Lionel Messi has been named the GOAT by IFFHS, with eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo only able to fill fourth spot on that star-studded list.
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Article continues below
Article continues below
- Argentine icon is most decorated player of all-time
- CR7 considered to be greatest goalscorer
- Spent their careers locked in battle to be the best
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- Getty
WHAT HAPPENED?
Debate regarding who can be considered the greatest player of all-time has continued to rage over the course of several generations. In the present, Messi and Ronaldo – with 13 Ballons d’Or between them – dominate that discussion.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Argentine superstar Messi is the most decorated player in history, with 46 major titles to his name, while Portuguese sensation Ronaldo is considered to be the most prolific goalscorer of this, or any other generation.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Messi, who completed his medal collection when winning the World Cup in 2022, is considered by The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) to have cemented his status as the best player to have ever laced up a pair of boots.
Ronaldo, in contrast, sits off the podium – with Brazil icon Pele and Argentine hero Diego Maradona occupying second and third spots respectively. The top five is completed by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
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TELL ME MORE
Ex-Brazil international striker Ronaldo, French maestro Zinedine Zidane, German legend Franz Beckenbaeur, Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano and Samba superstar Ronaldinho make up the rest of the top 10.
