Picking a player as the greatest of all time, in any sport, is a very subjective task with various unquantifiable facets coming into the picture.
However, with the number of goals he has scored and having won every possible trophy he could, Lionel Messi is considered the greatest football player of all time. He finally attained the undisputed GOAT status after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after a frantic final against France.
The fact that Messi won the Golden Ball by scoring seven goals and assisting three more in the competition, adds to his argument as the greatest footballer ever.
Top 5 football players of all time
Rank | Player | Goals | Trophies |
1 | Lionel Messi | 802 | 42 |
2 | Pele | 767 | 26 |
3 | Diego Maradona | 353 | 12 |
4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 819 | 34 |
5 | Johan Cruyff | 433 | 22 |
6 | Zinedine Zidane | 156 | 15 |
7 | Gerd Muller | 718 | 16 |
8 | Ronaldo Nazario | 414 | 19 |
9 | Alfredo di Stefano | 509 | 27 |
10 | Michel Platini | 353 | 12 |
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 802 goals, 42 trophies
Emerging from Barcelona’s academy La Masia, Lionel Messi quickly became one of the best players in football, winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at the age of 22. He went on to win seven of them. He won the coveted treble twice with Barcelona and finally ended his wait for a major international trophy with the Copa America 2021 and then added the FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy to his haul, which also includes an Olympic gold medal from Beijing 2008. He is also the only player in history to win two Golden Balls in World Cups (2014 and 2022).
Now in the twilight of his career, the Argentinian legend is now playing in the United States with Inter Miami.
In his short time in Miami, he has made an impact by helping the franchise win the Leagues Cup which is the first ever in the history of the franchise.
While the Miami outfit is yet to establish itself as a powerhouse in the MLS, many fans of the team and neutrals alike are confident that it is only a matter of time until the team starts competing for the MLS title with the addition of Messi to the squad.
The belief is so widespread in Miami that many fans are already touring them as a contender next term. A lot of fans are not stopping at tagging them as possible champions in the next couple of years, many are backing their claim by betting on the team to become champions next term.
Of course, the odds are quite good and it guarantees a handsome reward if it pays off. However, there are other incentives like betting bonuses for signing up and placing a bet on a betting site.
It is a common practice for Sportsbook to reward new customers with a betting bonus when they sign up and make a deposit.
Football Legends and Their Remarkable Achievements
Pele (Brazil) - 767 goals, 26 trophies
Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, made a sensational debut on the global stage with six goals in the 1958 World Cup. Known as the "Black Pearl," Pele scored over 700 goals for club and country, achieving numerous titles with the Brazilian club Santos. He is celebrated as the first modern football superstar.
Diego Maradona (Argentina) - 353 goals, 12 trophies
Diego Maradona is regarded as one of the greatest attacking players in football history. His incredible ball control and skill inspired generations. Maradona led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, scoring twice in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals. He also drove Napoli to their only two league titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 819 goals, 34 trophies
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest goal-scorer in football history, winning league titles in England, Spain, and Italy. He has five Champions League titles, four of which were won with Real Madrid. A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldo also scored four goals in Portugal’s first major trophy win at UEFA Euro 2012.
Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) - 433 goals, 22 trophies
Johan Cruyff, the pioneer of "Total Football," is considered one of the most influential figures in football. He won three consecutive European Cup titles with Ajax and three Ballon d'Or awards. Cruyff also led the Netherlands to the World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.
Zinedine Zidane (France) - 156 goals, 16 trophies
Zinedine Zidane is one of football's all-time greats, known for his exceptional control and technique. Starting his career with Cannes, he gained fame at Bordeaux and later won multiple titles with Juventus and Real Madrid. Zidane helped France win the 1998 World Cup and reached the finals again in 2006. He was named the best player in the world in 1998, 2000, and 2003.
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