Pele dies the "king" of football.
This was his trajectory 5:43
(CNN Spanish) --
Comparing the great soccer figures is usually unfair, since the contexts in which they have operated are never the same.
This situation is further exacerbated when it comes to stars who played in completely different eras: the pace of the game has changed, some rules have been modified, the player market has crossed all borders and technology is increasingly involved in the game. sport (from the game itself to training).
That is why, if a comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is already difficult, adding "O Rei" Pelé to the formula makes the task practically impossible.
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However, for the simple historical recount, something we can do is review the main statistics of these three players: games played, goals, and titles.
Each soccer fan will be in charge of deciding which is his favorite star.
The comparison, in data: Pelé, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Pele
Matches played with the Brazil national team: 92
Goals with Brazil: 77
Club games played (Brazilian Santos and US New York Cosmos): 1,223
Club goals (Brazilian Santos and US New York Cosmos): 1,155
Titles: 14 (three World Cups with Brazil and 11 with clubs)
Lionel Messi
(Data updated as of December 23, 2022; the player is still active)
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Matches played with the Argentina national team: 172
Goals with Argentina: 98
Matches played in clubs (Barcelona from Spain and PSG from France): 831
Goals in clubs (Barcelona of Spain and PSG of France): 695
Titles: 41 (one World Cup, Copa América, one Olympic gold medal, one "Finalissima" and 37 club trophies), plus 7 Ballon d'Ors
Cristiano Ronaldo
Matches played with the Portugal team: 196
Goals with Portugal: 118
Matches played in clubs (Sporting Lisbon from Portugal, Manchester United from England, Real Madrid from Spain and Juventus from Italy): 949
Goals in clubs (Sporting Lisbon from Portugal, Manchester United from England, Real Madrid from Spain and Juventus from Italy): 701
Titles: 34 (one European Championship, one UEFA Nations League and 32 club trophies), as well as 5 Ballon d'Ors
Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Pelé