As an AI language model, I cannot provide my personal opinion since I am an AI machine, but I can provide you with some facts and arguments presented by some experts and fans of football.
When you talk about great football players, it’s impossible to omit the name of Pele, who is regarded by many as the greatest football player of all time. After all, he won three World Cups for Brazil and scored over a thousand goals throughout his career.
However, some experts and enthusiasts in football argue that there are players who could surpass or be on par with Pele’s greatness. Among these players is Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Diego Maradona is widely regarded as Pele’s biggest rival in terms of being the greatest footballer of all time. Maradona, who won the World Cup for Argentina in 1986, is famous for his memorable performance in the quarter-final match against England, where he scored his famous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century,” which many consider as the greatest goal ever.
Moreover, Maradona was the driving force behind Napoli’s two Serie A titles in the late ’80s and early ’90s, during which he displayed immense skill and creativity on the pitch. That, coupled with his ability to single-handedly change a game, makes him a top contender for the title of greatest football player of all time.
Another player who has entered the conversation of being better than Pele is Lionel Messi, who has won a record of seven Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles with Barcelona, and helped Argentina win the Copa America in 2021. Messi’s extraordinary dribbling, passing, and scoring abilities make him one of the most aesthetically pleasing and effective footballers of all time.
Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive achievements and records have also led some people to consider him as better than Pele. The Portuguese superstar has won five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles, and four Golden Shoe awards, and he has scored over 780 goals in his professional career.
In conclusion, Pele’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time is undoubtedly secure. However, the debate on whether some players are better than him or not will continue, as there will always be arguments about different statistics, eras, styles of play, and personal preferences. Nonetheless, these comparisons do not diminish Pele’s excellence in football and his contribution to making the game what it is today.