Diego Maradona

As soccer's first global star, Pelé had an influence on the sport different from the stars that followed him, including Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

About the only time Messi was subjected to the kind of fouls Pelé endured was in the final of the Copa America Centenario in 2016. Detractors of Pelé point to how the version of the game he played was much slower than the one played now. With their striking yellow jerseys, Pelé and his cohorts mesmerized the world with a style of play that was as effective as it was aesthetically pleasing. On the field, there was nothing phony about him. The same defender was red-carded in the 28th minute after fouling Messi again. His style continues to be emulated to this day, even if the copycats are unaware whose moves they are stealing. His legacy could be observed in the no-look passes of Ronaldinho, the flicks over defenders’ heads by Neymar. In recent years, Pelé has been excluded with greater frequency from debates about the greatest player of all time, Maradona and Messi now viewed as the only two viable contenders for the title. Regardless of how ugly they play, the Brazilians are viewed by the masses as artist-athletes. Jersey numbers used to be assigned by position and 10 was earmarked for a team’s attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward, which meant it often went to the team’s most talented player. [Pelé, who rose from a Brazilian slum to become the world’s greatest soccer player, dies at 82](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2022-12-29/pele-soccer-brazil-dies-obit) Pelé was soccer’s straight-edged counter to Maradona, the outspoken cocaine addict who fraternized with Communist dictators.

Pele played in four World Cups, winning three times, a record not yet beaten and giving him one more than Maradona and Messi combined.

The Argentine has a complete set of major medals: a World Cup (2022), a Copa America (2021), four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups as well as a multitude of domestic Spanish and French trophies. Like us on [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.robo.ndtv.cricket&hl=en)or [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/ndtv-cricket/id418320331?mt=8). [Fidel](https://sports.ndtv.com/football/players/96361-fidel-playerprofile) Castro and Che Guevara tattoos, mocked the Brazilian's respect for authority. Pele played in four World Cups, winning three times, a record not yet beaten and giving him one more than Maradona and Messi combined. Maradona, not picked in the squad that won the World Cup at home in 1978 and sent off in a tournament-ending 3-1 loss to Brazil in Spain in 1982, shot to global fame in 1986 for the right and wrong reasons. His difficulties with the Spanish tax authorities and a host of sponsorship deals have not tarnished his image. Pele has a museum. [Pele](https://sports.ndtv.com/football/players/105088-pele-playerprofile) and [Diego](https://sports.ndtv.com/football/players/90165-diego-playerprofile) Maradona jointly the players of the 20th century, and effectively the best of all time, they side-stepped but did not resolve a heated debate that has grown more complicated as [Lionel Messi](https://sports.ndtv.com/football/players/90996-lionel-messi-playerprofile) has dominated the 21st century. Ego wars until they reconciled in 2016, Pele and Maradona sparred over who was the greatest. He was just 17 in 1958 when he was world champion in Sweden, scoring six goals, two in the final. His infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England was followed by an individual effort voted FIFA's 'Goal of the Century'. Just who is the greatest?

Before Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came along, the enduring debate in soccer about who was the greatest player centered on two men: Pelé and Diego ...

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, eclipsed by Messi at the Qatar World Cup, was more expansive, calling the Brazilian "King Pele" and an inspiration to millions. Pelé was magnanimous on hearing of Maradona's death, saying: "I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend." Pelé thought Maradona was gauche and undignified and Maradona thought Pele was a sell-out. "There Maradona, possibly the most complete player ever, playmaker and goalscorer, technically brilliant, unpredictable and impulsive, both on and off the field, a player plagued by a variety of problems for many years." "Here Pele, the striker whose territory was the penalty box, a player who scored goals for fun and became Minister of Sport, more your quiet type of person," FIFA wrote at the time. Maradona, who died at the age of 60 in 2020, guided Argentina to the World Cup in 1986 with perhaps the most influential performance ever at a major tournament, and lifted Napoli to unparalleled heights in Italy and Europe.

PELE'S emotional parting message to Argentina legend and friend Diego Maradona has sadly come true.The King passed away at the age of 82 in Brazil t.

"My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. It will be because I can finally embrace you again." Pele said: “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. So, I want to say that you are incomparable. A magician with the ball at his feet. You were a genius that charmed the world. "Your career was marked by honesty. One day, in heaven, we will play together on the same team. The full statement read: “Sad news today. One day, in heaven, we will play together on the same teamPele A true legend. [Pele wrote a touching tribute](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/football/premier-league/1858717/diego-maradona-dies-pele-tributes-napoli/) in which he said “I hope we will play soccer together in the sky.”

Pele died at the age of 82 and his emotional message to Argentinian legend and friend Diego Maradona is now doing the rounds. Maradona is considered one of ...

Maradona also climbed the pinnacle of world football during his days with the 1986 World Cup being the most prominent tournament attached to his memory. He scored a goal in that match to become the youngest goal scorer for Brazil at 16 years and nine months. At 17, he also became the youngest player to ever win the World Cup. He was named the FIFA co-player of the century in 1999. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. In a career that spanned decades, he charmed people with his silky skills and smile across the globe.