Brazilian football legend Pele right) signs autographs on a ball as Thomas Flock, the director general of Qatar's Aspire Sports Academy, looks on, in Doha, yesterday. - ReutersDOHA, (Reuters):
CRISTIANO RONALDO needs to stay at his peak for another two years before he can be called one of the world's greatest players, according to Pele.
The great Brazilian, who won three World Cups, told Reuters the Portugal winger, who has been in inspired form for Manchester United this season, was "one of the good players" but it was too soon to call him one of the best in the world.
'Too soon'
In a wide-ranging interview, Pele said, "To mention him as one of the best players in the world is very soon ... We have Kaka, who plays very well, too ...
"Four or five years ago, we had Ronaldinho in good shape. We have to wait a little bit. Let's see, in one or two more years, if they keep at the same level."
United manager Alex Ferguson recently compared Ronaldo'sskills to those of Pele and Diego Maradona, whose individual talent inspired Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986.
Ferguson said Ronaldo, who last week agreed to a new five-year contract with the Premier League leaders, should try to emulate the two South Americans.
Pele was speaking at the launch of Doha's Aspire Academy, a programme to give talented African students a chance to study, and train at one of the world's most advanced sports academies.
Turning to the World Cup, Pele sounded a note of caution about Brazil's bid to host the 2014 finals, now unopposed since the withdrawal of Colombia.
He cited the problems South Africa has faced since winning the right to stage the 2010 tournament.
"Africa has a little problem because everybody fights - and everybody worked hard to see the World Cup in Africa - and then it's a little complicated, the situation there," he said.
"I hope Brazil will be prepared because today to organise a World Cup is very expensive. It's very difficult because it's 32 countries, it's not so easy."
