Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis earned a special place in the hearts of millions, not only as a spiritual leader, but also as an approachable man who did not hide his passion for soccer.
A self-confessed fan of San Lorenzo de Almagro and attentive follower of sports, Jorge Mario Bergoglio left memorable moments related to soccer. One of the most talked about occurred in 2023, when he chose Brazil’s Pelé as the best soccer player of all time, ahead of Argentina’s Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
“Messi or Maradona?”… “Pelé.”
Messi or Maradona?
🎙 🗣 Pope Francis: “Maradona as a player was great, but as a man he failed. Messi is very correct, a gentleman. But for me of these three Pelé is the great gentleman, a man of a very big heart and humanity.”
📺 RAI.pic.twitter.com/Bz3RfQ2xWo
– Samuel Vargas (@SVargasOK) November 2, 2023
The pope’s response surprised many.
In an interview for the Italian channel RAI, when asked who was better between Maradona and Messi, the pontiff responded with a smile:
I'm adding a third: Pelé. They're the three I followed the most
Pope Francis
Although he praised Messi for his correctness and humility, and acknowledged Maradona’s talent, Francisco explained that his choice was based on both sporting and human qualities.
“Maradona is a great, but as a man he failed.
“The poor man slipped with those who praised him but did not help him.
“He came to see me in the first year of pontificate… and then he had his end. It’s funny, so many sportsmen end badly.”
About Messi, he said:
“He is correct, a gentleman. But for me, the great gentleman is Pelé. I met him once on a plane. A man of such great humanity…”
“Messi is not God”
Francis also demystified popular expressions such as “Messi is God”, recalling in interviews that using that phrase is, strictly speaking, sacrilege.
“These are popular ways of talking. It’s nice to see him play, but he’s not God. That expression is from the people, a way of saying ‘I adore you’.”
Meetings with Maradona and Messi
Despite his reservations, Francisco had a cordial relationship with Maradona.
In 2014, he received him at the Vatican on the occasion of the Match for Peace, an initiative promoted by the pope himself to promote fraternity through sport.
Diego, moved, gave him a jersey of the Argentine national team with his name and the number 10. In later statements, Maradona said:
“He treats me like a brother. Today I can say that I am a follower of Francis”.
He also met with Messi in 2013, shortly before the World Cup in Brazil.
It was a brief but meaningful meeting for both of them.
Soccer as a path to peace and transformation
Buzzy
Francis also promoted the Match for Peace, with three editions held at Rome’s Olympic Stadium in 2014, 2016 and 2022.
Legends such as Totti, Buffon, Eto’o, Maldini, as well as Messi and Maradona participated.
The Pope attended each of these meetings, where he stood out as an enthusiastic spectator.
In 2022, the third edition served as a tribute to Maradona after his death in 2020, and brought together figures of various religions and nationalities with the aim of sending a message against violence and racism.
“Even a rag ball can work miracles”.
Francis also left indelible phrases about the transforming power of sport.
In 2019, when receiving a delegation of the Italian national team – then in crisis after being left out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – he said:
“Even with a rag ball you can work miracles.”
Two years later, Italy surprised by winning Euro 2020 (to be held in 2021), beating England at Wembley.
For more news, visit QuéOnnda.com.
