I assume that everyone thinks that Messi is the best player in the world of the current crop of players, but who is the best player of all-time? My vote is for Maradona - he played at a time when some of the tackles were x-rated, certainly by todays standards. He also single handedly took a relatively small club (Napoli) to a Serie A title against the odds (and rich Northern teams). I appreciate he had "baggage" such as drug abuse, but he's the best player in my lifetime. If anyone votes other - please say who it is
I don't care it has to be Messi. Hes breaking records constantly and is already the best player to have played the game at such a young age too. He will only get better which is the scary thing.
I know wize will probably agree...but even so I'll go for George Best. Mesmerizing close control, incredible sudden spurt of pace, unerring accuracy, sense of fun, rebel streak and personality to spare. Close behind...Lionel Messi, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Diego Maradona, Eusebio, Pele, Socrates, Garrincha, Zico, Zidane, Beckenbauer........
Maradona for me, Messi is fantastic and as Shiny says going to get better. But he is in one of the best teams in the world at the moment and he is not setting the world on fire with Argentina. Maradona as smhbcfc he was the reason why little old Napoli rose to their status and promptly fell when he left. And he was instrumental in a good Argentina team made great by him! Too young for Pele like Shiny is too young for Maradona. But clips I saw of Pele he was fantastic so won't be disappointed if he wins this vote.
George Best for is king for me, all of the above are in the race of choice, I'd add Johan Cruyff and of course the great John Atyeo..(Played 6 times for England and scored 5 goals)
In the 3 horse race for Best of all time, I would have to go for Pele quite comfortable. He (single handedly) won Brazil the World Cup in 1958 as a 17 year old (yes, a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD). He then retained the trophy 4 years later with another mesmerising tournement, and was kicked out of 1966 by a team that could not handle him. His piece de resistance was fulcrum of the greatest national side ever, widely recognised as such by all who watched the 1970 world cup and marvelled at a footballer who had taken the sport to its very highest level. Maradonna was unstopable in 1986, and did take the crown for Argentina. However, he was nowhere in 1982 and 1990, and an embarrasement in 1994. Cruft, Best and Messi never won a World Cup (yet !), and its with that criterion that they must be judged. The next closest after the big 2 is Zidane, who nearly broke into the smallest club until he lost his head in the final.
I don't like to choose on just stats. I've never watched Ronaldo, messi, Best etc.. week in week out so it is abit unair to say who I think is the best performer in ever. But from what I've watched on the odd occasion on tv or the Internet it has to be messi hands down.
My favorites players ever are Ronaldinho and Gazza unfortunately didn't get to see Paul's best years as I wasn't born (Toon) and was a only a baby (Spurs) watched him at Rangers and Lazio and loved him. But I'd agree that Messi is probably the best ever, though I know a lot of hipsters like to say Zidane
Well i suppose it comes down to age, the younger generation are going to say, Messi or Ronaldo, us older folk will probably go for Pele, Maradona, or George Best, me i'm going for the greatest, Pele, records speak for themselves. Pele played 605 games for Santos, scoring 589 goals. Played 92 games for Brazil, scoring 77 goals. He won three world cup winners medals. Scored 127 goals in one calender year. And scored 92 hat-tricks. Which in my opinion makes him the greatest ever player, just wonder what he would be worth today, priceless me thinks.
All in a crap league though, If you put Maradona, Pele and best in todays modern game they would all be average. The same in 50 years time but regarding Messi and Ronaldo.
Probably based on what I have seen over the years George Best closly followed by Pele and Messi I have been lucky enough to see many of the worlds greatest players live Best, Law, Charlton, Moore, Jimmy Johnstone, Martin Peters, Duncan Edwards(only twice) Atyeo from the British Isles and many great overseas players but I still think Best would get into anyside in the world at his best in almost any time period.
Would have to disagree with Shiny though class players can adapt to any teams/tactics and Players like Maradona(spit) Best and Pele would shine in any era as would Christiano Ronaldo and Messi from today.
The game would be too fast now hawk, You only have to listen to players like Ian rush when he speaks about how he wouldn't be able to cope with todays modern game and he was playing football a lot later than pele, No doubt pele would be a good player but would be someone like.... Robben, Hulk etc, Good players yes but you wouldn't say they were the best in the world. As football adapts so do the players. They will get fitter stronger and faster as the years go on. We'll never know though, but for me ill stick by my comment that messi is the best player to have graced the game.
Off at a tangent but somehow related...I was channel hopping last Sunday morning and found reruns of The Big Match with Brian Moore.......the skill levels were high, even on mudbaths.
