Pele has urged Lionel Messi to reconsider his decision to retire from international football.
The Barcelona forward quit playing for Argentina after missing in a penalty shoot-out against Chile in last month’s Copa America final defeat.
It was the fourth time Messi had lost in a major final while playing for his country after two previous Copa America losses and defeat to Germany in the World Cup in 2014.
However Pele, who won the World Cup three times with Brazil, says good players miss penalties and hopes the 29-year-old will change his mind.
“In the last 10 years, no doubt he was the best player. What happened to him happens in football. Only the one who kicks the penalty can miss the penalty,” Pele said.
“He got very upset but maybe wait a little bit and he’ll forget because this has happened with a lot of good players. A lot of good players have missed penalty kicks. The last 15 years, for me, he was one of the best players in the world and this is more important.”
Asked if he thinks Messi will change his mind, Pele added: “I hope he listens to me.”
