The GOAT debate continues and Lionel Messi's countryman has surprisingly snubbed the World Cup winner with his pick.
Argentine football coach Reinaldo Carlos Merlo has said neither Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Diego Maradona are the greatest in history.
The Defensores Unido manager insists Brazilian legend Pele should be regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
![Argentina coach Reinaldo Carlos Merlo](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/08122023/9ddf1fcb-8d0a-461e-82de-f9750945e6bf.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldo have been in the GOAT conversation for decades, thanks to their overwhelming careers and achievements.
Carlos Merlo picks Pele over Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona
Merlo, while praising the Argentine duo, named Brazilian legend Pele as the greatest player he has ever seen. He said.
![](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/03122023/1ca76af5-bce1-41bb-850a-a951a7dddb78.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
"Maradona and Messi, two phenomena, but Pelé is from another planet [when asked to name the best player of all time]. The only one that could happen to me? Pele."
Until December last year, Messi had not won the World Cup, which was the main trophy he was missing in the GOAT debate.
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