Vasco name training ground pitch after Antônio Lopes | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama have named pitch number one at their Moacyr Barbosa training centre after club great Antônio Lopes. The ceremony took place on Friday, attended by Lopes and club president Pedrinho.

According to Globo.com, the former head coach was invited to watch training at the facility and was surprised by the dedication, which left him emotional.

Lopes oversaw more than 600 matches for the club and delivered some of its biggest honours. His haul includes the 1998 Libertadores, the 1997 Brasileiro, the 1999 Rio-São Paulo and state titles in 1982, 1998 and 2003.

Pedrinho praised Lopes as a friend and father figure, saying no one better represents the club’s love, care and commitment. He called Lopes the greatest coach in Vasco’s history and said it was an honour to give pitch number one his name.

Lopes described himself as a lifelong Vasco supporter, recalling that his father gave him the club shirt at birth. He expressed gratitude for the tribute and said he has always defended his team of the heart with greater drive than any other.

Source: Globo.com