Brazil Is A Team Of Individual Players - Pele

Brazil legend Pele says the national team are a team of individuals after they began their World Cup qualification campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Chile.

The Selecao have suffered a fall from grace in recent years after their 7-1 defeat to Germany at World Cup 2014 was followed by a quarter-final exit at this summer's Copa America.

Pele dismissed suggestions the nation no longer had the same love for the game, but admitted the current side are not yet a tight unit.

Diego Costa's Behaviour Is Bad For Football - Pele

The behaviour of Chelsea's Diego Costa against Arsenal last weekend was bad for football's image and sent the wrong message to children, Pele has said on the eve of an art exhibition in London to celebrate his 75th birthday.

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever to have played the game, the Brazilian was scathing about his fellow countryman, who received a three-match ban from a disciplinary commission this week after the referee failed to spot him catching Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in the face.

"It is not a good message for children," Pele told the Daily Telegraph. "He didn't get a red card but was charged. It was dirty.

Messi Is Like Stefano, Pele & Maradona - Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello says Lionel Messi has defined an era and believes the Barcelona ace is on a par with Alfredo Di Stefano, Pele and Diego Maradona.

The Italian got his first glimpse of the Argentine back in August 2005 when he took his then Juventus side to Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Capello was so taken with Messi's talent that he tried to sign him on the spot, so convinced was he that the diminutive forward was destined for greatness.

Ageing Pele Admitted To Hospital Again

Brazil legend Pele has been admitted to hospital again, with reports suggesting the 74-year-old has undergone back surgery. Pele has been admitted to hospital for the third time in less than 12 months, with reports he has undergone back surgery.

The three-time World Cup winner was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo last November with a urinary tract infection and then again in May for prostrate surgery.

WHO IS THE GREATEST? Messi Or Pele

France Football has started a debate going by asking who the best football player of all time is, Leo Messi or Pelé. The French magazine poses the following question: "Is Messi greater than Pelé?"

"With Lionel Messi about to fight for his fourth Champions League title this Saturday in Berlin, his record, his stats and his growing impact make a comparison between him and the man that has always been considered the best player of all time, Pelé, unavoidable", assures the magazine, although it also accepts that comparing these two football maestros is akin to comparing Elvis with Mozart or Rembrandt with Dalí.

But there is certain information that is comparable, such as for example goals scored. When Pelé turned 20 he had already scored 300. In his entire career, he put the ball in the back of the net 1,281 times, 784 of them in official matches.

Great Jairzinho Made Brazil's Guest Coach

The 1970 World Cup-winner, who scored in every game of the tournament, has been drafted in to help the Selecao become less dependent on Neymar He scored goal in every game he played for Brazil at World Cup 1970, making the difference time and again in a side that included the likes of Pele, Rivelino, Carlos Alberto, Tostao and Gerson.

And now, at 70, Jairzinho, the 'World Cup Hurricane', will have the chance to make a difference with the current Brazil side after coach Dunga confirmed he will be joining the coaching staff for the Brasil Global Tour friendlies with France and Chile this month.

PELE: Neymar Can't Lead Brazil, Is Not A Leader

Pele has had his say on Brazil's World Cup squad and warned against looking to Barcelona’s Neymar as a team leader.

Brazil Coach Felipe Scolari yesterday named his 23 for the tournament, on home soil, and Marca reports Pele saying he would like to have seen more experience in the group.

Pele specifically pointed to former Real Madrid pair Kaka and Robinho as players he would have called up, but admitted he didn’t know who he would drop from the squad to make way.

BRAZIL 2014: Pele Sad By World Cup Infrastructure Delay

Brazilian legend Pele has revealed he is saddened by the delays in his homeland surrounding preparations for the World Cup.

"It is sad as this was an opportunity for Brazil not just in terms of football," said Pele.
"The Confederations Cup, the world Cup and the Olympics were an opportunity to attract tourists and bring in revenue.
"But unfortunately we are a bit behind the pump," Pele said in an interview published Thursday in O Estado de Sao Paulo daily.

PELE: Ronaldo Better Than Messi

                       
It’s the age old question, that which much as we may think we loath it, we’ll never tire of asking.

Who is better: Cristiano or Messi?

With Ronaldo having just won the Ballon D’Or, usurpring it from Messi after 3 years of untouched supremacy, many are asking if Ronaldo has now definitively overtaken Messi.

DIEGO MARADONA: Pele Will Always Be Second Best

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has renewed his long-running feud with great rival Pele, insisting that the Brazilian will always remain inferior.

The pair are considered by many to be the two greatest players in the history of the game.
Pele was awarded the Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur in Switzerland last week, after being ineligible to win the orginal Ballon d’Or during his playing days as it was then only for those plying their trade in Europe.

However, Maradona, who has often spoken out against the former Santos man in the past, was far from impressed at FIFA’s decision to honour the Brazilian.

FIFA AWARDS: Pele Gets Honorary Ballon d' Or Award

Brazilian great Pele was finally awarded a Ballon d'Or in Zurich on Monday, despite retiring in 1977, co-organisers France Football announced.

When France Football created the Ballon d'Or in 1956 it was for the best player playing in Europe and Pele never played club football in the 'old continent'.

By the time FIFA inaugurated the world footballer of the year award in 1991, Pele had long since retired.

Pele stars for Brazil in new Volkswagen advert

                        

Like a President addressing a nation, Pele appeared on German TV  in a brand new advert for Volkswagen. Brazil’s three-time world champion Pele (73) was presented as his nation’s football minister for the 2014 World Cup, and he expressed a desire to speak with the German people directly. In the commercial for VW, Pele said:

I congratulate you for your great footballing performances. Germany now play almost as well as Brazilians. But we Brazilians are now faced with hosting the most important world tournament in our own country. So please, please, play a bit less well at the World Cup.
At the end of the advert Pele wishes Germany well at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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