The three-time World Cup champion has appeared to snub the Seleção’s top player, Barcelona forward Neymar, by highlighting the team’s weaknesses in attack.
Pelé was speaking at a conference on sporting management in São Paulo.
“We don’t have a big star. We talk about Neymar but this is his first World Cup,” the former Santos player told reporters.
“But as a team, this is the first time in history that we are better in defence than in attack. Brazil has always been the team that wins, that scores goals, that has the goalscorers. It’s the first time we have difficulty finding strikers.”
“There are various players that I would like to see in the squad but the team has been set up very well, with just some problems in attack.”
Pelé also expressed regret about Diego Costa’s decision to play for Spain.
“He was Brazilian and naturalised Spanish. Diego Costa was doing very well, was called up but decided to play for Spain. He would have been a great addition to Brazil. We have good players but he is ready since he plays in Europe.”
The World Cup starts in less than two months when Brazil face Croatia in São Paulo on June 12.
