Pelé at Downing Street for football initiative

(AFP) –

LONDON — It was a case of No 10 at No 10 when Brazil great Pele turned up at the official residence of the British Prime Minister on Wednesday to help promote a youth football programme.

Pele, who wore the No 10 shirt for the bulk of an international career where he was a key member of three Brazil World Cup-winning teams, was at No 10 Downing Street to meet youngsters who are taking part in Street League, a charity which aims to help young people gain qualifications, find jobs and stay away from crime.

The 70-year-old Pele was on hand to watch a kickabout in the Downing Street garden and afterwards he told reporters: "I'm proud to be here, it's fantastic. I'm very honoured.

"In Brazil, we start playing football in the street, so to support the kids here is great.

"Many kids from the street see the game of football and they turn away from the drugs and from the bad scene, which is very important."

Street League's Marco Dejesus, 19, from Tulse Hill, south London, spoke to Pele in the footballer's native Portuguese.

"Meeting him was fantastic, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something I can tell my grandchildren," Dejesus said.

"I had a little conversation with him in Portuguese -- both my parents are from Madeira.

"He gave me a big hug and was happy I spoke the language.

"He's a huge hero of anyone who plays football. He's the world's greatest."

Pele, an ambassador for his former club the New York Cosmos, is in Britain to attend the American side's match with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday that will mark Red Devils' midfielder Paul Scholes's testimonial.

Brazil will stage the next World Cup in 2014.

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