Pele, the master has died

[AlanG]

That is sort of my point thought Tim. In 'his time' he was an excellent player. I am not saying he wasn't. But people call him the greatest of all time. He isn't. Simple as that. No-one is or ever will be. Skill/talent improves over time and if he come up against top notch defenders of today's standards then i don't think he'd be so potent. I have this argument with my father all the time (normally after his team matches or England), who lives in the past regarding 'old school' players.

[scottie3158]

Alan, although I agree to a point I often wonder if todays so called greats would be half as good as their predecessors without the manicured pitches tech boots lightweight footballs. They have never known the trauma of heading a wet leather football and getting the laces first. Plus they played for the love of the game and not six figure weekly pay cheques.

[Tim Marlow]

I know where you are coming from Alan, and in general I agree. However, though the average players skill level improves over time, because training methods improve, the talent pool the players are taken from remains more or less the same. Talent, ie the inbuilt ability of the individual player to take the training offered as far as it can be taken, is pretty much based on genetics. This cannot be taught, and, unless we start going in for applied genetic enhancement, cannot be created. To me, this means anyone that is the top of the gene pool in his own era would pretty much be top of the gene pool if he was born into any other era. In pure footballing terms, by the way, the GOAT is quite possibly Maradonna…..but Pele had exceptional personal qualities as well.

[Tim Marlow]

Alan, although I agree to a point I often wonder if todays so called greats would be half as good as their predecessors without the manicured pitches tech boots lightweight footballs. They have never known the trauma of heading a wet leather football and getting the laces first. Plus they played for the love of the game and not six figure weekly pay cheques.

Sorry mate, but I’m going to have to disagree here……
Yes they would is the short answer Scottie. They wouldn’t play in the same way, because it would be a different game, but they would still be better than the vast majority of their peers.
As to loving the game, that’s what makes them all put in the hours to get as good as they do. The money comes from being that good. They don’t become that good because they are trying to earn the money. Let’s face it, if they were motivated solely by making money from playing sport they would probably go out and learn how to play golf :tongue-out3: .

[The Smythe Meister]

Alan, although I agree to a point I often wonder if todays so called greats would be half as good as their predecessors without the manicured pitches tech boots lightweight footballs. They have never known the trauma of heading a wet leather football and getting the laces first. Plus they played for the love of the game and not six figure weekly pay cheques.

HA!! Was about to say EXACTLY THAT ...
Couldn't agree more
... By the time the modern day equivalent to Pele/Best... ( I.e. Ronaldo / Neymar) get anywhere NEAR the penalty area they're not even looking to score,just "win"a penalty!!
Alan,you can't even TRY to compare,we all know that,but it's not because the modern day players are better... it's because they are so protected.. and, frankly, couldn't even live with the defenders of the real game

[Tim Marlow]

Kind of think we’re getting off the point here……interesting though the discussion is.

[The Smythe Meister]

Kind of think we’re getting off the point here……interesting though the discussion is.

Yeah, fair comment...
... I'll get back in my box!!

[Ian M]

He was indeed a fantastic footballer and sorry Alan much better than most of today's 'super stars'. I think the only other 'recent' player that is comparable to Pele was Zidane.