well thats because some of the fouls were just plain moronic back then, like many in that vid you posted, a lot of the fouls were more comical than brutal, more like out of a wrestling match....plus when they say "back in the day" they mostly refer to EPL standards set by the likes of Leeds United and not necessarily Santos.
Also Pele was a diver I think, go to 3:00 on that video, what the fuck was he doing? I see he was as retarded back then as he is now, no way this imbecile could have been better than Messi or Maradona. Anyways Messi > Pele.
yes, usually it is thugs like Souness saying that, but it doesn't mean that Pele was not on the end of assaults like those interviewed in the video who played alongside him were saying.
and again a tiny fraction of the games Pele played for Santos were televised.
so Pele dived and therefore Messi is better? did Messi not dive this season at the slightest contact vs sociedad and get booked for it?
Pele is an egotistical douche whenever he opens his mouth, I am in agreement with that, but it does not mean people on here should put their blinkers on and claim he's not even worthy of being mentioned as one of the greatest ever ( a comment i've seen on this forum a few times).
you think Messi is better, i don't how many times i've said I respect such opinions, even if i disagree. don't take me pointing out some incredible goal record by Pele at the mere ages of 17 and 18 as a personal insult to Messi.