Drew Brees, Diego Maradona or Pele? Who was the longest professional time

This Sunday news was known that surprised all NFL lovers. It is that Drew Brees announced his retirement after twenty seasons (fifteen in New Orleans Saints), years that allow him to settle among the longest-lived athletes who were in activity. The news of the announcement was given through a video, where his children broke the news, Drew Brees said goodbye to the Saints fans with the following words. 

"After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it's time to retire from football. Every day, I poured my heart and soul into being their quarterback. Until the end, I gave everything I had to them. Saints, to my team and to the great city of New Orleans. We share some incredible moments together, many of which are etched in our hearts, minds and will always be a part of us. This is not goodbye, but a new beginning. Now the work of my real life begins!", commented the now ex-player.

Drew Brees compared to Diego Maradona and Pele

Diego Armando Maradona's professional career spanned 21 years, between 1976 and 1997. He played seven years at Napoli, the club that he enjoyed the most, and just 5 games at Newell's Old Boys in 1993, the least. In his entire career he played 679 games and scored 345 goals. He also defended the colors of Argentinos Juniors (his debut club), Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Sevilla.

Pele, for his part, was also a professional for 21 years. He for eighteen seasons in Santos –from 1957 to 1974–. In three campaigns, moreover, he surpassed the figure of sixty goals per year: in 1958 he scored 66; in 1961 he scored 62; and in 1965 he made 64. From Santos, the Brazilian star went to the American New York Cosmos, where he played the last three seasons of his career. Three years in which he played 64 official matches and scored 37 goals, which made his myth even greater.