When many are asked to pick one — and only one — footballer as the greatest player to ever lace on a pair of boots, the prevailing answers come in two pairs from two generations of debate.
Prior to the 21st century taking shape, it was always a coin flip between Brazilian icon Pele and Argentina legend Diego Maradona.
Then, current fans were treated to the era that showcased Maradona's compatriot Lionel Messi as well as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Three of those four came up in conversation when Pep Guardiola — current Manchester City manager and one of the most decorated coaches of all time —sat down to talk soccer on Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa.
Guardiola: Lionel Messi is the best player of all time
“Maybe I’m disrespecting Pelé and Diego Maradona, but… he’s the best player of all time,” Guardiola said (as transcribed by RMC Sport).
“I saw this guy in training, every three days… what Messi did was beautiful.
“Every game it was two goals and three assists. 15 years of consistency.
"When you see him up close, you realize what it really is. It’s unique.
"We’re lucky to have witnessed this, it only happens once in a lifetime.”
MORE: All the latest Man City news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Guardiola and Messi at Barcelona
Of course, Pep's self-awareness of "disrespecting" the late Pele and Maradona may be because Messi is the only one of the three who directly reported into Pep as a coach.
That said, it's very likely that Guardiola has watched a lot of tape on the pair, as has any self-respecting student of the game. And his opinion certainly holds water, regardless of any potential fondness for the man that helped deliver so many trophies for the Spaniard at Barcelona as his management career took off fast.
MORE: All the latest soccer news | Barcelona news
More curious is how Ronaldo didn't factor into the conversation at all — though it's always worth remembering that context is everything, and Guardiola was merely answering the questions posed to him in the manner they were worded.
