Pele: ‘Totti the Italian Pele’

By Football Italia staff

Brazil legend Pele says ‘Francesco Totti is the Italian Pele’ and reveals ‘I could’ve played for Milan.’

The former great is in Milan for Saturday’s Champions League final at San Siro and discussed various themes with Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Atletico or Real Madrid? They’re both very strong teams,” Pele said.

“In my day I had offers from Spain and I also could’ve come to play for Milan.

“I’ve been asked many times about playing against the Milan of Altafini and Trapattoni, with the story about Trap stopping me and preventing me from playing.

“For me it wasn’t so important, it was a friendly, nothing memorable. Trapattoni was a good defender. He always attacked me and at one point I told him ‘Go and play!’.

“The best Italian players? In my time there were two Mazzolas, because for us in Brazil Altafini was ‘Mazola’. Paolo Maldini was a great. And also Totti, he’s very good, I think now he’s the best known around the world. You could say he’s the Italian Pele.

“I’d like to play for Barcelona. No matter how good you are, a player always needs to be supported by his teammates. I like the Blaugrana the most and if I could go back onto the pitch, I’d like to play with them.

“Dunga? He’s a very honest man, with a real morality, and he’s changed his style of play. Now he’s less defensive and thinks more about attacking.

“The last World Cup was very sad. We conceded seven against Germany. It’s fine to lose, but seven goals are a lot…

“I was nine years old when I saw my father cry. It was after the ‘Maracanazo’, Brazil’s defeat against Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final.

“Two years ago, when we were humiliated by Germany in the 7-1, my son almost saw me cry. For Brazil it was a disaster without explanations, maybe we underestimated the game against Colombia.

“Us Brazilians have lost the two World Cups played at home, in 1950 and 2014. Now we only have Neymar as a world-class player, it’s not enough.

“All-time top five? It’s very difficult. Firstly Di Stefano, then Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton, Maradona and now Messi.

“Leo is the one I like the most, the most complete. Messi is my favourite player, but Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are also great. They have different styles in a changed game. Today you play more closed, in a defensive style, every team is very tactical.

“It’s more difficult for the quality of the individual to shine through, their imagination, their shots.”

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