Pele backs Brazil for sixth

Footballing legend Pele said on Monday that Brazil are favourites to win the World Cup in Russia, four years on from their humiliation on home soil.

Pele insisted that new coach Tite has formed a team ready to put his country's painful memories to rest.

"Those who are Brazilian and believe in Brazil always point to Brazil as the favourites," the 77-year-old said while attending the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro league.

The Selecao romped to qualification as winners of the South American group, with Tite building an exciting side.

"One of the good things that happened was the arrival of Tite, he's making a team," Pele added. "In the last World Cup we had the best players in the world but the team was disorganised. It seems that now we'll have a team and a Selecao that gives us confidence."

Pele also claimed that modern football produces fewer great players than in his era, despite the presence of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

"Today, there are only three players who really stand out; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar," he said.

"Before, at the time of Cruyff or Beckenbauer, there were three in each team."