Pelé and Diego Maradona had a private chat about Lionel Messi in June 2016. Pelé asked Maradona about Messi's personality, and Maradona replied that Messi is a good person but lacks leadership qualities.
What did Maradona say about Messi?
Maradona said Messi has no personality and doesn't know how to be a leader. Pelé responded by saying he understands, comparing Messi to players from his time.
Why did Pelé ask about Messi?
Pelé wanted to learn more about Messi's personality, asking Maradona if he knew him personally. Maradona, who coached Messi at the 2010 World Cup, shared his thoughts on Messi's character.
How has Messi's leadership changed?
Since the 2016 chat, Messi's leadership qualities have improved significantly. He has helped cultivate an extraordinary team spirit with Argentina, and his teammates would run through a brick wall for him.
Pelé passed away in 2022, less than two weeks after Messi won the World Cup. Maradona had died two years earlier, aged 60. Messi's World Cup win cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time, with many considering him the GOAT.
On 18 June 2016, Maradona and Pelé had their private chat. Messi was going through a challenging period with Argentina at the time, faced with accusations that he cared more about playing for Barcelona than his national team.
Pelé won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He was football's first global superstar, and his name is synonymous with the beautiful game. Maradona, on the other hand, inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.
Messi has let his gifted feet do most of the talking during his illustrious career. However, his leadership qualities have massively improved since Maradona and Pelé's conversation. Every player in Argentina's most-recent squads would run through a brick wall for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
In 2016, Messi announced his retirement from international football after the Copa America. However, he reversed his decision after a mass public appeal in August 2016. Messi might win a second successful World Cup with Argentina in the United States this summer, cementing his status as football's GOAT.
Pelé and Maradona's private chat about Messi now looks very interesting. It provides insight into Messi's personality and playing style, and how he has developed as a leader over the years. Watch the clip of their conversation to learn more about what they said about Messi.