Los Angeles Galaxy captain David Beckham leads his team onto the field before playing D.C. United in their SuperLiga semi-final soccer match in Carson, California Aug. 15, 2007.(File Photo: Xinhua/Reuters) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Brazilian soccer icon Pele thinks American fans were misled by publicity that declared British soccer star David Beckham is a prolific scorer of goals.

    The former Engl and captain signed a five-year, 32.5 million U.S. dollar pact with the Los Angeles Galaxy and was unveiled in July as the savior of professional soccer in the United States. But his greatest impact this season has been on ticket sales and merchandise, not on the field.

    "They announced him as a scorer of goals," Pele told The Associated Press. "He isn't a goal scorer. That was a mistake."

    After playing an exhibition match in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday night, Beckham said "everybody in the world knows I'm not a goal scorer."

    "The Galaxy wouldn't have come out and said that," Beckham said. "Like I said, everyone has got their own opinions. Pele is a great player and a great ambassador for the game."

    The 32-year-old Beckham is more adept at delivering crosses and setting up teammates. In five league games, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder scored one goal — from a trademark free kick — before being ruled out with a knee injury for seven weeks.

    Pele, a three-time World Cup-winning Brazil striker, generated similar publicity for the North America Soccer League when he made his debut for the New York Cosmos in 1975.

    "The first year was very tough for me because Cosmos was a young team," Pele said. "Later on we had Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto. We set up a good team."

    (Agencies)