Forget being the best, Messi not even better than Neymar: Pele

Legendary striker Pele has said Argentinean forward Lionel Messi is not the best player in the world, as he is not even better than Brazilian striker Neymar, but the only thing which favors him is his experience.

The debate regarding the best ever footballer has long centered on Pele and Diego Maradona, but many have started including Messi after a series of outstanding performances with Barcelona.

According to Pele, Neymar (inset) is better than Messi. Pic/AFPu00a0

u00a0"There's always this Maradona comparison, saying that he's better than Pele. Now some are saying that Messi is better than Pele. Well, he has to be better than Neymar first, which he isn't yet. He has more experience," News24 quoted Pele, as saying while speaking at an event celebrating the centennial of Neymar's club Santos.

The 20-year-old Neymar is seen as Brazil's greatest player at the moment, and has been compared by many to Pele itself.u00a0