Brazilian legend Pele says he is confident about Brazil’s chances at the upcoming World Cup and expects injured star Neymar to be fully fit to lead the side in Russia.
The 77-year-old, who has been in ailing health recently, put his faith in Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar’s ability to recover from a fractured foot in time to lead Brazil to a possible sixth World Cup crown.
“We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but I think for the World Cup he’s going to be in shape because his injury is not so bad,” Pele, the only person to have won the World Cup three times as a player, said.
“I wish he has the same luck I had in the World Cup.”
PSG’s Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, has not played since breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot on Feb. 25 in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille. He said last week he is still recovering following surgery but expects to be fit in time for the World Cup which kicks off in Moscow on June 14.
In the last World Cup on home soil four years ago, Brazil were humiliated 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semifinals. It was as chastening a defeat as any suffered by hosts of the showpiece — not least because many pundits had Brazil down as favorites to win the tournament. But Pele feels the team under “psychologist” Tite, which breezed through South American qualifying, has the tools to go all the way, and put the shocking semifinal of four years ago to the back of fans’ minds.
“I am confident because Tite, the new coach, now (has) had a little time to set up the team.
“We have a lot of excellent players in Europe. The problem is to put the team together.
“I think we’re going to have a good team at the World Cup.”
Pele said he expected few surprises at the tournament, identifying Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Germany, England and France as potential challengers.
However, he said “football is a box of surprises,” so you cannot rule any side out.
As for his own health problems — Pele canceled a trip to England in January due to “exhaustion,” although his spokesman denied he had been hospitalized — Pele said there was little cause for concern. “I cannot play in the next World Cup but I feel good,” he said with a hearty laugh.
Pele backs Neymar to be fit and ready for Brazil World Cup title tilt
Pele backs Neymar to be fit and ready for Brazil World Cup title tilt
- Brazil star in race against time to be fit for showpiece in Russia.
- Football legend Pele has hope Neymar will be back to his best in time for tournament.
Dembele, PSG, Bonmati and Yamal score big at 16th Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
- Cristiano Ronaldo, named Best Middle East Player, announced the launch of the first Globe Sports Award, presenting it to tennis star Novak Djokovic
- PSG, after the most successful season in their history, were named Best Men’s Club and Ousmane Dembele Best Men’s Player
DUBAI: Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati were the major winners at the 16th Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Awards on Sunday night in Dubai.
During a ceremony at the Atlantis The Royal hotel, Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele was crowned Best Men’s Player for the first time, and FC Barcelona midfielder Bonmati made history by being named Best Women’s Player for a third consecutive year.
Among more than 20 awards presented, French giants PSG, capping off an extraordinary year in which they won the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, were named Best Men’s Club.
Individual awards went to Luis Enrique (Best Coach), Vitinha (Best Midfielder), Desire Doue (Emerging Player), Luis Campos (Best Sporting Director), and Nasser Al-Khelaifi (Best President).
Dembele said on stage: “The first half of the season was a bit more difficult, but there was a lot of work being poured into what happened in the second half.
“You have to work hard always and continue at it. And then when the moments that were hard to beat arrived, I just kept at it and now find myself where I am now.”
As well as celebrating Bonmati’s honor, it was a big night for FC Barcelona as they won the Best Women’s Club trophy.
Barca’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, the Spain international, also secured a double with the Best Forward and Maradona awards.
“I don’t want to be compared to anybody, because people, like the legends like Cristiano, actually have made their own path, and that’s what I want to do.”
A highlight of the evening saw Cristiano Ronaldo announce, in partnership with Globe Soccer, the first Globe Sports Award. Ronaldo presented the award to tennis icon Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Al-Nassr and Portugal star Ronaldo, named the Best Middle East Player, said: “We have a similar story, so I think it’s deserved because you are a great example for this generation, the older generation, and the generation to come, so you deserve it.
“Football is our life, it’s my life. But for me, sport means more than only football. For me, this is a new era, so we have to open our minds for the other sports.
“This is why we create this amazing award, in my opinion, and because the world needs to see different things with huge quality.”
Djokovic said: “To be here tonight is a privilege and honor, obviously, receiving an award from another sporting legend is a dream come true. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this. I’m a big fan of football.
“I came here to obviously celebrate the incredible year that all of the football stars were having, and I was caught off guard, but in a positive way, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Career awards were presented to Spaniard Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands, and former Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, a two-time AFC Player of the Year and Serie A winner with AS Roma.
In a tribute, a special award was presented to the parents of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward who tragically died in a car accident alongside his younger brother Andre Silva in July.
During the invite-only event in Dubai, awards were presented to Jorge Mendes (Best Agent), Portugal (Best National Team), Paul Pogba (Comeback Award), Los Angeles Football Club (Best Club Branding).
In addition, awards went to Nicoletta Romanazzi (Best Mental Coach), Right to Dream (Best Academy), and Bilal Haddad (Koora Break Best Content Creator).
Nine core categories were decided by more than 30 million fan votes during two global voting windows: Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Men’s Club, Best Women’s Club, Best Coach, Best Midfielder, Best Forward, Emerging Player, and Best Middle East Player.
The final winners were then determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, made up of Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo.
Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of Globe Soccer, said the awards “delivered an unforgettable celebration of football, bringing together the world’s greatest players, coaches, executives and legends in Dubai.
“The incredible engagement from fans, alongside the expertise of our distinguished jury, once again demonstrated the unique spirit of the Globe Soccer Awards.”
It was also a special night for Spain’s La Liga EA Sports as the country’s top-flight presented the winners of its 2024-2025 season awards. FC Barcelona trio Raphinha, Hansi Flick, and Yamal were named Best Player, Best Coach, and Best Emerging Player respectively.
The Best Goal award went to Real Sociedad midfielder Luka Sucic, while the Best Save award was presented to Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
