After the Qatar 2022 final, the debate between the best players in history returned to the center of the table. Now with Cristiano Ronaldo almost out, the throne of football Olympus is decided between Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele.
And it is that the recent coronation of the Argentine star in Qatar brought again the eternal question to the table: Who is the best player in history? The main candidates in this fight are Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé.
Although all three were world champions at the time, both Diego and Lionel start with a certain advantage over O’Rei due to what they have done in clubs. And it is that the Brazilian never got to deploy his football in the “Old Continent”, something improbable considering the number of garotos that currently play in the main leagues in Europe.
Pelé is the only footballer to win the World Cup three times (Photo: Getty Images)
For this reason, and knowing the critical state in which Pelé finds himself, it remains to ask ourselves the reason why he never played in the main European leagues. Did you know the reason?
THE REASON WHY PELÉ NEVER PLAYED IN EUROPE
O’Rei’s legacy in Brazil is indisputable. Although he came to name several successors in history, Pelé never had a soccer comparison in Brazil. Reasons are not lacking, because he was the top Brazilian scorer on record and, as if that were not enough, he is the only human being who has lifted the much-awaited World Cup three times.
However, the vast, majestic and incomparable career of the 82-year-old idol has a slight “blemish” that serves as an excuse for his detractors: he never played in Europe. Something that today seems absurd, taking into account the credit that the five-time world champions have in the football field.
Pelé’s entire career was in America (PHOTO: EL COMERCIO)
So what happened? Well, it turns out that in Pelé’s heyday, Real Madrid itself went looking for the Brazilian to defend the colors of the biggest club in Spain. In fact, it is known that Santiago Bernabéu, emblematic character of the capital entity, went up to 3 times in search of O’Rei.
Pele’s response? Well, it was always the same: “Thank you very much, it is an honor for me, but I want to continue in Brazil.”
Years later, the greatest legend of Santos revealed in his biographical book the real reason why he never left the land of samba, much less stopped wearing the colors of his beloved club.
“I never seriously considered leaving Brazil. I loved the rice with beans that my mom prepared. I felt comfortable and very happy in Brazil. My parents lived next to my house, the temperature was always 25 degrees and there was a beach. What more could I ask for?said the greatest soccer player in Brazil.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento and Lionel Messi are two of the best players of all time (Photo: Barcelona)
As we know, the former attacker played for 19 years at the highest level of Brazilian professional soccer, before completing his sports cycle and retiring at the New York Cosmos in the United States due to his lack of income.
Whether in Europe, America, Antarctica or China, no one can doubt the legacy of the three-time world champion with Brazil. We look forward to your recovery, O’Rei!
WHO ARE THE HEIRS OF PELÉ?
Over several decades, O’Rei had named various successors to his sporting legacy, both in America and in Africa. In fact, the former Brazilian star made a fun commercial with one of his successors.
Do you know who is this about? Well you can find out HERE.
