Calcutta: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

There could be endless debate over who is the best footballer of the present generation, but for the King of football it's the FC Barcelona star who he would vote for.

Pele, who touched down on Sunday morning, told Chuni Goswami that Messi is on a par with Diego Maradona and himself. "'Messi is on a par with Diego and I' when I asked him where he would put Messi," Chuni told mediapersons at the city hotel, where Pele is staying.

"I asked him about his health. He said he is not doing that well, healthwise. And about Brazil's recent slump, Pele's take was the five-time world champions need skilful footballers to regain glory," Chuni informed.

Pele's praise for Messi is nothing new. He has always been a big fan of the Argentine captain.

Earlier this year, in an interview, Pele had said: "It's not that between Messi and Cristiano I like one more than the other. When people ask me, I tell them that you can't compare them."

Cristiano is a great player, more of a forward, more of a finisher. Messi is a player who scores goals, but also starts many more moves from the deep. In my team, the two would both be very important. But if I had to choose one, it would be Messi."

And just a few days back, the Brazilian legend had said there could be only one Pele and one Maradona. "Every player is unique and different. That's why there will be one Maradona or one Zidane or one Beckenbauer.

Pele and Maradona have never been on the same page. Their difference in opinion is well documented.

In 2000, when Pele was adjudged Fifa's greatest player on earth, Maradona got Fifa's Player of the Century (People's Choice). But of late, it seems both have shown some restrain.

On Sunday at the city airport, only a handful of people turned up to welcome the legend. And if you rewind to that wintry early December night in 2008, around 6000 fans had turned up to welcome Maradona.

Despite the stature of the Brazilian legend, Calcutta no doubt remains Diego's domain.

And then in September 2011, Messi came calling. It was his first match as Argentina captain and also Alejandro Sabella's first as Argentina coach.

That journey that culminated at the Maracana in July 2014 at the World Cup final. So in a way, Argentina's friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium was very significant.

When it comes to Pele, it's a different take altogether. Something like a old-world feeling when football used to be more aesthetic. He is more of an icon for the older generation.

For them Pele is still Pele. Speak to Gopal Ghosh and you will know why.

"I came to see off my son, who left for Milan. And then I saw so many mediapersons. I was curious... Someone told me they are waiting for Pele.

"I was at the Eden Gardens in 1977 when Pele played against Mohun Bagan. So here I am, waiting to catch a glimpse of my idol," the 61-year-old Ghosh said.

"Thirty-eight years back, there was a sea of people at the airport waiting for him. Now may be a handful has turned up. But for our generation, Pele will always be the king of football."

Samir Ghosh also said something similar. He was at the airport to receive his sister and nephew who were coming from London.

"This Sunday will be memorable for me... I saw Pele... I wasn't at the Eden Gardens in 1977. Saw him on television.

"But today I guess my dream has come true. You will not believe, my search on the internet most of the time is for Pele's clippings," he said.

Still, among the new generation, there are some who know the relevance of Pele. Thirteen-year-old Mintu Koiri and two year younger Vishnu Prasad came to the to airport waving the Brazil flag.

"My father tells us stories about Pele's skills. I wanted to see him from close. And also we are die-hard Brazil fans," Koiri said.

The Ghoshs and those two young fans were not disappointed. Pele came out of the airport on a cart, after all he is 74 and not keeping well these days, and then before getting into the black Innova - the organisers wanted Pele to travel by a white Jaguar but the security adviser thought the MUV would be a better option - waved to the fans.

Mintu's face lit up and he waved back. Pele may not have seen the 13-year-old, but the Class VII student was not complaining. He saw Pele from close.