Expect surprises in Russia declares Pele

*sets final target for Brazil

Brazil legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento otherwise called Pele, has described football as a box of surprises because of the uncertainties inherent in the game. Pele who is marking 60th anniversary of his first world cup triumph noted that is normal to reel out big names as favorites ahead of any world cup but observed that the element of surprises cannot be wished away.

The 77 year old former Santos forward who made world cup appearance as age 17, predicted that there would upsets in Russia especially given the shock of Italy's failure to qualify for the event.

"Always we select the biggest names [as favourites], like Argentina, Italy, England, Spain," he said. "But football is a box of surprises and it's difficult to say. This World Cup, the teams are very even. You wouldn't have one big team.

"Then you have some surprises. Italy is out. For football, it's not good. Then you have two or three great teams who didn't qualify. As I mentioned, football is always a box of surprises,” he said

Although 60 years has rolled by since he first made appearance at the world cup in 1958, the 7-time Ballon d'Or winner still recalls the first time with nostalgia

"I played four World Cups. The first one always is a little special, because I didn't expect it, because I was 17 years old," he added.

"My father was a football player too and when my father came to my house after work, he said 'listen, you have been selected for the national team of Brazil'. I said 'Daddy, don't make a joke'. He said 'no, no, no, it's not a joke, it's true'. I started to cry, because it was a big surprise to me."

With 59 days to the world cup, Pele who is a strong believer in Neymar's ability expressed hope that the PSG forward would used his second chance at the world cup to shine.

"The last World Cup in Brazil, he got the injury, and Brazil lost. I think this is a great, great opportunity for him to recover. I think he's a good player. Let's see if he can help Brazil [win] this World Cup."

Pele believes Brazil boast the best collection of individual talents in the world and now hopes Tite can fit them into a strong system in time for their first group game against Switzerland on June 17.

"Everybody knows Brazil have the best individual players in Europe," he said. "I think our coach, Tite, has had little time to set up the team. We have three months to set up the team. Tite is a very good coach, but he doesn't yet have the team working together. This will be a short time for them. "But individual players, no doubt Brazil has a team to get to the final of the World Cup, he enthused despite the element of surprises.