Who was the greatest?

[sammy]

Both of them are known as the greatest player ever live in this planet. I put only them cause it's obvious. Cruijff, di stefano, zidane, best, are also legends. But admitted, no one ever close with them (well, maybe messi but let time answer that question).

I suggest to choose how they played as a prior (cause if winning WC is to be the first consideration, it would be so obvious who'd won this poll).

And if you don't know how they played, ask your dad or your granddad, plus there are many videos from youtube as your references.

 

[Valon]

Diego.

 

[nebeer]

Maradona for me.

 

[VivaBarca]

Maradona.

 

[yusuf]

most people say marradon because he was the only one they could watch as television boomed at the time marradon was playing. i say jarzinho was the best

 

[FlyLo]

Diego because he had the balls to prove himself in Europe.

 

[Poor_Sunyol]

Maradona hand's down.

 

[Barcaman]

Diego because he had the balls to prove himself in Europe.

Very, very, poor assessment of Pele. Why would he move to Europe? Sounds like some Premiership biased fans we have in today`s football that were hailing the Premiership as a NBA of world football and where they state if a player hasn`t scored vs. Premiership opposition, he`s really not the best. Same thing they were saying about Messi "He is yet to score vs. Premierhip opposition". Like anyone outside the island gave a feck.
Why would have Pele moved to Europe? Those were the different times and Brazil players weren`t moving to Europe very often.
One other think to consider is the Brazil football association regulations. Due to some laws Santos was able to keep Pele in Brazil. Tbh., I don`t know enough about the whole thing and it doeasn`t mean he would move anyway but it certainly could be taken into account.

 

[NebbyCulé]

Pele for me, and I agree with Bojan very good post.

 

[antonnn]

I say Maradona. He was at least on par with Pele based on footballing ability, and at the same time he was a cocaine addict. And for anyone who is naive enough to think otherwise, cocaine is not a drug that would enhance performance in any way, it does the opposite, so to be on par with Pele while being brought down by cocaine shows how much of a legendary footballer the man is.

That said, he wasn't much of a role model, but what he does off the pitch shouldn't take away from how good a footballer he is, and when comparing Pele and Maradona, you should only compare them in a footballing sense.

 

[blueduck]

Sorry Bojan, I'll have to go for Diego.

The defences in Pele's day were alot less organised than when Maradona was playing.

I still haven't forgiven him for the "hand of god" though.

 

[Esteve]

Maradona, without a doubt.

 

[Fourteen]

I find this choice really easy, but it still seems to be one of those match-ups that critics seem to be torn.

Maradona played in Europe, which is one of the main factors and Pele, although he did well in shitty Brazil, can't compare to the achievements of Maradona. Even though the World Cup is the biggest footballing stage, i'm far more impressed by what players can do at club level as they play as part of a team consistently and are able to find a continual level of progression amongst the same peers, week in, week out. At International level, you stick your best national players in a team and prepare the best you can and although it takes the great individuals to make a difference at International level, alot of it is down to a bit of luck and both Maradona and Pele had that luck and skill, with Pele only really doing it notably on the international stage, while Maradona did both.

Bit of a mish-mashed analysis, but hopefully you get my point.

 

[FCB_Titi_LB]

I dont understand why people always need to know which is the best...

This discussion is on for many years ?

This means many will vote for Maradona and many will vote for Pele.

Most of us didnt even see them play (and video doesnt really count) ...also alot of biased people for whatever reason.

It's clear they were both great ...and are legends to remember..each with their own talent. Both touched many lifes and will be remembered for a long time.

 

[nebeer]

I say Maradona. He was at least on par with Pele based on footballing ability, and at the same time he was a cocaine addict. And for anyone who is naive enough to think otherwise, cocaine is not a drug that would enhance performance in any way, it does the opposite, so to be on par with Pele while being brought down by cocaine shows how much of a legendary footballer the man is.

That said, he wasn't much of a role model, but what he does off the pitch shouldn't take away from how good a footballer he is, and when comparing Pele and Maradona, you should only compare them in a footballing sense.

A very, very good post.