Football stars have come and gone, but football fans around the world agree that the greatest player of all time was Pele. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele has been a national icon and Brazil’s best ambassador since 1958, when he led the country to its first World Cup win. Now, with the World Cup event itself returning to Brazil after 64 years, Pele has come out with a book, Why Soccer Matters, in which he explores the recent history of the game and provides new insights into the game’s role in connecting and galvanising players around the world. In the book, co-authored with Brian Winter, a Sao Paulo-based journalist, the living legend shares his most inspiring experiences, heartwarming stories and hard-won wisdom. In an interview with Shobhan Saxena in Sao Paulo, Winter talks about the book, Pele and the future of Brazilian football. Excerpts: