Such would be the unlikely question many will ask of the most important figure in the Catholic church set up in world.
Pope Francis was born is Argentina and has been a soccer fan throughout his entire life. He has also reportedly supported a club from his country, San Lorenzo.
However, the question of who is his favorite footballer emerged during a recent interview with Europa Press.
The Pope minced no word to mention the footballer he loves most and also further made comparison between Pele, Maradona and Lionel Messi.
He said: “For me, the great gentleman between the three of them is Pele. He is a man with a huge heart. I spoke to Pele, I met him once on a flight when I was in Buenos Aires. We spoke. A man with so much humanity.
Of Maradona, the Pope said the late Argentine football legend was a great player but failed as a man.
“Maradona was one of the greats as a player but he failed as a man. Poor him, he slipped and those who adored him never helped him. Many athletes end up like he did”
“Messi is also a gentleman, although all three of them are great. Each with his own specialty.” He said of Messi who just won his eight Ballon d’or award.
Meanwhile, the Pope didn’t include Cristiano Ronaldo in the conversation, even as it is important to note that it’s only Pele that he considered as the best aside from his fellow compatriots: Maradona and Messi