I am the greatest, says Pele

For football legend Pele, there is no point in being modest when it comes to the never-ending debate on who was the better player. In thisu00a0 MiD DAY special, the great man also talks aboutu00a0 fame, money and Obama

ONE can forgive Pele for not displaying a hint of modesty when he talks about comparisons between him and Diego Maradona.

Or for that matter US president Barack Obama, who Pele reckons will take four years to be more famous than him.

For, Pele is indeed the greatest ball magician produced in the world of football. In a freewheeling interview, the football legend talks about his current activities, stars of today and what the beautiful game meant to him.

Excerpts from an interview:

On money and wealth:
I was not rich as the players of today. I earned money delivering lectures and endorsing products, but I never advertised for alcohol, political parties and tobacco. An alcohol company wanted me to lend my name and photograph on their bottle for which they offered me a huge amount of money. But I turned the offer down. It's against my principles.

I have enough money. If my grandchildren know how to manage whatever I have accumulated, they won't have to work at all.

On his decision of not advertising for alcohol being called hypocrisy:
I will not say it was no fun to drink, but I have always been moderate. I started to drink whisky only when I stopped playing. Sports and fun do not mix. An athlete must take care of himself.

On his current activities:
I used to spend just two months of the year in Brazil. I reversed that to devote myself to my children; to take them to the beach often.u00a0 I resisted offers that involved money because it can lead to evil.

On refusing offers:
Almost every month, I receive a call to either join some political party or be a football coach. Coaching offers have come from Saudi Arabia, United States, Europe, Africa etc.

But I do not want to be a political figure or train professional players. After achieving a lot as a player, a coaching position makes me feel vulnerable. With responsibility, disrespect comes with the job too. See what happened to Luiz Felipe Scolari.

On stars like Robinho, who always get involved in controversy:
My father always told me to be thankful to God for the talent he gave me. The difference in my case was basic education and a good family. Therefore, Pele was never involved in scandals. The current generation don't have a proper emotional structure. However, I think Kaka is a good role model. You have to handle money and fame well. I was paid seven million dollars when I played for Cosmos. It was an enormous sum for a year and a half's work. Now, players get the same kind of money in less than a month. But in my time there was love for the shirt.

On who was greater: Pele or Maradona:
Everyone knows that Pele was better than Maradona: headed better and kicked with both legs.
Maradona only kicked with the left. He was a great player but unfortunately involved with drugs. Still, the Argentines say he was the best.

On Barack Obama's victory:
Obama's victory gave me great joy. I sent him a congratulatory message. I received an e-mail from him saying that America and Brazil need to work together. I will meet Obama for coffee, as I did with Kennedy, Nixon and Clintonu00a0 but when he is calmer. In four years' time Obama may be even more famous than Pele, but I will continue to be king.

On whether at 68, he feels the weight of age:
Pele is immortal. I am not afraid of aging or dying. Now, I am very particular about my health.
I exercise a lot to keep my weight the same as it was when I stopped playing.

I have very little grey hair. I do not dye my hair; only use a shampoo that balances the colour.