2021 has been an extremely successful year for Lionel Messi. The 6-time Ballon d’Or winner finally won silverware with his country when Argentina won the Copa America defeating archrivals Brazil. Adding another record to his illustrious career, Messi has now broken Pele’s record to become the all-time CONEMBOL goalscorer. Messi scored a hattrick against South American rivals Bolivia to take his international goal tally to 79. 

“How can you compare?” – Pele was angry at being compared with Messi 

Pele is one of the greatest players to have ever played football. The Brazilian legend has a very pleasant personality but he made heads scratch back in 2019 when he accused Messi of being a one-dimensional player. The former Santos forward had said, “How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right, and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn’t head the ball well?” 

He clearly wasn’t amused by Messi being compared to him. He added, “How can you compare? To compare with Pele, it has to be someone who shoots well with the left, shoots well with the right, and scores headers.” He also stated that Maradona was “much better” than Messi to continue his astonishing attack on the ex Barcelona captain.

Messi breaks Pele’s record with a right-footed shot

While the Brazilian legend’s statement was certainly not taken well by the football community around the world, Messi remained silent. He never responded but his record-breaking goal has responded for him. Call it poetic justice but Messi scored his 78th goal, the record-breaking goal with a right-footed shot. Thus showing once again that there is no better way to prove your haters wrong than on the pitch.

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