Was Pele better than Ronaldo: Comparing two football legends

Was pele better than Ronaldo? has become one of the most hotly debated and interesting topics among football fans. Both players have had glorious careers and are living icons in the history of world football. However, comparing these two legends is not easy because they played in different periods, with different conditions and contexts. To answer this question, let’s Kingsoccertips.com take a comprehensive look at factors such as personal achievements, international and club titles, playing style, and the influence they left on the king sport.

Pele – Brazilian football legend

Pele, full name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was born in 1940 in Brazil. Pele is one of the greatest players of all time, and his achievements in football are beyond dispute. Starting his professional career in 1956 at the age of 15, Pele had a long and successful journey, and was the first player in the world to win 3 World Cups, a record that still stands today.

Was Pele better than Ronaldo - Pele — Was Pele better than Ronaldo – Pele

Pele’s notable achievements:

3 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970): This is Pele’s greatest achievement. He is the only player in football history to win the World Cup three times, something that no other player, from Maradona to Ronaldo or Messi, can match.
Goals: Pele scored a total of 1281 goals in 1363 official matches, an impressive number. Of which, he scored 77 goals for the Brazilian team in 92 international matches.
Santos Club: Pele spent the majority of his career with Santos FC in Brazil, where he won numerous domestic and international titles, including the Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963) and multiple Brazilian national championships. Pele was also instrumental in making Santos a favorite team around the world.
Move to New York Cosmos: Despite being 34 years old, Pele continued to play and contributed greatly to the development of American soccer, joining the New York Cosmos and helping to popularize the sport in the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Contemporary Legend

Cristiano Ronaldo, born in 1985, is one of the greatest players in modern football. With his extremely impressive scoring ability, outstanding physical strength, and powerful playing style, Ronaldo has conquered a series of titles at both club and national team level. He started his career at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, and then joined Real Madrid, Juventus and is currently playing for Al Nassr.

Was Pele better than Ronaldo - Cristiano Ronaldo — Was Pele better than Ronaldo – Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding achievements:

5 Golden Balls (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017): Ronaldo has won the most Golden Balls in modern football history, an impressive achievement compared to contemporary players.
5 UEFA Champions League titles (1 with Manchester United and 4 with Real Madrid): Ronaldo has become a symbol of the Champions League, with his brilliant performances and great contributions to the team’s victory.
Goals: Ronaldo is currently the player with the most goals in football history with more than 850 goals in official matches. He is also the player with the most goals in the UEFA Champions League and the Euros.
Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019: With the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo won the Euro 2016 championship, along with the Nations League 2019, affirming his importance not only at the club level but also at the national team.
Impressive form over the years: Despite being 39 years old, Ronaldo still maintains his peak performance, making many people admire his ability to maintain his fitness and his constant dedication.

Was Pele better than Ronaldo?

Comparison of playing styles

Pele is known for his excellent ball control, excellent technique, and ability to score from any position on the pitch. He is considered an artist on the pitch, with spectacular dribbling, creative play, and powerful shots. Pele is the epitome of a complete striker, able to score with both feet and head, and always knows how to create opportunities for teammates. His agility and speed have fascinated not only Brazilian fans but also the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his strong physique, explosive speed, and excellent aerial ability. He is a physical player and has the ability to defeat opponents in direct situations. However, Ronaldo does not only rely on his physique, he also possesses excellent skills with both feet, especially the ability to finish from difficult situations. He also has an extremely dangerous heading ability, with high bounces and accurate finishing, something that few strikers can match.

Personal achievements and titles

Pele, although he won three World Cups and many domestic titles with Santos, did not win the Champions League, something Ronaldo did five times. In fact, Pele’s career took place mainly in a different period, when world football was not as developed as it is today. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has proven his ability in major international tournaments and top clubs, especially in Europe, where he has conquered many major titles.

Pele is the only player to win three World Cups, an achievement that no one can surpass. However, when it comes to club career and ability to maintain form over the years, Ronaldo is superior. He was able to play at a high level for a long time, and even moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid to Juventus, without losing his form.

Influence and legacy

Pele is an icon not only of Brazilian football but also of world football. He was the first person to bring Brazilian football to the top of the world, and his career helped Brazil become the most powerful country in international football. Pele’s legacy is not only about trophies and goals, but also about humility and sportsmanship.

Cristiano Ronaldo changed the face of modern football. Through hard work, discipline and a desire to win, Ronaldo became a global icon, not only for Portugal but also for the world. Ronaldo’s legacy will not stop at his achievements but also about his lessons in personal development, maintaining form over time and his great influence on young players.

Conclusion

So was Pele better than Ronaldo? There is no simple answer, as both are football legends with great achievements and influences in different eras. Pele made an everlasting mark with three World Cups and an illustrious career in Brazil, while Cristiano Ronaldo has proven his mettle through his brilliant success at top clubs and the national team. Both are living icons of football, inspiring generations of players and fans around the world.