Ah, feels great to find out you finally see the light, Zed.D. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) Almost all of Pato's league goal for Milan were better than what Messi, and Cristiano pull off in the Spanish league, mainly because of the level of defending. That is why in terms of league performance I still rate Maradona above Pele, due to his time in Serie A.

Overall I still think Pele was a bigger player, but Maradona wasn't too far behind. But point of the matter is defending standards in most professional leagues are terribly down from the 90s and early 2000s.

Pele?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Aye, Pele. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) You really haven't watched much vintage football, have you, man? I've watched things starting from the 40s and 50s, and well let's just say those were joyous, all-or-nothing, pure games of football. Not this thing what we call sports these days, with managers deciding the outcome of the game from the word go.

I've watched enough to have an opinion.

Well, that then, I can respect. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, too bad Pato will never become the players Messi and Ronaldo are. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

Well, I'm not the one to say never, but can't disagree there if I tried. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) His finishing is better than both, but he lacks in most other departments, whether it is stringing a good pass together, a through ball, creativity, vision, heck, his fragile body meant that this season he could not even dribble like he did a few years back.

I probably wouldn't put Pele in the top 100. Not his fault he played at a time where International football was a joke and there was only about 10 nations who were half decent, it is his fault that he never went to Europe though. Probably a good thing, even a 3rd division Villa beat a Santon with Pele in the team!

I think it's all relative anyway. Would Pele at his peak even be any good in todays game? Defending has come on an incredible amount even from the 90s and 80s, so I just don't think he'd be all that. Players today are far superior than previous generations, which is why it's so hard to compare.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Feb 24 2013, 05:02 AM

I meant his injuries.

See the light? my opinions of Messi hasn't changed. sure, he finds it easier in La Liga, but it's not like all Serie A teams can defend like Milan did against Barca. it's just that the number, as you always say, are inflated when you're a striker in La Liga. Messi would probably score an average of 20-25 goals each season in Serie A.

As for Pele... I haven't watched him a lot, but I've watched enough 60's and 70's football and it looked much simpler compared to what it was from late 80's onwards. I think Maradona could equally shine if he played today, but Pele? not sure. but doesn't matter, all you have to do is to be the best in your time. that's why there's still people who rate Pele (like my father), because they remember watching him being the best in his time.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Feb 24 2013, 10:48 AM

They did not do that well in most places in Europe, even Greece...

I think Pele now would be Robinho.

Only without the ridiculous hairstyle.

I don't think he'd be close to being that good.

More to do with 'vintage' perhaps?

So El Classico time again? Any takers? I think this time Madrid have got an edge. Barca have it would seem lost their edge. The enforced coaching change would not have helped of course.