Since retiring, Pelé continued to be lauded by players, coaches, journalists and others. Brazilian attacking midfielder Zico, who represented Brazil at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup, stated: “This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There’s only one possible answer: Pelé. He’s the greatest player of all time, and by some distance I might add”. French three-time Ballon d’Or winner Michel Platini said: “There’s Pelé the man, and then Pelé the player. And to play like Pelé is to play like God.” Diego Maradona, joint FIFA Player of the Century, and the player Pelé is historically compared with, stated, “It’s too bad we never got along, but he was an awesome player”.
