Didi was the best player entering the tournament, but Pele made the only goal against Wales, then a hat trick, then 2 goals on the final (one of then one of the most beautiful World Cup goals).

In 1970 he was definitely the best player, by far. In a team that might be considered the best of all time, but no one ever challenges that he was the best one on that team.

In the 1970 World Cup, Brazil plays 6 matches. During the first 3 games in the group stage, Pelé scores 3 goals in 2 matches, but then doesn't score in quarter finals and semi finals. He scores a goal in the final, which Brazil wins 4-1.

Meanwhile, Jairzinho scores a goal in every single game of that World Cup, 7 in total. I watched the matches, and my favorite in that World Cup is Rivelinho, the best playmaker they had. Pelé wasn't a playmaker, he was more like Cristiano Ronaldo, a strong center forward who was very creative in the last quarter of the field.

I think Pele was amazing, but once you watch the matches, you realize that the legend was greatly exaggerated.

I watched the matches and is still clear to me that Pele was the best player of the team. Jairzinho had a great tournament, but it’s silly to say he was better than Pele in that tournament because he scored in every game. Same about Rivelino. Weird choice. It is clear to me that Gerson is the best playmaker of the team.

Indeed, having watched the matches, I agree that Gerson was the playmaker of the team, the linchpin of the midfield.

But the legend of Pele cannot be diminished; he was instrumental in most of the goals scored, either as the scorer or by providing an assist.