Giving his prescription for improving Indian football standards, Brazilian legend Pele on Monday said the authorities must focus on the base — the grassroots — and ensure the game spreads in the universities, schools and colleges where the youngsters can be groomed.
He also lauded the Indian Super league (ISl) as a tournament which can lift the game in the country.
"You have to start working at the base. You have to give chance to players to go abroad and play from where they can gather experience. They can then come here and share their experiences. But firstly you have to support the base," Pele said at a media interaction here at Taj Bengal hotel.
"You should have football in universities, schools and colleges. It is important to train kids for the future," said the 74-year-old.
The legend, who was little astonished to hear ISl lasts for only about three months, had no doubts that the league can improve Indian football.
"Oh yes! ISl can improve Indian football, no doubt about it."
To a poser from Atletico de Kolkata co-owner Sanjiv Goenka as to what advice he would like to give to the local franchise, Pele replied: "I would tell them to respect opponents, and be prepared always. You also have to keep on learning."
Pele left everyone mesmerised in an evening that had moments of nostalgia, the great debate on Diego Maradona and lionel Messi, even as the 'King of Football' from Brazil declared that he was willing to help Indian football in some way.
Pele said that his Argentine rival Maradona was a more complete player than Messi as he interacted with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Oscar winning musician A R Rahman and members of the 1977 Mohun Bagan team against whom he had played in an exhibition match in 1977.
"If I can help some way, I'll be here. No problem," he said, replying to the captain of the then Mohun Bagan team Subrata Bhattacharya during a glittering evening titled the 'legends Tour of India'.
On India's slip in standard of football, he drew parallel with Brazil hosting the 1950 World Cup at home.
"Today, Brazil have excellent reputation but it was not in 1950. Brazil lost the World Cup at home and everyone kept criticising. You need to have patience. You need to get experience.
"India have excellent opportunity to grow in football. You need more exchange of experience. You have a lot of talents. It will take a little time."
Pele came on the stage with a walking stick and was given a standing ovation by the 1000-odd audience.
"I accepted to come here in India because I love the people here. I played 25 years with Brazil and Santos and then five years with New York Cosmos. The surgery was done only recently when I stopped playing," he said.
There was a special Mohun Bagan segment where he felicitated the batch of 1977, except the trio of Mohammad Habib, Mohammad Akbar and Sudhir Karmakar. The Mohun Bagan members who were present included Shibaji Banerjee, Dilip Palit, Dilip Sarkar, Crompton Dutta, Chaudhury, Subrata Bhattacharya, Gautam Sarkar, Prasun Banerjee, Biswajit Das, Bidesh Bose, Shyam Thapa, Manas Bhattacharya, Dilip Sen, Shankar Banerjee, Haroon Mondal. Pele gave a warm hug to legendary PK Banerjee who was the coach of 1977 Mohun Bagan team.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while felicitating Pele, said: "We're really proud for your presence. I consider Pele as the king of world football. Football is a household entity."
Acclaimed Indian musician A R Rahaman sang advanced birthday jingles for Pele who will turn 75 on October 23.
‘Don't intend to be FIFA prez’
Football king Pele said he had no intention to be the president of FIFA, even as he refused to answer queries about the crisis engulfing the world football governing body.
"No, I don't have any intention to be president of FIFA," the Brazilian legend told mediapersons here.
However, when a journalist asked whether the massive crisis in the FIFA with its president Sepp Blatter under suspension saddened him, the organisers of the triple World Cup winner said he would not take any question of the apex body.
‘Neymar can become the best’
Pele said that though Argentina's lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo have been the best players in the last 10 years, Brazilian Neymar has the opportunity to become the best in the world in the days to come.
"Messi and Ronaldo played in different styles and now Neymer can emerge as best in the world," the three-time World Cup winner told an interactive session at a private college in the city.
"We now have Neymar in Brazil. I have a very big pleasure which I want to share.
“My son was a goal keeper for Santos and Neymar coached under him during that time. I feel that Neymar has very big opportunity to be the best in the world," Pele said.