New York City has temporarily renamed two streets in honour of football legends Thierry Henry and Pele as excitement builds ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on Thursday, with the final scheduled to take place next month at the New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium.
City officials unveiled “Thierry Henry Way” at the intersection of West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan as part of activities celebrating the global football event.
Henry, a former France international who helped his country win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, joined the ceremony through a video call. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward also enjoyed a successful spell in Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls, where he played for five seasons before retiring in 2014.
In a similar gesture, New York authorities renamed the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road in Queens after Brazilian football icon Pele.
Officials said the honorary street names will remain in place until November 1, serving as a tribute to the two football greats and their impact on the sport worldwide.
The initiative is part of efforts to celebrate the World Cup and highlight New York’s role as one of the tournament’s key host cities.
AFP
