Maradona vs. Pelé: the Hand of God vs. the Right Hand of God
A little Maradona, a little Hand of God...
Tonight, Diego Maradona makes his bow as Argentina manager as his new charges take on Scotland at Hampden Park. This momentous occasion gives us a wonderful chance to tackle one of football’s greatest debates, to wit: Who is the greatest footballer of all time – Maradona or Pelé? Since I’ve already definitively dealt with the club versus country question, I’ve decided to have a go at this one too.
So here goes: the answer is “Pelé”. Duh.
However, I realise that, even though the answer is obvious to all but those so slack-jawed that were the rivulets of saliva which trickle from their mouths to converge, the resulting torrent would wipe out a small-to-medium port town on the Chinese coast, it is the custom to back up such an assertion with some evidence. Frankly, one could write volumes on this matter, but I shall pare down my argument (if you could call such an evidently open-and-shut case as this an “argument”) to a few paragraphs.
The litany of Maradona’s egregiousness is startling: the diving, the failed dope test at the 1994 World Cup, the cocaine addiction, the sheer greed which saw him eat his way through the entire 1990s, etc., et-bloody-cetera. But top of the list is what the man himself outrageously referred to as the “Hand of God”, when he punched the ball past England ‘keeper Peter Shilton and into the net in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. Plenty has been said about this in the two-and-a-bit decades since. Suffice to add, when you consider that the English gave the great game of footie to the nation of the ungrateful little arseboil, and that England is, was and ever shall be synonymous with Fair Play, is it any wonder England fans bear a grudge?
The “H*nd of God” could be entered not just as Exhibit A in the case against Maradona, but as Exhibit every-other-letter-of-the-alphabet, so heinous was it. But let’s apply some rigour to this. Let’s look at the things for which he is most famous. On the one hand, there is his second goal against England, which – to be fair – was very good. On the other, there is the “H*nd of G*d”, the Crazy-Eyes-Killa routine at USA ‘94, the cocaine, the morbid obesity and the massive heart attack. In summary, that’s one positive and five negatives, which makes a Class Rating of -4. That’s not my opinion – that’s Statistics.
Some may complain that it is unfair to hold someone up to an impossible moral standard just because they are gifted. To which I reply: no-one made Maradona play football. If he didn’t want the scrutiny, he should have become a shoeshine boy or a drug dealer like his squalid friends doubtless did.
Pelé had no problem dealing with the burden of talent. In fact, he thrived. Here was a footballer who was a genuine joy to behold. He gladdened the heart of everyone who saw him, whether scoring a goal, fooling a defender with a shimmy or just standing there being Pelé. He never cheated and was probably never sent off. It’s no co-incidence that the words “Pelé” and “perfection” both begin with the same two letters.
His style of play was infused with beauty. It was akin to an angelic orgy, with God having sex with Himself in the corner.
Even in the 1962 World Cup, when Pelé was injured in the group phase, his mere presence in Chile was enough to inspire Brazil to ultimate triumph. Put it this way: whoever remembers the name of any other player in that Brazil squad? Exactly.
And even when telling us that there are ways for all of us to make our winkies hard in a message sponsored by a corporation which manufactures pills to make your winkie hard, he did it with grace and elegance.
Pelé and Maradona are emblems for their respective football cultures, which dominate the South American game. Brazilian football is played to a samba beat, their players having learned to play on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. The national league is home to free-flowing attacking football, where even the defenders are better footballers than the most skillful players in most countries. There is a flair and a sway to games in Brazil which is irresistible to the hundreds of thousands of ecstatic fans in the Maracaná. As a bonus, the goalkeepers are universally awful, which ensures non-stop goal action in almost every match.
Argentine football is Brazil’s stunted twin brother. The national team’s greatest successes have come through nefarious means. In 1978, Peru’s goalkeeper – an Argentine! – practically stood back and waved in six goals as Argentina scandalously reached the final. In 1986, of course, poor England suffered at the hands – or should that be hand – of Maradona. When things go against them, they do little but whinge. When Antonio Rattín was sent off against England in 1966, he petulantly refused to leave. Not accepting the decision of a referee is a sure sign of an inherent lack of morality. In what other country would it be done with such intensity?
Maradona’s warped ideas have even been passed on to the next generation of Argentinian players like a defective gene. Lionel Messi irredeemably marked himself out as a footballing lowlife when he re-enacted the “H**d of **d” for Barcelona. (Don’t you think players who do this should have to wear a bell around their neck or have their forehead tattooed with a “H” or something?)
The most pithy way I can think of to describe the difference between Maradona and Pelé, and their respective countries, is to present their contributions to the footballing lexicon. Maradona gave us “H*** ** **d”, which is a byword for corruption, egotism and greed. Pelé gave us “The Beautiful Game”, glorious shorthand for our wonderful sport – the sport which Maradona took and dragged through the filth.
In closing, let us bring up the great Terry Butcher. Butcher is now Scotland’s assistant manager, but was a key part of the England team which was deprived of the 1986 World Cup by…you know what. Here is what he said this week:
I was selected for the drugs test with Gary Stevens and Kenny Sansom and ended up in the room with Maradona and two of his pals. Our World Cup was over and they were celebrating.
It could have been a war-zone in there but it wasn’t. I wasn’t next to him, if I was I might have done something.
Butcher would have been quite entitled to physically display his displeasure, but instead showed the admirable restraint which made him a true hero. One thing’s for sure: if God is up there picking His all-time World XI, Butcher and Pelé would be the first names on the team-sheet. Maradona wouldn’t even be trusted with the water bottles.
Fredorrarci is Chief Guard of the Ark of the Covenant, a/k/a Sport Is A TV Show.
Why is Maradona badmouthed everywhere because of one foolish action? This is also the man who would absolutely dick any team he came up against. He had skill, class and everything to make him world class but ohh no because this is the man who performed the ‘Hand of God’ he doesn’t deserve recognition. yes that makes sense…
I find it really funny that the biggest names in football in there day end up either selling penis problems or they double there body mass on a class A drug!!
Firstly, would everyone commenting please decarle their age? Most people on here will remember Maradonna (or maybe not) but not have seen Pele in his hay day. I did, and he was unquestionably the better player.
I also agree wholeheartedly with the assessment of Maradonna as a low life scum bag.
To hotspurownarsenal: “Why is Maradona badmouthed everywhere because of one foolish action?”
Did you read the article? I am not English and have no axe to grind about the HOG incident. Its about being busted for drug taking during at a World Cup. Being busted for addiction to coke while playing for Napoli. Shooting at journalists outside his house. Making a drunk and drug infested idiot of himself countless times in front of the cameras and, in short, bringing as much disgrace on Argentina as he did glory.
He’s a sad excuse for a human being and deserves no publicity as a celebrity. Call this guy a role model?
As they say, you can take the man out of the gutter but you can’t take the gutter out of the man.
Well said Fred.
maradona is the greatest player ever since he always played for weak teams. the squad of 1986 which won the world cup was an average one, it had no star players except maradona. on the other hand, pele always played for strong teams, the squad of 1970 victory was voted the strongest ever. maradona single-handedly brought argentina the cup, anything like this cant be said of pele.
ajaypal singh: In a word: Bollocks!
Fredo, I think we can safely say you were warned the last time about the lack of humour in some of our readers
This post made me so mad, I could punch a ball into a net!
One of the most biased and judgemental articles I’ve ever read. You talk about who the greatest player of all time is, but I see little mention of footballing ability in your article. Very poorly written. Ahmed, I’m surprised you even allowed this article to be put up. Not really consistent with the standards of journalistic integrity Soccerlens is known for, mate.
That’s pure BS. Pele was a guy who had it easy from the start, and while playing, if he hadn’t been playing with Garrincha behind him he wouldn’t be the star we all think he is. Maradona was a guy who lived since he was born in one of the worst places to live in Argentina, and once he was a star he only draged his old gosts with him, while being sorrounded that people who only told him that if he kept making money he could do anything he wanted. Having no real education, he didn’t know better. The drugs problem gave him obesity after he left drugs, and now, motly because of the Showball, he has cleaned his act. Plus his play was way superior than Pele’s, as it was Di Stefano’s and Garrincha’s IMO. To be honest I don’t like the guy, he’s a mess, although he’s geting his act together now he’s a manager, but this article is pure BS.
you also forgot to mention maradona’s insidious plot to breed future generations of maradonas by marrying his daughter to sergio aguero. we cannot allow further generations of this handballing degenerate to infiltrate pele’s beautiful game.
That pic is almost 10 years old, he’s now in a relatively good shape. At least he did overcame his problems, abusing someone for their past problems is much worse than the hand of god, something that happened 30 years ago, and that you seem to be unable to forget.
Typical bitter anti-Maradona rant, with little emphasis of what he did on the pitch. As someone else noted, Pele’s Brazil teams were absolutely stacked. In fact they won the World Cup without him in 1962 – he was injured in the first game.
Pele is easily the better goal-scorer striker, but Maradona was a more complete player who could single-handedly change the performance of the entire offense. That’s how he took a mediocre Argentina side to the WC final and took tiny Napoli to two Italian championships and the UEFA cup. But if you think all of that gets wiped out by the “hand of God”, I’d say you’re extremely petty, not to mention delusional if you think England were better in that match.
I’m off to find a wall…
Heh heh. Ahhh the eternal argument that never goes away. This topic comes up every now & then in cycles & we’re all predictably sucked into it. I disagree with the conclusion anyway. And to back it up i’ll post a link to something i wrote on the forum many many many moons ago (just to show we were having this argument waaaay back then too) –
http://soccerlens.com/forum/topic/maradona-vs-pele-who-was-the-most-complete-player
Why don’t you speak about the Hurst’s goal In 1966 World Cup Final? Why don’t you speak about all the alcohol problems of A LOT of the best players of England history?
I Hate the Human being named Diego Armando Maradona. He is full of shit, dumb, idiot and shellfish. But neither me, you, or anybody in this fucking big planet can say that Maradona isn’t the BEST player of all times. his unique technique, his peed, his GUTS!!!! He played the entirely 1990 world cup with his ankle almost broken!!! Do you think that Pele would do that? He wouldn’t, because he loves the money, not the football nor the country he “represents”
Also, you can talk about the most famous quote from Maradona: “La pelota no se mancha” (The football doesn’t get dirty), talking about why his infinite list of mistakes in his private life, won’t darken his football carreer.
The last thing I’ll say is: If Charlton or Pele were born in Villa Fiorito like Diego, they, probably would dedicate their entire life to rob people or sell drugs. I can bet all my guitars, my house and my job in that afirmation.
Waffle, a proud 21 years old Argentinian.
(Like ever, forgive me if I had some typos and gramatical mistakes)
What is Terry Butcher complaining about, considering he scored the second goal?
Ahmed, one day they will all recognise my genius…
The never-ending “who’s better, Maradona or Pele?” debate. The eternal comparison of apples and oranges. And as far as east is from west, those who have a pre-disposition in hating Maradona will always say that Pele is better (and then offer a symposium on why) and vice-versa. Maybe if Maradona actually succeeds in managing and (not a prediction) wins the World Cup, we might be able to differentiate the two by this achievement alone… but I doubt it. Why do we engage in this endless debate? Probably because there is never going to be a clear answer and it is the argument itself that entertains us. Certainly anyone who believes for a second that they can convince another who disagrees is engaging in wishful thinking.
Obviously, the majority of the people commenting have never been in an English class. Great article.
Stupid debate, even more stupid article. I thought this was a comparison, instead, it seems like a smear-campaign for the one, and a Nobel prize giving award biography for the other, with almost no mention of performances on the pitch.
Both players are equally great. To different people, due to differing experiences the one will always be held in higher esteem than the other. I have not seen Pele play, but I have seen Maradonna, therefore, it is pretty obvious who my choice is. In saying that, I cannot argue that the other was less (or more).
I just find it funny that all Maradonna’s negatives are issues ‘off the pitch’. Who are we to criticise?
It’s like saying Micheal Jackson was a shit artist (never mind the fact that he out-sold Elvis)
@Fredo – I’ve been saying that for ages, I hope you have better luck.
Fredo, Fredo, Fredo. You poor deluded soul.
The answer to the question, “Who was the greatest footballer of all time?” is, as enu fule kno, Stan Bowles. With Puskas in second place.
Can we all shut up about the fat Argentinian cheat now?
Well i think it is good for everyone to express their views. Pls, let all acknowledge that everybody may have their own pitfalls but excel in one area or the other. I may not like him for one reason or the other BUT at least Diego did something for world football.
Curiously, this is the same website that argued about morality vs. results last year, when it was Kaka vs. Ronaldo for the Ballon D’Or. Back then, the official quote from Ahmed was,
“It’s unfair that one should judge players based on anything other than results and performances, especially when the award is supposed to determine the best player on the pitch.”
So, Ahmed, what was your opinion on Fredo’s article again? Or does your anti-establishment outrage only apply when a Manchester United player is involved?
“practically stood back and waved in six goals.”
nice touch. along with the image you have selected of Maradona.
Do you write for sun too?
Well, let me start by saying that I do recognize your genius. But your article sucks.
To the point, of course there’s no use comparing them, different styles, different eras and so on. They were both great. But if one of them is to be picked, it would be Pele. For the reasons you give, and because after all he did win the Cup 3 times.
That said, I’m looking forward to your article when Pele is appointed Brazil manager.
When Pelé becomes manager, Evil will triumph over Good and the world will end because God won’t be able to stop having sex with himself…
TBH, this is the one bit I didn’t quite like about your piece, this God/sex thing. But maybe it’s just me.
And, of course, you are being too harsh on M., even for a funny piece. “Pelé gave us “The Beautiful Gameâ€, glorious shorthand for our wonderful sport – the sport which Maradona took and dragged through the filth.” really, I don’t think he deserves this.
Frankly, I thought the God/sex thing is the pinnacle of my achievement in life thus far, but there you go. Horses for courses, isn’t it?
A matter of taste.
I forgot the most important thing I had to say: had there been a video ref in place back then, the Hand of God would never have happened.
And a consistent amount of english literature would have gone down the drain. 
Re. your comment #29, FF – maybe so, but I assure you it was purely for effect. Put it this way – if Argentina and Maradona win the World Cup in 2010, it may become my favourite non-partisan football moment, ahead of Spain winning the Euros.
teams like argentina and italy get little respect somehow, and its all universal. strange?
what diego did with his personal life whether its drugs, women or arrogance, he is to be remembered for his football. he may not be the greatest footballer of all time, but he is still worthy of talking about with pride when itcomes to football.
he did good things with napoli. as for pele, who the hell is he?? the guy NEVER played in europe, he is just a player with a good eye for goal, how many brazilians have we seen with good goal-scoring qualities. if there’s a star brazilian to talk about, its kaka. even fabiano is a better player than pele, diego is far from comparison.
so stop being foolish, and judge the man for his game. he is BETTER than pele and most brazilian players anytime. just watch pele’s game, and only a fool listens to journalists who NEVER play the game.
@Sandro: “as for pele, who the hell is he??”
You ignorant little pratt. You wern’t even thought-up by your parents when Pele was playing and never saw anything other than a few clips of some of his goals yet you know all about him?
He scored all those goals, by the way, while not playing as a striker.
Learn about what you’re commenting on before coming on here and wasting people’s time with your drivel.
@Yukona: My position is the same, morality should not enter the debate. However, you seem to have missed the point of the article – it’s a (maybe too subtle) jab at the false morality the English press preach when talking about Pele and Maradona, an exaggeration, etc etc.
Unless Fredo really meant it. Now that would be truly amusing
@Fredo: I thought God was into Scarlett Johansson or some other little number? Was Pele *really* that good?
I afraid Fred is way to subtle for me if this was the intention! Anyway, what a reaction!
For all the post Pele spotty faced Maradonna fans why not educate youself by watchiing the following:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2u9r0_pele-best-soccer-player-ever-pele_sport
i think the one who wrote this article is not comparing the two players but rather criticizing one.i think is from england so he hates maradona and also jealous of him that is why he is accusing maradona instead oc comparing what they did on the pitch.let me also tell u this is not about thier life style,this is what they did in football.and also comparing the two maradona was dribler he single handedly won the world cup but with pele when he was around he was not brazil’s best player because they had very good players like him could play like him and also who could score like him.ask your self they say pele scored more goals than every player how many goals has he scored in the world cup?
ibrahim sana: Watch the video link I posted and accept that just because it wasn’t in your lifetime doesn’t detract from its genius!
Watch the video and tell me that Pele wasn’t a dribbler! Watch the video and tell me that Pele was only good because he had good players around him!
As for Maradona single handedly winning a World Cup. If you’d ever played football at any level or understood the game you’d understand that that is not actually possible.
@BD that’s a nice compilation, but you can find just as many (more actually) about Maradona. It’s impossible to compare the two because they never played against each other or in the same era. Without Maradona, Argentina doesn’t win a second world cup, in all likelihood. Without Pele, Brazil maybe wins the same amount. Garrincha was every bit as good as Pele, from what I have seen. Just not as charismatic or pretty, and he liked the booze. That’s why I use a top three instead of the best one, since it’s impossible to tell who really is the greatest of all time. For the record, my top three includes one Argentine, two Brazilians, and one Hungarian.
@Ahmed
I have it on good authority that God is a Monica Bellucci man…
‘Garrincha was every bit as good as Pele, from what I have seen. Just not as charismatic or pretty, and he liked the booze’
Garrincha was a specialist ‘dribbler’- perhaps the greatest in that discipline. Pele had an all round game, he could do the difficult things and the simple equally well. He would probably have been outstanding in any outfield position. Pele was also brilliant at doing something Maradona was reluctant to do, namely passing the ball to his team mates. Bearing in mind how selfish Maradona was it’s actually surptising he didn’t score more goals.
This is the most biased article i’ve ever read,
haha. But you said that the scored +1200 goals, remember that the usual lineup on those times was a 3-2-5 and a usual match could finish 4-0. In Brasil there is a cup wich name i ignore that is similar to the FA but, with ALL the teams from division 4 to 1. So it was pretty easy to score, don’t you think?
I can’t argue that Pele was a bad player, in fact, he’s in my Top 5
Must’ve been written by an English or Brazilian bloke who never played football himself,if you’d ask me..
Someone here said it right when he said that this isn’t an article about comparing two players,but to bash one of the two.(and the writer picked the wrong one,if you’d ask me.)
I feel sorry for the people who bash Maradona out of jealousy or whatever kind of reason..yep,Diego took drugs,yep he scored with his hand (and aparently it still hurts some people so much,that they are unable to remember the second goal in that match,or the rest of that tournament for that matter.) and probably did a lot more stupid things..Wasn’t Pele accused for child molesting once?ahh,of course that can never be true,the guy’s such a saint!!
Think about the time they both played football in and which players were surrounding them on the pitch at the time and you can only come up with one conlusion..
The answer is:Maradona DUH!!
Re. comment #29 ..I saw the video but I prefer to look at 10,000 times the England goal by maradona at all which made the Brazilian in the video, really dull to all, thanks
sorry the comment 36