From our archive: 2012
Former Brazil international, Pele, has demonstrated remarkable self-confidence by suggesting that Lionel Messi, a striker regarded as one of the greatest football players on the planet, still has a long way to go before he can join the same exclusive club as Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton, and, of course, himself.
Speaking in the wake of Messi’s third consecutive Ballon d’Or award, an accolade given to the best player in the world, at least in popular opinion, Pele said that Messi needs to improve at international level before he can truly be considered a great of his time. Messi, who has 66 caps for Argentina, is yet to win a major football tournament with his country.
Pele was more than happy to explain the difference between himself and Barcelona’s Messi. “When Messi has scored 1,283 goals, like me; when he’s won three World Cups, we’ll talk about it,” Pele said, in response to the insinuation – given by the Ballon d’Or – that the Argentine is the best player on Earth.
The Brazilian, who played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, is one of the most famous faces in football. At the time, he worked as an ambassador for the sport, and he was the face of many products and campaigns over the years.
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“I like Messi a lot. He’s a great player”, Pele added. “Technically, we’re practically at the same level. But when he plays for Argentina he doesn’t have the same success.” Argentina are, much like England, expected to win far more than they actually manage. The nation has not won the World Cup since 1986, despite consistently being placed among the favourites in the betting line and their last Copa America success came in 1993.
The Argentines did, however, win the football element of the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, which may encourage those who want to learn how to bet to do so before this summer’s football event in London!
Looking back: Messi did go on to win with Argentina. He lifted the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 and the World Cup in 2022, and took his Ballon d’Or tally to eight. Pele passed away in December 2022.
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