By Toby Prince
Brazil legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, has disclosed he would prefer to play for Arsenal than Chelsea if he was still in his goalscoring prime.
Pele – regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time – spent the majority of his illustrious career with Santos between 1956 and 1974, winning two Copa Libertadores trophies and six Brazilian league titles among others.
The three-time FIFA World Cup winner, who also doubles as both FIFA/IOC player/athlete of the century, has never hidden his admiration for Barcelona, but the 74-year-old nominated Arsenal and not their London rivals as his team of choice in England.
“Arsenal would be a good team to play for,” Pele told Telegraph. “I like the teams that play open football. Today it is difficult to decide which teams play that way.
“Barcelona are the closest in style to Santos and are almost the same style as Brazil in 1970.
“Between Chelsea and Arsenal? I would play for Arsenal if I had the chance.”
