(1) maradona single handedly won the world cup for argentina - without him there was no argentina - pele however was a star in the middle of a star studded team - his absence was never felt.

(2) football was easier during pele's playing days - it was much tougher when maradona was playing. Maradona even played in Italy which is reknowned for tough defenders yet he made his mark

(3) all pele's goals were either tap-ins or team goals. he never scored individual effort goals like maradona - e.g. england vs argentina 1986.

(4) pele never played in a major european league like premiership or la liga.

(5) pele was given so much space to operate whenever he played. Maradona never enjoyed such luxury. He was always fully marked,