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Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better Than Lionel Messi, Says Pele

By Patricia Didelot
Published on: 09:11 PST, Feb 1, 2014

Who is better, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? The dispute has been going on for a number of years, but now Pele — the greatest soccer player in history — is picking Ronaldo.

The comments follow the Portuguese star’s win of the much talked about Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2008 — Messi has snatched it from under his nose for four straight years.

Arguably, Ronaldo is considered to be the best player in soccer at this moment in time. Not only did FIFA recognize that fact by awarding Cristiano Ronaldo the “golden boot,” but now Pele is joining those who believe the Real Madrid striker is the best of the best.

Since Messi and Ronaldo are contemporaries in the sport, they must share the spotlight, and Pele’s comments will only cause more talk in such a controversial topic.

Speaking to ESPN FC show, the former Brazilian star said:

“I think, no doubt, two years ago the player that was in very, very good condition was Messi,” Pele told the ESPN FC TV show.”

“In five years he became the best player in Europe, but in the last two years, and this year, he had a problem: he got injured, he was out this year and he has played few games.”

“Ronaldo has come through for the past two or three years and is the best in Europe. I think at the moment no doubt Ronaldo is the best player, but until now Messi was the best.”

Pele has been named the most successful football player in the world with total scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, for which he was honored by the Guinness Book of World Records as the player with most career goals scored in football.

He is a national hero in Brazil and in 1961 the former player was declared a national treasure by the nation’s President.

Pele added to his comments about why Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world:

“Messi used to do the same thing as I used to do at Santos: to come from behind. Ronaldo used to play more upfront, so I think for me Ronaldo is more important because he is the player who scores goals from the front.”

“I would have to compete with Messi because we have the same game and do the same [on the field]. I think Ronaldo, for Santos [in Pele’s time], would be better.”

So there we have it, Cristiano Ronaldo can congratulate himself on yet another endorsement as the best player in the world discussion rages on.

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