Argentine Legend Snubs Lionel Messi & Diego Maradona As Soccer’s Greater Player, Says “Pele is From Another Planet”

There is no GOAT debate in the soccer world without Lionel Messi at its epicenter. Many declared Messi is the undisputed GOAT after he led Argentina to their third World Cup win. However, there are still a lot who beg to differ. In fact, many soccer enthusiasts put Argentina’s own legendary Diego Maradona ahead of Leo Messi in the said debate. Now, interestingly, a soccer veteran, despite coming from Argentina, has shockingly snubbed both heroes Maradona and Messi as the greatest of the game.

The Argentine legend took the conversation to a different tangent when he was asked to choose between Maradona and Messi. He shifted the discussion to the legendary Pele who conquered the sport while playing for Argentina’s arch rival-Brazil.

Argentine veteran overlooks Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona with a Pele claim

In a recent interview with Radio La Red, the River Plate player turned coach Reinaldo a.k.a Mostaza Merlo gave two cents about Lionel Messi and his on-field exploits. The veteran did not shy away from admitting he could never contain La Pulga on the field if the two were to face. Soon, Merlo was asked to choose between Messi and Maradona. He responded, “Maradona and Messi, two phenomena, but Pelé is from another planet.”

Merlo went on to reiterate Pele is one of a kind and is undoubtedly the greatest of all time for him. Albeit playing more than 500 matches for the Argentine club, River Plate, Merlo never made it to the national team. The 73-year-old has neither faced Pele nor Maradona. But as a soccer player turned manager, Merlo indeed is the right person to have an opinion on soccer’s GOAT debate. Moreover, Merlo is not the only one to think Messi has not surpassed Pele. Couple of other soccer veterans too have thought on a similar line.

Soccer icons who said Messi has not surpassed Pele

Lionel Messi’s own former teammate and buddy Ronaldinho once grew hesitant to crown Leo Messi as soccer’s greatest. The Brazil legend said it is hard to compare Messi with Maradona, Pele, and Ronaldo Nazario, and declare him the best. Ronaldinho ended the GOAT debate by declaring Messi the best of his era, instead of deeming him the greatest of  the game.

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Distinguishing eras in soccer, Scottish legend Jocky Scott, who once faced Pele, stressed that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have surpassed the great Brazilian. Scott also went on to say that the likes of Pele, Maradona, and Johan Cryuff will dominate today’s game like no other if they ever had the chance to play now. What do you think about Mostaza Merlo’s take? Do you think Messi is yet to surpass Pele? Tell us in comments below.

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