Pele Quotes - Page 3

George Best was the greatest player in the world.

Sport is something that is very inspirational for young people.

Another reason why I am always close to the people, because the communication is very important. When I stopped to play soccer I continued to... I continued to work with UNICEF. I did a lot of work with UNESCO. We did a lot of charity programme and games.

People always ask me: 'When is the new Pele going to be born?' Never. My father and mother have closed the factory.

Over the years I've learnt to live with two persons in my heart. One is Edson, who has fun with his friends and family; the other is the football player Pele. I didn't want the name. 'Pele' sounds like baby-talk in Portuguese.

I represent Brazil all over the world. Wherever I go I have to do my best, to not disappoint the Brazilian people. And that I've done.

Yes, I have a lot of business interests. But I don't work for just anyone, and I choose the companies very carefully.

I think I've always had the shots. But in the past, I've suffered too many mental lapses. Now, I'm starting to get away from that and my mental discipline and commitment to the game are much better. I think I'm really taking a good look at the big picture. That's the difference between being around for the final or watching the final from my sofa at home.

I sometimes lie awake at night and wonder why I am still so popular and, to be honest, I don't know.

Great genetics are not necessarily a precursor for success in the game. Brazilian Legend Pelé has often said that soccer stars are not born. Without proper soccer training a player will never reach his full potential. It is true that great speed would benefit someone who plays as a winger but would not be as useful for a goalkeeper. The greatest advantage of soccer is that it is not as discriminating as basketball or volleyball. There are no limitations when it comes to physique and it all comes down to individual soccer skills.

Of course, my father was a soccer player. He used to play very good. Then, when I was young, eight or nine years old, ten years old, I just want to be like my father.

We're not great friends, but I admire him. If he thinks he's the best player of the century, that's his problem.

The level of football in England is the top. English football is the leader in the world.

His left foot is fantastic. It's like Mozart. God gave Freddy the gift to play soccer. If he is prepared mentally and physically, nobody will stop him. (on Freddy Adu)

The bicycle kick is not easy to do.

For 20 years they have asked me the same question, who is the greatest? Pele or Maradona? I replay that all you have to do is look at the facts - how many goals did he score with his right foot or with his head?

Everybody knows my life. I won a lot of tournaments and scored more than 1,000 goals, won three World Cups but I could not play in Olympic Games.

The first World Cup I remember was in the 1950 when I was 9 or 10 years old. My father was a soccer player, and there was a big party, and when Brazil lost to Uruguay, I saw my father crying.

Brazil, always they buy from the United States. The first who was sell to the United States was football.

He is the greatest player in the world right now, without a doubt, he is the player who gives Brazilians the most joy. (on Ronaldinho)

Brazil is crazy about football. People, they wait for this moment, but this doesn't mean we are going to win the championship. That is the problem.

To be a striker you need to be in good shape.

Neymar is undoubtedly the best player in Brazil. He deserves to play in the best team in the world; next to the best player in the world, Messi.He is a very good player with great quality and a great future.I have no doubt. For me, Neymar is a genius.

I always think that I would have become an actor if I hadn't been a soccer player.

The World Cup is a very complicated tournament - six games, seven if you make it to the final - and maybe if you lose one game you're out, even if you're the best.