Football
Pelé vs Maradona: Who Was Better? A Data & Expert Verdict
Few football debates are more passionate than Pelé vs. Maradona. Many a heated debate has been born from who was the greater. It is a timeless confrontation between two of the sport’s most iconic figures. Pelé, Brazil’s golden boy, won three World Cups, introduced football to the world stage with style and elegance, and retired as a global ambassador for the sport. On the other side is Diego Maradona, Argentina’s rebellious genius, whose performance at the 1986 World Cup remains the most electrifying individual performance in tournament history. Fans and pundits have argued for decades: Was Pelé’s consistency and success over many years more valuable than Maradona’s madness? Did longevity trump art, or did emotion trump trophies? In this article, we examine exactly which comes first.
Pelé of Brazil shankes hands with Diego Maradona of Argentina//Getty Images
SB Market Index: How We Evaluate Football's Original GOATs
This evaluation combines a statistical analysis of their most iconic career achievements with expert and media perception to provide a comprehensive ranking in this legendary debate.
Industry Insights
A curated analysis from the top 10 football and sports media sources measures how prominently each player is featured in discussions of the "Greatest Footballer of All Time."
Industry Insights
| Source Name | Pelé | Maradona |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Player of the Century (Official FIFA + Internet Poll) | 1 | 1 |
| World Soccer Magazine – "Player of the Century" | 1 | 0 |
| France Football – "Football Player of the Century" | 1 | 0 |
| IFFHS – "World Player of the Century" | 1 | 0 |
| FourFourTwo – "100 Greatest Footballers Ever" (2017) | 0 | 1 |
| The Guardian – "Football's 100 Greatest" discussion | 1 | 1 |
| Bleacher Report – "Ranking the 50 Greatest" | 1 | 1 |
| Sportskeeda – "5 reasons Pelé is better" vs "5 reasons Maradona is better" | 1 | 1 |
| Reddit r/soccer – GOAT Debate Polls (often split) | 1 | 1 |
| TalkSPORT – "Top 10 Footballers of All Time" | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 9 | 7 |
SB Score
| Player | World Cup Wins | Top Goal Scorer Titles | SB Score |
| Pelé | 3 | 17 | 1.000 |
| Maradona | 1 | 5 | 0.312 |
This score is calculated based on two key career achievement metrics: the Number of World Cup Wins (70% weightage) and the number of times they finished as a Top Goal Scorer in official competitions (30% weightage). The raw stats are used to calculate the final SB Score.
SB Market Index
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Pelé | 1.000 | 9 | 7.400 |
| 2 | Maradona | 0.312 | 7 | 5.662 |
Pelé: The King of Trophies and Statistics
When it comes to dominance, Pelé sits comfortably at the top of our SB market index. His SB score is unassailable, built on an extraordinary resume that includes three FIFA World Cup titles, a record that still stands, and a prolific scoring streak at every level. From his teenage heroics in 1958 to his reinvigorating Brazil in 1962 and 1970, Pelé was the icon of football and the man who popularised the sport back then.
Statistically, no player in this debate can match his longevity, impact and trophies. But it doesn’t stop there. He also boasts a top-notch Industry Insights score, which indicates that Pele made football what it is today.
The case for Pele goes beyond myth and nostalgia to show that he was more than that.
Maradona: The Icon of Individual Brilliance
While Pelé may be at the top of the list in terms of statistics, Diego Maradona’s legacy lives on in the hearts of millions, and this is evident in his exceptionally high score in SB Industry Insights. Experts, fans and former players consistently rank him among the greatest, not just for titles or goals, but for the sheer magic he brought to the pitch. And nowhere was that magic more evident than at the 1986 World Cup, where Maradona delivered what many consider to be the most iconic individual performance of the tournament in football history.
Maradona scored with his hand, dribbled all over the pitch, had a controversial off-field life, was suspended twice, and fought on the pitch. His genius was imperfect, volatile and deeply human, and that is what makes him unforgettable.
The myth of Maradona transcends all statistics. Diego is art, he is magic.
The Core of the Debate: Team Success vs. Individual Magic
At the heart of the Pelé vs. Maradona debate is a contrast in how greatness is achieved. Pelé is often seen as the shining centrepiece of Brazil’s historically dominant teams, teams brimming with talent, organisation, and offensive flair. He thrived on collective brilliance, elevating already world-class teams to legendary status. His role was central, but he was surrounded by players who could share the burden and the spotlight.
Maradona, on the other hand, is remembered as the lone genius who dragged a decent team into eternity. His 1986 World Cup campaign with Argentina was not just about talent; it was about will, audacity, and unparalleled individual brilliance.
There is a vast difference in perception between the two worlds.
Conclusion on Football's Greatest Historical Debate
Ultimately, our model, built around World Cup triumphs and expert consensus, places Pelé as the greatest player of all time. His unparalleled three World Cup titles, prolific goal-scoring record, and consistent dominance over more than a decade give him a statistical edge. Add to that his widespread recognition in global rankings, and it’s clear why he sits at the top of our Market Index.
But numbers alone can’t settle this debate. Maradona’s impressive SB Industry Insights score reflects something that can’t be quantified: his myth, his artistry, his ability to bend the game to his will. While Pelé was the first global king of football, Maradona was the heart and soul.
In reality, both were towering talents who defined their eras and reshaped the sport in their own image. Whether you admire Pelé's precision or Maradona's poetry, the debate persists not because there is a right answer, but because both were incredibly great in their own, incomparable way.
With a strong background in journalism and years of experience in sports commentary, Dragoș Șoneriu has written about every aspect of sport, from match reports and features to tactical analyses and investigative pieces. A lifelong Arsenal fan, he dreams of seeing his beloved team lift the Premier League trophy. Outside of work, Dragoș collects anything football-related, from stickers and mugs to vintage shirts and scarves.