SIMPLY PRESTIGE EVENTS ARE
BRINGING PELE TO THE UK
An
Interview
with a
legend.
Jim Rosenthal interview:
I am delighted and honoured to be
able to chat with Pele in Birmingham.
These days the word ‘legend’ has
been devalued but Pele wears that
mantle very easily.
I have vivid memories of him playing
as a skinny kid in the 1958 World Cup
and also remember being reduced to
tears in 1966 when he was brutally
treated here in England. There was no
protection from the hatchet men in
those days.
I guess I grew up with Pele, but I have
never interviewed him so this is a
huge bonus for me.
The arrival of Pele in Birmingham
should bring a smile to every football
fans’ face irrespective of the club
you support. I appreciate it’s been a
hurtful season for you Villa fans. Pele
is a remarkable icon. He is football in
many people’s eyes.
I have great affection for the city of
Birmingham. My broadcasting career
started there at BBC Radio Birmingham in the early 1970’s. I met my wife
Chrissy and in those four years I was
very aware how important sport is to
the city.
Pele’s appearance is a very special
event and I look forward to seeing you
all on Friday, June 3rd.
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
Pele interview questions:
If you could have played for any team
outside of Santos and Cosmos, which
team would it have been?
Pele: “Very good question. I played
against a lot of teams during my
career but the current Barcelona side
stand out from the rest. They are the
closest team to Santos I’ve ever seen.”
Who was the best player you ever
played against?
Pele: “There are so many. It is not easy
to say as every country had 2/3 great
players but the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore and Johan Cruyff
were the best players during my playing career.”
How do you feel about the current
Leicester City side? Can they win the
Premier League title?
Pele: “Leicester are a huge surprise.
There are no big names in that side
but they are very organised and hard
working. I travel lots so I don’t get to
watch much Premier League football
but I always enjoy the English game
whenever I can.”
What was your reaction when Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in the 2014 World
Cup?
Pele: “I did not have a reaction but my
father was a soccer player and there
was a big party when Brazil lost to
www.grf-football.co.uk
Uruguay, I saw my father crying. I was
with all the kids and I said, “Why are
you crying?” My father said, “Brazil
lost the World Cup.” I then told him I
would win the World Cup for him. 8
years later, it happened.”
Who do you think has the potential to
become the next big star in Football?
Pele: “At present, Lionel Messi is the
best player in world football. Cristiano
Ronaldo is also very good but in two
years, Neymar will be the best player
in the world.”
Who is your favourite player in the
Premier League right now?
Pele: It is difficult to say but I love to
watch Coutinho. I think he is a great
talent. There are other good young
Brazilians in Europe at the moment
but they don’t have Philippe’s experience.”
There are famous pictures of Pele
embracing bobby moore in the 1970
world cup. Was Moore the best defender he played against.
Pele: In his position, as a defender, he
is definitely one of the players that I
consider the all time best. Even now,
with all of today’s players, he would
still be on my list.
Would Pele have like to play in britain,
If so, which team?
Pele: I get this question all the time.
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