Without doubt the GOAT with Diego just in behind him. Three World Cup wins will never be beaten by any player.
Hope he’s not in any pain and is comfortable. A true world icon.
Actually he had a rather quietish game overall though provided some quite astonishing flashes of footballing brilliance. But to be honest just seeing him play in the flesh was unforgettable.Did he live up to expectation?
I was at that game too and you are right he was quiet. Always remember Bremner screaming at him when he was at the touchline, Pele just laughed at him.Actually he had a rather quietish game overall though provided some quite astonishing flashes of footballing brilliance. But to be honest just seeing him play in the flesh was unforgettable.
What a team they had with players like Gerson and the fantastic Jairzinho in their line up alongside others.
To see both him and Jim Baxter on the same field of play was as good as it can get.
Hope this does not come across as patronising but your opinion is not a disingenuous one given what you've witnessed in your lifetime. I saw both, and as Barca Bear states above, Pele was not fouled but assaulted several times in the 66 WC. I travelled as a ten year old with the my Old Man on the Rangers Supporters bus(a common thing then) to watch Scotland play Brazil at Hampden in 66 in a WC warm up match for the Brazilians. My abiding memory(apart from Jim Baxter) is of the Scots fans shiriking Billy Bremner for his thuggish treatment of Pele. If Pele had played in Maradona's era, or even now, his record would have been even more impressive given the better protection he would have received from officials.To me Pele is just stories, never saw anything of his career and you don't see much footage from his Club career. For me Maradona stands head and shoulders above everyone.
Champions league/European Cup success is much more impressive imo as the standard is a lot higher, again in my opinion.3 World Cups is a fantastic achievement but ……… hmmmm? And one at 16 ?
Santos during Pele’s time against European opposition was not bad to say the least.
If he is not number one with his record definitely in the top 3.
I am biased I would have him as number one.
Brilliant post. I haven't seen enough in clips to do fully appreciate Pele, but this is a great post for giving some idea of his greatness.Hope this does not come across as patronising but your opinion is not a disingenuous one given what you've witnessed it in your lifetime. I saw both, and as Barca Bear states above, Pele was not fouled but assaulted several times in the 66 WC. I travelled as a ten year old with the my Old Man on the Rangers Supporters bus(a common thing then) to watch Scotland play Brazil at Hampden in 66 in a WC warm up match for the Brazilians. My abiding memory is of the Scots fans shiriking Billy Bremner for his thuggish treatment of Pele. If Pele had played in Maradona's era, or even now, his record would have been even more impressive given the better protection he would have received from officials.
I've been lucky enough to see Eusebio, Best, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Platini, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo among others but all things being equal and the circumstances of each era being taken into account Edson Arantes de Nascimento is the GOAT. The joy he and the Brazil team at Mexico 70 gave to the football fans of the world has never been surpassed. Probably never will be.
I was at the match too and I remember a couple of flash points in the game where Pele and the Brazilians were not happy about Bremner trying to dish it out to the great man. Sadly it was nothing to compare with the treatment that was dished out to Pele during the 1966 World Cup.I was at that game too and you are right he was quiet. Always remember Bremner screaming at him when he was at the touchline, Pele just laughed at him.
Stevie Chalmers scored from a through ball from slim Jim Baxter.
The World Cup is only played every four years. To have yourself a career that allows you to play in and actually win three of them is absolutely remarkable.Champions league/European Cup success is much more impressive imo as the standard is a lot higher, again in my opinion.
I respect your opinion and there's no right or wrong answer but personally I wouldn't have him in my top 3.
Brilliant post and 100% correct.Hope this does not come across as patronising but your opinion is not a disingenuous one given what you've witnessed it in your lifetime. I saw both, and as Barca Bear states above, Pele was not fouled but assaulted several times in the 66 WC. I travelled as a ten year old with the my Old Man on the Rangers Supporters bus(a common thing then) to watch Scotland play Brazil at Hampden in 66 in a WC warm up match for the Brazilians. My abiding memory(apart from Jim Baxter) is of the Scots fans shiriking Billy Bremner for his thuggish treatment of Pele. If Pele had played in Maradona's era, or even now, his record would have been even more impressive given the better protection he would have received from officials.
I've been lucky enough to see Eusebio, Best, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Platini, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo among others but all things being equal and the circumstances of each era being taken into account Edson Arantes de Nascimento is the GOAT. The joy he and the Brazil team at Mexico 70 gave to the football fans of the world has never been surpassed. Probably never will be.
Ghosting in at the back post.
will be asking his pals to do this so he can add one more goal.
Sir Edson Arantes do NascimentoSir Edson Arantes de Nacimento
3 World Cups is a fantastic achievement but ……… hmmmm? And one at 16 ?
Santos during Pele’s time against European opposition was not bad to say the least.
If he is not number one with his record definitely in the top 3.
I am biased I would have him as number one.
One of the many factors I liked about Pele was he was a team player. It is frightening to think what his goal scoring stats would have been if he was self centred and thought it was all about him.Champions league/European Cup success is much more impressive imo as the standard is a lot higher, again in my opinion.
I respect your opinion and there's no right or wrong answer but personally I wouldn't have him in my top 3.
Have to be as hard as nails to be a postie in Sao Paolo surelyWithout derailing the thread, Pele's name is only mentioned due to winning three World Cups (amazing feat). But he barely played in one of them.
His club record is sketchy at best. Brazilian leagues are regional and half the time his Santos were pumping teams 5/6/7+ as they were part time lifeguards and postmen.
You start with “ without derailing the thread” and then that’s exactly what you doWithout derailing the thread, Pele's name is only mentioned due to winning three World Cups (amazing feat). But he barely played in one of them.
His club record is sketchy at best. Brazilian leagues are regional and half the time his Santos were pumping teams 5/6/7+ as they were part time lifeguards and postmen.
It's also safe to say that the standard of football back then was abysmal. It's the equivalent of walking football / over 45s nowadays.
Seriously, look at how slow paced it is.
So very very true! Quite incredible!Hope this does not come across as patronising but your opinion is not a disingenuous one given what you've witnessed in your lifetime. I saw both, and as Barca Bear states above, Pele was not fouled but assaulted several times in the 66 WC. I travelled as a ten year old with the my Old Man on the Rangers Supporters bus(a common thing then) to watch Scotland play Brazil at Hampden in 66 in a WC warm up match for the Brazilians. My abiding memory(apart from Jim Baxter) is of the Scots fans shiriking Billy Bremner for his thuggish treatment of Pele. If Pele had played in Maradona's era, or even now, his record would have been even more impressive given the better protection he would have received from officials.
I've been lucky enough to see Eusebio, Best, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Platini, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo among others but all things being equal and the circumstances of each era being taken into account Edson Arantes de Nascimento is the GOAT. The joy he and the Brazil team at Mexico 70 gave to the football fans of the world has never been surpassed. Probably never will be.
I'd like to see you run fast in a pair of these..Without derailing the thread, Pele's name is only mentioned due to winning three World Cups (amazing feat). But he barely played in one of them.
His club record is sketchy at best. Brazilian leagues are regional and half the time his Santos were pumping teams 5/6/7+ as they were part time lifeguards and postmen.
It's also safe to say that the standard of football back then was abysmal. It's the equivalent of walking football / over 45s nowadays.
Seriously, look at how slow paced it is.
Incredible use of both feet.I'd like to see you run fast in a pair of these..
Whilst kicking this around...
And doing this...
That’s because you didn’t see him.To me Pele is just stories, never saw anything of his career and you don't see much footage from his Club career. For me Maradona stands head and shoulders above everyone.
Correct.Pele in my opinion was the greatest player in world football,
3 World cups, and who can forget the Brazil of 1970,
That's what I said, I think.That’s because you didn’t see him.
Not back then they didn't.Because the proper players leave to test themselves at the highest level, European football
no she isn't. she died 15 years agoCrazily his mum is still alive and was at the World Cup.
I was at that game with my dad, & if memorie serves me right it was an early evening KO on a SaturdayActually he had a rather quietish game overall though provided some quite astonishing flashes of footballing brilliance. But to be honest just seeing him play in the flesh was unforgettable.
What a team they had with players like Gerson and the fantastic Jairzinho in their line up alongside others.
To see both him and Jim Baxter on the same field of play was as good as it can get.
Unbelievable achievements of course, but football was different back then.Pele in my opinion was the greatest player in world football,
3 World cups, and who can forget the Brazil of 1970,
Maybe so but that Brazil team of 1970 would have been successful in any era.Unbelievable achievements of course, but football was different back then.
Eusebio was the black pearl.My first World Cup on black and white TV, ,1958 Sweden.
Brazil won 5-2 in the Final against the home nation, a young Pele scored twice, one flick over his opponent in the box a la Lowry the other day and into the net.Probably on You Tube.
For me, just because of my memories as a youngster, still the greatest.
Best wishes to him, the black pearl.
you couldn't make that up. comedy goldHow can yous possibly Remember a game from 1966 I can barely remember a year ago
For me the standard of football now is much much higher and the likes of messi and ronaldo are exceptional athletes and the best ever as it stands
Respect for what he done at the time but he’s not even in my top 3, especially staying in Brazil all career
Yes they were and the had a number of outstanding talents all world class in their positions.Hope he gets better soon but I don't know how people could have him as the best ever.
He played his whole career in Brazil and America. In an era where teams played far more attacking so more goals being scored.
He won 3 WC's fantastic achievement but were the Brazil teams he played in not pretty special?
Wasn't Eusebio the "Black Panther"?Eusebio was the black pearl.
Pele was known as Black Pearl and Eusebio was known as both, Black Panther/Black PearlWasn't Eusebio the "Black Panther"?
Embarrassing defending tbhWithout derailing the thread, Pele's name is only mentioned due to winning three World Cups (amazing feat). But he barely played in one of them.
His club record is sketchy at best. Brazilian leagues are regional and half the time his Santos were pumping teams 5/6/7+ as they were part time lifeguards and postmen.
It's also safe to say that the standard of football back then was abysmal. It's the equivalent of walking football / over 45s nowadays.
Seriously, look at how slow paced it is.
Correct. And the Italian team they beat in the final would also.Maybe so but that Brazil team of 1970 would have been successful in any era.
The ‘never played in Europe, must be rubbish’ comments probably come from the same individuals who are so fond of referring to the opposition as ‘pub teams‘ or ’diddy teams’ you know, the types who don’t really have much respect for anything or anybody.Every single one of the 1970 Brazil World Cup squad played for a Brazilian club. It's nuts to suggest they were somehow lesser players because of that. Pele played for Santos along with his skipper, Carlos Alberto, a marauding right back who took that pass from Pele to score the greatest goal that has ever been scored. Tostao, as clever a midfielder as you could get, spent over a decade with Cruzeiro. Jairzinho, the Hurricane! Was 13 years at his boyhood club (where he replaced the legendary Garrincha). Not forgetting the magical Rivellino, what a player he was, 200 odd games for Corinthians.
Aye, never played in Europe, must be rubbish.
You make the same mistake as many who go on about modern football v past football.Football was different back then and the demands far greater now compared to 70s and 80s. I get that folk will feel nostalgic and such, but it’s just the way of it. Guys like Pele and Maradona were very much of their time for fans back then. The clear outstanding players. But:
Messi is the greatest ever and has done it over a longer period, with a sustained run of absolute brilliance. It’s scary.
I’d say Cristiano Ronaldo is probably second as much as I dislike his attitude and such, but his ability can’t be denied, even if he is clearly on the way down now.
No further correspondence shall be entered in to.
You make the same mistake as many who go on about modern football v past football.
The truth is you can only be as fit, big, strong, fast, etc as the era you were born in allows you to be.
Yes, football is now quicker and far more professional.
But you assume if Pele played now he would be overrun because of seeing him play 60 years ago. But if Pele played now, he would need to have been born in the last 35 years and so would have all the modern day advantages of lifestyle, diet, medicine, coaching, professionalism, money, etc. He would be as quick and strong as anyone else of this generation, plus have the amazing natural ability that exists regardless of time.
You could argue a 17yr old Messi in 1958 would not have had growth hormones, specialist medical and physical coaching, and had the diet and upbringing of a South American of the time. He would likely never have been strong enough to compete!
That's why there can never be a greatest ever, because comparisons are pointless.
Both players are all-time geniuses, I prefer just to include both in the discussion.