Pele ‘Would Have Been Very Sad’ at the Struggling Brazil Team if He Was Alive, Says Son Edinho Before First Death Anniversary

A year has passed since the world mourned the loss of a footballing icon, the incomparable Pele. As the world marks the first anniversary of the legendary soccer player’s passing, his son, Edinho, opens up about what could have been Brazil’s stance in world soccer now. Edinho paints a melancholy picture of the Brazilian national team and suggests that Pele would have been saddened by the Brazilian team’s struggles, if alive today.

The Selecao, once a force of nature sculpted by Pele’s magic, stumbles through a turbulent phase, leaving fans craving for a glimpse of the golden era. Let’s delve deeper and explore what Pele’s son said about this current state.

Hypothetical disappointment of Pele, as reflected by his son

Edinho, one of Pele’s seven children, pulls back the curtain on the Brazilian nation’s soccer turmoil. Brazil is grappling in the qualifying stages for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, occupying sixth place in the South American table. The absence of their star player, Neymar Jr., further deepened their woes. Edinho, in an exclusive interview, revealed the words that carry the weight of familiar insight. “This crisis didn’t appear overnight, there are big and complex problems,” said 53-year-old Edinho.

Edinho traces the current decline and emphasizes that despite still having talented players in the squad, the lineup fails in comparison to yesteryears. He also asserted with conviction about how his father would have felt about this situation. “We are experiencing a decline… we still have great players, but in previous times we had more high-level players than we do today. There is no doubt, if (Pele) had been there this year, he would have been very sad,” Edinho claimed.

Pele’s son’s words echo the concerns of the nation, especially those who remember the glory days achieved by them. The electrifying footwork of Garrincha, the clinical finishing of Ronaldo Fenomeno, and the artistry of Romario were all woven into the team that orchestrated the legacy of Pele’s genius. As Brazil prepares to come out of this slumber, it’ll be fascinating to see how they crawl back to earn fans’ hearts, once again. Yet, there is a fresh problem that surfaced on the shores of Rio. 

READ MORE: Neymar Suffers a Heartbreak at Home As Santos FC Gets Relegated For the 1st Time in 111 Years

Brazil faces suspension threat from FIFA!

Notably, the trouble has now extended to the administrative realm. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) faces potential suspension from FIFA due to irregularities in its recent elections, which led to the removal of the federation’s president. FIFA, historically against third-party interference, could impose several sanctions, including a ban from international competitions.

If such a scenario unfolds, Selecao would miss the 2024 Copa America and exclude its clubs from the Copa Libertadores. It adds a layer of complexity to Brazil’s soccer narrative and raises questions about the governance beyond the pitch.

Brazil will return to action when they face England in the international friendlies in March 2024 before participating in the Copa America in the same year. Do you think the grand soccer nation is crumbling?

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