Pele's image within Brazil is very different from how he is seen abroad. Photo / AP
Earlier this week, Pele got stuck in traffic on his way to watch Brazil and Mexico at a party in Sao Paulo. The 73-year-old had no choice but to follow the first half of the game on the radio - the first time he has listened to a Brazil World
Cup game on the radio since before he won the competition in 1958.
Pele's failure to get to the party on time reinforced a sense that Brazil's greatest player is out of synch with his country. He is an ambassador for the World Cup but the association has been problematic. Shortly before the tournament started, for example, an anti-World Cup protester held up a placard with a picture of Pele and the words: "Traitor of the Century".
Pele's image within Brazil is very different from how he is seen abroad. Here, he's outspoken, says what he thinks and, because he's Pele, his comments always make the news.
On the pitch, he displayed a perfect touch. But off it, he has proved to be a master at misjudging the public mood. In Brazil, knocking the King is a national sport.
"The problem with Pele is that he got involved in so many controversies and ended up on the wrong side," said Marcelo Damato, columnist at the daily sports paper Lance! "Pele's image is very damaged."
