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Favorite tag could hurt Brazil's World Cup chances

(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-22 10:05

LONDON -- Pelebelievesit will be harder for Brazil to win a sixth World Cup because it is the favorite.

Brazilian former soccer star Pele attends launch of his book "Pele - The Autobiography" in central London. [Reuters]

Pressure, high expectations and bad luck have cost many past favorites, and the 2002 World Cup winner faces the same hurdle, Pele said during a visit to Britain to promote his new autobiography "Pele."

"That's the big problem," he told The Associated Press. "Today the big opponent of Brazil is being the favorite. Always in the World Cup, the favorite doesn't succeed."

The 65-year-old Pele, who won three World Cups for Brazil as a player, listed several teams who were tripped up after being tabbed the favorite. He cited the 1982 Brazilian team _ Italy beat Germany in the final that year _ and the Dutch teams of 1974 and 1978.

"If you remember in the last World Cup in Korea and Japan, Italy and France were favorites from Europe and Argentina was the best team from South America, and neither qualified from their groups," he said.

The soccer icon said England's decision to select unknown 17-year-old striker Theo Walcott isn't the same as when he was selected at 17 for the 1958 finals.

Pele made his debut for his hometown club Santos at 15, and played for Brazil against Argentina at 16, months before leading his country to its first World Cup victory in Sweden, scoring in the final against the host. Walcott has yet to play a single game for his team, Arsenal in the English Premier League.

"He has never played. He is going to be right in a big competition like the World Cup without having experience," Pele said. "Nobody can expect him to come onto the field and save his team."