If its the same as Cristiano being compared to Pele then why dont you hear much of in actuality? How many people compare Cristiano to Pele?
And if your analogy about Diego and Platini is true, then also why is Platini virtually never compared to Pele, despite being compared to Diego very often in the 80s?
All time greats playing in the same era will always be compared. This alone doesn't signify where both players are seen in the larger context. Ive just given you a very clear example of this and youve failed to address it.
To be fair Messi has always been compared to Maradona or Ronaldo. But people don't always compare Messi with Pele. They have nothing much in common to compare, except both are South American and both are GOAT. Pele most glorious moment is for his country and in WC, Messi most glorious moment is for his club and in La Liga. Not the best comparison to make. Its like comparing Pele with Di Stefano. Surely during the 50s and 60s, the 2 top GOAT is probably Pele and Di Stefano, and people probably compared them alot in the very old days.
The most compared footballer ever is probably:
1. Maradona vs Pele (2 GOAT from 2 different era from 2 biggest rival country in South America, the greatest career ever vs the greatest peak ever, the most successful player ever vs the most talented player ever)
2. Messi vs Ronaldo (2 GOAT from same era, from 2 biggest rival football club in Spain/Europe, and one of the greatest rivalry in whole of world sports for over a decade, and also one of the most toxic discussion in global internet. They are the biggest ever rival in Ballon D'or too, every stats/goals/trophies/individual honours/records/success of theirs are almost identical/comparable, which is not seen in any era)
3. Cruyff vs Beckenbauer (2 GOAT from same era, from 2 rival European country, one of the greatest rivalry in football, both won European Cup 3 times, both won Ballon D'or multiple times, both revolutionalize football in their unique style/position (libero vs total football), and they were even competing against each other in WC final match, King vs King to take the WC, imagine that)
4. Messi vs Maradona (2 GOAT from 2 different era, very similar type of players from same country, both scored wonder goals after dribbling past several players, both intentionally use their hand to score a goal at one point, both very short hence low centre of gravity, both are regarded as most talented player in the world ever)
5. Maradona vs Platini (2 of the best midfielder/GOAT in the same era, playing in the same league too during mid-80s, one singlehandedly won the WC and is most talent player ever, the other plays like the King of football who won 3 Ballon D'or in a row. One shamelessly wasted/spend his life overdose with drugs, the other shamelessly make/spend his money from corruption.
