on twitter someone asked a very interesting question: if the ballon d'or/ best player in the world could have also been given to non-european players like today, how many ballon d'ors would pele and maradona have?
in my opinion, maradona would have had 3. 86 no doubt. 87 most likely. and then in 1990 would've been his third, and final ballon d'or. however, this one could've been a toss up between him and mathaus.
and pele.... well, he would have had upwards of 7. SEVEN. 57, 58, 59, 60 (arguable bc puskas), 61, 63, 64 (arguable bc eusebio) and 1970. insane..
tldr: messi is the GOAT of the 21st century, and 2nd best player ever (and he's only 28 years old)
in my opinion, maradona would have had 3. 86 no doubt. 87 most likely. and then in 1990 would've been his third, and final ballon d'or. however, this one could've been a toss up between him and mathaus.
and pele.... well, he would have had upwards of 7. SEVEN. 57, 58, 59, 60 (arguable bc puskas), 61, 63, 64 (arguable bc eusebio) and 1970. insane..
tldr: messi is the GOAT of the 21st century, and 2nd best player ever (and he's only 28 years old)