Following the Ballon d'Or awards on Monday, the esteemed Pope Francis has now named who he thinks are the three greatest footballers ever, and Lionel Messi is among them.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner's achievements during the 2022/23 were recognised when he was handed this year's Golden Ball at the beginning of the week, and the Pope has now included him in his list of the three best-ever players, alongside late icons Pele and Diego Maradona.
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In an interview on Wednesday, the head of the Catholic church, himself an Argentine, was asked by Italian news programme Rai 1 who he thinks was the greatest footballer ever between Messi and Maradona, to which he responded: "I would add a third, Pele. They are the three I have followed.
"All three are great, each with his own speciality.
"At the moment, Messi is very good."
Francis then recalled an encounter between himself and Maradona, and reflected on the 1986 FIFA World Cup winner's life.
"Maradona as a man failed, poor thing, he slipped, the people around him didn't help him," he added.
"He came to see me the first year [he was pontiff].
"It [his life] ended badly. It's funny, many sportsmen end badly, even in boxing. It's curious."
Francis also paid tribute to Pele's kind and warm aura as a person.
"Among these three, the greatest gentleman is Pele," he continued.
"He is a man with a very big heart.
"I spoke to him, I met him on a plane in Buenos Aires, and he is a man of great humanity."
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When Messi gave his speech after collecting the famed prize on Monday – coincidentally, the same day as Maradona's birthday – he paid tribute to the Albiceleste legend, wishing him a happy birthday while also dedicating the triumph to him.
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