When Pele is laid to rest, was he the GREATEST EVER? MailOnline readers have their say

As Brazilian legend Pele lies in state ahead of his funeral in Santos on Tuesday, the football world prepares to lay one of the greatest sporting talents of all time to rest.

Since Pele passed away last week at the age of 82, fans have continued to debate football’s biggest debate of all time, weighing whether the three-time world champions deserve the title over superstars Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.

For many, Pele will always be considered the greatest of all time but Messi has made a big claim after finally leading Argentina to the world title last month like Maradona did in 1986. And Ronaldo’s brigade of superfans remains as loyal as ever after his record. Breaking £175million a year and moving to Saudi Arabia this week…

Football is preparing to bury Pele after the Brazilian legend passed away last week aged 82

Lionel Messi (R) and Cristiano Ronaldo (L) squared off with Pelé in the greatest debate of all time

Click on the comment to add your answer:

The different kings of the different eras…Pele…then Maradona and now Messi…All the kings of that era – Stephen, London, United Kingdom

Wasn’t old enough for the Pele era and young when Maradona was big. I’ve loved seeing how Messi has evolved over the years, he’s one of a kind. Ronaldo has talent, but his arrogance stands in his way – Billyding, SA, Australia

The undisputed king is Pele, the only one to have won the World Cup three times, followed by Maradona. CR7 can’t even tie her boots – Thorvex, WA, Australia

Messi is definitely not in the top 5: Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Zidane, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are all better than him! Edwin, Hong Kong

Pele was the innovator for all that came behind him, plus 3 world championships, over!!!! Colin1, Chatham

Pele was the best. Not only did he score goals, he also created them for other team players – Market stall, UK

Quite simply the best player I’ve ever seen play football. He’s in heaven now with Best and Maradona. What a forward line. RIP Pele – davvo111, United Kingdom

Pele, then Cruyff… played when defenders took no prisoners and some countries, e.g. Argentina, kicked lumps of anything that moved. AND that was before they came on the pitch – BC Kev, West Bromwich, UK

opinion poll

Is Pele the greatest footballer of all time?

• Yes – he is the icon of football 0 votes
• No – Messi passed him 0 votes
• No – This is Ronaldo 0 votes
• No, it’s Maradona 0 votes
• … It’s someone else! 1 votes

No competition!! PELE simply is the best ever! Playing fields, equipment, compared to the modern players is like chalk and cheese! Shorty1967, London, United Kingdom

Ronaldo isn’t even in the conversation… So overrated – Rocky..Racoon, Isle Of Man

Messi plays more games than Maradona, on immaculate pitches, with top nutritionists and sports scientists cheering him on; and without knee-high tackles being fair game. If Maradona played now he would also play as many games per season – Three Tone, Nuneaton, United Kingdom

PELE was the greatest of them all. Today’s players could never play with the same conditions on the courts, equipment, balls, science, without substitutions and would never take the penalties that were inflicted on the field back then, there was no diving and acting like there is now. Those who weren’t privileged to see this man play have no idea what they’re missing out on. He had speed, was able to be better than anyone, could use both feet with his header skills and score from long range from anywhere on the pitch – sabrina111, London, UK

Don’t forget George Best! GRoper, Canterbury

If we were to talk about achievements, Pele is very close to the GOAT with Messi. If we were to pick the best pro I would say CR (but very far from the others in terms of talent). If we were to talk about who is the most gifted, talented and dazzling player of all time, there is only one god, one D10S! The Thin White Duke, United Kingdom

The 1970 Brazil team was incredible, Pele was beautiful to look at. RIP sir – Inthenorth, United Kingdom

A good time to pick one of the best XI of all time. Mine would be: Banks, Alberto, Baresi, Beckenbauer, Brehme, Maradona, Messi, Netzer, Ronaldo, Müller, Pele. We could probably all pick multiple teams but I think Pele, Messi, Ronaldo and Maradona would be in all of them – c.traven, Edinburgh, UK

There is no doubt the best is Johan Cruyff. His footballing skills were second to none, but he also had a huge impact on the rest of his teams. His influence at Ajax, Holland and Barcelona was the influence of superb skill but also the brains of a manager – Bert Weenink, Abertillery, UK

1. Maradona 2. Pele and then a big descent to 3. Messi, Cruyff, Best… Maradona. Won the World Cup single-handedly and then made it to the final. He took Napoli from Scrub to European Cup!!!…in one year!!! He was ill and there will never be a goal like the second against England in 86… that’s all – Roastlamb, Gold Coast, Australia

Football is about art and magic moments, not statistics. Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho and Messi were the magicians of their generations. Everyone else like R9, CR7, Cruyff, Zidane didn’t have the same talent as this one – Aframe, Hamburg, Germany

Pele did it all first – on terrible pitches, against racquet defenders – cvgb1, London, UK

It could have been R9. All names mentioned, the only player who is god level in terms of skill and also physically – Michael Heath1, Reading, UK

What a great player. I was lucky enough to see him play for his club Santos when they visited Villa Park in 1972. The place was absolutely packed – Jax, Midlands, UK

Messi for me. Faster game. His skill is on another level – northlad59, Shipley, UK

pele Maradona. This is it – Simbo25, Los Angeles, USA

In the US, some sports or professions have become synonymous with specific people’s names, like scientists and Albert Einstein, or inventors, and it’s Thomas Edison, or baseball – Babe Ruth, or basketball – Michael Jordan, etc. and I think that it’s Pele who first comes to mind when mentioning football ie soccer – Suzgrad, Los Angeles, USA