You knew you were in the presence of greatness.
Pele had an aura which filled any room and it could easily leave you feeling more than a little intimidated.
I remember flying to Switzerland ahead of the 2010 World Cup to interview Pele for the Daily Mirror.
And those sort of special assignments leave you feeling nervous because he was such a legendary figure. The likes of Pele and Muhammad Ali transcend sport (more of that later).
But the magical thing about Pele was his warmth, his style - even at 69, as he was back then, he wore the most stylish suede jacket - and his pure love of the game.
We talked about Wayne Rooney’s potential, an African nation one day winning the World Cup (that was his biggest dream) and Spain being the standout team. He felt obliged to mention Brazil but it was Spain who went on to win the trophy, of course.
But the most interesting part of the conversation was about why he stayed at Santos for 18 years when so many big European clubs wanted to sign him. The blight of greed in the modern game and why modern day players no longer show such loyalty.
Pele began his answer by mockingly kissing an imaginary club badge and said: “A lot of players don't play for the love of the game. It's normal now to see players playing for six months or even three months with one team then they change team. They go for the money.
“The players go to another team, they're at the presentation and they say: 'I love Real Madrid', then two months later they move to Arsenal or Man United and two months later at the presentation, they say: 'I love this club.’
“This is the biggest shame in football. I stayed at Santos for so long because I loved the game. I had chances to go to Italy, Spain, wherever. But now players get lots of offers and proposals, and move more for money.”
This was a player who played for the love of the game. My favourite ever Pele moment was from the 1970 World Cup, Brazil v Uruguay. Pele runs through, sells the keeper a dummy, Pele goes one way, the ball goes the other and Pele then drags it wide.
If he had scored, it would have been one of the greatest goals of all time. In my mind, it is still one of the greatest pieces of skill of all time. It was instant improvised genius.
The debate now is whether Pele, Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time. Pele is the first name in that conversation because he was the first of his type, a trailblazer and he won the World Cup three times. In terms of achievements, Pele is unparalleled.
Back in 2014, an agent friend of mine launched a new company which was headed up by Pele. I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch party. As a gift, a few of us were given a personally signed copy of the iconic photograph where Pele embraces Muhammad Ali.
It takes pride of place opposite my dining table. This Christmas Eve, one of my young nephews asked me about it. I explained it was the two greatest sportsmen of all time. He listened and learned. It shows that Pele is still making an impact on children today.
Whatever your views on who was the greatest player, no-one will ever match Pele’s legacy. Ali’s impact on the world as we know it today cannot be in doubt. The same goes for Pele.
