Pope Francis spoke on an Italian TV show about the best footballer of all time and also named Pelé alongside Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Vatican City – Is this already canonization? The debate about the best footballer of all time is not only being held at many regulars’ tables, even Pope Francis (86) has his own opinion, which will particularly surprise his compatriots.
Pope Francis (86, right) is not only enthusiastic about the Bible, but also about the round leather. © Andreas SOLARO / AFP
As an Argentine, the head of the Catholic Church should actually only be spoiled for choice between two luminaries in the field – Diego Armando Maradona (†60) and Lionel Messi (36).
The presenters of the Italian TV show also thought so Tg1 thought when they asked the pontiff about the topic and immediately brought the two ball artists from the “Albiceleste” into play.
However, the Buenos Aires-born representative of God subsequently expanded the selection: “I would like to add a third person – Pelé,” said Francis. “These are the three I’ve been following. All three are great and have their own strengths. Of course Messi is very good at the moment.”
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The experts at the French trade magazine France Football see it similarly and recently honored “La Pulga” with the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time. He was also finally able to crown his outstanding career last winter by winning the world title.
On the other hand, Pelé had three golden World Cup trophies in his display cabinet and scored over 1,000 goals during his playing days.
About a week ago, Lionel Messi (36) secured his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris. © Michel Euler/AP/dpa Diego Maradona (†60, left) was considered one of the best footballers of all time, but repeatedly had to struggle with problems in his private life. © AFP
For Pope Francis, Pelé was the “greatest gentleman”
In Brazil, Pelé (†82) is revered as a national hero, but the Pope is also a fan of his. © Karim SAHIB / AFP
Meanwhile, the Pope didn’t just have positive words to say about the third member of the group: “Maradona failed as a human being, poor thing. He slipped, the people around him didn’t help him.”
“He came to me in the first year of my term as pontiff. His life ended badly,” Francis continued. “It’s strange, many athletes end badly, even in boxing. It’s strange.”
However, with the other two candidates it is completely different: “Messi is very correct, he is a gentleman. But Pelé is the greatest gentleman of the three. He was a man with a very big heart. I have him on a plane in Buenos Aires met and spoke to him. He had a lot of humanity,” explained the 86-year-old.
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The Brazilian folk hero died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82 as a result of colon cancer. Countless people then mourned the Seleção’s long-time record goalscorer.
“I hope that you can play football in heaven,” the wonder striker once said. With Pope Francis he at least has the right fan on his side.
2023-11-06 13:31:22
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