Footy icon Pele wants snooker to be Olympic sport because Brazil would win gold

Football legend Pelé believes snooker should be included in the Olympic Games and that Brazil would win gold medals.

The former striker – who many argue is the greatest player of all time – is a big fan of the baize.

Snooker is enormously popular in Brazil. The country’s top player Igor Figueiredo plays on the pro tour and is ranked 75th in the world. Pelé, 80, thinks the game should be recognised at the Olympics and snooker fans are delighted to have his backing.

He wrote on Instagram: “Who agrees that snooker should be in the Olympic Games? I’m sure we have great players all over Brazil.

“We’ll win gold medals when that happens.”

One fan said: “If BMX racing can get Olympic recognition then snooker and darts should as well.”

Another added: “I agree. Brazilians are starting to play on proper match tables (12ft) and it is a question of time before we see some young talents.”

Snooker is watched by 500million people worldwide and is played in more than 100 countries.

Cue sports made bids to be part of the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, but are yet to be included.

Former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy called for the sport to be included in time for the Paris 2024 games.

"The World Championships is our pinnacle but that could change," he said in 2018.

"The cue sports family has to go into the Olympics. It is never just going to be snooker, billiards or nine-ball – it has to be them all together.

"If we could get in there and that iconic gold medal was an opportunity, I think that would be a massive game-changer."

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