The Recurring Debate: Pele or Maradona?

The reason I have decided to write on this topic is a debate I had with a friend the other day.

I am a Maradona fanatic and he is a Pele worshipper. Things could not have gotten worse.

The two are undoubtedly the greatest players ever to have kicked a ball. But amongst themselves it is very hard to decide who is the better one?

Firstly, both played in different positions. While Pele was a conventional forward, Maradona was more of an attacking midfielder who played behind a striker.

Secondly, the two never played together or against each other, which makes it even harder to compare the two.

My father was the person who used to tell me tales about Maradona and Platini and how they used to tear defences apart. Never once did he mention Pele, even though he had witnessed Pele in full flow in 1970.

The reason that he gave for his silence on Pele was simple: he did not feel that Pele was anything special.

According to him, Pele was just a clinical finisher who would pounce on anything inside the 18-yard box. Maradona was a creator of goals; Pele, according to him, lacked that magic touch.

The explanation my father gave me was thought-provoking. Even though Pele won three World Cups with Brazil, he always had a great team that played alongside him. Maradona was usually the only star in the Argentine side for majority of his time in the blue and white jersey.

Pele had the likes of Vava, Garrincha, Zito and Zagallo to fall back on in 1958. In 1962, he had the same players to support him as well. And in 1970, he had the likes of Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Tostao, Gerson and Rivelino. Brazil would have won the World Cup even without him, I suppose.

Maradona, being a substitute in first World Cup in 1982, had the class of 1978 behind him. Passarella, Kempes, Ardiles, Bertoni and Tarantini. Stars in their own right.

In 1986, when Argentina won the World Cup, Maradona was one of the only mentionable player (Valdano being the other.) All the other players were mediocre to say the least.

In 1990, he had the likes of Cannigia, Ruggeri and Burruchaga. All those players put together could not come close to the strength of the 1970 Brazilian side.

Which made it that much easier for Pele.

Lets also look at their club records. Maradona has played for the likes of Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla. He scored a total of 311 goals for all these clubs.

On the way, he won the Copa del Rey, Copa de la Liga, Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup and the Italian Super cup.

Pele on the other hand, has played for Santos and the New York Cosmos, winning every trophy possible with Santos and scoring 1000+ goals.

However, the fact that Pele never played in Europe is also an important factor. He never in the true sense played against the world's best defences. Besides, a large portion of his goals have never been recorded and confirmed by statisticians.

Maradona, however, scored the majority of his goals in Europe against the best of teams. He played for Napoli which was, at that time, a mid-table club and won major honours with them in Serie A, the best league in the 1980's.

All throughout his career he played for mediocre clubs and teams and made them look world-class.

If not for his substance abuse, he would have achieved a lot more.

To me, the very fact that Maradona could make a cricket-lover like my father sit and watch football was reason enough to believe that he was the best player ever.

Maradona or Pele...???

Take your pick.