I recently watched a TV Show featuring NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal and a younger NBA Star arguing about who is the greatest basketballer of all time. Shaq almost left the studio because he felt the comparison was blasphemous. He eventually ended the debate by asking how many titles Lebron James has won as against the six titles of Michael Jordan. Their debate reminded me of other debates currently ranging in other sports. From Serena Williams in Lawn Tennis to Sir Lewis Hamilton in Formula One, the debate for the Greatest Of All Times (GOAT) is often muddied by emotions. On the surface, it is easy to conclude that the number of titles or championships won is enough to determine who is the GOAT in any sport. But this is often not the case especially when a Black sporting great is involved. In motor sports – Formula One, Sir Lewis Hamilton has done enough to be declared GOAT if his records are to be taken into consideration. When you also factor in the huddles he overcame as a Black man in an elitist sport, he should have been crowned the GOAT of F1. But no, the colour of his skin will continue to sway the conclusion of journalists, sports pundits, fans, and the other stars in the sport. A similar argument holds true for Serena Williams whose 23 Grand Slam titles ordinarily is enough to earn her greatest of all times if you also consider the situations that aided Margaret Court 24 Grand Slam wins.

Before the start of the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the debate for the greatest of all time in football (soccer) was between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Any attempt to bring Pele into this debate is squashed by even old analysts who should know better. It amazes me whenever I think of this ultimate snub. The only reason Lebron James is in the conversation for the greatest of all times in basketball can be credited to the fact that Michael Jordan is a Black man. If he were to be of a different race, he would be untouchable. If the debate of GOATship in football were to be free and fair, winning the greatest trophy or tournament in football – the FIFA World Cup, would have been a major or ultimate criterion. But no, because this would disqualify Messi and Ronaldo, it has been relegated to a none issue. The real issue is that Pele is a Black man. Again, if Pele were to be of another race, the debate would have been a no contest when you factor in his World Cup records.

Robert Vergne wrote in an article for the French sports daily L’Équipe dated March 31, 1971 about Pele’s popularity after the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. “Pelé has become a towering figure, perhaps the fourth or fifth most famous person in the world behind the Pope, Nixon, Mao and de Gaulle,”. If you use stats to determine who is the greatest, you will see how the number of goals scored by Pele becomes controversial by those who do not want him to be declared as the GOAT. If you use game per the official goals accepted by these pundits, Pele is more lethal than Messi or Ronaldo. If you use goal-contribution-per-game, Pele again floors Ronaldo and Messi. Adding Pele’s World Cup record makes all comparisons blasphemous mimicking the reasoning of NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal. After the present World Cup, let us watch to see the new argument for Messi or Ronaldo to be crowned the greatest of all time.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers