Diego and Robinho take centre stage

Diego and Robinho have both been compared with Pele

Forget Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, the new Brazilian wonder-kids are here. World Football goes to Brazil to meet them....

Against all odds Santos won the Brazilian title last year, and the inspiration came from teenagers Diego and Robinho.

Brazil is always looking for the next Pele but this is the first time candidates have emerged from the great man's former club.

And this week both players were elevated to the national team for a friendly against Mexico.

They join a select group of players to win early recognition for their outstanding talent. Pele was 17 when he helped Brazil to their first World Cup in 1958, Ronaldo was summoned to the national team at the same age.

Santos have already qualified for the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores, and it's the first time they've made an impression on South America's premier club competition since the all-conquering Santos side of the 1960s.

Santos were very, very good. Although a relatively small club situated about an hour's drive from Brazil's industrial centre Sao Paulo they became South American champions in 1962 and again in 1963, and in the same years they won the World Club Championship.

The side stayed together with Pele pulling the strings throughout the decade. It came to an end in the early 70s, and since then sustained success has eluded the club.

But that could all be about to change.

"Diego and Robinho are very good but to compare them with Pele is a long shot" says football commentator Andre Kfouri..

"At their age Pele was much better. But until these two arrived Santos hadn't won anything. Then they showed up and won the national championship for Santos. But what comes next? To be compared with Pele, they have to win it every year".

Enormous credit should go to their coach, Brazil's former goalkeeper Emerson Leao. He took over midway through last season, and made the decision to keep faith with the players he had.

"Diego and Robinho have passed their first test because they were seen as children who couldn't make it in the first team, but they won the title" he says.

"But they still need parents. They need the strong arm of a father and the protection of a mother. But that could also come from their friends and their coach. They have the talent, all they need to do now is find the right path".

Diego wasn't even born when the club won their last championship but he's aware of the club's illustrious past.

"When I came to Santos, I knew the best players had played here" he said.

"I knew they'd had some bad years and because of that there was huge pressure from the supporters. It brings more responsibility but the pleasure is equally big. I know the comparisons with Pele will continue, but Pele played his part in the past, and now it's up to us to make sure the Santos success continues" he added.

"Diego and I try to recreate the friendship we have off the field in our relationship on the field" said Robinho of the two's almost telepathic understanding.

Just how long Santos can keep them remains to be seen - Europe surely beckons for both.

But for the time being the team and their fans have a team capable of taking Santos back to the summit of South American football.

You can hear all of Alex Capstick's report from Brazil on World Football on Saturday 26 April. Use the audio link on the front page.