Pele - was he that good? And why ?

[SebastianBlue]

On the pitch, he really was ahead of his time.

 

[aguero93:20]

I used to think Pele was overrated in my younger more ignorant days, with loads of people slagging him for completely different reasons, I've come to realise he's actually nowadays especially from younger people very underrated.
One thing people don't get is Pele was always an attacking midfield playmaker type first and foremost, not a striker and even at the start of his career he played as an attacking midfielder.
Pele was a great tackler of the ball and once made over 10 tackles in one World Cup game in 1962 helping out defensively so just think about that, when do you see that? It's even rare for a defensive player but from an attacking player to put that kind of shift in it beggars belief beyond phenomenal... As a player in an advanced role further up the pitch you don't make 10 tackles in any match, let alone a World Cup match as an attacking player if you aren't at least considered the greatest, although Garrincha was the star in 1962 which people point out in Pele's absence, it was still always Pele who stood out above everyone else when he took to the football field.

(This whole vid is aspects of just his first World Cup game against Mexico in 1962 compared to other players, he's compared with Patrick Vieira from an amazing display I vaguely remember in the Euros I think.
A lot believe 1962 due to his amazingly bright start would've been Pele's best World Cup without question if not for injury, vid will start from 6:30 minutes just to show the tackles section and will show you just how deep he generally played)


Creatively he's probably the most creative player in history many teammates have testified he created as many chances as ones he had to score, because as I said earlier Pele's real position wasn't actually an outright striker.
Pele played between the lines of midfield and attack in a position quite similar to David Silva from the very start of his career, he played left of centre in attacking midfield area like Dave or Iniesta for Barca.
That's despite the popular opinion he only played deep late in his career, he just lost a lot of his famous energy later on in his career, so with that loss of energy it became more apparent him pulling the strings from deep, but he used to run up and down the pitch with fierce energy similar to what fellow blues say about Colin "The King" Bell, he'd rarely come off the pitch knackered due to his crazy energy levels, which is what gave the illusion of him being a striker with his late runs into the box and goal numbers.
If you watch goal or skill compilations involving Pele he is usually running from deep a lot and from a David Silva/Iniesta type positions, historically before Pele the number 10 in Brazil was given to the attacking midfield playmaker not wing forwards or strikers.

He was a very physical player despite his diminutive stature, very strong and sturdy for his size which lead to him being violently fouled.
Pele was also great in the air too when people go on about Tim Cahill's kangaroo jump, people don't realise Pele had an extraordinary leap of his own that lead to many headed goals in his career.
View attachment 62645View attachment 62646View attachment 62647


He is probably the most savagely fouled player in history and likely played most of his career with minor injuries yet still displayed greatness, stick Messi and Cristiano into the brutal era's where Pele Maradona Cruyff and many other skillful geniuses faced brutes getting away with assault, then both these greats from the current era would probably still do very well but would've had far more injuries and far fewer goals.
(Pele being fouled compilation)

This is an absolutely superb post and thank you

 

[Protein Junkie]

Absolutely brilliant player - could do it all.
GOAT.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

It's because of players like Pele and Garrincha that every Brazilian footballer is now feted as the second coming. Take the present Brazil World Cup squad. Do Richarlison, Jesus, Fred, Fabinho and Casemiro really belong anywhere in earshot of Pele? Even the original Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Zico and Ronaldinho are nowhere near the standard of Pele. He was an absolute goliath of the game.
Always interesting to hear older fans than me who talk about Di Stefano and Puskas. How would they be rated with today's blanket TV coverage and the value given to world class status.

 

[Bill]

I used to think Pele was overrated in my younger more ignorant days, with loads of people slagging him for completely different reasons, I've come to realise he's actually nowadays especially from younger people very underrated.
One thing people don't get is Pele was always an attacking midfield playmaker type first and foremost, not a striker and even at the start of his career he played as an attacking midfielder.
Pele was a great tackler of the ball and once made over 10 tackles in one World Cup game in 1962 helping out defensively so just think about that, when do you see that? It's even rare for a defensive player but from an attacking player to put that kind of shift in it beggars belief beyond phenomenal... As a player in an advanced role further up the pitch you don't make 10 tackles in any match, let alone a World Cup match as an attacking player if you aren't at least considered the greatest, although Garrincha was the star in 1962 which people point out in Pele's absence, it was still always Pele who stood out above everyone else when he took to the football field.

(This whole vid is aspects of just his first World Cup game against Mexico in 1962 compared to other players, he's compared with Patrick Vieira from an amazing display I vaguely remember in the Euros I think.
A lot believe 1962 due to his amazingly bright start would've been Pele's best World Cup without question if not for injury, vid will start from 6:30 minutes just to show the tackles section and will show you just how deep he generally played)


Creatively he's probably the most creative player in history many teammates have testified he created as many chances as ones he had to score, because as I said earlier Pele's real position wasn't actually an outright striker.
Pele played between the lines of midfield and attack in a position quite similar to David Silva from the very start of his career, he played left of centre in attacking midfield area like Dave or Iniesta for Barca.
That's despite the popular opinion he only played deep late in his career, he just lost a lot of his famous energy later on in his career, so with that loss of energy it became more apparent him pulling the strings from deep, but he used to run up and down the pitch with fierce energy similar to what fellow blues say about Colin "The King" Bell, he'd rarely come off the pitch knackered due to his crazy energy levels, which is what gave the illusion of him being a striker with his late runs into the box and goal numbers.
If you watch goal or skill compilations involving Pele he is usually running from deep a lot and from a David Silva/Iniesta type positions, historically before Pele the number 10 in Brazil was given to the attacking midfield playmaker not wing forwards or strikers.

He was a very physical player despite his diminutive stature, very strong and sturdy for his size which lead to him being violently fouled.
Pele was also great in the air too when people go on about Tim Cahill's kangaroo jump, people don't realise Pele had an extraordinary leap of his own that lead to many headed goals in his career.
View attachment 62645View attachment 62646View attachment 62647


He is probably the most savagely fouled player in history and likely played most of his career with minor injuries yet still displayed greatness, stick Messi and Cristiano into the brutal era's where Pele Maradona Cruyff and many other skillful geniuses faced brutes getting away with assault, then both these greats from the current era would probably still do very well but would've had far more injuries and far fewer goals.
(Pele being fouled compilation)

post of the year .

 

[sir baconface]

Oddly mate, a weird vile woman I used to live with, her Dad went too (he was a great bloke btw) very knowledgeable and did quite a bit of coaching, so knew his stuff, he always said it was Garrincha who was the best player he saw, maybe he was just a bit quicker and more experienced than Pele back then though and knew what was coming.

If I remember correctly, DH, Garrincha was a winger so we’re not really comparing apples with pears. It doesn’t matter though. That side contained some supreme artists whose football captured the Brazilian sunshine.

I’m sure most FOCs of my vintage will remember them fondly as the players who defined the “beautiful game”.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

He must be good.
One of the all time greats.
He played in the 58 World Cup and 64 years later we are still taking about him.
I remember him from 66 onwards and he was truly brilliant.
His Brazil Jersey is recognised the whole world over.

 

[mexico1970]

If I remember correctly, DH, Garrincha was a winger so we’re not really comparing apples with pears. It doesn’t matter though. That side contained some supreme artists whose football captured the Brazilian sunshine.

I’m sure most FOCs of my vintage will remember them fondly as the players who defined the “beautiful game”.

Pele IMHO should be up there in the top 4 players of all time, he was a machine that was so silky he made the game look so easy, my username gives much of what I think away anyway.

King of that era, replaced again IMHO by Cruyff who took it to another level, it'll be a sad day for football when he dies but he has left a super legacy.

 

[Dirty Harry]

If I remember correctly, DH, Garrincha was a winger so we’re not really comparing apples with pears. It doesn’t matter though. That side contained some supreme artists whose football captured the Brazilian sunshine.

I’m sure most FOCs of my vintage will remember them fondly as the players who defined the “beautiful game”.

Oh mate, don’t get me wrong, wasn’t comparing at all in that way, what he said was just something that’s always stuck in my mind when he mentioned about going to those games at Goodison, he went for the exact same reasons as most went, to watch a great Brazil side and especially Pele.

Now I’m not old enough to make any comment on it, but like you say, really FOC’s would be better placed, but he said it was Garrincha that stood out for him in those Brazil teams, reckons he was the best player he’s ever seen, safe to say they were both probably up there in an all time World 11.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

And it is really high time that this image is re-posted here. Even if you all already know it.