Pelé, one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game, has died aged 82.

He had become such a hero that, in 1961, to ward off European teams eager to buy his contract rights, the Brazilian government passed a resolution declaring him a nonexportable national treasure.

Imagine Messi or Ronaldo being forced to spend the prime of their career in the far inferior Argentinian or Portuguese football leagues. Would they be as good and as popular as they are today?