{"slug":"maradona-vs-pele)","title":"Diego Maradona vs Pelé","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)","faqCount":5,"faqs":[{"question":"Who is considered the GOAT—Maradona or Pelé?","answer":"This remains debated among football experts. Pelé's statistical record (3 World Cups, 77 international goals, 757 career goals) is objectively superior. However, Maradona's 1986 World Cup victory is widely considered the greatest individual tournament performance in football history. Modern analysts often cite Maradona's peak brilliance versus Pelé's sustained excellence. The 2024 Ballon d'Or retrospective surveys show slight preference for Maradona (52%) among contemporary players, but historians favor Pelé (56%) for longevity."},{"question":"Why does Maradona have fewer international goals if he was so great?","answer":"Maradona was primarily a playmaker and dribbler who created chances for teammates, not just a finisher. His 34 goals came with 8 assists in 91 caps, showing his dual threat. Additionally, Argentina had fewer international matches during his era compared to Pelé's time. Maradona's impact was measured by assists, dribbles, and controlling matches rather than pure goal-scoring output—a different style of play."},{"question":"Did Pelé really score 757 goals or is that inflated?","answer":"Pelé's official record of 757 goals includes 77 international goals and 680 club goals. Controversy exists because some goals counted were in friendly or exhibition matches (including 525 for Santos). FIFA officially recognizes 757. By UEFA standards (competitive matches only), the number is lower (~600), but Pelé played in a different era with more competitive balance in South American football. Both figures are legitimate depending on counting methodology."},{"question":"What happened in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Maradona and England?","answer":"Argentina defeated England 2-1 on June 22, 1986, with Maradona scoring both goals. The first was the controversial 'Hand of God' goal (51st minute), where Maradona punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The second goal (55th minute) is widely considered the 'Goal of the Century'—Maradona dribbled past 5 English defenders from midfield and slotted it home. This match crystallized Maradona's legend as he single-handedly defeated England with both cunning and brilliance."},{"question":"Who was more dominant in their respective eras?","answer":"Pelé dominated the 1960s when international football was less frequent but highly competitive; Brazil won 2 of 3 World Cups during his peak. Maradona dominated the 1980s in club football (Serie A with Napoli, La Liga with Barcelona) and delivered the 1986 World Cup. Pelé showed longer-term consistency (1956-1971), while Maradona showed more spectacular peaks (1984-1990). Statistical dominance favors Pelé; moment-defining dominance favors Maradona."}],"faqPageSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)#faq","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Diego Maradona vs Pelé — FAQ","description":"Frequently asked questions about Diego Maradona vs Pelé","dateModified":"2026-07-07T09:24:18.433Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"isPartOf":{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)#article"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["#faq",".faq-item"]},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Who is considered the GOAT—Maradona or Pelé?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"This remains debated among football experts. Pelé's statistical record (3 World Cups, 77 international goals, 757 career goals) is objectively superior. However, Maradona's 1986 World Cup victory is widely considered the greatest individual tournament performance in football history. Modern analysts often cite Maradona's peak brilliance versus Pelé's sustained excellence. The 2024 Ballon d'Or retrospective surveys show slight preference for Maradona (52%) among contemporary players, but historians favor Pelé (56%) for longevity.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does Maradona have fewer international goals if he was so great?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Maradona was primarily a playmaker and dribbler who created chances for teammates, not just a finisher. His 34 goals came with 8 assists in 91 caps, showing his dual threat. Additionally, Argentina had fewer international matches during his era compared to Pelé's time. Maradona's impact was measured by assists, dribbles, and controlling matches rather than pure goal-scoring output—a different style of play.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Did Pelé really score 757 goals or is that inflated?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Pelé's official record of 757 goals includes 77 international goals and 680 club goals. Controversy exists because some goals counted were in friendly or exhibition matches (including 525 for Santos). FIFA officially recognizes 757. By UEFA standards (competitive matches only), the number is lower (~600), but Pelé played in a different era with more competitive balance in South American football. Both figures are legitimate depending on counting methodology.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happened in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Maradona and England?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Argentina defeated England 2-1 on June 22, 1986, with Maradona scoring both goals. The first was the controversial 'Hand of God' goal (51st minute), where Maradona punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The second goal (55th minute) is widely considered the 'Goal of the Century'—Maradona dribbled past 5 English defenders from midfield and slotted it home. This match crystallized Maradona's legend as he single-handedly defeated England with both cunning and brilliance.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who was more dominant in their respective eras?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Pelé dominated the 1960s when international football was less frequent but highly competitive; Brazil won 2 of 3 World Cups during his peak. Maradona dominated the 1980s in club football (Serie A with Napoli, La Liga with Barcelona) and delivered the 1986 World Cup. Pelé showed longer-term consistency (1956-1971), while Maradona showed more spectacular peaks (1984-1990). Statistical dominance favors Pelé; moment-defining dominance favors Maradona.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/maradona-vs-pele)"}}]}}