Why does Messi needs to win a major tournament in order to be compared to Pele and Maradona?

[Neodegenerate]

Ka-pi96 said:

Neodegenerate said:

The biggest and baddest prize of them all?  No one is calling a former XFL or USFL player the best American football player of all time.  Either that or stubborn people who refuse to believe anyone can surpass their heroes.  Hell, he can win the current tourney and there will still be people complaining that he has yet to win a World Cup so it doesn't count until he does.

I'd say the UEFA Champions League has a pretty decent claim to being the biggest and baddest prize...

For season based play, absolutely.  I would call it the Superbowl/World Series (which ironically is US only and that is not lost on me)/Stanley Cup of soccer.  I also think the lack of respect Messi gets for his talents is largely based on the stubborness of others and not his "lack of" accomplishments.  I am merely presenting the why behind some of the haters.