The Brazil legend believes the Portuguese has
overtaken the Argentine but feels that the
Barcelona starlet will soon be No.1 in the
world
Pele says that after years of Lionel Messi
"dominance", Cristiano Ronaldo must now be
regarded as the finest footballer on the planet
- but added that the future belongs to Neymar .
Barcelona ace Messi won four successive
Ballon d'Or awards between 2009 and 2012
but Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo has claimed
the last two, sparking fresh debate over who is
the greatest player in the game today.
Pele feels that the Portuguese has overtaken
his Argentine rival in recent seasons but says
that Messi's 22-year-old Barca team-mate
Neymar will soon be No.1.
"Now, after several years of Messi dominance,
the best is Cristiano," the Santos icon told
L'Uomo Vogue .
"The future will smile on Neymar. He can be
the key man at Barcelona and help Brazil to
return to its rightful place in the rankings."
Meanwhile, Pele admitted that he can see no
reason why he would not have thrived in the
modern game, despite all of the advancements
and changes football has seen since the 1960s
and 70s.
"I'd find myself at ease on the field today," the
former forward stated. "It's not high-tech
footballs that make a footballer, but talent and
dedication."
Despite having won three World Cups during
his illustrious career, Pele admitted that he
does have a couple of regrets from his playing
days.
"Never having partaken in the Olympic games
is one," he added. "And never having played at
Wembley."

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