How did Maradona's rivalry with Brazilian player Pelé shape his career?

Maradona and Pelé are two of the greatest football players of all time. Their rivalry is one of the most legendary in the history of the sport, and it helped to shape Maradona's career in a number of ways.

One of the key ways in which Pelé influenced Maradona's career was through his record-breaking performances on the field. Pelé was the first player to score 1,000 goals in his professional career, and he set a standard for excellence that Maradona was always trying to match.

Another way in which Pelé shaped Maradona's career was through their head-to-head battles on the field. Whenever they faced each other, it was always a highly anticipated match, and both players knew that they had to bring their best to the game. These battles helped to push Maradona to new heights, and he often rose to the occasion when facing Pelé and his Brazilian team.

Finally, Pelé's long-standing status as the greatest football player of all time was something that Maradona was always striving to challenge. Even though Maradona was often compared to Pelé, he never fully eclipsed him in the eyes of many fans and analysts. This constant drive to prove himself and live up to Pelé's legacy was a key motivating factor in Maradona's career.

Overall, it's clear that Pelé played a significant role in shaping Maradona's career. Whether through his record-breaking performances, their head-to-head battles, or his status as the greatest player of all time, Pelé's influence was felt throughout Maradona's career.