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Pele vs Michael Jordan

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Neither. Pele more than Jordan in South America, Jordan more than Pele in Asia.
 
At least with this one Shinners, basketball generates some interest in Europe. More than can be said for America's favourite pastime.
 
Would make a great debate!

But both are of equal importance around the world. Except one is a legend and the other is a product. ;)
 

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I agree with you on that one Skilton. If it wasn't for Nike, then Jordan probably wouldn't have achieved the fame he has.

Pele retired over 20 years ago and is still a revered name around the world. Will Jordan be just as revered around the world in 20 years time?
 
Although I should point out that Jordan would beat the **** out of Pele :)
 
Oh please there is no debate here.Pele is the most famous sports person in the world.He was 30 years ago,he is now and he will be 30 years in the future.
Also basketball is predominantly a north american sport,soccer is the WORLD game.So just using a bit of common sense Pele wins.But if you said who is more famous in the USA then Jordan would win.Who is more famous in Australia?I'd say Pele just.Yeah the young ones all know Jordan,but the older people don't and everyone knows Pele.
 
Good point. But i am still going to have my say.

Pele wins hands down, think about how many people have played "futbal" professionally across the world and he is still considered easily the greatest ever. With Michael Jordan there is still some contention (not in my eyes) whether he is the greatest ever, Wilt Chamberlain springs to mine.

I know all you essendon supporters will be going "where's Jimmy Hird?" (relate to ManU post)

Jordan was great, but not that great.
 
Jordan is more famous thanks to commercialism, but Pele was the better sportsman.

Mohaummed Ali takes them both though... :o :D

The Hitman
 
Michael Jordan is unequivocally the greatest basketballer of all time, of that there is only a small amount of doubt. The only people who suggest Chamberlain are those who despise MJ and there are a few of them. Almost all basketball experts acknowledge Jordan to be the best player ever. Let's not forget, some 'football' people out there regard Maradona as the greatest of all time. It's all about opinions but both Jordan and Pele are generally known as the best ever in their respective sports. And with good reason.

The question posed in this thread is tough because the level of advertising and communication across the world has increased dramatically in between the end of Pele's career and the start of Jordan's. MJ came in during a boom time for basketball and revolutionized the sport, with his baggy shorts, wagging tongue, charm and undoubted talent. He became the most recognizable face on the world stage. Can Pele compete with that?? I'm not sure.

Both however are legends of equal stature though I'd say, with my minimal knowledge, that Michael Jordan would be more famous around the world. :)
 

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Originally posted by Shinboners
I agree with you on that one Skilton. If it wasn't for Nike, then Jordan probably wouldn't have achieved the fame he has.
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That's a wee bit over the top Shinners. 5-time MVP; 6-time Championship Winner; 10-time NBA top scorer......

It wouldn't have mattered if he'd been sponsered by Victoria Bitter, he'd still have become the legend he is.

It's a good argument though and one i'm not prepared to take sides on. :D (ok then, maybe Jordan.....just...and only because he's the more recent of the two. People probably know more about Jordan than they do about Pele.)

Hitman - Ali was overrated imo.
 
To answer the original qn

Pele is easily the more famous sportsman...and if Pele and Jordan imbibed in the susbtances Lance Armstrong uses...imagine how much better their careers could have been.
 
I'd say Jordan would be more famous than Pele - despite Soccer's global standing. Jordan's fame transcended everything. I mean, he was the favourite athlete for Australians in a poll a few years ago - and basketball is only the 4th or 5th most popular sport in Australia! And he out-ranked local footy players! That should give you an indication of his ststus. Aussie Rules Football is by far the most popular sport in Australia, but Jordan was Australia's favourite athlete. Incredible.

Jordan is more famous, than Pele. Now that I am certain of!
 
This just shows how much i know about soccer history, I have never heard of pele, unless I am saying it wrong to myself and have heard it before, just don't know how its spelt?
 
Just following on from that:

There was a survey a few years ago that showed that Jordan was the most famous PERSON on the planet. Forget sport for a second, he was the most famous human-being. His face was more well known than any other - worldwide.

Basketball may not be the biggest sport, but Jordan is the most famous.
 
Originally posted by Rohan_


Pardon the guy for taking substances that saved him from dying.

What was he thinking?
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No, it is the undetectable substances he takes whilst competing in the Tour de France I am talking about.

If you admire him then Ben Johnson of Canada must be an idol of yours too.:D
 

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Originally posted by gPhonque


That's a wee bit over the top Shinners. 5-time MVP; 6-time Championship Winner; 10-time NBA top scorer......
Click to expand...

Yeah....I was probably being a wee bit OTT on that one.

But hey, anything to stir up an argument! :D
 
Michael Jordan by an absolute mile......as Dan said he is one of the if not THE most famous person in the entire world nevermind just sport...

I heard that a poll was taken in America a few years back to see who was the most recognised/famous person in the USA. Jordan came second...
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God was first!!


YOU SEE WHAT IM SAYING!!!
 
Originally posted by Dan25
Just following on from that:

There was a survey a few years ago that showed that Jordan was the most famous PERSON on the planet. Forget sport for a second, he was the most famous human-being. His face was more well known than any other - worldwide.

Basketball may not be the biggest sport, but Jordan is the most famous.
Click to expand...

agree with u there dan...
in terms of most recognised, most famous... its MJ...

because he is still playing, and his exploits are relatively recent... hasnt had the 20-30 years for the legend to build up..

nevertheless, he's still the greatest/most famous athlete the world has ever seen...
 
MJ over Pele by that much its not funny.

Hell, Maradona isnt that far off Pele- maybe even as popular as Pele in terms of being well known. And it terms of ability, wasnt Maradona recently voted the best footballer of all time - or was it equal with pele??

MJ and Ali would be clearly the standout 2 most well known athletes in the world.

MJ's legend will only get bigger too - with the years following after he finally retires for good.
 
Go ask someone over 40 who Michael Jordan is and who Pele is.Problem is you all think your age.Also in 30 years time will people remember Jordan like we remember Pele now?I don't think so.Also basketball is a very restricted game,in that if your not 6'4" then is very hard to make it.Yes i know there are blokes under 6' but not many.Anyhow that's a differant subject.
 

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