- Lionel Messi has been ranked arsenic the top footballer of each clip by The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS)
- Portugal and five-time Ballon d’Or victor Cristiano Ronaldo placed fourth, down Messi, Pelé, and Maradona
- No goalkeepers featured successful the latest IFFHS list, and lone 1 defender made the apical 10
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has revealed its highly anticipated database of the 10 top footballers of each time, stirring up caller statement successful the footballing world.
In the latest ranking, Cristiano Ronaldo, often celebrated for his goal-scoring prowess and longevity, was named the fourth-best footballer ever.

Source: Getty Images
But who took the crown arsenic the top of each time?
Lionel Messi tops the List arsenic the eventual GOAT
Taking the fig 1 spot is Lionel Messi, the Argentine maestro who has redefined the modern crippled with his singular consistency, creativity, and footballing intelligence, GiveMeSport reports.
With 8 Ballon d’Or awards, a FIFA World Cup title, 4 Champions League trophies, and countless nine and planetary records to his name, Messi’s power connected shot is undeniable.
IFFHS’s determination to fertile the Inter Miami skipper arsenic the champion ever reinforces the content that his implicit benignant of play, leadership, and occurrence crossed antithetic leagues enactment him up of the rest.
Why is Ronaldo ranked fig four?
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has often shared the GOAT spotlight with Messi, finds himself successful 4th place, down footballing icons Pelé (2nd) and Diego Maradona (3rd).

Source: Getty Images
For many, this ranking whitethorn look debased considering Ronaldo’s bonzer achievements.
With implicit 850 vocation goals, 5 Ballon d’Or awards, large trophies successful England, Spain, and Italy, and planetary glory with Portugal, his résumé speaks for itself.
However, IFFHS appears to person weighed factors similar idiosyncratic flair, taste impact, and originative power successful its ranking, areas wherever immoderate reason Messi, Maradona, and Pelé person the edge.
The remainder of the apical 10
The remainder of the database includes different unforgettable names successful shot history. Johan Cruyff (5th) is praised for his relation successful shaping modern shot tactics.
Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário (6th) dazzled fans with his explosive style.
Zidane (7th), Beckenbauer (8th), Di Stéfano (9th), and Ronaldinho (10th) each circular retired a star-studded list.
IFFHS apical 10 shot GOATS
1. Lionel Messi
2. Pele
3. Diego Maradona
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
5. Johan Cruyff
6. Ronaldo de Lima
7. Zinedine Zidane
8. Franz Beckenbauer
9. Alfredo Di Stefano
10. Ronaldinho
Top absentees from the IFFHS list
Interestingly, nary goalkeeper made the apical 10, and Franz Beckenbauer is the lone defender included, which whitethorn rise eyebrows among fans of Paolo Maldini oregon Lev Yashin.
Notably absent are shot legends specified arsenic Ferenc Puskás, Gerd Müller, and Michel Platini, whose contributions to the crippled are often wide celebrated.
The lack of goalkeepers and much defenders besides highlights an ongoing bias toward attacking players successful all-time rankings.
Messi speaks connected contention with Ronaldo
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Lionel Messi has branded his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo arsenic “a aureate era,” a cherished representation for some him and football.
Although some are past their prime, Ronaldo successful Saudi Arabia and Messi successful Major League Soccer, their aggravated contention successful La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid was extraordinary.
The crippled of shot saw 2 of its top players conflict for large European titles and idiosyncratic accolades similar the Ballon d’Or.
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Source: Legit.ng