Brazil legend Pele has labelled Spain as the best team in the world, but is unsure if they will defend their World Cup crown.
Pele says he has monitored Vicente del Bosque s side ever since their rise to prominence ahead of Euro 2008.
And though Spain are able to boast a host of individual talent at their disposal, Pele believes it is their team ethic that has been key to their success.
I admire them because I have followed the national team since four or five years ago, Pele said.
All of those years, they have played very good. They have a nice team. It s not only individual players.
Whether those same figures can become the first European nation to lift the World Cup on South American soil, however, is a different matter altogether.
But, whatever the outcome, Pele is convinced they will be among the strongest contenders at the tournament.
No doubt, they ll be one of the best teams in Brazil, he said.
No doubt. If they don t have injuries, today, they are the most organised team in the world.
The 71-year-old also spoke about his nation s chances, saying Brazil needed to form a cohesive team in order to do well.
Sometimes, you have excellent players, but you do not have a team, Pele said.
I think what Brazil needs is a team. We ve played several games. More or less, we ve played good and then we ve played bad.
