Pele. Maradona. Messi.?

The best players make the game look easy and they all did that. I've always thought it to be Messi but every generation thinks their player is the best. 20 years down the line there will be another talent and I'll be saying to the younger people well that guy is good but he's no Lionel Messi 

Cristiano Ronaldo is above them all. Cry about it.

I'd have to go with an unsung hero - like a defensive player or midfielder... so I feel like I might as well not mention a name to this harsh crowd.

I played soccer in a small church league. 

It was pretty legit - despite what some might say or how they might compare it... plus we rented out a spot in a mini arena one night - that actually had posters of upcoming open trials... so I have also played in front of a large audience.

I'm shy and very conscious of how people judge me but - when I play soccer things change - well - they used to change. 

I'm almost 39 now and the last game I played was in 2015. 

If I remember correctly it was 5 against 5 - and we each had to pay $5 - and the more you won the more you played - and we went 0-1-2. 

Pelé is the best, according to me. Even if he played in another age. But he also got Brazil the 3 WorldCups won! And I love him. 

Any Brazilian from the 1986 team first, then the people you mentioned.  Oh, and any Brazilian with a 'ho' in they name

Pele is the best of all them lot

messi should get tf outta here

I’ve never been over impressed by Messi. Sure he’s often been brilliant for Barca but they are normally so superior my granny would grab a couple of goals.

When Bayern thrashed them, he was completely missing. Similarly he has never been great in a mediocre Argentina team.

We’ll never know how much of Maradona’s achievements were drug fuelled , so I’d vote for Pele , whose only drug involvement Im aware of us Viagra.

Cristiano Ronaldo, then Zidane and Brazilian Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, followed by Pele, Maradona and Messi

You can't compare as the times were completely different. A key example, now European club football is easily the strongest on the planet. In the 50's and 60's it was arguably south America. Also the difference in fitness techniques, pitches, rules, equipment etc.

The way I judge it is who had the biggest impact on the game. And for that Pele is the greatest by far.

All good players with talent, cant decide who is better