Pele set to visit India to grace Subroto Cup final

Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele is set to visit India for the first time in 38 years, the 74-year old confirmed on Monday, 7 September. Widely regarded as the greatest ever footballer, Edson Arantes do Nascimento will be in New Delhi as the chief guest for the final of the 56th edition of Subroto Cup, India's national-level inter-school football tournament organised by the Indian Air Force.

Pele had earlier visited the country with his team New York Cosmos in 1977 to play an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan. The three-time World Cup winner confirmed the news of his visit through a video message on Monday.

"I am looking forward to meeting the young footballers participating in the Subroto Cup and celebrating the world's greatest sport with the children of India," he said.

"It is such an honour for me to be able to make this trip. India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there many years ago, the fans were fantastic," Pele added.

It is being speculated that he will also be a guest of honour in Atletico de Kolkata's opening game in Indian Super League (ISL) in October, and meet former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly at a function in the city.

The Subroto Cup will be held from September 11 to October 16 and will see participation of more than 100 school/youth teams from India and across the world, including a team from Pele's former club Santos FC.

Watch the legendary footballer talk about his upcoming visit to India in the video below:

(With inputs from PTI)