Pele has urged Lionel Messi to reconsider his decision to retire from international football, reports Sky Sport.
The Barcelona forward quit playing for Argentina after missing in a penalty shoot-out against Chile in last month's Copa America final defeat.
It was the fourth time Messi had lost in a major final while playing for his country after two previous Copa America losses and defeat to Germany in the World Cup in 2014.
However Pele, who won the World Cup three times with Brazil, says good players miss penalties and hopes the 29-year-old will change his mind.
“In the last 10 years, no doubt he was the best player. What happened to him happens in football. Only the one who kicks the penalty can miss the penalty," Pele said.
Lionel Messi says he has retired from international football after doing everything he could to win the Copa America with Argentina
Lionel Messi says he has retired from international football after doing everything he could to win the Copa America with Argentina
“He got very upset but maybe wait a little bit and he'll forget because this has happened with a lot of good players. A lot of good players have missed penalty kicks. The last 15 years, for me, he was one of the best players in the world and this is more important.”
Asked if he thinks Messi will change his mind, Pele added: “I hope he listens to me.”
Meanwhile, Messi’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez said that he is sure
Lionel Messi will make a U-turn on his decision to retire from playing for Argentina.
The defeat was Argentina's third loss in a major final since 2014.
However, there has been a national outcry for Messi to reconsider, with the country's president Mauricio Macri and Diego Maradona urging the five time Ballon d'Or winner to change his mind.
Suarez, who formed part of a deadly strike trio with Messi and Neymar at Barcelona last season, thinks Macri and Maradona will get their wish.
He told Uruguayan radio statio, Radio Tenfield: "Knowing Leo, I'm sure it was said in a moment of sadness and helplessness. It would be a shame for football if he took this decision, but I'm sure he will reconsider and change his mind.