Pele said in an interview with The Times of London Wednesday that the fabled team fondly remembered as the embodiment of the Brazilian football philosophy known as the 'beautiful game,' would beat Parreira's side.

"It would be a tough game but I think we would win," Pele told the newspaper in an interview when asked how the 1970 team would fare against the 2006 squad.

"Our forwards are more organised than them. We have a better attack. Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Gerson -- I think we are more organised."

But Pele's comments drew a cool response from Parreira, who ironically was one of the 1970 team's fitness coaches. Ironically, it was involvement in the 1970 World Cup that inspired Parreira to follow a career in coaching.

"I've said several times that I'd find it very hard to compare different times," said Parreira at a press conference. "I am very happy for Pele, knowing that he has the ability to do that. But I am not able to do that."

Despite his assessment of the 1970 team's superiority over their modern-day counterparts, Pele said there were several members of the 2006 squad that could have held down first team places 36 years ago.

"If Ronaldo was in shape he might have made our team," said Pele. "Ronaldinho and Kaka too, Emerson maybe," he added.

Parreira however said comparisons were futile.

"Thirty-six years is a long time in football," Parreira said.