MOSCOW, June 17 — Three-time World Cup winner Pele says he would love to see Brazil play Russia in next year's World Cup football final.

Speaking at a sponsor's event in Moscow's Red Square yesterday to mark a year to go before the 2018 tournament, Pele shrugged off concerns about the form of the hosts, as well as his own country.

Pele, who won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, said a year is a long time in football, and predicted the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Russia will be strong when the competition starts in 12 months' time. — Reuters

Brazilian football legend Pele attends a news conference to present the Fifa World Cup global ‘Trophy Tour’ in Paris March 10, 2014. — Reuters pic