Messi-Ronaldo rivalry: Brazil legend Pele picks best player in the world

Pele has picked Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world, and that he is the greatest player in history.

The former striker gave an interview to YouTube channel Pilhado and was asked whom he believes to be the world’s best player.

“Today the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo,” Pele told the channel as cited by Football Italia.

“I think he’s the best, because he’s more consistent, but you can’t forget about [Lionel] Messi, of course, but he’s not a striker.”

Pele was then pressed on who will go down as the greatest player in the history of the game.

“It is a question that is difficult to answer. We cannot forget about Zico, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

“And in Europe, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff.

Now, it’s not my fault, but I think Pele was better than them all.”

It’s hardly surprising that Pele omitted Diego Maradona from the list, given the rivalry between the duo over the years.