Sportsgalaxy: March 2012

Pin It Now! Argentina and Barcelona FC play maker, Lionel Messi has become a soccer legend of sort; and his achievements in the field of play has raised questions as to whether he is truly the best among the best or not. The young lad, no doubt, has mesmerized soccer enthusiasts with his dazzling skills and has held many spell-bound with his dribbling ability, thunder bolt speed, his foresight and his cool-headedness.

Those who have argued in his favour believe he is greater than Diego Armando Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario De Lima, Arantes Do Nascimento (Pele), Socrates, Eusebio, etc. Others believe he is still emerging and should not be compared with the greats.
However, having filtered the greatest from the great and ordinary soccer players, we are left with just five main contenders to the crown of the best amongst the best – Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario De Lima, Arantes Do Nascimento Edson (Pele) and Diego Armando Maradona.

Who has the edge?

Lionel Messi: This young player has won- FIFA Ballon d'Or (2010), Ballon d'Or: (2009), FIFA World Player of the Year (2009), FIFA Team of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010), U-21 European Footballer of the Year (2007), European Golden Shoe (2010), UEFA Champions League top goal scorer (2009, 2010, 2011), La Liga top goal scorer (2010), UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year (2009), UEFA Champions League Player of the Year (2009, La Liga Player of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011), Copa del Rey top goal scorer (2011), La Liga Foreign Player of the Year (2007, 2009, 2010), La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year (2007, 2009, 2010), UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (2011), UEFA Champions League Final Fans' Man of the Match (2009, 2011), UEFA Team of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010), Footballer of the Year of Argentina (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), FIFPro World Player of the Year (2009, 2010), FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (2006, 2007, 2008), FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: (2007, 2008), FIFPro World XI (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament (2005), FIFA U-20 World Cup top goal scorer (2005), Copa América Young Player of the Tournament (2007), World Soccer Player of the Year (2009), World Soccer Young Player of the Year (2006, 2007, 2008), FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2009), ESM Team of the Year (2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10), Onze d'Or (2009), Bravo Award (2007), Tuttosport Golden Boy (2005), Marca Leyenda (2009) and UEFA best goal of the year (2007).

Arantes Do Nascimento (Pele): In his playing days for his country Brazil and his club sides, he was unequalled by every ramification. He played 1363 matches and scored 1281 goals to remain all time record holder. He was the youngest player to win the FIFA World at the age of 17 years at Sweden 1958; and added 2 more world cup titles at Chile’62 and Mexico’70 to make a total of 3 World Cups. He had 92 national caps with 97 goals and won the IOC Athlete of the Century Award in 1999. He has also won the Club World Cup twice (1962 and 1963) and the Copa Libertadores twice (1961 and 1962).

Ronaldo Nazario De Lima: Ronaldo is arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time having won awards in different categories of the round leather game. His personal achievements include: FIFA World Cup Champion: 1994, 2002; Confederation Cup: 1997, FIFA all time World Cup top scorer (15 goals), South American Cup: 1997, 1999; Brazilian Cup: 1993, Holland Cup: 1995/1996, Cup Winners' Cup: 1996/1997, Copa Del Rey: 1996/1997, UEFA Cup: 1997/1998, Intercontinental Cup: 2002, Spanish League 2002/2003 and Spanish Super cup: 2003. In 624 matches he scored 420 goals.

Zinedine Zidane: This French player of African origin is one of the few players that would never be forgotten when the story of football is told. He has won almost everything at the senior level of his professional career. Some of his achievements include: FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000, 2003), European Footballer of the Year (1998), World Champion (1998), French Footballer of the Year (1998, 2002), European Champion (2000), European Cup (2002), European Super Cup (1996, 2002), Intercontinental Cup ( 1996,2002), Spanish Champion (2003), Spanish Super Cup (2001, 2003), Italian Champion (1997, 1998) and Italian Super Cup (1997). He played 539 matches and scored a total of 95 goals.

Diego Amado Maradona: Maradona’s blessed with exceptional dribbling skills and great speed. In his time, he left a footprint in the soccer pitch. Some of his notable achievements include: FIFA World Cup Champion (1986), UEFA-Cup (1989), Italian Champion (1987, 1990), Italian Super Cup (1991), Spanish League Cup (1982), Spanish Cup (1983), Spanish Super Cup (1983), Argentinean Champion (1981), South American Footballer of the Year (1979, '86, '89, '90, '92), Top scorer Argentine League (1979, 1980, 1981) and Top scorer Italian League (1988).

Looking at the records, each player has his special achievements. All players have won the FIFA World Cup except Lionel Messi; and none has won the Olympics’ gold medal except Lionel Messi. While the rest have all ended their careers and stand no chance of creating another record, Messi still stands a chance: he just broke the FC Barcelona’s all time highest goal scorer record set by Cesar Rodriguez and is in the race for the FIFA World Player of the Year for the fourth time and if that happens, automatically he would become the player that has won it for the highest number of times. He still stands the chance of winning the World Cup, Confederation Cup and Copa America.

You and the other soccer enthusiasts around the world have the voting power here to decide who the greatest footballer of all time truly is. What is your opinion on this? Make your voice heard by leaving your comments.