PELE, arguably the greatest footballer of all-time, has admitted he is looking forward to making his return to Glasgow tomorrow - 50 years after playing for Brazil against Scotland at Hampden.
The three-time World Cup winner will be hosting “An Evening With Pele” at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow and expects to feel the “incredible passion for football” of the Scottish people.
The 75-year-old played for his country, at the time the reigning world champions, in a friendly international in the city in front of 74,933 fans at the National Stadium way back in 1966.
Read more: Brazil great Pele looking forward to Glasgow return - 50 years after Scotland stalemate
He was unable to help the star-studded South Americans record a win that day – a goal by Stevie Chalmers of Celtic in the first minute was later cancelled out by Servilio and the match finished up 1-1.
However, the former Santos player, who is currently on a tour of the United Kingdom, is happy to be coming back to Glasgow so many years later.
“I think of beautiful landscapes and countrysides when I think of Scotland,” said Pele.
Read more: Brazil great Pele looking forward to Glasgow return - 50 years after Scotland stalemate
“It has been a long time since I have been there. I played there a long time ago. We had an excellent team, but it was a good game, a close game.
“I am looking forward to speaking to my friends there. Your people have an incredible passion for football. ”
Pele will be interviewed on stage and then answer questions from guests – and is sure to be asked what Scotland can do to resurrect their international fortunes.
“Not qualifying for the finals of all of those tournaments is not good for Scotland, but this is football,” he said.
“But it can’t be worse than what happened to Brazil in the final of the World Cup two years ago (the tournament hosts lost 7-1 to eventual winners Germany in the semi-final)!”
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