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Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Real Madrid BarcelonaGetty

Messi v Ronaldo: Brazil legend Pele picks his winner

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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.


Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.


Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.


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Brazilian legend Pele has made his pick between Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The three-time World Cup winner is widely regarded to have been the finest player of all-time, with few players able to get close to his legacy.

Messi and Ronaldo are among those from the modern era to have been placed in such a talent bracket, with a pair of eternal rivals having shared 10 Ballons d’Or and countless records between them.

Who, though, is the greatest? That is a debate which has raged for over a decade now, with Pele the latest to offer an opinion.

A man who over 1,000 goals to his name told SporTV of two 21st century stars at the peak of their powers: “It's sad that you have only two players in the world to choose from.

“Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Pele, Zico, Junior ... All over the world now there are only two players. And Neymar, right? Our Brazilian is getting there. 

Pele Messi v RonaldoPlaying Surface/Getty

“I would still stay with Messi. Scoring is important, no doubt, but if you do not have anyone to prepare, then the ball is not enough. For my team I prefer Messi.”

Pele added on the differences between Messi and Ronaldo: "Messi's been the most stable in the last 10 years.

"As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he's a great goalscorer.

"Ronaldo's been able to score goals, while you see Messi creating goals and directing the play, as well as scoring.

"Ronaldo's a great goalscorer but in terms of the complete player, there's no doubt that Messi is the best."

Pele is all too aware of how opinion can be divided in debates such as this, with his standing alongside Argentine legend Diego Mardaona at the very top of the global game as divisive as the Messi versus Ronaldo argument.

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