SubscribeEdson Arantes do Nascimento has made the name Pele the most famous, respected and universal on the planet. Now 64 the FIFA Player of the Century spoke to FIFA.com about improvements to the game, his favourites players and why Brazil's first black minister is ready to take on a new responsibility as a FIFA ambassador in the fight against racism.
Interviewer: You've just come from the FIFA Football Committee. What were the key issues being discussed by the members?
Pele: Everything was important. We talked a lot about the rules of the game. From my side, I still defend ways to help the forwards. When a player beats one, two and three men, then is fouled just before he has a chance to face the goalkeeper, I don't think it's fair that the other team should be allowed to put everyone behind the ball and form a wall against you. These are the type of rules we discussed.
A couple of other topics we spoke about were firstly the age of youth competitions (now U-17 and U-20 tournaments). It is becoming more and more complicated because when you get to 19 virtually all today's players are professionals. Maybe we have to take one more year off - this was a big talking point. And secondly about the referee - another tough point. Some people think the fourth referee should not have the power to control coaches. My personal opinion is that if we give the coach an area, then he can do what he wants because some coaches like to talk and shout while others don't. I don't think they should be told to go back and sit on the bench. There is a feeling that they (fourth referees) have too much power. Unless he says or does harmful things, the coach should be able to have freedom to work in this area.
Pele lifts the FIFA Player of the Century trophy during the FIFA World Player of the Year awards in Rome December 11, 2000.
If you could change one rule, which would it be?
The one I mentioned before. If there is a foul on the edge of the area, the player who made the foul and his team-mates should not all be allowed to come back, form a wall and stand in front of the ball. It is not much of a punishment.
In your era football flourished and was justly referred to as the beautiful game. Today it has evolved and defence has perhaps taken ascendancy. When you look at the game now, is it through happy or sad eyes?
On the pitch, the game is virtually the same. If you have good, talented players and artists, you will see a spectacle. But if you don't, you won't. The difference now with my time is that the forward is protected much more than before. No doubt about it because you have yellow and red cards. In a lot of games I see today defenders are afraid to make a tackle from behind. When I was playing, they didn't care - they would pull your shorts, bump into you, do anything to stop you. On the other hand, the game has become much closer and closed. There is no more space, and players must think very quickly and be smart to make an opening. A lot now depends on the player.
Which players make you smile today?
I don't like to talk too much about current players because one year they may be the star and then you never hear of them again. But over the last ten years - if I have to say one, I would choose Zidane (Zinedine), no doubt. And then for the new players we have Ronaldinho, who for me is both skilful and spectacular. He is not an out-and-out striker but his ball control and vision are remarkable. The goal against Chelsea (Champions League) was fantastic. He made a quick decision in a tense game. Yes, he is the one I like to see now. In Brazil now, we have Robinho, a young, very talented player from Santos. Things are moving very quickly for him, but to play in Europe he needs a little bit more muscle.
Your Brazilian team in Sweden in 1958, remain the only time a non-European side has won the World Cup in Europe. Why is that? Is it more difficult to play there?
Yes, facing European players in South America is always much easier than in Europe. I'm not exactly sure why, perhaps the climate, the hot weatherÖbut In Europe they are very difficult to beat.
FIFA has been quick to criticise any form of racism in the game. Is it a growing concern?
We have been talking about racism in football and I'd say it is not the game that has the problem but society. The rules of football are an education; they are fair and equal to all. I have agreed to help in the fight against racism, and I feel happy to contribute and act as I always have - as a missionary.
In Sweden, Brazil were the only side that had black players, weren't they?
I was very young then, 17, and had just been called up to the national team so it was all new to me. When we arrived in Sweden, I went around to the other team's training and said 'but where are all the black players?'
Did you experience any racist remarks?
No, not at all. After that we started to travel all over the world with Brazil and Santos. Matches were not shown on TV of course in those days, many people came to see us - and they were all white. Today every team has at least one black player and that's why I'm happy to contribute to the fight against racism.
So you will be part of this new group FIFA are forming?
Yes, I want to be part of it.
You were quoted as saying that an African team would win the World Cup before the end of the century (20th). Do you think it could happen in 2006?
Yeah I didn't say that (laughs). I said they have a lot of good players and some strong national teams but the leagues in Africa are not strong - they lack organisation, experience and money. Compared with Europe and South America they are still behind in this regard.
And what about 2010 when South Africa host the World Cup?
It is a good opportunity no doubt. I'm not saying they will win the World Cup. Even Brazil lost in Brazil (1950) with a big team, and many people had heart attacks from the shock. However it's a great chance for Africa to prepare and organise the competition and it could help them in the future. For me they definitely deserved it.
In 2014, there is the possibility that Brazil will host the tournament. Do you think they are ready?
If you had asked for the 2010 tournament, Brazil wouldn't have been prepared as the internal situation wasn't the best. But I think it is time for Brazil to stage the World Cup. We haven't had it since 1950!
And the Maracana stadium, could it play host once again?
Why not? It is not ready at the moment for the World Cup. It is not the right quality now but for 2014 there is enough time to make the changes. I had a debate in Brazil during a press conference because I was against taking public money to finance a World Cup. I was at Cosmos, and I know the United States financed the World Cup in 1994 with private money. In terms of profit, it was the best World Cup. In a country like Brazil, if you have to take money from the people for something like this, I would prefer not to do it. It is just for a month and afterwards all the debts are with the people. If you can combine funding with private companies, then it's OK.
Are you happy with Brazil's new government?
Oh yeah, so far it is doing OK. Brazil is a huge country and you need some time for policies to start working. I was with President Lula recently and he has excellent intentions. He wants to do the best, but politics can be complicated.
And does he like football?
He loves football. He plays it and is crazy about it. I always said Brazil has great people but never had any luck with governments. Let's hope Lula can change our fortune.
Finally your thoughts on the reshaped FIFA Club World Championship? Brazil hosted the first in 2000, which I think it would be fair to say sparked some controversy in certain quarters at least.
We always have complaints so it is a bit of a compromise. It will be difficult to travel to a big country for just a couple of games at most, but we had to find a solution and this was the best one.
(FIFA.com) 28 Mar 2005
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