image Source, getty images
When Lionel Messi is preparing for the third World Cup final of his career, a question has come up again.
Can this Argentinian superstar be considered the greatest footballer of all time? Has he left behind his compatriot Diego Maradona and Brazil’s Pele?
Even at the age of 39, Messi has become an important player for Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Classics say that even though Messi is no longer in the company of colorful players like in his younger days, his vision, ability to spot the right spots on the field and ability to make passes are still dictating the direction of the match.
Many times his role appears to be that of a coach on the field. But why did he leave his shop behind?
Arguments in favor of Messi
Those who consider Messi the greatest player in football history generally emphasize two things. The first is a commercial company and the second is Constoli High Partners.
The best careers of many great players were short, but Messi has been among the best players in the world for almost two decades.
During this period he has won a record eight Ballon d’Or. Won league titles in Spain and France, became Champions League champion four times, won the Copa America and the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.
He also made memorable records in terms of goals scored and goals scored.
His supporters also say that Messi has achieved different types of success. From Barcelona’s dominance in Europe to Argentina’s comeback on the international stage, he proved his potential everywhere.
According to Messi, this combination of talent, stability and staying at the top level for a long time is different from every other player in history.
France striker Thiry Onri also finds a shared rival spirit in his former Barcelona teammate.
In an interview with Spain’s Angel Marca, Onri recalled Florida’s training days at the Catalan club. He said that if Messi felt at all that mistakes had been made, his formation had completely changed.
“Don’t wake up the best,” said the Frenchman.
He recalled several occasions when Messi felt that the referee did not foul him and then he scored several goals in quick time.
shadow of maradona
image Source, getty images
In Argentina, Messi is generally compared less to Pelé or other global stars and more to Diego Maradona. Maradona’s captain Thefoth won the World Cup in Argentina in 1986.
Maradona’s influence extended far beyond football. For many Argentines he became a symbol of national identity.
“Maradona was the king of Argentina. Not the king’s choice, he simply represents the country,” Spanish journalist Gaime Balagé, one of Messi’s leading biographers, told BBC News Brazil.
For many years, some Argentines have played down Messi’s genius, but Maradona is still considered the true national face of Argentina.
Maradona, who died in 2020, grew up in poverty, challenged the truth, took part in politics and shared an image of rebellion, which left many disappointed.
On the contrary, Messi’s path is completely different. Off the field he remained quiet, avoiding conversations on political issues and focusing almost entirely on football. He spent the greater part of his career far from the game’s outposts.
How did Messi change people’s thinking?
After Argentina’s Copa America in 2021, people’s perception of Messi started to change again. With this victory, Argentina had waited for a major international title for 28 years.
This change accelerated during the 2022 World Cup, where Messi played a key role in Argentina becoming world champions for the third time.
A more emotional and attacking side of Messi also emerged during that tournament. She took on the leadership role that many fans had previously associated with Mara Donna.
“People started seeing the new incumbents with their personality as the commander of the team,” says Balage.
For many Argentines, these goals bridged the scientific distance between Messi and Maradona.
Yet Bailes believes the debate is far from over.
He says, “Today Messi has surpassed Madonna as a footballer. But there have always been Argentines who, among all others, believe that Madonna represents them better.”
Arguments in favor of Pele
image Source, getty images
Some standards also say that Messi has left behind not only his compatriot Maradona but also the Brazilian legend Pele. Pelé is often referred to as the “King of Football”. He died in 2022.
Pelé is still the only player to win three World Cups. He helped Brazil become world champions in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Brazil’s favorite Folha de S. in 2018 In an interview with Paulo, Pelé said that Maradona and Messi were “the best players”.
He said that Messi relies more on his left foot than on his left foot and that his game does not have the ability that some other great players had.
“(Frenchman) Beckenbauer and (Johan) Cruyff are also the best,” Pelé said.
His signing was in line with players from Germany and the Netherlands, who were at their best in the 1970s.
Former Brazilian international Tostao had a different opinion. In 2021, he said that Messi has overtaken Maradona, but the great Brazilian player is still behind.
Tostao said, “After Pele, Messi is the greatest player in history. He is a greater player than Maradona and his career is also much longer. Between Pele and Messi, he is the greatest player in terms of his physical ability. Pele was more powerful and was the best player everywhere.”
Late Pele also said that his skills cannot be compared to Messi.
He wrote Folha de S. Paulo said, “How can you compare a player who also looks good with headers, who also shoots left-footed, who also shoots right-footed, and a player who is completely on one foot, who has almost the same ability, and who doesn’t also make headers look good?”
He said, “If we want to be compared with Pelé, there should be a player who is a good left footer, a right footer and a header scorer.”
ahead of statistics
This is a great question. If statistics were the only way to determine greatness, perhaps this debate would be over by now.
Messi’s records in terms of individual and team papers are sold at many places.
But in reality it is not clear why there is such a controversial debate about comparing football’s greatest players.
This discussion is further complicated by a simple fact – Pele, Maradona and Messi played in three completely different eras.
When Pelé won his first World Cup in 1958, football did not yet have the latest in modern sports science, global television broadcasting and advanced technology.
In the 1980s, Maradona’s fascination with football had caught the attention of the entire world, but he was also a far cry from today’s billion-dollar industry.
Messi has based almost his entire criminal base on the eastern seaboard, where performance analysis, advanced medical support and constant media monitoring are part of the game. Coaches, experts and fans from around the world analyze every match in real time.
In such a situation, it becomes even more difficult to compare different types of players.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo, who has described Messi as a “genius”, says that identifying the greatest player depends on who you are using.
He asked, “How can you elect someone without any stakeholders?”
It is certainly true that the relationships between Pele, Maradona and Messi proceeded in completely different worlds.
Pelé helped make football a classic global game. Maradona became a symbol of sports, politics and culture during the inaugural second period of Argentina’s history. At the same time, Messi created his legacy in an era on which the deep impact of globalization, sports science and constant media collaborations is visible.
These three players took part in a game that experienced profound changes over time. They encountered very different archaeologies, programs, characters and stories. Ultimately it’s a matter of what’s most valuable to you – talent, availability, influence, long-term survival or cultural impact.
This is why this debate will probably never end and football’s biggest debate will continue from generation to generation.
Graphic: Caroline Souza and Lais Allegretti, BBC News Brazil
Published by Tomorrow’s Interview Newsroom for the BBC.
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