Pele, Ronaldinho, Maldini, Neymar, and Kaka are all great players… however, they did not make the top five greatest players of all time. So who does earn a spot on the list?

#5 Johan Cruyff

With over 500 career matches and 269 goals, in addition to 151 assists, Dutch player Johan Cruyff cemented himself as an all-time great. During his career, which included nearly a decade with Ajax and just as long with Barcelona, he won three Ballon d’Or’s in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Cruyff would change the game by creating one of the most iconic skill moves, the Cruyff turn, and later would help revolutionize the game as a coach. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 68 in 2016, but not before leaving his mark on the game.

#4 Zinedine Zidane

In the number four spot, with a much longer career than Cruyff’s – although it, unfortunately, came to an end in a notorious matter in the 2006 World Cup final when he head-butted another player in the chest – sits Zinedine Zidane. Zidane racked up 689 professional games in his career time playing, during which he managed to score 125 goals and assist 138 goals. Winning a World Cup, the Champions League, a Balon d’or and many more trophies.

Zidane went on to coach in 2016, and retired a few years later. Soccer continued to play a role in his life, however, as Zidane returned to coaching in 2019, leading Real Madrid Castilla to win another La Liga and a Supercopa de España title. He left coaching for good in 2021.

#3 Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona spent the majority of his 343-game career at Napoli in Italy. Most known for his “Hand of God”, a goal scored in a World Cup game, Maradona’s short stature and lighting speed with the ball allowed him to dribble past anyone, and helped him (and Argentina) win the cup in 1986, as well as two Italian Leagues with Napoli.

Maradona’s career was not without controversy, however: he tested positive for drugs before the 2004 World Cup, and was unable to play. After Maradona passed away in November 2020, an inquiry was opened into the cause of his death. Eventually, news outlets announced that eight medical staff members who treated Maradona before he died will be charged with criminal neglect. 

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Recently becoming the first player in history to score in five World Cups, Cristiano Ronaldo has most definitely solidified himself as a top player in history with incredible longevity – but he is not number one.

Ronaldo saw his best years at Real Madrid, where he managed to win four Champions Leagues and three FIFA Club World Cups, along with many more trophies. Ronaldo also won the 2016 Euro with Portugal and has managed to score 701 goals in his 949-game career.

Many fans debate over Ronaldo’s success as a player, and whether his triumphs are superior to those of Lionel Messi. Pele himself declared Ronaldo to be the best, and it cannot be denied that Ronaldo is the all-time leading goal scorer in competition. However, there are just a handful of reasons why Ronaldo remains at the number two spot.

#1 Lionel Messi

Last but not least, Lionel Messi rounds out the list. This seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and four-time Champions League winner also boasts one Copa America victory, three Club World Cups, and countless other trophies. Messi has undoubtedly become the best player to ever grace a pitch. With 853 games and 701 goals with 333 assists, Lionel Messi is truly a player everyone must watch to understand how good he is. Messi looked to top off his incredible career last winter by taking Argentina to the World Cup final – winning could not leave a doubt on anyone’s mind about who the G.O.A.T. of the soccer world is. Argentina, and Messi, are most deserving of the accolades, and the top spot on this list.