By Andrew Warshaw in Rio de Janeiro
July 29 – To the eyes of the world, one man represents the iconic face of Brazilian football.
How unfortunate, then, that tomorrow’s star-studded 2014 World Cup qualifying draw should take place against the backdrop of a festering stand-off between Pele and Ricardo Teixeira, head of the local Organising Committee and cast very much in the role of villain.
Pele will be among a glut of sporting celebrities for the 100-minute showpiece occasion in Rio de Janeiro.
But only because his Government intervened after a personal snub by Teixeira, president of Brazilian Football Association.
So embarrassed were the Brazilian authorities by their most idolised sporting icon being ignored that it needed the intervention of Brazil President Dilma Rousseff to make Pele her Government’s global ambassador for the tournament.
As unveilings go, none was more eagerly awaited and although he turned up 40 minutes behind schedule to address a selected media audience, the great man, now 70, did not disappoint, modestly advising one reporter not to call him “Sir” and, with his trademark respectfulness, describing Sports Minister Orlando Silva sitting alongside him as his new boss.
He was courteous and humble, polite and discreet – except when it came to Teixeira whom he clearly has little time for.
“He is the President of the Confederation who can invite me or not invite me,” said Pele, who starts an advertising campaign for his new role to coincide with the World Cup draw.
“When I am not invited to the party as a guest, I do not go.”
He was also quick to denounce Teixeira for his much-publicised attack on English football and the English media for citing him as one of those caught up in corruption over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process.
Teixeira, who was exonerated by an independent inquiry, denounced the British as “pirates” in a magazine interview, then turned on the English media a few hours before Pele’s appearance.
“This is not good for Brazil,” said Pele.
“Some people talk more than they know.
“I think that the controversy is not good for Brazil.
“With Ricardo we always have some confusion or misunderstanding when he does interviews.
“I hope from now on we can clear this away and he can work properly for the good of the World Cup.”
Wearing a blue shirt covering a yellow T-shirt in the colours of Brazil, Pele rarely raised his voice but was still captivating as he held court for 45 minutes alongside Silva who described him as an “extraordinary role model for generations of Brazilians.”
His exact role has not yet been established but his experience and image, on and off the field, will be invaluable in terms of social legacy even if he will not be a part of Teixeira’s team.
“I have been promoting Brazil since 1958 when I was 17 years old,” said Pele, who has been to 12 World Cups, four as a player and eight either in an advisory role or purely out of his love for the game.
“Nobody knew back then where Brazil was, some even thought the capital was Buenos Aires,” he said.
“I am filled with pride to do this job, we want to help Brazil to unite its efforts.
“There are some parts of the country that do not want to contribute but if we don’t deliver it will be very sad.”
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