In the football world, few names command as much respect as Pele. So when fans ask “what Pele said about Messi”, they’re digging into comments. FreeKickSEO will walk you through the most meaningful things Pele said about Lionel Messi — praise, criticism, and context — and what it all.
Pele’s early respect for Messi
Pele clearly acknowledged Messi as a tremendous talent and often spoke about him in public — sometimes positively, sometimes with caveats. Even as early as the 2010s, Pele referred to Messi as “the most consistent player in the world for the last 10 years,” highlighting his sustained excellence.
Later, in a more forward-looking comment, Pele named Messi as “the most complete player” in the modern game — suggesting that he would choose to play alongside him if he were picking a teammate.
Critical remarks: Not all praise
But Pele’s commentary wasn’t one-sided admiration. He made pointed observations that stirred debate among fans andndits. One of his more controversial statements was that comparing Messi to Pele is tricky because Messi “only has one skill,” and lacks ability to head the ball well or shoot with both feet.
In an interview picked up by El Futbolero, Pele questioned how someone could be compared to legends like himself if they don’t excel with both feet, in the air, and across multiple dribbling styles. He argued that true all-rounders are those who can score with their right foot, left foot, and with headers—areas where he felt Messi was limited.
At one point in a private conversation, Pele suggested that while Messi is “a great player,” he “has no personality,” which in this context seemed to be a reference to leadership, presence, or perhaps the ability to impose himself in big matches.
Pele’s nuanced position in the Messi vs Ronaldo/GOAT debate
Pele’s comments about Messi often came up during questions about “greatest of all time” discussions. He consistentlyvoided declaring a simple winner between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, instead emphasizing that football greatness takes many shapes, and that legends like Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Zico, and others also deserve mention.
In fact, when asked directly who he preferred, Pele once responded that he would still stay with Messi, citing Messi’s creative artistry and influence on the modern game. ORTbible) However, he maintained a distinction between Messi and players.
How fans and analysts reacted
Pele’s mixed remarks generated strong reactions. Some football analysts pointed out that his criticisms of Messi — especially around heading and using both feet — were unfair given Messi’s career achievements, dribbling brilliance, and consistency. Critics argue that Messi’s skill set is simply different from Pele’s, but no less effective.
Others saw Pele’s comments as a reminder that comparing footballers across eras is inherently flawed. The differences in style, physicality, and playing contexts make direct comparisons difficult. Messi’s creative genius and technical mastery live in a different world.
The bigger picture: Legacy, evolution, and respect
When evaluated together, Pele’s comments paint a complex picture of respect mixed with generational distance. On one hand, he recognized Messi as one of football’s modern greats — someone he might have liked to play with and even preferred over certain rivals. On the other, he held Messi to a different standard, shaped by his own era and expectations of what a “complete” footballer should bring to the pitch.
Pele often framed Messi’s career as part of football’s evolution: Messi might not possess every attribute Pele did, but he has redefined excellence in his own way. This thoughtful if sometimes critical stance is a valuable reminder that football greatness comes in many forms — and that Messi’s contribution to the sport deserves admiration even if it doesn’t mirror the path taken by earlier legends.
Conclusion
What Pele said about Messi offers a fascinating window into how football’s past and present intersect. Pele’s comments ranged, reflecting both admiration for Messi’s talent and a generational lens informed by his own playing identity.
If you want to dive deeper into Messi’s statistics, career comparisons with Pele, or how fans and experts respond to these GOAT debates, stick around with FreeKickSEO — where we unpack the numbers, the emotions, and the stories behind football’s biggest legends.
