Barcelona

Pele wades into Leo Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:38 p.m. ET

Caitlin Murray

It seems like everyone who could've weighed in this debate already has -- even the Pope got in on the action. But Pele, the soccer legend who is regularly in the "best ever" conversation along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has made his choice in the matter.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a great goalscorer, but Messi is the best," Pele said, according to Sport.

Well, that's pretty definitive as it is, but Pele went onto say that Messi has been the "most consistent player" of the past 10 to 15 years, and he does more than just score goals.

"You could mention others, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who's a great goalscorer -- he reminds me of Ronaldo," Pele said. "In the end, Ronaldo scores goals and you see Messi giving assists and creating play, as well as scoring.

"In terms of being a complete player, there's no doubt that Messi is the best."

Up until the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate took center stage, Pele was widely considered by many to be the best player in the history of soccer, along with Diego Maradona. With Pele weighing in and giving the nod to the Argentina and Barcelona man, that is certainly a big plus for the Messi column.

The votes for Messi have been piling up, with Ronaldinho and Jose Mourinho also recently weighing in and picking Messi. The Pope picked Messi, too.

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