A pair of New York City streets may soon be named for a pair of world-renowned soccer players weeks before the FIFA World Cup finals kick off in the tri-state region \u2014 but it would only be temporary.<\/p>\n
City Councilmember Virginia Maloney introduced legislation Thursday to temporarily co-name an intersection in Midtown \u201cThierry Henry Way\u201d after the retired French soccer legend who now calls the city home.<\/p>\n
The move to rebrand the intersection at West 50th Street and Sixth Avenue would take effect immediately, and, if passed, expire on Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
Thierry Henry of Arsenal celebrates scoring during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Leeds United on Jan. 9, 2012. Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThierry Henry Way will be in the district I\u2019m proud to represent running alongside Rockefeller Center, where hundreds of thousands of fans will gather for free viewing parties,\u201d Maloney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fitting that we\u2019re connecting this global moment to our local communities and businesses ensuring that New Yorkers are a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience whether in our stadiums or on our streets,\u201d Maloney added.<\/p>\n
Henry played for London\u2019s Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona and also spent five seasons with the New York Red Bulls, beginning in 2010.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Shanel Thomas-Henry of Queens also proposed renaming a Queens street \u201cPel\u00e9 Way\u201d \u2013 after the late Brazilian soccer legend who played three seasons with the New York Cosmos \u2013 under the same bill.<\/p>\n
The bill also considers naming a street after Brazilian footballer Pel\u00e9. Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Queens location, positioned at the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road, is steps from Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center \u2014 the latter of which is slated to host a massive World Cup fan event from June 17-28.<\/p>\n
\u201cCo-naming this street \u2018Pel\u00e9 Way\u2019 is a tribute not just to Pel\u00e9\u2019s extraordinary legacy, but to the unifying power of soccer to bring people together across cultures, languages, and generations,\u201d said Thomas-Henry, who represents Corona.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a district as diverse and vibrant as ours, this moment reflects who we are and the stories that shape our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposals were referred to the city\u2019s Parks and Recreation Committee.<\/p>\n
Soccer legend Pel\u00e9 visits Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Sept. 2, 2017. Xavi Torrent<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t the first time the city has temporarily honored sports legends.\u00a0<\/p>\n