“I can’t pick Lionel Messi” - Arsenal legend names the only GOAT ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in football
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva feels Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can't be compared to Pele when it comes to the GOAT debate. The former defensive midfielder thinks Pele had to face tougher obstacles to reach the heights that he did.
Silva claimed that while the likes of Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldo are on the same level, he reckons Pele is ahead of everyone. The Brazilian told Bet365 (via Mirror):
"I can't pick Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time. I don't think we can discuss any player other than Pele. Pele is above that discussion. Alongside Messi, you can discuss Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Maradona, and some others, but not Pele."
Further clarifying his choice of the three-time FIFA World Cup winner, Silva said:
"Things were not easy for Pele. When you watch the videos of his career, you can see that he didn't have the same conditions."
Silva added that he isn't sure whether even super talents like Ronaldo and Messi could have thrived under the circumstances Pele did. He won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil - in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
The Brazilian icon passed away in 2022 at the age of 82. He is hands down one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.
When Pele chose Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi
The Ronaldo vs Messi GOAT debate is the most raging one among fans. Brazilian icon Pele was once asked to share his choice on the same.
He picked Ronaldo as the better player but paid Messi his due respect. Sharing his two cents on the topic, Pele said (via GiveMeSport):
"Today the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo. I think he is the best because he is more consistent, but you can't forget about Lionel Messi, of course, but he's not a striker."
While fans and experts have differing views on the debate, both players have left their mark in football history. Their rivalry isn't expected to be replicated anytime soon in the coming years.