Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has compared the legacy left by Pele to a movie script on Friday, saying football wouldn’t be what it was without the Brazilian soccer legend.
Pelé, a prolific goalscorer who won the World Cup three times as a player in 1958, 1962 and 1970, died Thursday at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.
“On behalf of Manchester City, my deepest condolences to his family. Football is football thanks to these kind of people, players and human beings,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game. premier league game against Everton.
“I think Neymar said it, before number 10 was just a number and after it became something special – every top player wants to wear it for their team. What he has made for football is here and always will be.
“He didn’t just win three World Cups – it was a novelty when he arrived. I wasn’t born when he was playing but it’s like a good movie, right? The legacy after many years is still there.”
Guardiola added that Pele has the potential to succeed in any era of the sport.
“When I was at the Barcelona academy, I had a physiotherapist who was in love with Brazil and Pele. And after I turned nine or ten, I started watching music videos,” Guardiola said.
“Now I realize he was so strong and he could do anything. People say the pace was completely different. These type of players, if he played now, he would adapt to the pace and pace.
“He was so intuitive and in his skills and mentality that he could play across all generations. Everyone has their best.”
Turning his attention to City’s clash with Everton, Guardiola called on his players to stay sharp and maintain the same level of intensity they have displayed in wins over Leeds United and Liverpool in recent weeks.
City returned to action after the World Cup break with a 3-2 victory over rivals Liverpool in the League Cup, before a 3-1 loss to Leeds on Wednesday.
“The last two games against Liverpool and Leeds were so demanding, high intensity, we handled the situation very well,” Guardiola said.
“I don’t know what Everton will do, sometimes they press high but not last season. You have to know the transitions, starting with Jordan Pickford. The quality is there, they have exceptional players.
“At this time everyone is thinking about New Year’s Eve, distraction can be a problem. Two days after Leeds, you have to be ready.”
Guardiola added that Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, who played in the World Cup final against France, would return to training after New Year’s Eve.
Pelé, a prolific goalscorer who won the World Cup three times as a player in 1958, 1962 and 1970, died Thursday at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.
“On behalf of Manchester City, my deepest condolences to his family. Football is football thanks to these kind of people, players and human beings,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game. premier league game against Everton.
“I think Neymar said it, before number 10 was just a number and after it became something special – every top player wants to wear it for their team. What he has made for football is here and always will be.
“He didn’t just win three World Cups – it was a novelty when he arrived. I wasn’t born when he was playing but it’s like a good movie, right? The legacy after many years is still there.”
Guardiola added that Pele has the potential to succeed in any era of the sport.
“When I was at the Barcelona academy, I had a physiotherapist who was in love with Brazil and Pele. And after I turned nine or ten, I started watching music videos,” Guardiola said.
“Now I realize he was so strong and he could do anything. People say the pace was completely different. These type of players, if he played now, he would adapt to the pace and pace.
“He was so intuitive and in his skills and mentality that he could play across all generations. Everyone has their best.”
Turning his attention to City’s clash with Everton, Guardiola called on his players to stay sharp and maintain the same level of intensity they have displayed in wins over Leeds United and Liverpool in recent weeks.
City returned to action after the World Cup break with a 3-2 victory over rivals Liverpool in the League Cup, before a 3-1 loss to Leeds on Wednesday.
“The last two games against Liverpool and Leeds were so demanding, high intensity, we handled the situation very well,” Guardiola said.
“I don’t know what Everton will do, sometimes they press high but not last season. You have to know the transitions, starting with Jordan Pickford. The quality is there, they have exceptional players.
“At this time everyone is thinking about New Year’s Eve, distraction can be a problem. Two days after Leeds, you have to be ready.”
Guardiola added that Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, who played in the World Cup final against France, would return to training after New Year’s Eve.
