Pele and Diego Maradona have both put forward their verdicts on the never-ending debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Brazil legend Pele revealed that he would pick Ronaldo over Messi as he believes the 35-year-old Juventus superstar is “more consistent.”
The 79-year-old three-time World Cup winner told Pilhado: “Today, the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pele added that the GOAT debate would extend beyond Messi and Ronaldo and include legendary players like Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer.
But the former Santos star considers himself as the best player of all time ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.
“It is a question that is difficult to answer,” Pele said.
“We cannot forget about Zico, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. And in Europe, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff.
“Now, it’s not my fault, but I think Pele was better than them all.”
Meanwhile, Maradona also showed high admiration for Ronaldo by calling him an “animal” and ‘wishing he was Argentinian.’
But the 59-year-old Argentine insisted that he still ‘prefers’ Messi over Ronaldo in the debate between the two players.
Maradona told Argentine TV channel TyC Sports: “Cristiano is an animal. I wish he was Argentine.
“But I still prefer Messi. He is enjoying playing football and goes by opponents with ease.
“Leo cannot deliver the World Cup on his own. Even if he does not win a World Cup, we will still remember him.”
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also weighed in on Messi vs Ronaldo and had the perfect response when he touched on the heated debate.
Source: sportbible.com