I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint.

Wherever you go, there are three icons that everyone knows: Jesus Christ, Pele and Coca-Cola.

Everything on earth is a game. A passing thing. We all end up dead. We all end up the same, don't we?

Nelson Mandela was one of the most influential people in my life. He was my hero, my friend, and also a companion to me in our fight for the people and for world peace. Let us all continue his legacy with purpose and passion.

There is always someone out there getting better than you by training harder than you.

When I was playing, they said soccer was a man's world and women should remain on the sidelines, all I can say is I'm glad I never had to go up against Mia Hamm

The first World Cup I remember was in the 1950 when I was 9 or 10 years old. My father was a soccer player, and there was a big party, and when Brazil lost to Uruguay, I saw my father crying.