Pele Compares Himself to Beethoven, Says Neymar Will Never Replace Him as 'King'

Pele is universally considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time, and it certainly looks like he thinks that himself.

The Brazil legend recently did a media blitz in the UK and is now in Australia, and he wasn't exactly modest when he talked to Goal from Down Under. 

The football website asked Pele if Brazil's current star Neymar could replace him as the country's favourite player, and Pele was having none of it: 

"

I think not. I think to be the new king, the new Pele, is impossible. Because my mother and my father closed the machine. I think he's a good player, an excellent young player and he's going to be a big star, no doubt.

"

When asked if he could compete with modern stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele answered in the affirmative, suggesting he was the football equivalent of Beethoven. 

"

If you ask, would Beethoven be important now? Of course. If I was in this moment and prepared to play in this moment. The thing people forget is I was given a gift to play football, this is something no one can judge.

"

I suppose if anybody is entitled to have such confidence in their own ability, it is Pele.

[Goal]