New York names streets after Thierry Henry and Pele ahead of World Cup kickoff

NEW YORK, June 11 — New York has honoured two footballing greats by temporarily renaming streets after Thierry Henry and Pele ahead of the World Cup kickoff.

The tournament — co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States — begins Thursday and the final will be played next month at the MetLife Stadium, rebranded as the New York New Jersey Stadium, just outside the city.

Crowds gathered at West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in downtown Manhattan to mark the unveiling of “Thierry Henry Way” by city officials, according to FOX Sports.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona star, who was a member of the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup, made an appearance via video call.

The 48-year-old raised his profile in the United States after spending five seasons with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer until 2014.

The city also renamed the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road, in the Queens borough, after Brazilian legend Pele.

The street names will stay in place until November 1. — AFP