Legendary soccer star Pele speaks at a news conference before a special screening of Pele Forever at the ArcLight cinemas during AFI Fest 2005 in Hollywood November 4. - REUTERS
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (AP)
PELE SAID YESTERDAY that Brazil needs to be extra careful going into the World Cup finals as the favourites to win the competition.
"Every time a team was the favourite to win the Cup, it ended losing badly," Pele said during the creation of a soccer museum. "It was like that with Brazil in 1950 ... and several times after that."
Pele, who led Brazil to World Cup titles in 1958, '62 and '70, said the front-runner status can be extremely dangerous.
"Brazil are the best team today, but they need to quickly forget this idea that they will easily win the Cup," Pele said. "We need to step back and rethink this."
Brazil were the favourites to capture the World Cup at home in 1950, but were stunned by Uruguay in the final round at Maracana Stadium.
The same happened after Brazil won the titles in 1958 and '62. Everybody expected the team to win the following tournament in 1966, but they played disastrously and were eliminated in the first round.
ITALY SHOCKED BRAZIL
In 1982, Brazil assembled another great squad, but were shocked by Italy in the quarterfinals.
By contrast, Brazil limped into the World Cup in 2002, clinching a berth only in their final qualifying game with a line-up of newcomers and injured stars. But the team won it's fifth trophy in Japan.
Brazil, seeking a sixth world title, are the reigning Copa America and Confederations Cup champions.
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