According to El Ideal Gallego, Brazil's Bebeto, Croatia's Davor Suker, and Peru's Teófilo Cubillas were inducted into the International Football Hall of Fame this Tuesday in Pachuca, Hidalgo, central Mexico.
Eighteen football legends were honored at the 14th induction ceremony.
In the International Football category, besides Bebeto and Davor Suker, France's Thierry Henry, Germany's Miroslav Klose, a 1998 World Cup winner, Italy's Alessandro Del Piero, a 2006 World Cup winner, and Spain's F.Torres, a 2010 South Africa World Cup winner, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"I am very happy to be in Mexico, where I started my career. In 1983, I won the U20 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium. It makes me very happy to be back in this country. This tribute makes me feel at home. I am very emotional to receive this recognition, which puts a perfect end to my beautiful story as a football idol," said Bebeto, a key player for Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning team. Bebeto also recalled Deportivo La Coruña and his feelings when he last visited Deportivo La Coruña, when he once again felt the fans' love as if it were his first time there.
"I want to thank my family and all the teams I played for. I am in a football-loving country that is hosting a historic 2026 World Cup. Thank you for this honor," said Davor Suker, who was the top scorer at the 1998 World Cup in France with six goals.
The legends honored in the "International Veterans" category were Teófilo Cubillas, who participated in the 1970, 1978, and 1982 World Cups; and Brazil's Socrates, who participated in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and passed away in 2011.
"I remember the 1970 World Cup, my first World Cup representing my beloved Peru. I am very grateful, Mexico has always been very kind to me. Who could forget that World Cup? I will always remember receiving this recognition," said Teófilo Cubillas.
The 2026 class also includes six players who have excelled in Mexican football: Chileans Fabián Estay and Gabriel Suazo, Argentinians Kyllian Antonio and Cristian "Chaco" Giménez, and Mexicans Oribe Peralta and Jacobo Ramón Morales.
In the "National Football Veterans" category, Peru's Gerónimo Barbadillo and Mexico's Ignacio Flores were honored.
In the International Women's category, Japan's Homare Sawa, a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Former Mexico women's national team coach Mónica Vergara was also inducted as a member of this class.
Charline Corral, who received the "Gerd Müller Award" at the last Ballon d'Or ceremony, received a special recognition from Real Madrid legend Hugo Sánchez, who was also honored for his international achievements.