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

[LurkerJ]

BraLoD said:

Hiku said:

If Mascherano had had shot the ball 3 inches to the left instead of outside the post, Argentina would have been up 1-0 in the final, and Messi would have become the greatest of all time? Logic?

Yeah, no. Thing is, back in the day international football was above club football. Today club football is arguably at a higher level. And back during Pele and Maradona's era, it was much harder for defenders to study their opponents. The game has become much more organized since those days.
And speaking of Pele, he only played in America, and most of his goals are from friendly matches.

Saying Pelé only played in America is the same as saying Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo only played in Europe... Brasil had by far the best players back in Pelé time, exactly as Europe have them up there nowdays.

The rest of his post is sound and well put though.