The Greatest of All Time has always been secured by Pelé or Maradona with a vice grip, but due to the recent dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that vice grip seems to be getting looser. Here we discover the arguments regarding each player's claim to being the Greatest of All Time.

Pelé 

We will start with the player football fans around the world believes to be the best to ever do it Pelé. The legend who scored 1283 goals in 1363 games for a goal ratio of 0.94 games per game. 

Pros:

  • Youngest scorer in a World Cup 
  • 3 World Cup victories
  • 1281 goals

Cons:

  • The total goal scored is disputed. Some say that 526 goals came from unofficial friendlies
  • Pelé never did it in the European circuit which is the continent with the highest quality of football
  • Pelé was overshadowed by better performances from other players in virtually every world cup he played in
source: (Bleacher Report)

In summation, Pelé played with elegance, class and finesse. But if the main holding argument of being the Greatest of All Time is the total amount of goal scored through out the career, then it would not take long for new players to claim the spot of the Greatest of All Time.

Diego Maradona

The craziest man in football. Sex, drugs, and alcohol, From scoring the goal of the century to being tested positive for cocaine. The rockstar of football. Diego Maradona. Diego Maradona ranked as one of the greatest if not the greatest ever to play football. 

Pros:

  • Single handedly carried Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup, and scoring the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century in the process.
  • Helped Napoli win the Serie A title
  • Maradona was a cultural icon greatly influencing the next generations with his pace, skill and artistry which is evident in the way Lionel Messi plays

Cons:

  • Never won a Champions League which is considered as the highest achievement in club football
  • Viewed as a person with a negative image because of the Hand of God, drug use, and alcohol abuse

Maradona the ultimate rockstar. Carrying skill, class, and controversy. The perfect personification of balance in the footballing business. Carrying godlike skill and controversy. Maradona will always be a tier above everyone else in measuring the total career.

Lionel Messi

The savior of Argentina or the captain who can not steer the Argentinian sheep into success. Lionel Messi achieved everything there is in the club football level with the International Success eluding him. The 2018 World Cup was his last chance, and it has passed. The question is if Messi can be considered as the best ever without international success?

Pros:

  • Multiple goal scoring record (50 in 1 La liga Season, 73 goals in a single season, 91 goals in 1 calendar year)
  • The first player to win 5 Ballon d` or
  • El Clasico top goal scorer in history (25 goals)

Cons:

  • Never achieved anything with the Argentinian national team
  • Lost 3 straight finals (2014 World Cup, 2015 and 2016 Copa America)
  • Performed poorly in the 2018 World Cup

Lionel Messi achieved so much in the club football level that his only dent in legacy is his failure in achieving the succes he did in Barcelona. The Argentinian talisman will always be associated with failed international success.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo the king of Manchester and Madrid. The Portuguese goal scorer holding insane goal scoring records and success. Possessing athleticism of the highest level and the longevity never seen before.  The 33 year-old winger seems to be transitioning towards becoming a central striker which translates to the goal scoring records he has achieved in the recent years.

Pros: 

  • 5 Ballon d` or (possibly on the way for a 6th)
  • Highest champions league goal scorer (123 goals)
  • Dominated in England and Spain

Cons:

  • Lack of domestic success in Spain (won 2 league titles in the past 9 years)
  • Lacks the complete game as a player (labeled as only a goal scorer)
  • A Diver

Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity and athleticism will always be something to adore. Cristiano Ronaldo has been behind Lionel Messi's shadow for a number of years. But now he is becoming Messi's equal as the greatest of the modern era.


The Greatest of All Time label will always be debated for the years to come. One contender for the title has an advantage over the other players mentioned in the list. No player is perfect and the succes and the lack of success clearly illustrates that. There will never be a consensus best player in the world, it will always be subjective and based on a fan's preference. The best thing to do is to appreciate greatness. 

I believe that Messi is the best player to ever do it with or without international success. This is my humble opinion and every opinion will be greatly appreciated