The debate over who is the greatest football player of all time is rarely cordial. This opinion is ingrained in the minds of football fans about their “GOAT”.
Of course, many factors come into play as to who someone considers truly awesome. The country of origin is a major factor. The Brazilians claim that Pele is the greatest of all time because he is the best player to wear the famous yellow kit.
Then there are the trophies. One of Pelé’s biggest claims to greatness is the fact that he is the only player to have won three World Cups in his career. This speaks to the longevity of his career and his impact to produce on the biggest stage. In Argentina, many fans consider Diego Maradona to be the greatest player of all time, as he apparently single-handedly took Argentina to the 1986 World Cup.
However, recency certainly plays a role. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo illuminate the “GOAT” debate in the modern era. Their dueling careers at the top of the world game have fans born in the 1990s and 2000s believing that these two are, hands down, the greatest football players of all time.
Finally, people’s personal preference for what makes a great player comes into question. Is it a question of objectives? Maybe acting and assists take the cake? Or, some people aren’t all about statistics. What was the impact of a midfielder in every game he played? Has this club or country been so successful because of a rock at the back?
Who is the greatest footballer of all time?
We want to know who you think is the greatest player to grace the game.
Personally, as a 23-year-old player who started to really watch football around Euro 2008 or the 2010 World Cup, Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time. Of course, my bias lies in my Barcelona fandom. Also, I never looked at players like Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, Maldini or Zidane. Therefore, my “GOAT” debate has always been between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Undoubtedly, some of you will say that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest of all time. That, like all the other aforementioned players, is a fair point to make.
Be sure to mention the moment or game this player hosted that really made him stand out when you think of the greatest football player of all time.
