Pele sees Brazil strong for 2014 World Cup
Berlin- Despite indifferent recent form Brazil will be strong enough to live up to their role as favourites at their home World Cup in 2014, Brazilian playing legend Pele says.
Germany will also be a contender if the squad that impressed at the 2010 World Cup continues to develop, Pele told Germany's Kicker sports magazine published Thursday.
Pele said Brazil's national team had been affected by several changes of coaches over the past few years.
"One cannot form a successful team this way. The many changes of players has not helped either," Pele said.
"But there can be no doubt: Brazil will be very strong in 2014 if they play with their best team."
Pele said Kaka had been missed by Brazil because of his long injury lay-offs but hoped the Real Madrid midfielder would be back to his best by 2014. However for a star player like Ronaldinho it would now be difficult to displace youngsters such as Neymar and Ganso.
Pele also had praise for two-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi, saying the Argentinian was "absolutely the best," while indicating the Barcelona striker had not been playing the game long enough to be compared yet with other former greats.
"Just look at how long a (Franz) Beckenbauer, a (Michel) Platini, a (Bobby) Charlton or a Gerd Mueller played: 10 years, 15 years. That's something the young ones first have to emulate," he said.
