Healthy Pele touts Copa tournament

Brazilian soccer legend Pele said on Thursday he has "happily recovered" from a recent health scare.

The 74-year-old spent time in intensive care late last year because of a urinary tract infection and had to undergo physiotherapy to recover some of the muscle mass lost during his hospital stay.

"I want to thank God because I have my health and I'm here before you all," Pele said while visiting a slum in Santiago.

"I feel blessed because with health you can do it all."

The three-time World Cup champion said his recovery now feels like "the most important medal." But he joked that although fit, he's not ready to play in the Copa America tournament that kicks off in Chile in June.

Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He is a national hero in Brazil and remains a global ambassador for the game.

During his visit to the Parcelas de Mapuhue, a trash-strewn slum of wooden shacks with tin roofs, he remembered his humble origins, shared laughs with residents and gave children stuffed yellow foxes that are the mascot of the Copa America.

"There are still way too many families living in poverty in Latin America. It's a tragic reality and I've worked throughout my life to raise awareness of this situation," said Pele, whose visit was organized by Techo, a youth-led nonprofit organization and Santander bank.

Pele said he was glad to return to the Andean country where he won the World Cup in 1962 and is now looking forward to the Copa America, which will be played in eight Chilean cities.

He declined to name a favorite to win, but didn't hesitate to name Argentina's Lionel Messi as his pick for the best player in the world.

Challenge to Barca stars

Pele is looking forward to a star-studded Copa America tournament this summer - but has challenged Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar to reproduce their best club form at international level.

The three-time World Cup winner said the June 11-July 4 tournament in Chile promised to be a "Copa of Stars" with Messi and Neymar being joined by the likes of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

"These days the individual players are better known than the teams," Pele said. "It's going to be a 'Copa of Stars', no doubt."

However Pele questioned whether Argentina captain Messi and Brazil talisman Neymar would be able to hit the heights of their best club form.

Despite leading Argentina to the World Cup final last year, Messi is often accused of failing to sparkle in the famous jersey of the Albiceleste.

Pele also questioned whether the 27-year-old would be in top form for the competition.

"When he's in Spain, with Barcelona, with a team he already knows and knows well, he's a player," Pele said.

"But Messi when he's with the Argentinian team is not the same thing," the icon said.

"It's a different way of playing - the Argentinian team is not organized the same way. The same thing happens with Neymar and Brazil."

Pele said that Argentina and host Chile would start among the favorites.

"Today soccer is very even - you can't say who will win," he said. "With computers and television, everyone knows everything about their opponents.

"It's hard to say who will reach the final."