England have had many fine players over the years. Great names like Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, and Wayne Rooney spring to mind when recalling Three Lions legends of the past.
The same, if not more, can be said of Brazil. Pele, Garrincha, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho have all helped the South American giants become the most successful footballing nation on the planet (with five World Cups).
While La Selecao are undoubtedly a superior team when it comes to the history of the sport (certainly when based on major trophies won), some English players have still left a notable impression on Brazilians over the years. In 2002, Pele even remarked that two centre-backs were "fantastic".
Pele Was Impressed by Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand in 2002
The Brazilian legend signed the English duo out for praise
Pele was speaking ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Brazil when he took the opportunity to bring up the names of Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand. As noted by journalist Paul Hayward in the Telegraph, the Brazilian icon had singled out the two Englishmen for special praise. He revealed:
'The names of Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand had also been marked out in his files with a highlighter pen. "The two centre-backs - fantastic," he muttered. The small audience was of mixed nationality, so there can be no suspicion that Pele, the eternal diplomat, was trying to please English ears.'
Although Pele felt the duo deserved the respect of the Brazilian players, the Three Lions ultimately came unstuck against their quarter-final opposition. Indeed, a painful exit to the 2002 World Cup would follow for England.
Michael Owen would net an opener before Rivaldo levelled things on the stroke of half-time. Ferdinand and Campbell – who started as the centre-back pairing – were then powerless as Ronaldinho looped a free kick over David Seaman's head and into the back of the net. This was enough to seal a 2-1 victory and send Brazil on their way to their fifth and most recent World Cup triumph.
Pele during a press conference Related
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Not many would have expected such praise from the Brazilian legend.
Pele was correct to identify their talent
Despite never achieving quite what they hoped to in the intentional game, but Ferdinand and Campbell had fantastic careers. Shortly after the World Cup, the younger defender would join Manchester United. He would go on to prove himself as a club legend at Old Trafford, playing 456 games and winning six Premier League titles, plus a Champions League trophy during his time with the Red Devils.
Just a year before 2002, Campbell had controversially left Tottenham Hotspur for rivals Arsenal. Like his English centre-back partner, he too would become a club icon, winning two league titles and three FA Cups, while also being a key member of the Invincibles side.
Although the pair were well on their way to the top at that stage of their careers, they still had some way to go. Evidently then, Pele's talent identification was spot on as he understood that the English duo were destined for greatness.