"Soccer life is short," said Pele in an interview published by daily O Globo, in which he mentioned that he would like to see Robinho playing his whole career in Santos, as he did.

Robinho, 21, is considered as the best Brazilian player to emerge since Ronaldinho Gaucho. He has expressed his wish to play for Real Madrid, but the Spanish club's 25-million-US dollar bidding has not been accepted by Santos, which demands double that amount.

Robson de Souza "Robinho" has stopped training and has not played since the end of Confederations Cup, won by Brazil in Germany.

Pele said, "we have to understand Robinho."

He said the kidnapping of Robinho's mother last year has made him want to leave Brazil and by playing in Europe gives Robinho a chance to assure his financial future.

According to Pele, Robinho is part of what is considered as the"best litter of players in the history of Brazil."

"To make a national team like the Brazil side that won the Mexico 1970 World Cup will be very difficult, but in individual terms, Brazil now has the best generation of players in its history," he said.