Pele: 'Messi Doesn't Match Up to Me in Soccer'

Pele: 'Messi Doesn't Match Up to Me in Soccer'
Jojo Doria

Brasilia, Brazil

Brazilian Soccer great Pele says that Argentine and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is miles away to equaling his legendary feats.

The 71-year-old Pele measured Messi's achievement for the past three years, lauding the Argentine for the unbelievable accomplishments though opining he is the greatest athlete to play the sport.

"Technically speaking, we are practically at the same level," Pele told Le Monde. "We have both received a gift from God." Pele told Le Monde Friday "Records are made to be broken, but it will be hard to break mine. When Messi has scored 1,283 goals and won three World Cups, then we will talk."

Pele, widely considered the greatest soccer player of all-time, steered Brazil to three Word Cup titles and still holds the record for competitive soccer with 1,283 goals.

The 24-year-old Messi nabbed once again Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year awards, making him the first player since Michel Platini to win the plum for three consecutive seasons.

Nevertheless, Pele insisted it will take years or even forever to see another soccer player as great as him.

"People ask me all the time when there will be a new Pele. I tell them: 'Never'. My parents shut down the factory. Pele told Le Monde Friday.