Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has named the late Brazilian legend, Pele, among his six “eternal” talents in football.
Guardiola said on Friday while paying tribute to Pele, who passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday evening after suffering from colon cancer.
According to the Spaniard, Pele and the likes of Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Lionel Messi, Franz Beckenbauer and Cristiano Ronaldo will overtake the sport.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Guardiola told reporters: “I never pretended to be Pele, honestly.
“I’ve never seen him play, I’ve spoken to people who said he’s the best for them. What he did, not just win three World Cups, the goals and it was something new when he came.
“I wasn’t born when he was playing. It’s like a good movie, the legacy we keep talking about, about a good movie, a good book because it was so good.”
“Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, Messi, Beckenbauer, Cristiano Ronaldo, these players will be eternal. They have done many things for many years, these types of players make our business, our job, a better place.”
Guardiola includes Pele among the six “eternal” talents in football [Full list]
