: brazil journalist and author of brazil 1970. he was speaking little earlier to my colleague about the legendary brazilian footballer pele, who has died. this is bbc news. we are bringing you continuing coverage of the death of the brazilian footballer, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, pele. he died at the aged of 82 and had been suffering from cancer. during his career, he won three fifa world cups, the only player to do so, and received countless awards and titles. in brazil, he is hailed as a national hero for his achievements in football and for his repeated calls to improve the social conditions of the poor. joe wilson reports on the life of one of the true greats. pele expressed no regrets. if i have to do everything again since i was

born until now, i would do everything again.- born until now, i would do everything again. born until now, i would do eve hinu aaain. ., , ., everything again. the popularity of football, the _ everything again. the popularity of football, the very _ everything again. the popularity of football, the very idea _ everything again. the popularity of football, the very idea of _ everything again. the popularity of football, the very idea of what - football, the very idea of what makes it entertaining began, more than any other man, with pele. i'm very i'm v e w so r w , i'm very sorry, we seem to have a problem with sound on that report from joe wilson. which was documenting the life and achievements of the legendary brazilian footballer pele, who has died at the age of 82 and whose life we are paying tribute to. let's show you the scene outside of the albert einstein hospital in sao paulo,

which is where pele was being treated. there are lots of people gathering there as news reaches far and wide about the death of pele. and his family, one of his daughters in particular over the last few days, has been posting on a social media photographs of her friends and relatives in particular gathering at pele's bedtime. tributes are pouring in for pele, including from football stars on instagram. as you would expect. argentina's world cup—winnning captain lionel messi posted this photo with the caption... brazilian footballer neymar said...

cristiano ronaldo also posted a photo, part of his caption reads... lots of football stars past and present taking to twitter to post their tributes to pele. the brazilian attacking midfielder rivaldo tweeted... france's kylian mbappe posted... england's harry maguire tweeted... "pele has died. the most divine of footballers and joyous of men. he played a game only a few chosen

ones have come close to. three times he lifted the most coveted gold trophy in that beautiful yellow shirt. he may have left us but he'll always have footballing immortality. rip, pele." former england footballer and now sports broadcaster gary lineker has been sharing his thoughts on pele's legacy. well, pele is, of course, regarded as a legend, but he actually is a legend, certainly in football terms. he won three world cups and was a majorfigure in doing those. one of the greatest players of all time, won his first world cup in 1958 when he was just 17 years old and scored a hat—trick in the semifinal and then two in the final, including one where he flicks it over his head, over a defender and volleys it into the back of the net. he followed that up with success in �*62 and then again in �*70, the only player to win three world cups. so i think it's very easy to explain why he's a legend.

he's unquestionably one of the greatest football players that's ever lived. and you have to be a certain age, of course. and i'm one of those people that were lucky enough to see him. my first world cup, i remember, was 1970, that brilliant brazilian side that he was the star of. and he had a profound effect on my love of football. now, we don't really have the access to see the amount of footage that we do in the modern game. even with maradona, we saw quite a lot more than you would do with pele, because obviously not so many matches were filmed. so we didn't see quite so much. and i caught him at the end of his career, but he was still outstanding. but he could do everything. he was... for me, the three greats in my lifetime — there's pele, maradona and messi. it's difficult to separate them because they play in totally different eras, but all three of them do things that other players, other mere mortals of footballers, can't do. and i think that's what really lifts

them above all the others. well, pele is hugely significant in not only the development of football, but also in football itself and the enjoyment of football, which is the most important thing. it's an entertainment business. and he was one of the great entertainers through his pure skill, talent and ability. and he was also a proven goal—scorer. in that sense, he was slightly different, perhaps to someone like maradona and even messi, who were more creative, possibly. but pele was an out and out goalscorer, and he's played a huge part in football. the name pele isjust synonymous with football. former england player and now sports broadcaster gary lineker. 0ur south american correspondent, katy watson, is in sao paulo. she told us more about people's reaction to pele's death. i mean, i think everybody here in brazil had been following how his his condition was progressing.

his daughter, kely nascimento, was posting on social media and an awful lot of people were watching her poignant photos. in fact, the last photo that she posted said, "everything we are is thanks to you, we love you infinitely. rest in peace." and certainly everybody here in brazil was waiting and dreading this moment to happen. even the hospital he was staying in, the top hospital in latin america, said that the hospital "shares with the family and everyone else in the suffering that comes with the loss of our beloved king of football." so you can just imagine this moment that so many people, of course, with his condition — and the hospital has announced that it was multiple organ failure as a result of the colon cancer he had. it was something that people were expecting, but people never, of course,

wanted to see happen. this king of football, this is, you know, he's royalty here in brazil. he is the closest, you know, the idol in a country that is so divided politically. he rose above that. he was an an icon for everyone here in brazil. katy watson, our south american correspondent. joining me now is the former british ambassador to brazil from 2008 to 2013, alan charlton. ambassador, thank you very much for joining us here on bbc news. tell us how important a figure in brazilian politics did pele become? weill. how important a figure in brazilian politics did pele become? well, he was an ambassador _ politics did pele become? well, he was an ambassador in _ politics did pele become? well, he was an ambassador in the - politics did pele become? well, he was an ambassador in the truest i was an ambassador in the truest sense, an ambassadorfor was an ambassador in the truest sense, an ambassador for football, for sport and an ambassador for brazil and positively good in all ways around the world. in terms of the relationship with britain, i remember meeting him at london 2012, and the aura around him was absolutely amazed him. everybody wanted to speak to him and he had a special role in the relationship between the english team and brazil.

everyone remembers the shaking of hands with bobby moore in that amazing match in 1970, the exchange of shirts, the gentlemanly mess of everything. so i think he was very important for the image of rizal, which is extreme important for a country like brazil which tries to present its self is funny to everyone. —— gentlemanliness. haw everyone. -- gentlemanliness. how key needed — everyone. —— gentlemanliness. how key needed politicians try to court him? —— how keenly? it key needed politicians try to court him? -- how keenly?— him? -- how keenly? it didn't matter, because _ him? -- how keenly? it didn't matter, because he _ him? -- how keenly? it didn't matter, because he stood - him? -- how keenly? it didn't matter, because he stood on | him? -- how keenly? it didn't i matter, because he stood on his him? -- how keenly? it didn't - matter, because he stood on his own. it is hard for us in britain to understand how important sporting legends like pele are. the only other one i can think of in my lifetime was ayrton senna who was similarly idolised. it was not a matter of him being used, he was himself, that in itself was a real positive for brazil. in

himself, that in itself was a real positive for brazil.— himself, that in itself was a real positive for brazil. in terms of his time as a sports _ positive for brazil. in terms of his time as a sports minister, - positive for brazil. in terms of his time as a sports minister, you - time as a sports minister, you couldn't have asked for a higher profile person to be in a role like that for your country, could you? yeah, it is a natural thing to do. and other people in the arts who have been singers and so on have taken roles in brazilian ministries. but i don't think that is what we will remember him for it, we will remember him more for the football and for his positive image around the world. of course, someone getting to a position like that is in a position to do a lot of good, and at the end of the day, it is only one small time and part of his legacy, and overall it is the football we will remember and his aura and his being a gentleman and positivity around the world. find positivity around the world. and also the fact _ positivity around the world. and also the fact he _ positivity around the world. and also the fact he rose from such humble beginnings, and those four letters of his name known to people

around the world, even those who have no interest at all in football would know it.— have no interest at all in football would know it. absolutely. that is art of would know it. absolutely. that is part of the — would know it. absolutely. that is part of the story. _ would know it. absolutely. that is part of the story, coming - would know it. absolutely. that is part of the story, coming from - part of the story, coming from nothing as he did. he was not the only one in the brazilian team, there were others at that time, and i can remember watching on tv the goals he scored in the 1958 world cup in stockholm, people were talking about where he had come from. and itjust seemed a magical thing. then he was only 17 years old. what is incredible is that he went on to be a great footballer for long after that, for many years, right up to the world cup in 1970 and beyond, playing for a while in the united states, where his talents were seen on a bigger stage. just an amazing person, and someone who will always be there as a positive in terms of rizzo's image, in my view.

yes, exactly. == terms of rizzo's image, in my view. yes. exactly-— a i yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a s-uortin yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a sporting and _ yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a sporting and cultural _ yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a sporting and cultural icon - yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a sporting and cultural icon for- yes, exactly. -- brazil's image. a sporting and cultural icon for the l sporting and cultural icon for the vast nation of brazil. that will last too. ~ last too. well, it will. i will give ou one last too. well, it will. i will give you one example, _ last too. well, it will. i will give you one example, i _ last too. well, it will. i will give you one example, i remember. last too. well, it will. i will give l you one example, i remember in last too. well, it will. i will give - you one example, i remember in 2012 there was a match in wembley and one in rio dejaneiro to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the english fa. there has always been a tight relationship between the english and brazilian fas. 0n the dinner at the match, looking at the photos on the wall, there was one of pele with bobby moore. that is something that people of my generation always remember, that picture of those two icons together. bobby moore was sadly long gone, but they had a wonderfulfriendship. and that wonderful friendship. and that is what we will always remember about that day, the amazing football but also the way he played it and his sportsmanship. also the way he played it and his sportsmanship-—

sportsmanship. former british ambassador— sportsmanship. former british ambassador to _ sportsmanship. former british ambassador to brazil, - sportsmanship. former british ambassador to brazil, alan - sportsmanship. former british - ambassador to brazil, alan charlton, thank you very much indeed for joining us and giving your thoughts on pele. we really appreciate you joining us here on bbc news. mt; joining us here on bbc news. i’i pleasure. joining me now, with more on this is bbcjournalist, fernando duarte who met pele several times. very nvq are in no doubt as a result of those meetings, fernando. —— very envied you are. it of those meetings, fernando. -- very envied you are-— envied you are. it was like meeting one of the avengers, _ envied you are. it was like meeting one of the avengers, a _ envied you are. it was like meeting one of the avengers, a superhero, | one of the avengers, a superhero, bigger than life. and i like the old adarsh, you shouldn't mean heroes like pele, because i was never disappointed when i met him. the guy wasjust bigger than disappointed when i met him. the guy was just bigger than life, incredible. he lit up the room with his smile. and he knew how to play a role and how to play the media game etc, but he was so special and as a brazilian, i'mjust

etc, but he was so special and as a brazilian, i'm just gutted. etc, but he was so special and as a brazilian, i'mjust gutted. it etc, but he was so special and as a brazilian, i'm just gutted. it is the kind of news that you never like to be reading. hour the kind of news that you never like to be rehding-_ the kind of news that you never like to be reading. how free did he speak when ou to be reading. how free did he speak when you met _ to be reading. how free did he speak when you met him? _ to be reading. how free did he speak when you met him? everybody - to be reading. how free did he speak when you met him? everybody saysl to be reading. how free did he speak . when you met him? everybody says how pleasant and welcoming and friendly he was, did you need to know a lot about sport, about football, to get him chatting? he about sport, about football, to get him chatting?— about sport, about football, to get him chatting? he wasn't difficult to net him him chatting? he wasn't difficult to get him chatting. _ him chatting? he wasn't difficult to get him chatting, but _ him chatting? he wasn't difficult to get him chatting, but he _ him chatting? he wasn't difficult to get him chatting, but he was - him chatting? he wasn't difficult to get him chatting, but he was very l get him chatting, but he was very wary and very aware of his impact. and how he could, whatever he said could be used for headlines. remember ice met him in germany wanting 2006, i was asking for an interview and he said, "come up to the room, we'll watch the england game, during the 2006 world cup, and we will talk later." during the game, he was basically spitting venom against everybody. and the moment i mentioned that i would like to print, he said, "no, no. no you are the friend, the journalist will come later." i couldn't betray the loyalty. it was a joy to meet. he

was just incredible and a person with his gravitas, his importance and relevance to the 20th century culture, that he was such a simple quy- culture, that he was such a simple iu _ ., culture, that he was such a simple iu . ., ., culture, that he was such a simple i u _ ., ., ., , guy. yeah, he never let it go to his head, so guy. yeah, he never let it go to his head. so many _ guy. yeah, he never let it go to his head, so many people _ guy. yeah, he never let it go to his head, so many people have - guy. yeah, he never let it go to his head, so many people have said i guy. yeah, he never let it go to his i head, so many people have said that. there was no arrogance about him, despite this extraordinary talent that everybody recognises. i don't think he needed _ that everybody recognises. i don't think he needed to, _ that everybody recognises. i don't think he needed to, because - that everybody recognises. i don't| think he needed to, because there was never any question about who he was never any question about who he was and how important he was. so he just kind of like basked in the glory and didn't need... there were moments when people criticised him, but he was very artfully deflecting that, let's put it that way. very aware, as you said, of everything that he said and how it could be interpreted, misinterpreted, used to somebody else's advantage. but also that sense that he knew whether that extraordinary talent and privilege came a lot of responsibility. yes, he knew that and i think that's one

of the reasons he became a sports minister. and he actually formed some interesting reforms in brazilian sport. he knew that. in the �*80s, he actually tried to start a presidential campaign. i'm actually glad he never came to fruition, because the way brazilian politics is so intricate, it would have been a shame to see pele become a politician, like a proper politician. he knew what he could do, and i think why it was possible for him to use his powers as much as he could. �* .,, , ., he could. and when he was surrounded b --eole, he could. and when he was surrounded by people. how — he could. and when he was surrounded by people. how did _ he could. and when he was surrounded by people, how did he _ he could. and when he was surrounded by people, how did he cope _ he could. and when he was surrounded by people, how did he cope with - he could. and when he was surrounded by people, how did he cope with the i by people, how did he cope with the sheer number of people who wanted to talk to him? because everybody wanted a piece of him, didn't they? everybody wanted a moment, there are moment with pele? he everybody wanted a moment, there are moment with pele?— moment with pele? he 'ust danced around moment with pele? he 'ust danced aound people. h moment with pele? he 'ust danced rnd people. it moment with pele? he just danced around people. i wasn't _ moment with pele? he just danced around people. i wasn't around - moment with pele? he just danced i around people. i wasn't around when the beatles were as a group, but when i spoke to people who worked

with the beatles, they said it was the same thing, the four would gravitate around the room, work the room. 0thers gravitate around the room, work the room. others said they wouldn't even notice they were gone. pele at the same thing, he came, smile and all of a sudden he was gone. but not with burly bodyguards, etc, just with burly bodyguards, etc, just with that smile. irate with burly bodyguards, etc, 'ust with that smilei with burly bodyguards, etc, 'ust with that smile. we appreciate it. i'm so envious, _ with that smile. we appreciate it. i'm so envious, i _ with that smile. we appreciate it. i'm so envious, i missed - with that smile. we appreciate it. i'm so envious, i missed my - with that smile. we appreciate it. l i'm so envious, i missed my chance to meet him and you met him so many times. ., , ., , ., ~ ., ., times. you should be. you know what? you are doing — times. you should be. you know what? you are doing well. _ times. you should be. you know what? you are doing well. i _ times. you should be. you know what? you are doing well. i get _ times. you should be. you know what? you are doing well. i get to _ times. you should be. you know what? you are doing well. i get to meet - you are doing well. i get to meet some extraordinary _ you are doing well. i get to meet some extraordinary and - you are doing well. i get to meet some extraordinary and talk- you are doing well. i get to meet some extraordinary and talk to i you are doing well. i get to meet - some extraordinary and talk to them, meet extraordinary people. we will break away from the tributes being paid to pele to bring you this breaking news. british fashion designer dame vivienne westwood has died at the age of 81. she was largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream. a representative said,

"dame vivienne westwood died peacefully surrounded by her family in clapham, south london today." the 81—year—old's husband and creative partner andreas kronthaler said, "i will continue with vivienne in my heart. "we have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with." this report from sarah campbell. # i am an antichrist. song that i am an anarchist — an anarchist. # _ an anarchist. # don't - an anarchist. | # don't know an anarchist. - # don't know what i an anarchist. _ # don't know what i want but on anarchist. — # don't know what i want but i know how to _ # don't know what i want but i know how to get _ # don't know what i want but i know how to get it — how to get it. # _ how to get it. # i— how to get it. # i want - how to get it. # i want to i how to get it. - # i want to destroy... how to get it. # i want to destro . ., # i want to destroy... she gave birth to punk. — # i want to destroy... she gave birth to punk, conquered i # i want to destroy... she gave birth to punk, conquered the i # i want to destroy... she gave i birth to punk, conquered the catwalk and built a globalfashion empire. a grammar school girl from derbyshire, vivian westwood was a would—be revolutionary who both shocked and inspired, transforming british fashion. ., , , inspired, transforming british fashion. ., , fashion. the trousers all come with a little loincloth _ fashion. the trousers all come with a little loincloth on _ fashion. the trousers all come with a little loincloth on the _ fashion. the trousers all come with a little loincloth on the back, i a little loincloth on the back, every wants to know what that loincloth is a four, it is just a

gesture. loincloth is a four, it is 'ust a esture. , loincloth is a four, it is 'ust a gosturofi loincloth is a four, it is 'ust a esture. , , ., ., gesture. her empire started here, a sho on gesture. her empire started here, a shop on london's _ gesture. her empire started here, a shop on london's kings _ gesture. her empire started here, a shop on london's kings road. i gesture. her empire started here, a shop on london's kings road. she l shop on london's kings road. she along with her creative partner malcolm mclaren dressed the six pistols and made bondage gear and a swastika trousers fashion must haves. i swastika trousers fashion must haves. ~ , , swastika trousers fashion must haves. ~' , , ., haves. i think it is very sane for oun haves. i think it is very sane for young people — haves. i think it is very sane for young people to _ haves. i think it is very sane for young people to be _ haves. i think it is very sane for young people to be angry. i haves. i think it is very sane for young people to be angry. and| haves. i think it is very sane for- young people to be angry. and that is what we were doing, and i wanted this look of an urban guerrilla, and thatis this look of an urban guerrilla, and that is what we were after. in this look of an urban guerrilla, and that is what we were after.- that is what we were after. in the '805, that is what we were after. in the '80s, she — that is what we were after. in the '80s, she moved _ that is what we were after. in the '80s, she moved from _ that is what we were after. in the '80s, she moved from london i that is what we were after. in the '80s, she moved from london to| that is what we were after. in the i '80s, she moved from london to the paris catwalks initially with mclaren and then on her own. the fashionistas loved her. you mclaren and then on her own. the fashionistas loved her.— mclaren and then on her own. the fashionistas loved her. you have to do what you _ fashionistas loved her. you have to do what you have _ fashionistas loved her. you have to do what you have to _ fashionistas loved her. you have to do what you have to do, _ fashionistas loved her. you have to do what you have to do, and i i do what you have to do, and i certainly don't want to be underground. i want to be at a place with the most focused that i can find. ,, , ., ., ., ., find. she used traditionalfabrics such as harris _ find. she used traditionalfabrics such as harris tweed _ find. she used traditionalfabrics such as harris tweed and i find. she used traditional fabrics| such as harris tweed and designs from the history books. the supermodels of the day wanted to show for her, even when asked to walk in a nine inch platforms. this fall can be added to naomi

campbell's fame. the general public found some of her designs are somewhat baffling. vivienne westwood was bemused by the reaction from this television audience in the late 80s. this television audience in the late 805. ii this television audience in the late 80s. , ., �* , this television audience in the late 80s. , ., 80s. if they don't stop laughing, i will tell the _ 80s. if they don't stop laughing, i will tell the next _ 80s. if they don't stop laughing, i will tell the next person _ 80s. if they don't stop laughing, i will tell the next person not i 80s. if they don't stop laughing, i will tell the next person not to i will tell the next person not to come on. laughter so many of her ideas ended up on the high street, but it was she who would have the last laugh. and she was notjust passionate about clothing, she regularly used her profile to push causes she supported. this tank would end up outside david cameron's house. i declare war on fracking! ever i outside david cameron's house. i declare war on fracking! ever the | declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, declare war on fracking! ever the rebel. she _ declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, she chose _ declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, she chose not _ declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, she chose not to - declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, she chose not to wear- declare war on fracking! ever the rebel, she chose not to wear anyj rebel, she chose not to wear any knickers were receiving her 0be from the queen, that did not stop her being made a dame in 2006. when a six in the city's iconic character carrie bradshaw needed a wedding dress, she turns to vivian westwood. i said, my maxim is if in doubt, dress up.

i said, my maxim is if in doubt, dress up-_ dress up. her influence as a designer— dress up. her influence as a designer spanned _ dress up. her influence as a designer spanned five i dress up. her influence as a i designer spanned five decades, she was both a commercial and critical success, managing to rise up the ranks of the establishment without abandoning her antiestablishment credentials. sarah campbell they�* re looking sarah campbell they're looking back on the life of dame vivienne westwood, the fashion designer who has died at the age of 81. her maxim is, if in doubt, dress up. not a bad one, is it? let's return to the tributes that are coming in for pele, the legendary brazilian footballer who has died at the age of 82. i'm joined now by south american footballjournalist, tim vickery, who is in rio. thank you very much forjoining us again here on bbc news. i imagine you are in great demand at the moment. tell us what the reaction is in rio dejaneiro in particular and across the country. it is in rio de janeiro in particular and across the country.— in rio de janeiro in particular and across the country. it is a country that was braced _ across the country. it is a country that was braced for _ across the country. it is a country that was braced for this _ across the country. it is a country that was braced for this news. i l that was braced for this news. i went to do a tv show in rio de

janeiro on friday, and i was told that it was a question of hours. and i have been told subsequently that it is extraordinary that he has lasted as long as he did. it was proof that he was the athlete of the century, as he was named. there is an element of being prepared for this moment, but when it comes, it hits people very hard because there is almost no one in brazil was old enough to remember a world before there was pele. he is so synonymous with the country for winning, for winning in style and for winning in style with a smile on his face. he is the greatest diplomat that brazil has ever produced, the greatest pr machine that brazil has ever produced, i think. machine that brazil has ever produced, ithink. and machine that brazil has ever produced, i think. and to put this in a uk context, it is a little bit like maybe losing winston churchill or paul mccartney, lewis hamilton and bobby charlton all in one. so

even though it has not come as a surprise, it is still a shock. essen surprise, it is still a shock. even in the country — surprise, it is still a shock. even in the country where _ surprise, it is still a shock. even in the country where the i surprise, it is still a shock. even in the country where the population, so much of the population is extremely young, how much of an inspiration did he remain on and off the field? in terms of inspiring people to play football, but also knowing who he was as that national hero? ., knowing who he was as that national hero? . ., ., i. knowing who he was as that national hero? . . ., , ., “ knowing who he was as that national hero? . ., ., i. ~ ., hero? yeah, what do you think of when ou hero? yeah, what do you think of when you think _ hero? yeah, what do you think of when you think of _ hero? yeah, what do you think of when you think of result? i hero? yeah, what do you think of when you think of result? you i hero? yeah, what do you think of. when you think of result? you may think of the amazon rainforest, you may think of the summer and carnival, you will certainly think of football. and that is because of s. __ of football. and that is because of s. —— you may think of samba. he was born 52 years after brazil abolishes slavery and he becomes the most famous player in the game. that is an incredible story and one which should never be taken lightly. as a nine—year—old child, he watches his father crying as he listens to the radio as brazil lose the final of the 1950 world cup to uruguay. and

pele decides to avenge this and tells his father he will avenge this. and just 20 years later, brazil have won the world cup three times, with thanks to pele. after mexico 1970, that is the first world cup broadcast live to much of the planet. that habit that we have of downing tools for a month every four years and watching the world cup, no, we havejust been doing years and watching the world cup, no, we have just been doing this with the action in qatar. all of that starts really with pele. it is pele to transform is this event into the most gripping sports event that there is. does more than anyone else to turn the world cup into the spectacle that it is today. and i think there is something fitting, something appropriate about the fact that his last lucid days on earth coincided with the world cup in qatar. and he could feel the message of love and respect coming from the football world which was gathered in

that one place. you football world which was gathered in that one place-— that one place. you have mentioned 'ust now that one place. you have mentioned just now how _ that one place. you have mentioned just now how influential _ that one place. you have mentioned just now how influential he - that one place. you have mentioned just now how influential he was i that one place. you have mentioned just now how influential he was on l just now how influential he was on making the world cup that extraordinary spectacle that we just take for granted, don't we? that thatis take for granted, don't we? that that is the scale of the event these days. a lot of people who never watch football any other time, every four years, they will sit down and watch football thanks to the world cup. but what about how he influenced the modern game in terms of his style of play? he influenced the modern game in terms of his style of play?— of his style of play? he is ludicrously _ of his style of play? he is ludicrously ahead i of his style of play? he is ludicrously ahead of i of his style of play? he is ludicrously ahead of his l of his style of play? he is i ludicrously ahead of his time. absurdly ahead of his time. if you watch clips of him, it is like you have taken a modern player with all of the advantages of physical preparation that they have these days and transported him back. he is a global icon before football becomes fully globalised. he is the most perfect footballing machine there has ever been in the three key ways. technique, he has everything, right foot, left foot, impulse to

jump, right foot, left foot, impulse to jump, acceleration, sustained pace, control of the ball. tactically, a really clever mind working very quickly, i once interviewed his centre—forward partner in 1970 who said you had to be clever and quick to play with him, because his mind is working so fast. and also psychologically, he is all most of the perfect combination, motivating forces in our lives, pride and fear. he had them both in spades. you put it all together, and i think you could take pele out of the mid—60s and put him into a's game, so much quicker, so much faster and he would not be lost at all. he would still be great. almost ludicrously ahead of his time. be great. almost ludicrously ahead of his time-— of his time. you can't say that about a lot — of his time. you can't say that about a lot of _ of his time. you can't say that about a lot of players - of his time. you can't say that about a lot of players of i of his time. you can't say that about a lot of players of his i about a lot of players of his generation, because there is usually some huge advance that takes place, but he was already there.— but he was already there. there has been a bit of — but he was already there. there has been a bit of a _ but he was already there. there has been a bit of a backlash _ but he was already there. there has been a bit of a backlash against i but he was already there. there has been a bit of a backlash against himj been a bit of a backlash against him in recent years. i think it has a

lot to do with the press working hard to create a pele, maradona bad guy dispute, which i don't think served anyone physically well. both of them are much more complex characters than that. pele was no saint. a good human being, no doubt about it, but a compact one. you don't get as good as pele was at football without having a little bit of an edge. but pele was seen by the younger generation is a kind of corporate figure in a suit. the younger generation tended to respond better to maradona's rebel stance. but to conflate that with a footballer is absurd. he was an extraordinary talented footballer, and all of us, however insignificant capacity, we make our living from this, we are all midgets standing on the shoulders of giants. his birth

name is edson, and i think it was a mistake, named after thomas ederson because where he was born, his birth would have coincided with electricity coming to the village, and he was very proud of being named after thomas ederson. and what elimination he brought to the game of football. , ., ., of football. tim, you mentioned maradona. _ of football. tim, you mentioned maradona, how— of football. tim, you mentioned maradona, how did _ of football. tim, you mentioned maradona, how did they i of football. tim, you mentioned maradona, how did they get i of football. tim, you mentioned i maradona, how did they get along, because when maradona died a couple of years ago, i think the last message that palais sent to him was hopefully one day we can play a game of ball in heaven.— of ball in heaven. yeah, pele visited maradona's _ of ball in heaven. yeah, pele visited maradona's tv i of ball in heaven. yeah, pele visited maradona's tv show i of ball in heaven. yeah, pele - visited maradona's tv show some 15 or 20 years ago and they exchanged a few headers. it was a beautiful moment, but it was like the ball finding an intimacy that didn't come that naturally. one of the big reasons for this is that pele was extremely jealous reasons for this is that pele was extremelyjealous of guarding his legacy. and he loved being the

number one. all right, you hear a about his humility, that can be overstated. he was a fabulous and public relations, absolutely fabulous about it. but he was very, very clear about his own worth and his own place in the pantheon. so anyone coming along who seemed to threaten that, there was always going to be tension in the relationship. and there was tension there between pele and a maradona. and pele would say that maradona was restricted to the left foot whereas pele was more complete and so on. again, you don't get as good as pele was at football without a drive, i think, that becomes difficult to switch off when you stop playing. pele had to overcome extraordinary resistance to the idea of being a footballer. pele�*s that was a promising player, but his big

opportunity was also his big break when he suffered an injury, a knee injury which ended his football dreams and plunged the family into poverty with no easy way out. and pele was a shoeshine boy. so pele�*s mother was absolutely dead set against the idea of him taking up a career in football. it was an insecure profession, "you are only ever one injury away from the scrapheap." and that voice of fear was always in pele�*s mind. he had the pride in his profession that he inherited from his father, the easy—going smile that he inherited from his father, but the fear he inherited from his mother. and you put the two together, and you get a human being absolutely determined to get every last bit out of the gifts that nature has given him. and that drive is not switched off when he stopped playing. he became a defender of his legacy, and why not?

because this poor kid,