The most popular global sport has had its fair share of legends over the years. Trying to ascertain which individual is best in a team sport seems futile, but it hasn’t stopped fans debating it for years and years. Whilst this is by no means an easy task, there are some players to have graced the pitch which really are just above and beyond all others throughout the beautiful games magnificent past.
Messi
If you’re a sports betting man, sticking a wager on Messi to score in the modern age is a surefire banker, whether at the bookie or online with Infogol. This man has lit up modern day football like no other player. And despite his closest rival – Cristiano Ronaldo – vying for that top spot, Messi is on another level. His goal record is stunning and increasingly his additional play is important to the strong Barcelona team he has represented over the years. His control of games and out of this world talent even when he isn’t scoring goals is a pure testament to this man’s ability and shows just how good he is.
Maradona
The once world record signing still remains as much of a great now as he was in the 80s, despite a media agenda tainting his life outside the football pitch. Regardless of his actions away from the football pitch, this man was one of the most – if not the most – naturally gifted and effortless footballers to play the game. He inspired both Napoli at club level and Argentina at international level to punch above their weight and win cups they otherwise would never have won. This man carried his teammates like no-one has ever before. Whilst his most well-known goal against England in the 1986 World Cup is known to be his infamous ‘hand-of-god’, during this game he would also score what FIFA and the wider footballing community regarded as the best goal of the century. Skipping past defenders to go on and score, this goal is otherworldly. He oozed sheer brilliance.
Pele
The man who coined the term ‘The Beautiful Game’ is regarded by many as insurmountable as the best ever. The most complete footballer in the history of the game, Pele was the highest paid player in the world during part of his time playing. This man defined boundaries and would go on to score 1283 goals – an astronomical total. Winning multiple world cups this man is an icon for all footballers around the globe, past and present. Pele would go on to be celebrated as a player by those in the sport after his playing career, obtaining several accolades including the IFFHS’s ‘Best player of the 20th century’.
George Best
His footballing career was hindered by his drinking and womanising habits, but this legendary player still managed to secure himself a Ballon d’Or. Famously quoted as saying ‘If I’d been ugly, you’d never have heard of Pele’ is a little bit of a stretch but is a testament to his wayward motives. An absolute phenomenal talent on the pitch Best is said to have had the best dribbling skills of any player ever, learned on the streets of a troubled Belfast. This man played a large role in uniting a nation and leading Man United to Glory. His ultimate demise would be related to his associations with alcohol. Perhaps a bit of a ruined talent, this man was like no other and lit the footballing world up, whilst combining celebrity status with football like never before.
Cruyff
Changing the way football was played from the old game to the now new highly favourable ‘Total Football’. His exploits off the pitch are monumental in changing the game but on the pitch the man dazzled fans. Creating his very own skill move that is now named after him, this man had huge success with Ajax and the Dutch national team. His style at both player and managerial level changed the game and led to the successes of Barcelona, Ajax, Netherlands and Spains successes in the years that followed his impact on the game.
It’s no mean feat composing a list of players who have been the best at the biggest sport in the world but this list is a just a quick look at the top performing footballing greats that graced the field across football history.