Pele urges Brazil players to share World Cup pressure

Simon Collings 15:14 10/03/2014
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  • World Cup legend: Pele won three world titles with Brazil.

    Brazilian legend Pele believes the whole national team and not just Neymar must share the weight of expectation ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

    Brazil go into the tournament as hosts and one of the favourites to lift the trophy for the sixth time in their illustrious history.

    In a recent trip to the UAE, Pele had expressed his concerns over the team’s attack, explaining how it was not as formidable in comparison to previous years.

    Barcelona forward Neymar is seen as instrumental to the country’s hopes of success, however Pele believes that the pressure must be shared by all involved.

    "This is Neymar's first World Cup and nobody knows exactly what is going to happen. It is a big responsibility for him," Pele told AFP.

    "The problem of pressure is not only a problem for Neymar. It is a problem for the whole team, no doubt. Of course, the country, the people, they want to win. 

    "But the best thing for Neymar was to come to play in Spain, to play in Europe, the best thing for Brazil.

    “It was like him going off to university for six months and then coming back to play with Brazil, because then they come with more experience. That was fantastic for him.

    "In Brazil we had one bad experience — in 1950 when we played the World Cup in Brazil and lost to Uruguay.

    “Now the people are afraid of the same thing happening. But I think it will be different now.”

    There are concerns for the hosts off the pitch too, with fears of stadia not being completed and protests taking place during the tournament.

    The threat of violent street demonstrations of the sort that overshadowed last year's Confederations Cup has added to tensions, but Pele believes Brazil will get it right.

    "This is a great opportunity. It will be fantastic for Brazil," said the three-time World Cup winner.

    "I think after we had the experience of the Confederations Cup the government has been better organised for the World Cup.

    “So I hope we will have an excellent World Cup. We deserve it.

    "As a Brazilian I feel sorry because you have two or three big opportunities to showcase the country — the Confederations Cup, the World Cup and the Olympic Games (in Rio de Janeiro in 2016).

    “I think this will be a great opportunity to show the country, to make money, to get tourism.    

    "And it's important that the demonstrations do not damage everything, so we are going to work hard.”

    Pele will be back in the UAE on March 16 to host a special screening of the proudest moments from his glittering career.

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