For longetivity and stats, you have to say Messi.

At their absolute, absolute, absolute peak, Ronaldinho or Maradona.

R9 may have been the GOAT if he didn't get those 2 big injuries.

Messi tier

Messi

Next tier

Zidane
Maradonna
CR7

Next tier

Pele
Ronaldinho
R9

Messi is easily the most gifted player to ever play this game

Not an arsenal fan but Bergkamp is up there. His goal against Leicester is still the best goal I've ever seen and the greatest ever hat-trick.

Ronaldinho, Zidane, Henry & R9. Meanwhile Nedved won balond’or over Henry, obviously a crime.

Easily Messi

Messi probably the best of all

Marco Van Basten was my idol growing up

Only CR7/Henry/Bergkamp played in England. That immense roster of names otherwise never played any domestic football on these shores

I think that's telling

However, to see Haaland start the way he has will hopefully open the door for future juggernauts to come over here and ply their trade

The only greats I have watched in real time are Messi and CR7. And I feel I'm watching another future great in Haaland. However, the best footballer in my opinion is the one who makes your jaw drop at unexpected moments. In that regard, Messi is the absolute best I have seen. The Maradona documentary also made me feel sad that he was not born in our times.

Another name to add would be Kaka, I think

Taking into account consistency, it would have to be either Ronaldo or Messi.
Someone said that
Ronaldo is amazing because he does what many other great players could do but he does it consistently.

Messi does things that no other player could do, abit like Ronaldinho but consistently.
Soooo Messi I guess?

The best player I have seen playing is Johan Cruyff.

Now, I am seeing Erling Haaland.

Hard one, lot of things to take into account. If I had to pick one it'd probably have to be Messi or Maradona, and I think I may have to go with Maradona. For all he achieved given the teams he was with. Not to take away from the likes of anyone at Madrid or Barca in the last 20 years or so, but they were phenomenal teams. Maradona hit such a low point after his Barca move yet he dragged Napoli into challenging for and winning titles and not just as a one off, and then did the very same with Argentina (although that was certainly a capable side). That being said, I do think there's a very good chance that Messi finally matches that World Cup achievement this year.

Interesting discussion. Every player mentioned is an attacker though.

Not the greatest in terms of silverware but Zlatan is the GOAT in terms of showmanship, in lack of a better word.

Before my time, but if you look at the pitches of the 60/70’s, & the tackles that were allowed, then you watch how graceful George Best was - imagine what he could have done in the modern era.

It's Messi.

He is an alien on the football pitch. He's just technically, mentally and physically better than anyone else in the world of football. The way he sees space and exploits weakness is absolutely incredible. He is easily the best player in the world even now and the greatest of all time imo.

Ronaldo can play in any team type of football good in the air.
But as for the greatest of all time I always feel defenders get a raw deal, rarely mentioned (bar the English with Bobby Moore).
But for longevity and playing at the highest level while making football look effortless Paulo Maldini surely deserves a mention.

Tony Adams

When working at a holiday camp he came there with a few of his pals and always lined up a round of drinks for the staff in the evening.
He was an absolute gent and hugely entertaining and generous with no "Big Knob" status whatsoever and a huge sense of humour. He had us in fits most nights.

This, for me, makes him the GOAT.

Who cares about pumping a ball of wind around a pitch anyway, and he did that pretty good too.

John Barnes or Ronaldinho could have had the world.
Hierro.

Messi CR7 Maradona Ronaldinho are definitely some of the best players to ever played this game..

But Ronaldo Nazario is next level. No one comes close to him IMO.

Batistuta.

What criteria are you using? International success or is club level suffice?

If we are including international success, that rules out Messi.

I think it comes down to Pele, Best, Maradona, Cruyff, R9, Zidane, CR7 and Messi. Showing my age I guess but Pele was a phenomenal player that could do everything.

Must say I've throughly enjoyed this discussion getting people's different insights based on the era which they grew up on.

Alot of great players mentioned!

Puskás

Thierry Henry for me. Utterly dominant.
Brazilian Ronaldo comes pretty close.
Haaland has a similar quality about him.

lots of candidates mentioned and all jolly good players,my own memories consist of
beckenbauer
eusebio
best
lniesta
gunther netzer
totti
zico
heskey
hagi
but lionel messi is by some distance superior

Thanks for posting this by the way Rash. This has reminded me how lucky we are to live in a time with players like Ronaldo and Messi around. I've seen the former live but never the latter, I really need to try to make that happen ASAP. Haven't been to the UK for a game since a year before covid, if by any chance PSG get matched with a British team in the knockout rounds of the CL I might have to somehow find a way to get to it. If not then guess I may have to get to Paris somehow

I’ve noticed that most professional footballers of a certain age usually vote for Maradona.

The original Ronaldo seems to be very popular with people who’ve played the game too.

For me, it’s a toss up between Messi and CR7. Messi is easier on the eye (and obviously more likeable), but the fact that Ronaldo has performed to the highest level in more leagues edges it for me.

Also, surprised that no one has mentioned Tony Hibbert. Legend.

Easy - Arjen Robben.

Mainly for managing to score the exact same goal countless times, unstoppable in his prime, despite being predictable.

Andres Iniesta had something very special for me.
His vision, his movements, his game intelligence on managing the game tempo, his ability to make the players around him shine and most of all the enjoyment I had watching him perform.
I had the chance to see him
Live and his placement intelligence and game without the ball was something incredible to witness and something you can’t see on TV.

Peak Yaya and Peak NGolo were something very very special too although. They don’t shine by numbers or stats but they would be the first name on the sheet for any coach in the world.

Cruyff, revolutionary thinker, classy player

Mousa Dembélé (The Belgian one)

Gerard Pique said it best: "For me, Messi is not human, while Cristiano Ronaldo is the best among humans."

Ronaldinho.

Absolute joy to watch. Getting the job done is all well and good (and phenomenal when done so consistently) but in terms of pure entertainment, it's Ronaldinho.

For me there is no doubt...
***Ronaldinho***
At his peak he was the best player that i have ever watched.
He got everything and everything he did was with the smile.
Then Ronaldo (Luis Nazario Da Lima).
Henry
Zidan
Messi
Scholes
Iniesta

Lets say this is my top 7..but I probably forgot someone 🙂
Honorable mentions to Seedorf, Bergkamp, Cafu, Rivaldo, Maldini etc

Can't believe Modric hasn't been mentioned yet. Sensational footballer with incredible longevity especially in his position. Was severely underrated at Spurs too, even by our own fans. One player I could watch pass the ball forever and not get bored, especially those passes with the outside of his boot.

Maybe not the GOAT. But he is certainly up there. I'd have him in the conversation with Xavi and Iniesta, maybe even above them for me.