NEW YORK, July 11 - Pele, who helped stir U.S. interest in soccer when he joined the New York Cosmos in the 1970s, said on Wednesday that David Beckham can help promote the game but had better be prepared to work hard.
Beckham, the 32-year-old England midfielder who spent the last four seasons at Real Madrid, has generated a huge buzz since signing a lucrative deal to play for Major Soccer League's Los Angeles Galaxy, who will formally introduce him on Friday.
"Everybody knows David Beckham is a good player. He's very well known all over the world and I think he could help soccer in the United States," said Pele, who was promoting the "Read Futbol Mundial" project that encourages children to read.
Pele, however, had a word of caution for Beckham, noting the standard of play in the United States had grown considerably since his pioneering days in the North American Soccer League.
"But I advise him ... it will be very difficult to play because the teams are very good. They mark very well. Be prepared, be in good condition because it is not easy to play in the United States. The football is now at a high level.
"In my time it was a little different. It was more complicated," Pele told Reuters. "I came here to start (the professional game). The football here was just amateur and college. The football has grown a lot over here.
"I had the opportunity to play with great players -- (Franz) Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Giorgio Chinaglia, (Johan) Cruyff. This motivated the kids, the people, to come into the game.
"Now Beckham has to continue the work."
The Brazilian suggested Beckham just might bring the right mix of celebrity and skill to accomplish the mission in the U.S., whose national team has reached the last five World Cups.
"He is one of the players in the last 10 years who has most promoted himself and the football," Pele said with a laugh.
"Since he left England for Real Madrid, it's always like this. His wife is an entertainer, she was a singer. This made Beckham now become a showman."
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业53:语法专练十二之连词和状语从句
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业6:Unit 1《Cultural relics》(新人教版必修2)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业52:语法专练十二之连词和状语从句
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业49:语法专练九之情态动词和虚拟语气
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业29:Unit 4《Global warming》(新人教版选修6)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业43:语法专练三之代词
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业41:语法专练一之名词
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业38:Unit 3《Inventors and inventions》(新人教版选修8)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业55:语法专练十五之交际用语
2017届高考英语一轮复习精品课件:Unit 4《Making the news》(新人教版必修5湖北专用)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业35:Unit5 《Travelling abroad》(新人教版选修7)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业33:Unit 3《Under the sea》(新人教版选修7)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业47:语法专练七之动词的时态和语态
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业48:语法专练八之非谓语动词
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业19:Unit 4《Body language》(新人教版必修4)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业44:语法专练四之形容词与副词
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业5:Unit5 《Nelson Mandela—a modern hero》(新人教版必修1)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业10:Unit 4《Wildlife protection》(新人教版必修2)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业8:Unit 3《Computers》(新人教版必修2)
2017届高考英语一轮复习精品课件:Unit 4《Global warming》(新人教版选修6湖北专用)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业18:Unit 3《A taste of English humour》(新人教版必修4)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业30:Unit5 《The power of nature》(新人教版选修6)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业34:Unit 4《Sharing》(新人教版选修7)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业4:Unit 4《Earthquakes》(新人教版必修1)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业17:Unit 2《Working the land》(新人教版必修4)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业1:Unit 1《Friendship》(新人教版必修1)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业42:语法专练二之冠词
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业23:Unit 3《Life in the future》(新人教版必修5)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业21:Unit 1《Great scientists》(新人教版必修5)
2017届高三英语一轮复习课时作业45:语法专练五之介词及介词短语