Asked about comparisons between his fellow Brazilian and England teenager Wayne Rooney, Scolari said: "One is black, the other is white.

"I think Rooney is a good player, but Pele? There will only ever be one in the world."

"You couldn't even make another with a computer."

Striker Rooney, 18, has scored four goals at the European championship, a performance described by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson as the best by a young player at a major championship since 17-year-old Pele shone for Brazil at the 1958 World Cup.

England face hosts Portugal in Thursday's semi-final in Lisbon.

"Our players have profound admiration for his (Rooney's) quality, they respect him a lot and some of his qualities could be fatal for our team," said Scolari.

"But he doesn't play alone, he's part of a group."

"We're worried about England with all their attributes, all their potential. He's a great player, enjoying an excellent spell but he's part of a team very well organised by Eriksson."

Scolari avoided any direct comparisons with his own teenage forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

He praised England's Michael Owen and David Beckham, both struggling for form, for their team spirit.

"Rooney and Ronaldo have different characteristics but are two great players."

"Beckham and Owen play for the team. They're not worried about their individual performances, about being the stars."

"They want to work for the group and I value this much more than if one of them were the big star."