Seems like a good time to ask this question during a World Cup, especially when it's being held in Brazil.
Pele was a bit before my time but I'm going to be honest and say that whenever I've watched old clips of Pele I've never once thought that he was the best player I've ever seen.
In fact I can think of a few Brazilian players in recent times who have impressed me more with their individual brilliance than Pele such as Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.
All three of those players in their prime were absurdly good and could win matches all on their own. In fact Brazil winning the World Cup in 2002 had everything to do with those three imo.
Outside of Brazil I can think of several players in more recent times who have impressed me more with individual brilliance than Pele such as Maradona, Messi and Zidane.
Even going on old clips alone I've always been more impressed by George Best than Pele. In terms of sheer ability I'd say that Best was ahead of Pele from what I've seen.
Now I'm not putting down Pele's achievements. I'm sure he was a very good player and the sort of player that anyone would want in their side.
From the clips I've seen he looked like an excellent team player but has his individual brilliance been exaggerated or have I just not seen enough of him play?
Was Pele really the greatest ever?
posted on 6/7/14
Whenever I have seen Pele or footage of the brazil team just makes me wonder how inventive their play must of been at that time because it looks similar to how good teams break and slide the ball across the fields now. and it was 50 years ago!
For some reason most people say Platini was fantastic but I can never see much footage of him for some reason. Apparently he carried the teams he was in.
posted on 6/7/14
Agree with Best being better than Pele. Even Pele supposedly said Best was the greatest....
posted on 6/7/14
For some reason most people say Platini was fantastic but I can never see much footage of him for some reason. Apparently he carried the teams he was in.
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He was an extraordinary player and was unlucky not to win the World Cup in 82 with France. They made up for it by winning Euro 84 though.
posted on 6/7/14
comment by Ballr00t (U7067)
posted 8 minutes ago
Agree with Best being better than Pele. Even Pele supposedly said Best was the greatest....
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There seems to be much footage of George Best than Pele.
I remember when Best died there was a lot of footage of him shown on TV and my word was he good.
They showed a clip of a five a side game he played in for whatever reason during his time at Utd and his ability on the ball and close control was incredible. Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it.
posted on 6/7/14
Agree with Best being better than Pele. Even Pele supposedly said Best was the greatest....
.................
pele speaks alot
and 99% what comes out of his mouth is utter sheet
he's probably said my nanna was the greatest footballer in history at some point
posted on 6/7/14
Pele made his WC debut at the age of 18 and totally dominated the tournament, that obviously thrust him into the limelight. He scored 6 goals in 4 games including 2 in the final, not bad for an 18 year old.
posted on 6/7/14
comment by SWTN Biggish (U7916)
posted 19 minutes ago
Pele made his WC debut at the age of 18 and totally dominated the tournament, that obviously thrust him into the limelight. He scored 6 goals in 4 games including 2 in the final, not bad for an 18 year old.
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Not bad at all but those Brazil teams that Pele played in were brilliant.
Would Pele have been anywhere near as successful if he was from Northern Ireland like George Best was and not Brazil ?
Obviously we'll never know and the fact that Pele never played for a European club makes it more difficult to judge.
Biggish by the way we had an impostor Biggish earlier writing articles.
posted on 6/7/14
Yeah I saw, I think it was What Next
posted on 8/7/14
Pele thrived in an era when halving a player in two was seen as a fair tackle.
superb player
posted on 8/7/14
comment by SWTN Biggish (U7916)
posted 1 day, 14 hours ago
Yeah I saw, I think it was What Next
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Was actually a guy who normally trolls Liverpool. Lettuce.