As his home country prepares to host the 2014 World Cup this summer, soccer's “greatest player ever”—-now about to publish his latest book, Why Soccer Matte Is Nelson Mandela and his own late father ree won the first of its five World Cup trophies) ‘This day changed my life and shaped my destiny Which tolent would you most like to hove? | would love to be invisible so I could go out in pub- I life everywhere 1 go. Whot time with my also relax at my beach house or on m farm. Whet is your greatest fear? My greatest fear is poverty and injustice. 1 pay a lot of attention to underprivile children here in Brazil, and all over the world. Which historical figure do you most ntify with? Nelson Mandela, May his soul rest in peace. Which living person do you most admire? Muhammad Ali, I respect him a lot. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? | keep wishing I could still play soccer! What is the trait you most deplore in others? | do not like when people have lack of empathy and treat others with disrespect. What is your great- est extravagance? Music is my extravagance! I have written and recorded a few songs as an aspiring musician. What is your favorite jour- ney? My favorite journey is seeing my fa ther ery for the first time, when I was nine years old. He was so sad that Brazil lost the 1950 World Cup to Uruguay, That same day, [ promised 1 would win a World Cup for him one day. Bight years later, | won a World Cup for Brazil at only 17 years old. On what oc- casion do you lie? Sometimes | have to do things in order to keep my privacy, or stay incognito in public. What is your greot- ‘est regret? As a player, my biggest regret is that I have never played in the cathedral of football: Wembley Stadium, in London A lie and live 4 norn is your current state of mind? I am still work- ing a lot, but Lam very happy these days. Also, 1m very excited for the 2014 World Cup. We Brazil- jans treat soccer like a religion, and we know how to throw a good party! If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Nothin No one is perfect—that is why life is int esting. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? I miss my father every day. I wish he were still here with us. What de you consider your greatest ac meni? My greatest achievement is being able to continue giving back to the sport that gave so much to me. What is your most treasured possession? I have so many great memories, and I have saved many items from over the years which will go into a museum one day. Where would you like to live? I have been all over the world, but I always return to Santos. I have spent most of my life here and love it. What is your favorite occupation? | love to fish, cook, and play the guitar, What is your most marked characteristic? My hair has not changed in S0 years. No matter where 1 go, if Fm not wearing a hat, I tend to get recognized very quickly. What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty. Most of my friends have been around me for decades. What are your favorite names? Celeste It is the name of my mother and the a VaRSaa. BREE de STOTk vwusreMgbile Dog,Scanner de www.stoik. mobi What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family. When and where were you happiest? June 29, 1958, in Sweden (when Brazil Ma | VANITY FAIR | wwnsoniyal.com