wonderful stadium in Villavicencio will be called Bello Horizonte “Rey Pelé”,” he said. “The future generations should know who this icon of world football was. We have accepted FIFA’s suggestion.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his gratitude for the initiative which followed the government of Cabo Verde’s announcement on the previous day that it intended to name that country’s Estádio Nacional after Pelé, who passed away on 29 December.

“Thank you, Juan Guillermo Zuluaga and the government of Meta department, for this beautiful tribute to the eternal King Pelé,” he said.

Gianni Infantino made his suggestion while attending a memorial for Pelé in Santos, Brazil, on 2 January. He said it would ensure that future generations around the world would know about Pelé and what he did for football. The stadium was originally built in 1958 and recently underwent modernisation. FIFA has already decided to name the pitch at the Home of FIFA "Estádio Pelé – FIFA Zürich".