Super Eagles great Oliseh snubs Messi, Ronaldo in GOAT debate, speaks highly of Brazil great

Messi sealed his place among the greatest footballers to have ever walked this realm but a former Nigeria international holds a Brazilian icon above all others

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh believes that neither of the incredible duo of Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi and Portuguese hero Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to be considered the greatest footballer to have ever played the game.

Rather, Oliseh is convinced that far above the likes of Diego Maradona, Messi, and Ronaldo, Brazil hero Pele is the greatest of all time.

Aside winning an incredible three FIFA World Cups during an illustrious playing career spanning two decades, Pele is the inspirstion behind many successful modern footballers.

And this, Oliseh opines, elevates the legendary Brazilian above his contemporaries.

Asked to name the greatest football player ever, Oliseh responded, “This is who everybody is getting inspiration from to excel in their football careers. His name is Pele.

“He is the greatest player of all time, G.O.A.T. You cannot win three world cups, and anybody will want to compete with you.

“I know people, especially the young ones, will not be happy with my choice, but those of us who are elderly can identify with him.”

PSG playmaker Lionel Messi, however, further solidified his claims to being among the finest players in history when he helped Argentina lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Before Sunday's final against France, Messi had won every title he had competed for at club and international level. The 35-year-old magician claimed ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League honours with Barcelona, while he won the Copa America with Argentina last year.

Six-time winners of the European Golden Shoe, Messi has been named the Ballon d'Or winner a record seven times.