Pele Picks Best Living Players
As part of FIFA’s centennial celebration, a list of the 125 greatest living players was revealed Thursday by possibly the greatest player of all time, Pele.
The Brazilian, who was asked by soccer’s world governing body to compile the list, rightfully included himself among the greatest and said it was extremely difficult to keep it limited to 125. Pele persuaded FIFA officials to increase the number from 100.
“I did my best,” he said. “I asked if we could have 1,000 players, but I was told it should be only 100. I could have picked 100 from Brazil.”
Brazil, a five-time World Cup winner, had the most players selected with 15. Among the active players picked were: Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
There are 14 players each from Italy and France on the list, 13 from the Netherlands, 10 each from Germany and Argentina, and seven from England.
The only United States players selected were Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, also the only women represented on the list.
“Women’s football in the world is very important,” Pele said. “We have the World Cup, the United States is world champion twice. This confused the people who were working with me, but it was my choice, my idea.”
Other players on the list included Galaxy defender Hong Myung-Bo of South Korea, former Major League Soccer players Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria, Carlos Valderrama of Colombia and Lothar Matthaeus of Germany, Galaxy technical advisor Juergen Klinsmann of Germany, former L.A. Aztec player George Best of Northern Ireland and striker Hugo Sanchez of Mexico.
Players Arrested
Nine players from English Premier League club Leicester City were arrested in Spain, and six spent the night in jail after allegations of sexual assault by three women.
The six players detained were Paul Dickov, Matt Elliott, Lilian Nalis, Frank Sinclair, Keith Gillespie and James Scowcroft, according to Sky Sports News in England. None of the six players in custody has been charged, although all will appear in court today.
Leicester Chief Executive Tim Davies said every player has denied the allegations.
The team was in Spain for a midseason training camp at the La Manga complex, where the San Jose Earthquakes and MetroStars of MLS have participated in the La Manga Cup this week.
Quick Passes
The MetroStars announced they have acquired Jamaican national team forward Fabian Taylor as a transitional international player, pending the player’s approval for a visa.... FIFA ordered Real Madrid to pay $12.2 million more to Inter Milan for the 2002 acquisition of Ronaldo of Brazil, rejecting an appeal.... As expected, England’s Southampton hired Paul Sturrock as its coach.
-- Compiled by Jim Barrero
