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Pele Explains Why He Thinks Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Better Player Than Lionel Messi

Pele Explains Why He Thinks Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Better Player Than Lionel Messi

Pele has given the nod to Portuguese superstar Ronaldo over Messi.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Pele thinks Cristiano Ronaldo is better than rival Lionel Messi - because Ronaldo is 'more consistent' than his longtime rival.

Messi and Ronaldo have been inseparable since breaking onto the scene over a decade ago.

But Brazilian legend Pele has weighed in on who he thinks is the better player and it's Juventus forward Ronaldo who comes out on top ahead of the Barcelona captain.

"Today the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo," Pele told YouTube channel Pilhado per Daily Mail.

"I think he's the best, because he's more consistent, but you can't forget about [Lionel] Messi, of course, but he's not a striker.

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PA

Despite his glowing praise of the duo, Pele still arrived at a simple conclusion when deciding who is the best of all time - himself.

"It is a question that is difficult to answer," he begun when asked who is the best.

"We cannot forget about Zico, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.And in Europe, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff.

"Now, it's not my fault, but I think Pele was better than them all."

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PA

Messi recently broke Pele's record for most goals at a single club, after registering his 644th Barcelona goal against Real Valladolid.

But the World Cup winner's former club Santos have disputed the record by claiming Pele actually scored 1,091 goals - not the reported 643 goals.

Santos say his goals against River Plate, Boca Juniors, Racing, Universidad de Chile, Real Madrid, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Benfica and Anderlecht are not included in the official total not to mention the eight goals against Inter Milan or four goals against Barcelona.

Their argument is that the matches were official as they were played with official teams and the rules of the game.

So, the additional goals should be counted.

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PA

Part of the statement reads: "In the last few days, much has been said in the press and on social media about the number of goals scored by Pele with the Santos Futebol Clube shirt.

"According to some statisticians, Argentine Lionel Messi (Barcelona) became the player with the most goals for the same club, reaching 644 goals for the Catalan club, excluding friendly matches - called by some as official goals.

"Pele had already congratulated Barcelona's shirt 10, 'Stories like ours, of love for the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football,' wrote the King on his social networks.

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PA

"However, part of the press reports the historic feat, reneging on the greatest of all records, the total goals in the clubs.

"Pele scored 1,091 goals for Santos. In the accounts of the specialized press, the King of Football scored 643 in competitions and the 448 goals scored in matches and friendly competitions were ostracised, as if they had less value than the others."

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Juventus, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo