There are cases when making a comparison is very risky. One is, when choosing between two or more options, not exposed arguments that explain or support this choice.
This is what happened to the IFFHS (International Federation of History and Football Statistics), which presented its list of the top ten players of all time.
The Federation put Lionel Messi first, above Pelé, which was second. Top Five also has Diego Maradona, compatriot of Messi, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Dutch Johan Cruyff.
IFFHS just shows the names, without informing who chose them (a person?; A collegiate?) And without bringing a text that explains the criteria used. Founded in 1984, in Germany, the entity has been in the presidency since 2014 a Saudi, Saleh leave Bahwini.
I tried to contact in writing with the Federation, requesting the reasoning about the list, but there was no return.
Without this content, it is impossible to know the reasons for the exceptional Argentine, who at 37 continues active, defending Inter Miami (USA), has been placed on top.
Pelé is widely considered by football experts as the best in history. So much so that he himself said that when there was a discussion on the subject, the reference was Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
“Who is better: Pelé or Messi?” “Who is better: Pelé or Maradona?” “Who is better: Pelé or Cruyff?” “Who is better: Pelé or Di Stéfano?” And so on. The comparison is always with Pelé, which already leads to an answer about who had greater excellence in football.
Returning to Messi x Pelé, in this 10th shirt duel, it is difficult to establish a proper comparison because they acted in different times.
The Brazilian, killed at the end of 2022 at the age of 82, was considered a complete player: great finisher, with both legs (the right was the best), great header, great dribbler, great ball driver, game vision and exceptional tactical intelligence, enviable speed (especially for short peaks), unparalleled, physically tireless technique.
Pelé was a born scorer, even without being center forward – a spearhead. He scored 1,282 career goals (some surveys point 1,283), all documented, although more than 500 have not been in matches regarded as officers.
He played when the technology was still crawling, with the TV expanding and decades before the internet settled. Perhaps it was even more fantastic than it was, because part of its deeds is not available for appreciation. And it is remarkable that even in a pre-digital world, it became a global, known and admired icon throughout the planet.
Pelé was in four World Cups (Sweden-1958, Chile-1962, England-1966 and Mexico-1970) and won three (1958, 1962 and 1970), playing a vital role in two of them (the first and the last).
Admittedly, Messi does not head well and supports his game on his left leg – the right is weak. These are points that put it below Pelé.
In the number of goals, considering all games available by clubs and selection (including in the base categories), it adds 889. Even if you extend your career for a few more years, it is unlikely to reach the total of Pelé.
In consultation with the same source, RSSSF (Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, which compiles football statistics), scored 890 goals in 1,158 official matches, average 0.77 per game, and Pelé, 778 goals in 851 official matches, average 0.91 per game
The Argentine disputed five World Cups (Germany-2006, South Africa-2010, Brazil-2014, Russia-2018 and Qatar-2022). He won one, the latest, and was deputy in the 11 years ago. With the conquest in the Middle East, and only due to it, I put it above the genius Maradona.
That each one draws its conclusion. Mine, with argument (unlike IFFHS), is that Pelé was, with some advantage, superior to what Messi, the best of this century so far, is.
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