Pele, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Football fans have always been divided on this issue with a large number favouring the original G.O.A.T. while there is an equal number who bestow the honour on Diego Maradona, the Argentine legend that won the World Cup in 1986, scoring mesmerising goals in the process.
In terms of trophies at club level, Messi has amassed 39 compared to just 11 for Maradona. He also guided Argentina to a Copa America triumph last summer - an accolade that Maradona never managed to win. Famously, Messi is the only man in history to win seven Ballon d'Or awards.
Lionel Messi is often considered the GOAT of football, following his exploits with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina.
Maradona, who along with Brazil's Pele is widely held to be one of the best players of all time, said Messi was one player at his club Barcelona and another with the national side. "We shouldn't deify Messi any longer," Maradona said in an interview with Fox Sports.
Messi's dribbling runs most times ends with a good final pass or through ball or a good shot, while alot of maradona's dribbling runs didnt end with a shot or a good pass hence his average goal record for his legendary standard.
Lionel Messi is the holder of the title 'King of football.' He is best known for his dribbling skills, tricks on the field, impossible goals, and never-ending determination to win the game.
Pele played a total of 92 games for Brazil and scored 77 goals in his career whereas Maradona played a total of 91 games and scored a total of 34 goals.
An analysis of the players' statistics reveals that Ronaldo was labelled the undisputed GOAT of soccer with the most overall goals, Champions League goals, club goals and assists, and international caps and goals.
Arguably, the certified indicator of greatness is the coveted Ballon d'Or, an award Messi has attained more than any other player. Argentina's incumbent skipper is a seven-time recipient of this prestigious prize—Ronaldo has won five, and the next nearest competitor three.
Along with Messi, Pelé named the players he believed were in the ranks of greats of all time including Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Zinedine Zidane, Zico, and more.
Ronaldo has scored a record number of international goals and appearances, but Messi has won more Ballon d'Or awards (7). Messi has spent most of his playing career in Spain and France, while Ronaldo has played in Portugal, England, Spain, and Italy.
One of the most popular terms with which Tom Brady has always been known is 'The GOAT' , which has also been used to refer to other great athletes such as Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé, among others.
If you were compiling a league table of the all-time greats, Maradona would be 30 points clear at the top. In second would be Pele, followed by Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It's difficult to explain to those who have seen only YouTube clips just how good Maradona was.
Lionel Messi has surpassed Diego Maradona as the greatest player of all time, Argentina's World Cup winning coach Lionel Scaloni has said.
"Messi isn't much better than Ronaldo. Let's be clear, he isn't much better. But if I had to pick, I'd pick Leo," Maradona said. Maradona also said he can't remember the last time Messi played poorly, while also noting he doesn't need to win the World Cup to validate his greatness.
The Argentine has scored more World Cup goals - 13 - than his two rivals, though he's played more games. Pele hit 12 goals at the World Cup and Ronaldo has notched eight times. Pele's ratio, though, sees him come out on top again; 0.86 compared to Messi on 0.5 and Ronaldo on 0.36.
Other GOATs in football history
Messi's compatriot Diego Maradona, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1986 who shone at Barcelona and Napoli, is one example, though interestingly, Maradona considers Messi to be his heir and has proclaimed the Rosario native to be the greatest.
Pelé began playing for Santos at age 15 and the Brazil national team at 16. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970, the only player to do so and the youngest player to win a World Cup (17). He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) following the 1958 tournament.
Messi is the most popular candidate thanks to his performances at the FIFA World Cup 2022. The Argentine attacker is frequently recognised as the best player in football history. Like his rival Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded by many as the best football player to ever play the game.
Diego Armando Maradona received the Golden Ballon d'Or, which also honoured players from outside of Europe, in 1995.
Manchester United legend Cantona said Maradona's ability to guide his own country to glory in the World Cup on his own is what makes him standout as a cut above the rest. “Some say Pele was the greatest player of all time, but not me. Maradona will always be the greatest," the Frenchman said.
Pele won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a football milestone no other player has yet achieved. In 2000, Fifa named Pele as the player of the century along with Argentina's Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 at 60.