Santos recently played their home leg of the Copa Libertadores final at the Estadio do Pacaembu, the stadium of rivals Corinthians, due to their own ground, the Vila Belmiro, having a capacity of just 20,000.
But now Ribeiro has told TV Gazeta that the club are now in advanced negotiations to start work on a new stadium close to the city of Cubatao.
“Santos is entering a new economic cycle for the coming years,” said Ribeiro. “It is an important moment for the region. The city is already eighth in Brazil in terms of per capita income, so it deserves a stadium that can host arena concerts, shows, and the final of the Libertadores.”
Previous attempts to move Peixe to a bigger home have failed, but Ribeiro is determined to get things rolling quickly, and added: “We’re working to make it work. I would like to announce it officially before my mandate ends at the end of the year.”
Even if the new stadium is built, Santos’ current home will not be demolished. “It will remain standing,” added Ribeiro. “It is the sacred territory where Pele played.”
