“Truly something special” - Carlo Ancelotti picks GOAT among Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele and Ronaldo Nazario

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Carlo Ancelotti has named Pele as his GOAT over Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, and others. He believes that the Brazilian was truly special and deserves to be recognized as the best.

Speaking to CONMEBOL, the new Brazil coach said that Ronaldo and Messi are spectacular players, and it is difficult to pick between the two. However, he sees Pele as a level above them and said (via BolaVIP):

"I can't say definitively because Pele belongs to a different generation. What Pele achieved in his career—on top of the World Cups he won—was something truly special. The others have been spectacular players. Starting with Ronaldo, whom I had the good fortune to coach, to Messi, whom I've seen, and all the others. But it's difficult to choose. Based on what he achieved in his career, I believe Pele deserves first place."

Pele made his Santos debut three years before Carlo Ancelotti was born. The Italian went on to manage Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, but has never managed Lionel Messi in his career.

Carlo Ancelotti backed Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT claims over Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed earlier this year that he was the GOAT in football and nobody was more complete than him. He stated that he was faster, stronger and could score with both feet, making him better than Lionel Messi and Co.

He said in an interview with LaSexta (via GOAL):

"I think I'm the most complete player there has ever been. That's my opinion. It could be a question of taste but I think it's me. I do everything in football. I head well, I take set pieces well, I shoot well with my left foot, I'm fast, I'm strong, I jump. I don't see anyone better than me and I tell you that with all my heart."

Carlo Ancelotti spoke about it in a press conference soon after and said (via GOAL):

"Cristiano has left his mark on an era, he is leaving his mark on an era. For me, he has been the best. Also because he has helped me a lot, with the goals he has scored, to remain calm on the Real Madrid bench."

Lionel Messi's rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, played 101 matches under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. He scored 112 goals in those games, the same he managed in 115 matches under Zinedine Zidane.

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About the author

Sripad

Sripad is a veteran Sportskeeda football journalist who has been with the company for around 10 years. His tryst with writing happened in class XI when he started penning blogs, and his foray into football was during the early 2000s, watching matches with his cousins.

Sripad has been a Chelsea fan through and through since the age of 9 and can watch their 2012 Champions League triumph on repeat. The undisputed ‘GOAT’ according to him is Lionel Messi and his favorite managers are Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. Apart from popular European leagues, he also likes to follow other leagues like the MLS, Saudi Pro League, Eredivisie, and Liga MX.

Sripad believes in only using the right sources for his articles, and is an expert in understanding how to get the right quotes for each news to provide proper background information. His exploits have led him to become a popular figure in European Football and interviewing Premier League legends such as Alan Shearer, Shay Given, Paul Dickov, and John Barnes. His articles have been much revered amongst the football fraternity and have been shared by the likes of John Terry, Gary Lineker, and Declan Rice.

If given a chance to change a football rule, Sripad wants VAR to be fully automated and offside rules to be less stringent. When not working, he likes to watch past Formula 1 races and play FIFA.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava

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