For once we agree.

I can separate the man from the player, the man has some questionable attitudes and arrogance the player was one of the greatest if not GOAT.

The thing about the 1000 goals was a publicity stunt by the Americans apparently Pele never gave much credence to it.

If he hadn't have been a great I don't think his reputation would have lasted, it has. You can argue who is GOAT but there is no doubt in my mind that he should be in the mix up.

One more point

Pele certainly had a couple of great world cups but needed to play in the best leagues too, if he was going to be the greatest. Anyway, he must have done something right - we're still talking about him.

Red and Blue Army!

From an article in The Guardian.

"Their best player, Pelé, was kicked so much in the first game against Bulgaria (“I think every team will take care of him in the same manner,” said their coach) that he could play no part in the second, a 3-1 defeat by Hungary when Brazil had two goals disallowed, and he then spent much of the third as a virtual spectator after Portugal’s João Morais fouled him and, when he tried to get up and play on, fouled him again a bit harder."

For what it is worth I think it is quite ridiculous to outrightly dismiss him as a player and to make meaningless comparisons with players from other eras.

The Simpsons put it perfectly;
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