England: Beauty does not always triumph, Pele

Brazil legend Pele does not believe England live up to his definition of "beautiful" football - but admits it is not always the sides that play with the most style which win major tournaments.

Pele, who starred in the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old and was instrumental in Brazil winning their third global crown in 1970, clearly sees England as an effective unit but does not find Fabio Capello's men one of the more pleasing sides to watch.

He said: "I believe that there are certain teams, Germany, Italy and England, play a certain kind of game - a good game, a strong game.

"They don't focus on playing the beautiful game, they play a more defensive and decisive game. That is difficult for us to imagine."

Asked who he felt most reminded him of the free-flowing Brazil side of 1970, Pele said: "We do have countries and teams playing the beautiful game. I include Spain, Portugal, Holland.

"Unfortunately in World Cup history it's not always the team that plays beautiful football that wins, this is because the World Cup takes place over a short one-month period, seven games, so it's pretty tough.

"This happened to the Brazil team in 1982. They played a beautiful game but they didn't win, and the same thing happened to Holland in 1974 and 1978.

"It is not only important to play the beautiful game, it is important to but also to be a champion."

Pele, who was speaking at the launch of a new Pele Sports merchandising event, has long been keen to see African football flourish.

"My dream would be to see Brazil face an African team in the final of the 2010 World Cup," he added.