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Brazil legend Pele: My Santos team could have dominated the world like Pep Guardiola's Barcelona
The often-controversial South American has claimed his former team could have achieved the same stellar success as the current Blaugrana side, and hailed Lionel Messi's talent
24 Jan 2012 20:37:06
By Luis Mira
Getty
Brazil legend Pele has drawn parallels between the Santos team in which he played and Pep Guardiola's Barcelona squad.
The 71-year-old took part in Santos' most successful team, helping the club win two Copa Libertadores titles and two Intercontinental Cups, among other trophies.
After watching Barca win five titles in 2011, Pele noted that his Santos team could have done the same thing as Guardiola's men and 'dominated' football during the 1960s.
"There was a time, 15 or 20 years ago, where the game was more defensive," he told France Football. "But the technique remains the same.
"We are talking about Barca's current team, but we do not remember that Santos, during the 60s, had a fantastic team which could have dominated the world under similar circumstances."
Pele then rejected comparisons between himself and Lionel Messi but stressed he is a big fan of the diminutive Argentine.
"Messi is a fantastic player," he added. "It is true happiness to watch him on the field.
"I have a lot of respect for Messi, just like I had for [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer or [Michel] Platini.
"But every one of them has their own personality. I do not even want to compare Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo because they have different styles."
The 71-year-old took part in Santos' most successful team, helping the club win two Copa Libertadores titles and two Intercontinental Cups, among other trophies.
| Bet: | Returns: | Santos £21.00 | Draw £32.50 | Fluminense £32.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Santos £20.50 | Draw £32.00 | Fluminense £33.50 |
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After watching Barca win five titles in 2011, Pele noted that his Santos team could have done the same thing as Guardiola's men and 'dominated' football during the 1960s.
"There was a time, 15 or 20 years ago, where the game was more defensive," he told France Football. "But the technique remains the same.
"We are talking about Barca's current team, but we do not remember that Santos, during the 60s, had a fantastic team which could have dominated the world under similar circumstances."
Pele then rejected comparisons between himself and Lionel Messi but stressed he is a big fan of the diminutive Argentine.
"Messi is a fantastic player," he added. "It is true happiness to watch him on the field.
"I have a lot of respect for Messi, just like I had for [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer or [Michel] Platini.
"But every one of them has their own personality. I do not even want to compare Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo because they have different styles."
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