Brazilian legend Pele says he is concerned by the form of the country's playmaker Kaka heading into the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Kaka experienced a difficult first season at Real Madrid as he suffered from poor form and a succession of fitness problems. He was overshadowed by fellow new signing Cristiano Ronaldo and will come up against his team-mate in Group G when Brazil face Portugal.
While Brazil coach Dunga has forged a Brazil side that is less dependent on flair than its predecessors, with Ronaldinho failing to make the squad at all, Kaka is the key creative influence on the side and Pele is praying he hits his stride at the finals.
"Kaka worries me," Pele said. "He is very important to our team. He is a key player for our attack and midfield. But God willing he will be in good form."
Pele is somewhat notorious for his poor predictions heading into World Cups but the former striker, who won the competition three times, believes this year that playing beautiful football may not be sufficient to succeed.
"I believe that there are certain teams, Germany, Italy and England, play a certain kind of game - a good game, a strong game," Pele said. "They don't focus on playing the beautiful game, they play a more defensive and decisive game. That is difficult for us to imagine.
"We do have countries and teams playing the beautiful game. I include Spain, Portugal, Holland. Unfortunately in World Cup history it's not always the team that plays beautiful football that wins, this is because the World Cup takes place over a short one-month period, seven games, so it's pretty tough.
"This happened to the Brazil team in 1982. They played a beautiful game but they didn't win, and the same thing happened to Holland in 1974 and 1978. It is not only important to play the beautiful game, it is important to but also to be a champion."
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