Maradona was no doubt a great talent, which made it all the more galling that he should cheat so blatantly and without any remorse or apology...he cannot, in my eyes, be the greatest.
Pele
Messi
Ronaldo
Maradona
Maradona was so iconic - personality, flair, personal trouble he had it all - both as a player and when he retired which added to his legend. The modern greats such as Messi and Ronaldo are just boring, lacking charisma - but maybe when they retire we'll come to appreciate how staggeringly good both of them were. In the end, which one would I really want to see? Maradona.
Though I'd probably say Cruyff was better than them........
Maradona was no doubt a great talent, which made it all the more galling that he should cheat so blatantly and without any remorse or apology...he cannot, in my eyes, be the greatest.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Beckenbauer (unless they have and I’ve missed it!).
Nonsense.....you blame the cheating bar steward who intentionally committed the handball. Shame really but more an insight into the Latin American mindset eg Rivaldo going down like he was shot in the face against Turkey (?).
Beckenbauer was class
The hand of god was a big moment in a big match…. So overhyped - I hate cheating - but it happens all the time and shouldn’t define him…. He’s not alone
This is no longer the domain of Carlos Kickaball either…. Plenty of ‘gaining an unfair advantage’ from all nationalities I’m afraid
Another for Maradona here, was lucky enough to see him score his 1st international goal at Hampden.
Best one off display I ever seen was Kempes for Valencia at Ibrox, stunning performance.
Really? Try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmyssDtOiLM
This thread demonstrates being a short-arse is no hindrance in football
I recall in an interview CR7 saying he's 6'2" a veritable giant in comparison to most nominated.
The emphasis in lists like this typically seems to be on attacking players.
I'm guessing this is because their "flair" is that much more evident and can be easily highlighted on YouTube for each generation to relive or discover anew.
Once 5 or 10 players are outlined (typically the same usual suspects), it's often each player's influence in winning (eg Maradona) or failing to win (eg Messi) things like the World Cup which is the final measure by which people ultimately rank them.
However, I'd suggest that it's that final, deciding measure - namely influence on winning competitions - which is the only meaningful attribute that defines a great player, not overt displays of technique or flair.
Influence may be harder to attribute than the ability to make surging, mazy dribbles, but it is of greater importance when all is said and done.
I've seen plenty of YouTube videos on things like the "best dribblers" and the best "skill moves". They're good fun and are typically packed full of moves by players like Ronaldinho, Cryuff and their ilk.
Nevertheless, after these players perform their sublime dribble or skill move, more times than not it seems to turn into a fruitless pass, the loss of the ball to an opponent or it goes out of play. Stunning technique, but then what?
For example, the most famous piece of skill ever performed might be Johann Cryuff's "turn" against Sweden in 1974. But what happened after? His cross missed the target in the box and then ended up outside of the penalty area. The game ended 0-0.
Sure, there are some flair players who undoubtedly had a massive influence on lifting their respective teams to win at the highest level by the very utilisation of their flair. Maradona is the most obvious example in 1986 with Argentina and the two Italian league titles with Napoli.
That said, what about Paolo Maldini? Bobby Moore? Bobby Charlton? Franz Beckenbauer? Lev Yashin? Not exactly players of overt flair, yet their ability to influence a game and, indeed, lift their teams towards glory is well documented.
That quality, that influence, is what I think defines greatness above anything else, in football and indeed any other sport.
Also, unlike flair, it's much harder, perhaps even impossible, to rank.
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Last edited by CamCG; 28th November 2020 at 03:35.
“Influence” is just another attribute though. And I would still argue Messi as having that quality too. But you’d then certainly add Iniesta to the mix. He comtrolled the best team the world has seen for nearly a decade.
Last edited by demonloop; 28th November 2020 at 10:25.
I'm surprised Carlton Palmer hasn't had a mention here ;)
I've been fortunate to see both Messi and Ronaldo play live - both amazing however I felt Messi is so good because he was in that Barca team that knew how to play to his strengths. For example I saw Barca twice at the Emirates and actually it was Iniesta that was running the show and putting Messi in positions to cause mayhem. Most teams don't have an Iniesta! Stick him in (for example) the Man Utd side and I'm not sure he would be as effective.
Ronaldo would be the best player in the league with any team he plays in - he really is a phenomenal and versatile talent.
But the GOAT is Maradona end of. That man got no protection from referees, was at risk of grievous injury from appalling challenges and did half of all this whilst suffering from a hangover/on a marching powder comedown. Imagine if he'd had the sports nutritionists that today's footballers have.
That's certainly the aspect that swings it for me. This is what the great (and for his era relatively clean) Paolo Maldini has said on the matter. “You could not catch him. I was next to him at the Serie A Hall of Fame awards and they showed some of our footage together. I always considered myself a very fair defender, but I have to admit in those videos I was doing some horrible fouls on him, but it was only because he always anticipated me and I was therefore late. He was so quick and was kicked to pieces all through his career, all through the game. I felt ashamed and apologised to him after that clip. I also realised even more than I had remembered just how quickly he controlled the ball and changed direction. He really was extraordinary.”
Messi has won he’s 7th ballon dor tonight, GOAT !
I had Lewandowski as the nailed on winner…
41 goals in 29 league appearances and a Bundesliga last season, 14 in 13 already this season. It was a dead cert for him last year until the award was cancelled.
Lewandowski had a good shout but I think messi shades it,
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I think Benzema rather blew his chances with the whole sex-tape blackmail thing
From another era John Charles and Stanley Matthews- he played into his fifties in an era with quagmire pitches and very heavy leather balls.
Special mention for a personal hero Eddie grey who Revie said didn’t leave footprints in snow. Got kicked to death all through the 70’s and would have become a Scottish icon if he played more.
Best striker I’ve personally seen was Yeboah in his pomp at Leeds. He could and did hit it in from anywhere!
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
For me, Maradona has been the best player ever. Messi and Pele next. Maradona is by far the most gifted player. Ronaldo? not really impressed.
Rather like O'Sullivan is the equivalent in snooker, a hugely gifted talent.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
An interesting topic but ultimately pointless. Different players, in different teams, different conditions, different rules, different times.
But the player who had the most influence on me personally was Maradona and how he cheated. Put me right off football to be honest.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
As mentioned it’s pointless but fun. I think best player is too vague because of the positions. Maldini had a different job on the pitch but was just as good at it as the others are at scoring etc.
If I could make my ultimate player they would...
Dribble like Messi/Maradona
Header like Shearer/Ronaldo
Defend like Baresi/Koeman
Shoot like Greaves/Van Basten
Long pass like Pirlo/Cruyff
Short pass like Zidane/Xavi
Have hair like Valderrama/Higuita!!!!
Messi for me. Too young to have seen Pele and Maradona is tainted for me, not for the hand of God but because we can’t be sure what substances he was using at any point in his career. I’d take Messi over Ronaldo any day, Messi fits into the teams he plays in and everything feels more organic. Ronaldo takes over and everything has to go through him or he has a tantrum. Man Utd looked to be on the up before he signed and look what’s happened since, and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Portugal won the Euros after Ronaldo went off injured, and even then he had to be on the sideline pretending to be the coach to make sure he got the praise.
Much lower down the ladder we have a similar situation at Watford. Ismaila Sarr is probably the most talented player we’ve ever had. When he plays everything is directed towards him and it’s very predictable. Much like Ronaldo, when anything goes wrong he’ll throw a tantrum and claim it’s somebody elses fault, even when it’s clear the fault lies with him.The team as a whole plays much better when he isn’t on the pitch. That’s an attitude I’ve never seen with Messi who quietly gets on with the job in hand and pulls his team along with him.
All irrelevant though, the correct answer is Luther Blissett!
Best natural footballer and tough as old boots, Maradona for me.
But I voted Pele because he had the biggest impact on the sport. Scoring two goals in a world cup final aged 17? Incredible.
Every player since the pioneers have had a head start, building on the innovations of previous generations. Of today's crop, only Ronaldo and Messi come close.
Messi not having won a major tournament with Argentina really lets him down. Choked in 4 finals.
Ronaldo having won the Euros with Portugal puts him ahead imo.