"His teammates did not have the names that Messi has today" - When Pele named ex-Real Madrid midfielder as 'better' than Lionel Messi

Brazilian football legend Pele once rated former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane higher than Lionel Messi. In 2013, when the Argentine superstar was dominating the football world with Barcelona, Pele opined that former French midfielder Zidane was better than Messi in individual ability.

The Brazilian icon had reasoned that Zidane didn't have the type of teammates Messi had during his time. Pele named Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta as Messi's top teammates. He said (via Real Total):

"Zidane was better than Messi as an individual player. He was spectacular and his teammates did not have the names that Messi has today. There in Barcelona he had players like Iniesta, Xavi and co. at his side."

In the same year, during a promotional event in Brazil, Pele billed Neymar Jr. better than Lionel Messi. He had also predicted that Lionel Messi wouldn't win the Ballon d'Or in 2013. The accolade for individual excellence in 2013 was eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of Messi and Franck Ribery. Pele had said:

"For me, Neymar is practically better than Messi. He simply has nothing to compare with Maradona. It turns out that Messi fits in at Barcelona and so everything has gone well. But this year, another player will win the Ballon d'Or."

Over a decade after Pele's comments, Lionel Messi has emerged as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport. He has won a record eight Ballon d'Or titles, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa America titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, and much more.

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When Lionel Messi named Real Madrid as the 'best club'

Levante v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander - Source: Getty

During an interview with Infobae earlier this year, Lionel Messi was asked which team he thinks is the best in Europe. The Argentine superstar picked Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid and backed his answer, saying that Los Blancos were the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. He said (via beIN SPORTS):

"The best team, if we have to say, is Real Madrid, because they are the reigning (UEFA) Champions League winners."

However, he later lauded Pep Guardiola's Manchester City for their style of play. Messi has played under Guardiola during his time at Barcelona. He said:

"If you think about results, it's Madrid; if you talk about style of play, personally, I like Guardiola's City. I think any team with Guardiola will be special because of his character, his way of coaching and how he makes the team play. In terms of style of play, for me, City is the best; for results, Madrid."

However, Manchester City are currently fifth on the Premier League table with 31 points in 19 matches. They defeated Leicester City 2-0 on Sunday (December 29), recording their second victory in their last 14 matches across all competitions.