(CNN Spanish) — Comparing the great football figures is usually unfair, since the contexts in which they have developed are never the same.
This situation is further exacerbated when it comes to stars who played in completely different eras: the pace of the game has changed, some rules have been modified, the player market has crossed all borders and technology is increasingly involved in the game. sport (from the game itself to training).
That is why, if a comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is already difficult, adding “O Rei” Pelé to the formula makes the task practically impossible.
However, for the simple historical recount, something we can do is review the main statistics of these three players: games played, goals, and titles. Each soccer fan will be in charge of deciding which is his favorite star.
The comparison, in data: Pelé, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
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Lionel Messi
(Data updated as of December 23, 2022; the player is still active)
- games played with the Argentina national team: 172
- Goals with Argentina: 98
- games played in clubs (Barcelona from Spain and PSG from France): 831
- Goals in clubs (Barcelona of Spain and PSG of France): 695
- Titles: 41 (one World Cup, Copa América, one Olympic gold medal, one “Finalissima” and 37 club trophies), plus 7 Ballon d’Ors
Cristiano Ronaldo
- games played with the Portugal team: 196
- Goals with Portugal: 118
- games played in clubs (Sporting Lisbon from Portugal, Manchester United from England, Real Madrid from Spain and Juventus from Italy): 949
- Goals in clubs (Sporting Lisbon from Portugal, Manchester United from England, Real Madrid from Spain and Juventus from Italy): 701
- Titles: 34 (one Eurocup, one UEFA Nations League and 32 club trophies), plus 5 Ballon d’Ors
