NEW YORK, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The city of New York has paid tribute to the United States' joint hosting of the World Cup finals by naming two streets after football legends Pele and Thierry Henry.
City officials unveiled "Thierry Henry Way" at the corner of West 50th Street and Sixth Avenue, near Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan. Henry appeared via video call during the ceremony and described the honor as "incredible."
Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup with France, made his name with Arsenal and FC Barcelona, but also has close ties to New York after ending his playing career with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.
The 48-year-old, who has also become a respected television pundit, made 135 appearances for the Red Bulls and scored 52 goals before retiring in 2014.
Pele's legacy will be honored in the borough of Queens, where the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road has been renamed Pele Way in tribute to the Brazilian great, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Both street names will remain in place until Nov. 1. ■
