Pele's son: 'I'm not going to be my dad'

To a casual onlooker, Joshua appears just like any other teenager in the youth ranks of a top-flight Brazilian football club.

The bespectacled and mildly mannered 18-year-old dreams of representing the Selecao and hopes to pursue a career in physiology.

But a glance at Joshua's surname - Arantes do Nascimento - is enough to realize he is not just any other youth-team player.

The youngest son of Pele, Joshua, says he is learning to live with the pressure of having Brazil's legendary three-time World Cup winner as his father.

And he is determined to make a name for himself in his own right.

"I'm not going to be my dad, I'm going to be Joshua" he told Folha de S.Paulo.

Joshua has made just three starts for Santos at youth level, but observers have been impressed by his development.

An attacking midfielder, he has a wicked right foot and is known for his aerial prowess.

Having recovered from a thigh injury, Joshua is now eyeing a place in Santos' under-20 starting lineup.

"I'm not at the same level as the starting players yet but I've improved a lot," he said.

Joshua returned to Brazil in 2012 after living in the United States for four years with his mother, Assiria.

He earned a spot in Santos' youth system with the help of his father, who he says has provided constant support.

"Even when he isn't around, he is always there for me," Joshua said, adding that he speaks to his father every day by telephone.

Joshua is not the only member of his family to follow in Pele's footsteps.

The youngster's uncle, Zoca, and brother, Edinho, also played for Santos with mixed success.

"Joshua is very courageous," Pele said. "Edinho suffered from a lot of pressure when he decided to be a goalkeeper for Santos.

"The fact that he (Joshua) is an attacking player means that Joshua is going to face even greater pressure. I as a dad will also suffer. I hope that he has the same luck that I did. Endi