"I think he's the best, because he's more consistent" – Brazil legend Pele’s opinion on Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate from 2020 resurfaces
Legendary Brazilian forward Pele's comments on the ever-lasting debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have resurfaced online.
According to the three-time World Cup winner, Ronaldo is the best player in the world based because of his consistency in front of goal. However, he explained that Messi does not score goals at the same rate since he is not a striker.
Back in 2020, Pele was quoted as saying the following (via Give Me Sport),
"Today the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo. I think he's the best, because he's more consistent, but you can't forget about [Lionel] Messi, of course, but he's not a striker."
Many football fans from across the globe still consider Pele to be the greatest footballer of all time. The Brazil legend scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup games and lifted the trophy thrice in his career in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
As things stand, Pele is also Brazil's all-time record goalscorer, having netted 77 times from 92 official caps. However, it is highly likely that Neymar Jr. will soon overtake him to become Brazil's record goalscorer.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward is just three goals behind Pele on the all-time list and should surpass him soon.
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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the highest goalscorers for their respective countries. Ronaldo is also the leading goalscorer in men's international football, having scored 117 goals in 189 appearances for the Portuguese national team.
Messi, on the other hand, has netted 86 goals from 162 caps for Argentina and is the fifth-highest goalscorer in men's international football. The seven-time Ballon d'Or won his first international trophy with Argentina last summer when he guided them to the Copa America title.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could compete in their final FIFA World Cup
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar could very well be Messi and Ronaldo's last ever World Cup. The pair will be contesting their fifth consecutive World Cup, with both making their first appearances all the way back in 2006.
Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo are amongst the superstars who will captain their nations at the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, according to Goal. dlvr.it/SStN3l
Cristiano Ronaldo will be 41 years old by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes along. Lionel Messi will also be 39 and it is hard to imagine him playing international football for another four years.
It is, however, worth mentioning that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have ever lifted a World Cup. Ronaldo's Portugal reached the semifinals of the 2006 version whereas Messi's Argentina lost in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final to Germany.