Pele: I'm still the best

Brazilian legend Pele claims his record as a player is unrivalled compared to anyone else's in the history of the game.

Pele, who was named FIFA player of the century in 2000, is regarded as one of the finest talents of all time and won three World Cups during a 25-year career.

The 70-year-old believes modern players do not achieve the same heights as their predecessors and insists no-one has yet matched his own success.

"Nobody did what Pele did," the former striker told CNN. "Being champion of the world at 17-years-old, won three World Cups, scored more than 1,208 goals, only him.

"Then until now nobody did this, to me, Pele is the best. You can mention players that played for 10 years, for example [Franz] Beckenbauer, [Michel] Platini, [Eric] Cantona, Bobby Charlton, George Best, then come [Diego] Maradona, Zico.

"Those players used to play a long time. Now the players they play one year, two years, then disappear."

The Brazilian is understood to have a frosty relationship with Argentinean icon Diego Maradona, also seen as one of the all-time greats, and his comments come just days after Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi notched his 50th goal of the season for the Spanish giants.

Pele lifted the World Cup three times but regards the Brazil team that triumphed in Mexico 1970 as the finest side South America has ever produced.

"In 1958, 1962, Brazil had excellent individuals," he added. "We had Garrincha, we had Didi, Djalma Santos. Also Pele, [Mario] Zagallo were excellent players. But as a team all together I think 1970 was no doubt the best team."

Brazil will host the tournament in 2014 and despite concerns regarding the stadiums set to be used, Pele insists his country will be ready.

He said: "Of course they [the stadiums] will be ready. The state of San Paulo ... we don't decide yet, we don't start [building] the stadium yet. This I think is a little bad for the reputation of Brazil, for the reputation of those who work for Brazil. That's my worry."

The current honorary president of the New York Cosmos, having played for the American club after a lengthy spell with Santos, is also determined to help soccer grow in the United States.

"They wanted to make soccer big in the United States. That was the reason I come back to play. Then I start my mission. Now I am here because of this," he remarked. "We are going to revive New York Cosmos, to be fantastic. Because [when when I started] with New York Cosmos [football] became a very big sport in the U.S., and now we come back."