By Samindra Kunti
October 13 – After 38 years Brazilian football legend Pelé has returned to Kolkata to promote football in India. He will be the guest of honor at the Indian Super League match between Atletico de Kolkata’s and Kerala Blasters, and at the Subroto Cup Final in New Delhi.
The Brazilian icon first visited Kolkata in 1977 when he toured the world with the New York Cosmos. At a packed Eden Gardens, one of India’s iconic cricket grounds, the Cosmos drew 2-2. Ever since, the ‘City of Joy’ has identified itself with Brazil’s most famous football son.
Pelé’s agenda began with an animated press conference alongside Sourav Ganguly, former captain of India’s cricket team and current owner of Atletico de Kolkata, the defending champions in the Indian Super League.
Pelé stated that he doesn’t aspire to become FIFA president and is, as such, not in the race. “[I have] no intention to contest for the post of president,” said the 74-year-old.
He termed Argentine forward Lionel Messi as the “best in last 10 years”, but said that “it’s very difficult to make a comparison of players of different generations.”
“But in the last 10 years Messi was the best. Ronaldo plays forward and tries to score while Messi plays with a different style. In my team I would love to have both… We have Neymar who also has good future.”
He also gave India some advice on how to progress in football, saying that football must be developed at grassroots level with a need to build good infrastructure.
Pelé has a busy schedule in Kolkata with a visit to the students at NSHM Knowledge campus before he will reunite with Mohun Bagan’s class of 1977. He will also inaugurate a pandal to celebrate Durga Puja. Tomorrow the Brazilian will be the guest of honour at Atletico de Kolkata’s ISL fixture against Kerala Blasters before he will fly to New Delhi to attend the Subroto Cup final.
While Pelé’s visit will delight nostalgia lovers, it will do little to help India’s performances on the pitch. Turkmenistan all but ended India’s slim chances of advancing to the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers last week with a 2-1 win in Ashgabat.
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