Manchester City's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola declared after the World Cup that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time. Including all proper weighting.
"Anyone who has seen Pelé, Maradona, or Di Stéfano can choose their favorite. There are approaches with sentimental content. I already said that it is difficult to understand how a player competes, like him, in the last 15 or 17 years. For me, Messi is the best", said.
Pelé competed at the highest level for 20 years, between 1957 and 1977. For 65 years, when you want to raise someone to the highest level, the counterpoint is always Pelé.
When Guardiola took over Barcelona, he dismissed Ronaldinho Gaúcho and handed Messi the number 10 shirt.
Why not the 9? Why didn't he offer Messi the number 7, since he played on the right? Why number 10? Even Guardiola, without realizing it, revered Pelé.
Translated by Cassy Dias