<text>  Sat inside a crammed central London sandwich shop, Pele flashes those world-renowned pearly whites. After the week Lionel Messis had, footballs greatest ever knew exactly what was coming. I never saw myself play, but I think I was the better player, the 74-year-old tells Sportsmail, complete with beaming grin. As Thierry Henry said of Messi on Wednesday, you dont get to be this good without having a bit of an ego. A beaming Pele prepares to take a bite from a footlong as former Liverpool striker Fowler looks on . The Brazilian great was in good form ahead of Sundays mouthwatering match on Merseyside . Three months after leaving a Brazilian hospital following a urinary tract infection and now with a clean bill of health, Pele has plenty to tell. Much more than playfully scoring points against the magician who mesmerised Manchester City on Wednesday night. He explains Steven Gerrards decision to jet off to America this summer as one taken to wind down, relax and retire, while he considers Liverpools clash against Manchester United to be matched only by El Clasico in terms of global appeal. Contrary to hysteria, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with English football, he continues, despite a fortnight which may end up serving as a nadir for the game in this country. And he cites the reason for a lack of success internationally as being largely down to our best players finding themselves too comfortable in the British bubble and unwilling to move abroad at their peak. But it is when the names Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are mentioned that Pele truly comes alive. They are the pair who rival him - he of three World Cup-winners medals - Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff as the all-time genuine superstars. The eyes widen, hands coming up to articulate his point. There is a sense that these two are the only men to really excite a man who has seen it all. Fowler, Pele and Steve McManaman show off a Liverpool top with the famous Brazilians No 10 on the back . Fowler and Pele pose with the shirt behind the counter at a Subway outlet in London on Friday afternoon . Cristiano Ronaldo is a man who scores goals, but Pele reckons he falls behind Lionel Messi . Messi gets Peles vote as the best player of the modern era after his consistent displays of the past decade . Not shy, he is more than happy to settle debates which have raged in pubs and on concourses across Europe for the best part of a decade. The two best at the moment are obviously Ronaldo and Messi, he says. Which is the best one? Messi has been the best player of the last 10 years. That level, the player who played at the same level for 10 years. Its massive. He never plays badly and is a very quiet guy. Ronaldo is that striker who scores goals, but Messi does that and helps with assists. So, Messi is top dog; how does the Argentine compare to the original luminary? The grin emerges. I think I was a little better in the air, he adds. I used to kick it with both feet. Fowler, Pele and McManaman laugh at the counter as the Brazilian adds another shirt to his collection . Pele makes his point as our man speaks to the greatest footballer of all time about a smorgasbord of subjects . There are more serious matters at hand for the Premier League at present. This campaign has been hellish, our elite embarrassed and all dumped out of continental competition by Easter. That matters little to a scorer of 650 league career goals. Oh yes, definitely he says when asked if the Premier League remained the best division in the world. It pains me as a Brazilian, but I have to say that. Even after the struggles in Europe this week. Remember, losing is part of the game. But there is no doubt that its the top league. I dont think theres anything wrong - its something you cant explain. Use this as an example. It isnt the same, but similar. Brazil have won five World Cups, but the two we played in Brazil we lost. You cant explain that. I was nine years old for my first World Cup watching. We played Uruguay in the final at the Maracana - I was with my father - and we lost. I said what happened? My father cried and he said Brazil have lost it. Weve won five now - I was lucky enough to win three. But now the World Cup in Brazil... we lost! Its the same with the football in England. They have good teams, good players. Pele, real name Edison Arantes do Nascimento, was just 17 when he helped Brazil to their first World Cup . Pele was captain of the great 1970 Brazilian side which won their third Jules Rimet trophy in five World Cups . One thing I would say about English players is that they dont have experience of playing abroad. You dont see them playing in South America or Japan. The English players should be playing outside, but its too comfortable to play here. To play in South America is more complicated - they need that experience. Thats the only thing you can say about England. Two Englishmen who will ply their trade elsewhere come next season are Gerrard and Frank Lampard, both set for the MLS with LA Galaxy and New York City FC respectively. It is 40 years since Pele was in Americas cultural hub with a Cosmos team including Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto. Only now is the perception of the countrys major division changing, although the Brazilian says stars still head stateside to unwind. I like Gerrard very much. If I could pick a team, he would be in it. I dont know how he feels. Hes chosen to go to the MLS, the same as Kaka. If you want to rest and retire, the competition there isnt as big as it is over here. Maybe he wants to relax a little bit. During my time we had Beckenbauer, George Best, Zico and Carlos Alberto. But people dont realise that the United States has a good level of football. Steven Gerrard guided Liverpool to their fifth European Cup on that unforgettable night in Istanbul . Pele, Franz Beckenbauer second right, Giorgio Chinaglia right, his wife and Mrs Beckenbauer left Pele places Gerrard on a pedestal with the great Beckenbauer, both making his World XI. Asked where the Liverpool skipper would rank among the best midfielders of all time, he compares him with Germanys biggest ever star. Maybe people dont remember, but Beckenbauer had the same style, he adds. I like Gerrard, he is a similar intelligent player. There is no doubt theyd both make my team. As for the rumble on Merseyside this weekend it will be the sixth time Pele has visited Anfield there is a simple message: the North West has the exact same appeal of El Clasico. They are very, very similar games. Its one of the best in todays game. I always look forward to going to Anfield. I love to see good football. Barcelona have excellent players. Its not only Lionel Messi, but Xavi and Neymar. Maybe they have more individuals, but as a team Liverpool are the same. Subway Famous Fan Pele visted a London Subway store to discuss football, nutrition and training in the run up to the Liverpool v Manchester United football match on Sunday March 22 . 