LONDON ? Brazil great Pele played down his feud with Brazilian FA chief Ricardo Teixeira Tuesday, saying the most important thing was that his country stage a memorable World Cup in 2014. Speaking at the announcement of an opus for his former club New York Cosmos in London, the 70-year-old also said he was confident Brazil?s preparations to stage the tournament were on track despite some ?scares? regarding stadiums and transport. Pele, arguably the best player ever, was initially snubbed by Teixeira for the draw for the preliminary rounds of the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro Saturday. However, Pele did play a role after being appointed his country?s international World Cup ambassador by Brazil?s President Dilma Rousseff. ?Everybody has enemies, even when you don?t know,? Pele told reporters in the Dorchester Hotel. ?The most important thing is that we have an excellent World Cup in Brazil. This doesn?t affect the football, we are just going to work hard. ?(Teixeira) has some small problems with journalists but so does Mr. Blatter and FIFA is still there. I just want to make it clear, I haven?t had an argument with Teixeira. I respect him.? Earlier this year Pele said Brazil risked ?embarrassment? after delays in building stadiums, particularly the Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo which is planned to host the opening match, and improving the country?s rickety transport system. While still concerned, Pele sounded more upbeat Tuesday. ?We were a little worried because as you know we worked hard for two years to get the vote for the World Cup then we had political problems, especially in Sao Paulo,? he said. ?Until now Sao Paulo was a problem, whether we would have a game there, the final. We were worried about it because Sao Paulo is the capital of football in Brazil. ?But last week the president called me and we are working to get everything together.? Organizers say Sao Paulo will stage the tournament?s opening match but work to enlarge the Corinthians Stadium to the 60,000-capacity required by FIFA has been hit by problems. Pele was also asked whether Neymar, a young striker at his old club Santos, would come play in the Premier League amid constant speculation linking him with a move to England. ?He?s a good player who could play in any team, but it?s hard to say if he?ll come to Europe or not,? Pele said. ?Last year he had the same proposals but he decided to play another year in Brazil. And I think it was good for him, because to play in England I think it would have been a little complicated for him. ?The style of Neymar ? in England, Germany, Italy ? it?s a little complicated because the marking is very tight. I hope he stays in Brazil until the World Cup.? ? Agencies __
