Other than Pelé, Guardiola is clear about who is the greatest

“I personally say that for me the best ever was Leo Messi.”

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of his Manchester City’s last match of 2022-which will host Everton at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31-Pep Guardiola kept up his reputation as a non-trivial character. Never accommodating, always sincere in all his assertions, the Catalan coach also spoke about the passing of Pelé, the legendary Brazilian star who passed away on Thursday at the age of 82. Giving his judgment in the never-ending – and perhaps irresolvable – diatribe on who was the best ever.

“I think Neymar said a great thing when he said that the number 10 before Pelé was just a number. And that after him it became something special. For a long time all great players have wanted to wear the number ten jersey on their shoulders. What he did for soccer will forever remain in the history of futbol,” he began.

“I was not yet born when he played, but he was so strong. He left an indelible imprint. I think he, like Cruijff, Maradona, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Beckenbauer, are players who will remain forever. They did so many things for so many years on the soccer fields. Pelé was able to do everything, and Brazilians believe he was the best in history, just as Argentines think the same about Messi, Di Stefano and Maradona. I personally say that for me the absolute best was Leo Messi,” he concluded.