King Pele Mesmerises Prince of Kolkata, Sourav Ganguly

After landing in Kolkata on Sunday, Pele wove his magic in the Mecca of Indian football, leaving the city's most celebrated sportsperson, Sourav Ganguly, in his wake. A three-time World Cup winner for Brazil, Pele played an exhibition match at the Eden Gardens in September 1977. Ganguly was then a five-year-old kid.

On Monday, Pele, who remains forever etched in the minds of Kolkata's sports lovers for playing that match against Mohun Bagan, is meeting Kolkata's celebrities in a whirlwind tour. On Sunday, he was welcomed by Chuni Goswami, India's legendary soccer captain. (Mohun Bagan Players Felicitated, Relive Memories of Pele)

Goswami played for Mohun Bagan throughout his career and captained India to the Asian Games gold medal in 1962 and a silver in the 1964 Asia Cup in Tel Aviv and in the Merdeka Cup.

Ganguly was clearly in awe of the 'Black Pearl' and recollected memories of the 74-year-old Brazilian, who still remains football's greatest ambassador.

"As a young man, I saw the film, Giants of Brazil. It is wonderful to meet the giant. I have watched you play and it was always amazing. Your popularity speaks volumes of your greatness," Ganguly told Brazil during a media interaction.

Pele thanked Kolkata's warmth in receiving him the same way he was welcomed as a member of the New York Cosmos team on a world tour in 1977.

"I was received with same love. I haven't had time to see (Kolkata). Everything changes, but most important that I got the same love," Pele told mediapersons.

From Brazil's poor World Cup performance in the last World Cup to India's football, Pele spoke on a range of subjects. Excerpts:

On Brazil's poor performance as a team: "We haven't lost passion for football and we have great players. Unfortunately we haven't had time to prepare as a good team. Many playing in Europe and individually, lots of great players. But we haven't done well together."

On the best Brazilian ever: "Unfair to name one. When I started playing, everybody said Pele great but there were other. Zico was an excellent player. I did not play alone. Always I had someone who would play with me."

On greatest footballer: "I have had Bobby Moore (of England)...In the new generation Leo Messi is the best in the last 10 years." (Messi Has Been the Greatest in Last Decade, Says Pele)

On Neymar winning trophies for Brazil: "I hope so. He is from Santos. My son (Edson Nascimento) was goalkeeper there. My son helped to prepare Neymar. Today he is one of the best players in the world."

On Indian football: "You must go to the base to get players ...give players chance to play abroad because they must get experience. You play well at home but not outside."

(With inputs from Monideepa Banerjie)