Brazil legend Pele admits Barcelona captain Lionel Messi would be his pick as the perfect playing partner, with the Argentine forward considered to be “the most complete player” of the modern era.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the books at Camp Nou has cemented a standing among the all-time greats.
For many, he has already risen above the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona when it comes to a discussion regarding the greatest ever.
An iconic predecessor at the very top of the game concedes that a fellow South American is the pick of those currently starring on a global stage, with that standing making him the obvious selection when it comes to a dream strike partnership.
Asked by Gazzetta dello Sport to name the one player from 2019 that he would have loved to play alongside, Pele said: “I think Leo Messi.
“He is a skilled player, gives assists, passes, scores, dribbles well.
“If we were in a team together, the opponents would have to worry about two players, not just one!
“Today Messi is the most complete player.”
Pele concedes that a mercurial Argentine is not the only superstar of the present day, but feels there are not as many truly world-class talents around now as there have been in notable eras of the past.
He added: “Once you found two or three in every country with a great football culture.
“Eusebio, [Antonio] Simoes, [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, [Diego] Maradona, Garrincha, Didi. How many did I say? There were so many.
“Today we have two or three in total.
“Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, I would say Neymar, who in Brazil has not yet managed to become a great figure.”
Neymar, who remains on the books of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain after missing out on a summer transfer, is considered to still have potential to unlock at 27 years of age.
Pele believes his countryman can become the player everyone in Brazil expected him to be, with there a chance that global glory could be secured in 2022.
A three-time World Cup winner said when asked if Neymar can inspire a bid for football’s grandest prize: “I hope so. I hope that at the next World Cup he is in good physical condition.
“People criticise him. Even I did it a few times, but we forget that he is a product of ours, of the nursery of Santos.
“We always want the best for him. I talk about it often with his father. Technically he is an excellent player.”
hardtruth7
1237
Pele words are unstable like water.
raynknight
659
PeLe's nick-name must be 'The Rainbow' 🌈, he aLso has seven coLours 😁😁
Veyeist
547
One day people will ask bill gate to go to Africa and proof himself because anyone can make it in USA so he needs to go to Africa and start from scratch if he is really a good business man Messi is the GOAT he has proven this long ago because he is not the only player in baca yet he break records daily he is playing with players than don’t even know how to pass back to him yet he is still scoring goals no xavi or iniesta or ronaldiho in his team yet he scored goals creat chances assist dribble the only thing he can’t do on the field is becoming a ref maybe that is what you guys want him to do in other to proof himself become a ref and VAR same time missi is the best greatest in football history is a gift from God stop the hate and find your gift it will make way for you
Mohedmoses
533
Sorry fellow CR7 fans ... but I think its abt time to realise Messi is far better than Cristiano!.... Legends always say it! fans always see it every weekend! He never points fingers to himself... others point fingers to him!
Mosanya
315
Last year: Messi shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn’t head the ball well? This year: Pele picks Messi as his perfect playing partner. Fans: I thought you said messi is not a complete player. Pele: I was talking about Thiago Messi.
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CR7 Fans : No nooOoOo !!!!!!! Pele you don't understand anything !!! You don't understand anything about football !!! damn 😂😂😂😁😁😁
Abu→bd
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Life is incomplete without life partner, & Football is incomplete without MESSI..
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