Kolkata’s heart is still ruled by Pele

As Pele took the stage on NHSM this Monday, we could hear the Samba along with dhaks playing to the rhythm and fireworks lighting up the evening sky. Mir and Boria Majumdar – sports journalist hosted this 55 minute show. Students as they were too excited lobbed around 10 questions at Pele. He said India has good footballers but lacks at experience. He said that there is a need for Indian footballers to get an international experience. Pele said, “Get international players, international coaches and play abroad. Respect people, be prepared and never think you are the best.”

Someone posed a question if Christiano Ronaldo is better or Lionel Messi? Pele said owing to their different styles, the two players cannot be compared. He said, “Both are very good.” He added that the future is now of Neymar. He said proudly, “My son coached Neymar and prepared him.” To another question in which he was asked about the role of football in shaping his career, Pele said he owes a lot of debt of graduate to his footballing days. He added, “My father was a football player and I played in the hinterland as a boy, in school and on the streets with other kids. That is where I learnt football.”

During the show Pele also recalled how his mother used to scold him for his clothes getting dirty because of playing football in rain. He said, “We were not a rich family. My mother used to tell me if I damage my clothes, she will not give me a new football. I used to plead with her.  He said those days made him successful.

Asked if skill or stamina is more important for a player, he answered, “You can’t separate the two. Physical condition is important. We see many good players not being able to play since they are not physically fit. The most important thing in life is health”.

When asked when an Asian or African nation will win the world cup, Pele said, “It is difficult to reply. It is not always that the best team or the most popular team wins. Brazil was five-time world champion, but I remember when I was a child and Brazil had hosted the World Cup, we lost and my father was crying. The second time Brazil hosted the World Cup we lost again. It is difficult to say who will win, there are many factors”.

At a question from Mir saying Pele’s 75th birthday will be celebrated at Buckingham Palace. Mir asked him, “If you had a choice between a 75-pound cake from the best cake-maker of London or a kiss from Queen Elizabeth, what would you opt for?” Pele smiled and said, “As a sportsperson, I cannot eat too much cake. I’d prefer the kiss.”  The audience started cheering him and roared with laughter.

Image Source: English.manoramaonline.com