Pelé's peak between 1961 and 1965 was the greatest in history. Pelé went all the way back to his own pitch to set up the game, and arrived in the opponent's penalty area with dribbling, passing, power and finishing. The closest to Pelé was Messi under Guardiola (they resemble each other in how they dribble and play one-two from the centre of the pitch into the opponent's area), but Messi didn't have Pelé's power (Messi 1.68 or 5ft 6 ½ , Pelé 1.73 or 5ft 8) and finishing versatility (kicked with both feet, headed), although Messi has better ball control. Garrincha was one of the greatest wingers of all time and his peak was at the 1962 World Cup. But he was a winger. Like comparing Messi to Robben. All-around there's no comparison. Besides, when the two shared the pitch against Mexico in Brazil's World Cup debut, Pelé dominated. Obviously, an argument can be made for the titles in that year. But Pelé won the Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup
I think pre-2014 Ronaldo is more comparable to peak Pelé precisely because he finished with both legs and head and because he were a beast physically. I just don't know if Pelé could shoot from as far and from such acute angles as Ronaldo
I think Garrincha played better in his role than Pelé in his role. 10 goals and 14 assists as a pure winger, carried Botafogo to the Brasileirao final and won the Carioca. I think I dont even have to talk about his amazing World Cup, in my opinion, the third best performance ever. Also people in south-america seemed to prefer Garrincha.
I think Pelé and C. Ronaldo are comparable in terms of finishing versatility, but in terms of movement on the pitch, Pelé and Messi are more comparable, since they both come from behind, always from the centre of the pitch, breaking through the opposition's lines with dribbles and passes. C.Ronaldo played more on the flanks of the pitch Pelé won the Brazilian championship 1962 (beat Garrincha in final), Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1962. I'd choose Pelé, but there's nothing wrong with choosing Garrincha that year, he was very good too
I wouldnt rate Libertadores as such an important argument in 1962... Pelé played against very low level teams, except for Peñarol. Garrinchas WC plus his WC campaign is more worthy id say.
Both Messi and Cristiano are more wingers than Pelé who was a pure proper attacking midfielder/second striker. Both yeah Messi and Pelé are way more related than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, higher volume of dribbles and dribbles goals, assisting, passing, touches, build up plays etc. Just more central to plays while Cristiano Ronaldo was more of a direct threat, an attacker. Cristiano remembers me of Pelé with his range of shooting and aerial game, but I'm not sure if he was as good as Pelé in terms of finishing tho. I give the advantage for Pelé in anything to be honest. ... and in 1962, I have no doubt that Pelé was a class above Garrincha too. Garrincha with the World Cup has the merit, but Pelé was clearly the superior player. IMO Garrincha should never put ahead of Pelé.