At 70 years old, Pele is making a return to the pitch for a meaningful competition.
And this is not a joke.
The Brazil legend could be back playing for Santos at the Club World Cup as the team's marketing executive Armeio Neto refused to rule out the intriguing scenario despite suggestions out of Brazil that it's not going to happen.
Folha de Sao Paulo reports the club's ambition would be to see the former striker return to action in a potential final against Spanish giants Barcelona.
"I don't doubt anything," Neto said. "It also depends on the coach. If Pele is a boost to the team then why not?"
Neto believes having Lionel Messi and Pele on the same pitch as opponents would generate great financial interest in the event to be held in Japan. But Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has left the final decision to coach Muricy Ramalho.
"We still need to see what happens with the coach as it's his decision," said Ribeiro. "Of course, even though Pele trains, he would not be able to play for a long time, but one can imagine him coming on at the end of the game to take a penalty."
Pele has reportedly already started training so he can be fit in time for the tournament in December.
