This article is part two of a series done in collaboration with fellow Bleacher Report writer Joe Guarr. You can find Joe's argument for Pelé by clicking here.
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was the first stadium to hold two World Cup finals.
The list of players who have played on its pitch reads like a who's who of the game's greatest of all-time.
Michel Platini, Lev Yashin, Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Hugo Sánchez, Zico, Emilio Butragueño, Enzo Francescoli, Carlos Alberto, Jorge Valdano, and of course—Pelé.
However, only one great footballer's likeness graces the statue outside of the stadium, commemorating an event that will never be forgotten by football fans.
Diego Maradona, as he rises above English goalkeeper Peter Shilton, strikes a ball partly with his head and partly with his hand—The Hand Of God.
The infamous goal surmises a man who despite his shortcomings as a person, has locked himself in the hearts and minds of millions as the best player who ever kicked a football.
Later in the very same game, a 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match, five minutes later to be exact, Maradona took a seemingly innocuous pass in the middle of the pitch.
Ten seconds later, six Englishmen—including Shilton—stood behind the Argentinian in awe as he had blazed, shimmied, and powered his way beyond them on his way to what was voted the
Goal of the Century.After the game, a Mexican journalist wrote, "En la cancha fueron Maradona y 21 más" ("On the pitch there was Maradona and 21 others") in reference to the otherworldly level that he possessed.
A powerful and complex figure, Maradona's dream tournament ended with Argentina hoisting its second World Cup trophy after defeating West Germany.
In a 21-year career, Maradona's talent took him from the biggest club in South America to one of the biggest clubs in Europe and then to Italy, where he transformed a team that was a mid-table staple into one of the world's powerhouses.
While Pelé spent his entire career in Brazil, racking up goals against mediocre players who many times weren't worthy of kissing his cleats, Maradona faced the world's best and dominated them throughout the prime of his career.
For his national team, Pelé had the help of some of the greatest of all-time in obtaining three World Cup trophies. He often shared the field with a player whom some older Brazilians say is better than him—Garrincha.
For the 1970 World Cup, he had Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto, and Roberto Rivelino and a stable of others.
In the case of Diego's Argentina, it was truly Maradona and 21 others attempting to catch him.
While debate fuels Brazilian conversations over who indeed is their best player, in Argentina there is none.
There is only Diego. There is only Pelusa. There is only El Díez. There is only D10S.
Venerated almost as a god, Maradona's popularity in the country prompted the formation of a church that has attracted thousands, some even marrying while making vows directed at the footballer.
When faced with his mid-30's, an age that usually means a footballer's decline, Pelé joined other washed-up stars in the United States, playing a game that was more curiosity and sideshow for its viewers.
For his troubles, he was paid handsomely by his ringmasters.
Maradona, at 34, played in a World Cup and then returned to Boca Juniors, his favorite club and one of the world's best, and continued to play for a lower salary and as a thank you to the millions of fans who adored him.
When FIFA conducted a vote of the public to decide once and for all who was the best of all-time, the people overwhelmingly selected Maradona.
FIFA, wanting to save face for the Brazilian after a vote they initially thought would be closer, decided to make Diego share the award with Pelé.
Pelé, a great footballer, but one who can't even grant unanimity from his own countrymen, once again forced into the global discussion, forced into Maradona's spotlight.
This time, it couldn't really be done.
The people have spoken.
25 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Joe G 8 months ago
Well done, Eric! I know this was tough for you because you're on the Pele side of the debate as well, but Maradona was truly a sublime talent. I'll spread this around a little and see if we can't get it the exposure that it deserves.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
I appreciate it, no doubt.
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Nick Stanojevic 8 months ago
Great article, Joe I loved yours as well.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
Thank you Nick, glad you enjoyed it.
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S B 8 months ago
I agree with all you have to say about Maradona except for the attempt to say that Brazilian league is somehow weaker than Europe. Pele won two intercontinental titles with Santos (the best club in the world at the time) He scored a hat-trick in one of them in EUROPE.
The second point I obviously disagree with is that Maradona is the best. I think Pele, Garrincha and Maradona are the top three ever with Pele narrowly taking the best place for many reasons too many to list in one article.
Great couple of articles though. Made me review my stats. I will have to change my profile where I list Garrincha as the best in a bid to avoid the whole Pele - Maradona thing. But now I have no doubt.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
I don't know, I think you have to agree that despite the great quality that a lot of Brazilian players possess, European leagues have always had a consistent amount of talent that comes from nearly every country around the world coming to play there.
I myself have a soft spot for Pelé, I believe the way he played the game with such joy and such sportsmanship and of course, such talent, is worthy of being called "the best of all-time", but it seems so interesting to me that even Brazilians have a tough time anointing him as the best.
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S B 8 months ago
Yes every country`s players in the world go to Europe but if European club football was good they would not have to buy talent from all over the world would they?
Players do not go there, players are sought after by scouts and paid millions to make the trip.
It`s a chicken and egg argument and I know I have no chance of convincing you that Euro ball is weak since that`s probably all you know.
No Problem.
But I urge you to have a peak at the Intercontinental and FIFA Club World Cup results. They are the only real measurement of quality between the continents all the rest is just pure opinion and beer adds.
Football should be won on a playing field not on a chat session or beer add.
As for Brazilians and Pele well we love the sport more than anything so we give Maradona his rightful respect and even Zico has said that the England goal is the best ever. I agree. I personally love Garrincha but looking at all the facts Pele is indeed the greatest ever.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
First of all, I'm not European - I'm Mexican.
Secondly, European countries are not weak in player production, if they were I believe that they wouldn't win half of the World Cups that have been played. The Intercontinental Cup and FIFA World Club Cup are competitions that European squads rarely give importance to, and even then - win about half the time.
Brazil is one of the finest exponents of football in the world, no one will ever put that up for debate - however, it is not the only exponent. There's a strange sense of superiority that some display even when nothing innately Brazilian is being attacked, and its always baffled me.
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S B 8 months ago
I agree that Euro ball is good thus they win world cups. I will slightly modify my comment - Euro talent pool is inadequate hence the need to BUY talent constantly. Surely no one can argue with that. They can put together a 22 to win a world cup but an entire league requires spending.
And the thing that was initially being attacked was the quality of Brazilian league. The original discrepancy was based on a comment you made regarding Pele`s club participation. I would like to put the point forward again that Brazilian league is no weaker than any Euro league. Just this.
As for that rubbish about Euro clubs not caring about intercontinental tourneys well they always play their best teams. Except for when they are humiliated of course then they miss the next tourney or try to stop the tourney all together cause it embarrasses their little media circus. Hard to convince the world that Rush and Liverpool are the best when Flamengo stuffs 3 up them...hard to convince the world that Beckham`s Manchester is the best when they can`t even pass the group stage...hard to convince the world that Ronaldinho`s Barcelona is the best when Brazil`s Inter whips them.
We must not stray from the main point of my comment here which is to defend the fact that Brazil league is extremely strong especially in those Pele days when players were not paid to go to Europe.
This is the point I`m making. Santos was the best club in the world at the time winning consecutive world titles.
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Saraswathi Siriginia 8 months ago
Great Counterpoint Vs. Point Eric. Loved your comments SB. Thanks, Sarah
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Shane H. 8 months ago
Absolutely wonderful piece. POTD from me E. I'm a Pele fan but it makes you think. Good job.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
Thanks for the kind wowrds, Shane.
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Yoosof Farah 8 months ago
great article eric. as i commented on joe's article, for me alfredo di stefano is the best ever player, but indeed like pele, you will never again find a player quite like maradona. he was a truly fantastic player, and hopefully he'll be a fantastic coach for the argentinian national team as well.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
Di Stefano is often overlooked (except in Madrid) but he is also undeniably one of the best, as he dominated at both the club and national team level. It's a good idea to branch this argument out to more people. Cruyff is also worthy of being mentioned.
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Maire Ofeire 8 months ago
Really good article Eric but you failed to mention how Maradona dragged (literally) two average teams in Napoli and Argentina to respective titles. That what sets him apart from Pele in my eyes - Pele was always surrounded by top players particularly at international level but Maradona just dragged them kicking and screaming, it is sad that his demons took over with I think turn some people away from him. Complete legend (as is Pele just that I rather Maradona)
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
"[...]and then to Italy, where he transformed a team that was a mid-table staple into one of the world's powerhouses."
Speaking of Napoli.
"In the case of Diego's Argentina, it was truly Maradona and 21 others attempting to catch him."
Speaking of Argentina.
Hopefully I cleared some confusion up. Thanks for reading and commenting!
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S B 8 months ago
At Napoli let`s not forget Careca and Alemao please. They also helped put this club on the map, especially the former.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
There was definitely a lot of talent on that Napoli squad, but the consensus is always that Maradona was the main factor. Fans in Naples venerate Maradona over any other player, to the point that the only number Napoli has ever retired is Maradona's 10.
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Maire Ofeire 8 months ago
Eric, my whole hearted apology. Statement retracted and it now gets a POTD vote :-). I'm full sure I read this after Arsenal had got beaten by Stoke so my mind was elsewhere, apologies!!
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Marlon Oram 8 months ago
You're wrong, Pele was by far the greatest
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
In Mexico we have a saying that goes "En gustos se rompen géneros" which basically means you won't ever change anyone's mind if they have a deeper appreciation for one thing over another.
Thanks for commenting.
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S B 8 months ago
In Brazil we say `futebol e bola na rede` which basically means football is decided scoring goals...the rest is bla bla bla excuses.
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Guido 8 months ago
I believe Pele is the better player, but fair play in this plea for Maradona. I also believe you can't really compare the two, as the circumstances in which they played were not similar. Football has become faster-paced and more physical over the years, so the kind of football Pele played cannot be compared to that of Maradona.
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Eric Gomez 8 months ago
I think you're right on most points and the only thing I would have to question is the fact that the 1986 World Cup was a wide-open affair because of the astounding amount of talented teams led by several superstars.
The 80's as a decade, was almost a golden age of football when you had Brazil led by Zico, France by Platini, Mexico by Hugo Sánchez, the USSR by Blokhin, Spain by Michel and Butragueno, Francescoli's Uruguay, England's Lineker, Germany's Rudi Voller and Poland with Boniek.
And one man dominated the whole tournament from start to finish.
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S B 8 months ago
Guido I used to think that way too.
But (by coincidence) I saw a black and white clip of Pele playing a fixture and I saw a move which no one in football nowadays could pull off. ..just a few days ago on T.V.
I will attempt to describe.......Pele is full flight (imagine a bolt sprint) shapes to shoot by coming to a full stop supported by one leg - the defender struggles to stop as well (which in itself was impressive) then in a flash he`s off again, leaving the bewildered back (from the dead stop) . Not only does this outclass anything the modern game has to offer but it may defy the laws of physics.
From full sprint - to dead stop (little feint move) and then full sprint again - all in one movement.
My words can never do justice to this move. You probably imagine some Ronaldo, Robinho or Cristiano slow motion modern stuff. When I say full sprint I mean Bolt speed. And when I say all in one move..please believe me that it is exactly that...no pauses. My broken down description is for explanatory purposes..there were no pauses.
i honestly don`t know how this guys knee caps didn`t pop out.
Nothing like this exists in the modern game.
The slow footage you probably have seen is after everybody already knew him and he had to modify his style and slow it down a bit or when he was old in 1970 WC or Cosmos etc.
Believe me if you see the young Pele playing for his club your jaw will drop.
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