‘Lionel Messi is better than Maradona and Pele,’ says Pope Francis

Aug 02, 2016

KRAKOW: Pope Francis has said that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time. The Pope made the comment about his fellow Argentine during a private lunch with young Catholics on Saturday during World Youth Day.

When asked, “Who is better, Maradona or Pele?”, the Pontiff reportedly answered, “For me, Messi”, an answer that also means the Pope rates Messi higher than Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pope Francis’s love of football is well known. He has supported the Argentine club side San Lorenzo since he was a boy and the club are planning to name their new stadium after him.

During the lunch with 12 World Youth Day organisers from a dozen countries, Pope Francis also said had a “stomach of iron” and considers the German Richard Wagner his favourite composer.

The pilgrims shared the meal with the Pope at the cardinal’s residence. They were chosen by lottery to attend the 80-minute encounter, during which questions were put to the Pope in Italian and Spanish with simultaneous translations. Organisers said participants were notified three weeks earlier of their selection from among World Youth Day volunteers of at least three months’ standing.--Catholic Herald