During my career I have had the opportunity to watch some of the greatest players in the world play. I have witnessed some incredible games, and I can say with certainty that there are some GOATs out there. Some of the greatest moments of the game have been scored by players who were still playing at the time. These moments include the infamous free kick against Portsmouth, Ronaldo’s overhead kick against Juve, and Messi’s game-winning header against Manchester United. The list is truly incredible, and the debate about who is the greatest player ever is never ending.
Lionel Messi
It’s hard to argue with the greatness of Messi. After all, he’s led FC Barcelona to 32 trophies, won an Olympic gold medal for Argentina, and holds the Guinness World Record for most goals in a season. But he hasn’t yet won a World Cup. And unlike Michael Jordan, he has never met the Pope. But he’s still the best soccer player of all time.
Although there are no modern-day comparisons to Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player who can match him in terms of career achievement. In addition to the impressive trophy collection, Messi is also regarded as the greatest player of all time. Despite his young age, he’s won dozens of individual awards and has a trophy cabinet the size of a soccer field.
Argentina’s recent triumph in the Copa America was a stunning feat for Messi. The Argentines dominated Brazil 1-0, and Messi was key to the victory. The team’s goalless streak has been broken by Messi’s stunning performances, and he’s on his way to cementing his status as the GOAT of soccer. It’s time for him to become the GOAT of soccer.
The debate about the GOAT of soccer is a reoccurring one that has divided soccer fans for the last decade. While some players deserve to be named the GOAT, club and national loyalties can cloud the judgment of their quality. Not to mention their personalities. As long as Messi is on the field, it’s fair to say that he’s the best soccer player ever.
Aside from scoring goals, Messi is an all-around player. He’s the all-time leader in assists, and he’s won the Golden Ball seven times in his career. And he has been a part of the best teams in the world. Whether or not he’s the GOAT of soccer is entirely up to you, but his impressive record speaks for itself.
Cristiano Ronaldo
One debate about the GOAT of soccer is based on the number of goals and assists. Lionel Messi has more goals, but Ronaldo is more important for his goal-creating ability, which is an important factor when determining a player’s GOAT status. Both players have achieved tremendous success in Europe and have excelled at Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, one player is more valuable than the other.
The Argentinean is considered to be the greatest player of all time, and his athletic ability has been honed on the world’s biggest stages. His five Champions Leagues are the most in history, with more than any other player. He also has the same mount as FC Barcelona, and is still performing at the highest level despite his age. It’s hard to argue with the Argentinean’s brilliance and skill.
Aside from being a world-class player, Cristiano Ronaldo has also shown consistent intensity throughout his career. He became the first player to score in every minute of a 90-minute game, something that no other player in the history of the game had achieved. Cristiano Ronaldo has become the captain of Portugal’s national team since 2008, and he won the European Championship in 2016 and 2017. His goal tally this season surpassed that of all his previous teams.
Messi and Ronaldo both have incredible goalscoring records. However, Messi is much more versatile and has the jumping and passing abilities of an NBA player. Both of these players have amazing attributes and are the perfect role models for young players looking to break into the sport. But is he the GOAT of soccer? Only time will tell. It’s a debate worth having. But either way, both players deserve the title.
Diego Maradona
The argument for Diego Maradona’s GOAT status is not a new one. The Argentine was an incredible player, and his dribbling and passing skills were second to none. He was also a great visionary, and his goals are legendary. He scored five goals in the 1986 World Cup, and was involved in four more. It’s easy to see why many consider him the GOAT of soccer.
In 1990, Maradona joined Napoli, a team that had never won a Serie A title. He immediately inspired the echipă, and they won their first title in 86. The title prompted a week-long fiesta in the city of Naples. The Argentine legend’s influence on Messi’s free-kick technique is small but real, and it’s easy to see why the GOAT of soccer was so revered.
His legacy is legendary in soccer. His World Cup triumphs made him the most beloved player of all time. He was the greatest player of his generation. The Argentine legend led his team to victory in the 1986 World Cup and established himself as one of the greatest players of all time. The 90Min website has ranked Maradona as the GOAT of soccer, with Franz Beckenbauer in fourth place. Johan Cruyff, meanwhile, rounds out the top five. Cristiano Ronaldo rounds out the top ten.
Diego Maradona’s enduring popularity is largely due to his ability to champion underdog teams. As a player, he played for Barcelona in his early years and then returned to Boca Juniors in 1984. The poor city was on the wrong side of the country’s north-south divide, and Maradona embraced this story. He then went on to win two league titles with the club.
In recent years, the debate over who is the GOAT of soccer has been a contentious one. Many have sided with Pele, but AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has said that Maradona is the GOAT. And many have argued that Messi is the GOAT, but the facts clearly point to Pele. However, stats don’t tell the whole story.
Marco Van Basten
When considering the greats of soccer, few can match the legendary performance of Marco van Basten. Van Basten was a star with Ajax Amsterdam and AC Milan. His impressive career included 58 matches for his country, and he won the Ballon d’Or three times. However, he was forced to retire early from the game because of injuries. Despite this, his legacy as a soccer legend remains strong today.
He was the most successful player in the history of the sport, dominating the world’s toughest leagues. However, in his later years, he was plagued by injuries, including a persistent ankle problem. In 1993, he played in the Champions League Final, but suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury that forced him to retire. As a result, he was forced to retire at age 30.
A great striker is often considered the GOAT. However, few players of his generation come close. Van Basten scored over 300 goals for his club and country and has a reputation for being a great striker. He was so good that his overhead kick in the 1992 Champions League is considered to be the greatest in the competition’s history. So, who is the GOAT of soccer?
His incredible talent is also evident in his career. After his retirement from international soccer, Van Basten led AC Milan to European Cup qualification. Ajax’s success was further rewarded in the following season, as he scored two goals in the final and broke the European Cup scoring record. Van Basten went on to win three Ballon d’Or awards, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year. His Serie A season was his best ever in the final third.
Marco Di Stefano
The GOAT of soccer is an award given to the best player in a particular sport. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, has been deemed the GOAT of soccer. He is the most expensive player to join a club and has become a superstar. Since his debut at Real Madrid, he has won five European Cups and three Golden Shoes. He has also won a total of 13 league titles and is considered the greatest player of all time.
Aside from winning the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959, Alfredo Di Stefano is considered the GOAT of soccer. This is because he played for two teams – River Plate and Millonarios – and he dominated the game with a devastating left foot. Di Stefano was also the most decorated player in the history of soccer, earning eight La Liga titles and five Pichichi awards. He also won the Silver Ball and the 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up prize.
Alfredo Di Stefano was an Argentine player who played for Real Madrid between 1953 and 1964. He played for the club for 11 years and scored 308 goals in 396 appearances. He was the GOAT of soccer and many other grandes futbolistas have left quotes about him. The legendary coach at the Santiago Bernabeu said that “a real argentino should play in Madrid”. Eventually, Lionel Messi passed him in La Liga scoring charts. As of this writing, he has 228 goals more than his predecessor.
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player of all time. He has incredible ball control and a brilliant vision. The GOAT of soccer is the only player who has ever won the FIFA World Cup, scored twice in the final, and drew a record number of goals in UEFA Champions League matches. He was a star on the field, and off it. His transfer from Juventus to Napoli almost made the Italian club into a powerhouse.
