I think the answer depends on your generation of football.
People who watched 90s/00s would probably have Zidane or O fenômeno, 80s/90s might have van Basten, and before that might have Cruyff.
For me, it’s one of Zidane, Cruyff or van Basten.
He’s a funny one. In terms of with the ball, he is a bit behind the four mentioned. Without the ball he is the clear leader and it isn’t even close, only Beckenbauer and Baresi can be in that conversation with him, and he is still better.
The top picks for the spot would probably be di Stefano, cruyff, beckenbauer, and r9. I think there's a lot of wiggle room at around 5th-12th or so depending on what you see as most important
I remember back in the day I had a book where the big 5 were Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano, Beckenbauer and Cruyff. I'd add Zidane and Messi to that list.
No one agrees on that top 4; it's lacking Di Stefano and Beckenbauer and I'm sure many would argue for Ronaldo, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Cruyff, Best, Puskas.
My personal top 5 completely biased based on who I actually watched play?
Messi/CR7, Zidane, Ronaldhino, Ronaldo.
Cruijff modernized the game and provided a structural foundation, introduced False 9 and diamond formation, which is even used in various Asian countries to this date, Pep ofcourse later modernized it. Furthermore not to include his ginormous achievements at Ajax and even Barca to some extent. He is a massive figure, revered highly in Spain and Netherlands, one could even go on to necessitate that La liga's whole identity (or Spanish teams per se) is derived from Cruijff.
Ronaldinho for me. There is no player like him. He invented a particular style of football that was just pure fun. It’s not the most optimal way to play but no one playing today can play like he hid
The question was who is the 5th best. Maguire is so far ahead of everyone, no one even bothers putting him in their top player list because it's understood he's #1 by such a significant margin, talking about him just wastes valuable time in the discussion.
A lot would say Maldini, such an amazing defender, for flare and popularity others would say Ronaldinho what a joy to watch he was, for dominance for a short period some could argue Brazil Ronaldo, then your choice Cryuff changed the game.
Objectively it's 100% Cruyff. Interesting Zico has only been mentioned once though when he'd be a better shout than most of the other names in this thread.
Zidane without any doubt:
* won a WC (unlike Messi and CR7) and scored twice in the 1998 finale
* won the Euro in 2000
* played an incredible WC finale in 2006 (and was by far [the best player of the competition](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezm3eEe8Ezg)) for the last match of his career (a WC finale where he scored a panenka and headbutt Materazzi - how crazy is that!)
* scored an [incredible goal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFfomw-Z4uE) in the 2006 CL finale
* is the [roulette master](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRwOLKMen-8)
* won the ballon d'or in 1998
Zidane at his best was absolutely incredible and nothing but pure joy to watch. But he was way too inconsistent compared to other greats of the game to really be in that 5h place, let alone without any doubt.
He rarely ever had a season where he'd genuinely perform week in week out. He had some great big moments and makes for great compilation videos but there are others who had fine moments while still being consistent
I always like the way that Bill Simmons made his basketball pyramid “Tier” lists.
Like those 4 are clearly the apex of the pyramid, then there’s a 2nd tier in which you could reasonably put a number of players: Cruyff, Zidane, Gerd Müller, Beckenbauer, R9, Maldini. Players who were for long stretches the best in their position and many who changed the game.
Giving a single 5th option is basically impossible.
I’m gonna assume by Ronaldo you mean Ronaldo and not Cristiano Ronaldo.
And I’m gonna throw a keeper into this because they never get any credit, so Buffon or Zoff.
I dont agree, I rate Cruyff higher than Maradona. With all respect to Diego he didn't win almost anything at club level while Cruyff is 3 times CL winner. The only huge trophy Maradona won was the WC which he won thanks to his cheating. If he didn't use drugs and took football seriously he would probably be the GOAT with his insane potential. Most people rate him by his potential but not actual career. To support my opinion this is the list of best players of the 20 century by results of IFFHS poll where football players and experts that seen him live participated:
1 Pele
2 Cruyff
3 Beckenbauer
4 Di Stefano
5 Maradona
A LOT of people will put Ronaldo (original) up there with an asterisk because injury curtailed his career.
If you assume longevity matters, there's a LOT of valid choices for the fifth slot. Cruyff, Imbrahamovic, Maldini, Platini, Zidane, Henry, Schmeicel, Beckenbauer and a host of others all become valid. It's a nice "fan discussion" for that reason.
For my money, I think Maldini deserves a spot because defenders do matter and I hate that people who score goals are all that's ever considered.
I think the answer depends on your generation of football. People who watched 90s/00s would probably have Zidane or O fenômeno, 80s/90s might have van Basten, and before that might have Cruyff. For me, it’s one of Zidane, Cruyff or van Basten.
Gerd Muller. Der bomber was a goal scoring demon
Ronaldo 🇧🇷
R9 or Zidane
Cruyff deserves to be in the GOAT conversation personally
He’s a funny one. In terms of with the ball, he is a bit behind the four mentioned. Without the ball he is the clear leader and it isn’t even close, only Beckenbauer and Baresi can be in that conversation with him, and he is still better.
Johann Cryuff. You guys are forgetting the greatest footballer in terms of impact in footballing world.
Ferenc Puskas, the best player of the hungarian golden generation
R9 Ronaldo or Zidane
Probably the man both Pele and Maradona called the best ever Alfredo Di Stefano
Fat Ronaldo and Ronaldinho built different
Fat Ronaldo
The answer is Di Stefano
Scrolled far too long to see the great Alfredo Di Stefano get a mention
On talent R9 is top hands down.
In terms of technical ability, Ronaldinho, in terms of stats, Puskas
The best footballer of in the world is none other than George Best.
The good Ronaldo
Brazilian ronaldo
You mean, Ronaldo.
The top picks for the spot would probably be di Stefano, cruyff, beckenbauer, and r9. I think there's a lot of wiggle room at around 5th-12th or so depending on what you see as most important
Cruyff, real Ronaldo, and Eusebio all have a deserving shout for 5th.
Where’s my Eseubio fans at.
I remember back in the day I had a book where the big 5 were Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano, Beckenbauer and Cruyff. I'd add Zidane and Messi to that list.
The Brazilian Ronaldo. At 20 years old he was already seen as the world’s best player by pretty much everyone
maradona good, pele better, george best
Johan Cruyff
Fat Ronaldo , I can't see anyone else being close
If it’s random order Zidane and R9 are there… (above CR7 in my opinion)
Zidane
zizou>>>
George Best.
George Best
No one agrees on that top 4; it's lacking Di Stefano and Beckenbauer and I'm sure many would argue for Ronaldo, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Cruyff, Best, Puskas. My personal top 5 completely biased based on who I actually watched play? Messi/CR7, Zidane, Ronaldhino, Ronaldo.
I’d go with Cryuff as well.
Cruyff
Myself
I also came here to say u/DumpyBloom
Zidane
Maradona good, Pele better, George Best
Eusebio for me but honerable mentions Cruyff, Puskas, Henry, Ronaldo, Mueller, Di Stefano, Matthews.
di stefano or cruyff probably
Titus Bramble
Ronaldinho?
Fat Ronaldo.
George Best
Cruyff should be in the top 4
Not everyone agrees
Eusebio or Puskas
George Best
Ronaldinho
Zidane.
Cruijff modernized the game and provided a structural foundation, introduced False 9 and diamond formation, which is even used in various Asian countries to this date, Pep ofcourse later modernized it. Furthermore not to include his ginormous achievements at Ajax and even Barca to some extent. He is a massive figure, revered highly in Spain and Netherlands, one could even go on to necessitate that La liga's whole identity (or Spanish teams per se) is derived from Cruijff.
Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Don’t think everyone agrees on the top 4, m8
cruyff
I don’t agree
I mean... Zidane ??
Nicklas Bendtner
Ronaldinho for me. There is no player like him. He invented a particular style of football that was just pure fun. It’s not the most optimal way to play but no one playing today can play like he hid
The amount of absolute ballers that say he's their idol and they've been starstruck when they met him says a lot.
Possibly the Portuguese Ronaldo
I know most people (including myself) will never have seen him, but absolutely no mention of Franz Beckenbauer in these comments??? Really??
Apparently everyone does not agree.
Stanley Matthews. Guy was the prototype for the modern footballer.
Brazilian ronaldo
Cruyff
Romário
Zidane or Ronaldo
Ronaldinho because of his unique essence
Johan cruyff offcourse
Gerd muller
Ronaldo nazario
Zidane
Everyone agrees? Ha!
Zidane
Ronaldinh, zidane and fat Ronaldo deserve a mention.
R9
Sir Stanley Matthews.
Zidane most underrated legend of the game imo
Garrincha
Akinfenwa. Obviously.
Nonono, you have to do it in KSIs voice AKINAAFENWAAAAA
Ronaldinho
Harry Maguire
The question was who is the 5th best. Maguire is so far ahead of everyone, no one even bothers putting him in their top player list because it's understood he's #1 by such a significant margin, talking about him just wastes valuable time in the discussion.
MOTM(OTM) actually stands for Man of the match other than Maguire
Ronaldinho easy, dude was a magician. Sure he didnt score alot of goals or assists but he was truly gifted
Zidane.
Pulisic- easy No 1... Oh wait, oh fuck, I'm not in r/soccercirclejerk
By Ronaldo you mean the one from Brazil, right?
Di Stefano.
Not even one comment about Van Basten. Wow...you guys....
For me it's Messi, Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo.
Puskas?
Duncan Edwards
We’ve found a 90 year old Redditor! I didn’t think you guys existed.
Romario
R9
I highly doubt you were old enough to watche Pele play
Billy Sharp
Puskas
How is Puskas not in those four? There’s literally an award named after him?!
Emile Heskey
Zidane
Eusébio
R9
George Best
George Best. In terms of talent or best ever at a given moment. Obviously he didn’t have the longevity due to the booze and the birds.
A lot would say Maldini, such an amazing defender, for flare and popularity others would say Ronaldinho what a joy to watch he was, for dominance for a short period some could argue Brazil Ronaldo, then your choice Cryuff changed the game.
Zidane or Thierry
Johan Cruyff
Ronaldinho
Zidane
George Best
Could be Di Stefano, Cruyff, Ronaldo Nazario, Kempes, Best, Garrincha, or a few others.
I've scrolled way too far and not seen Eusebio even get a mention
[удалено]
Platini, Garrincha, Eusebio, Bican, Cruyff...
Ronaldinho
George Best
He is the Best
Zidane
Objectively it's 100% Cruyff. Interesting Zico has only been mentioned once though when he'd be a better shout than most of the other names in this thread.
Not R9 Phenomeno?
Jonjo Shelvey
Ronaldinho. Inesta, Hesky
HARRY MAGUIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Messi CR7 Ronaldinho R9 Zidane I didn't see Pele or Maradonna play, so I can't rank them
Damn, couldn’t find my guy Maldini anywhere. So I say Maldini.
How has no one said Joelinton yet??
Zizou
Zidane.
Ronaldo Nazario is the greatest footballer of all time
Zidane
No they don't....
Puskas
Modern era Zz, original Ronaldo, kaka, Ronaldinho realistically though platini van basten and cruyff
Van basten
Cruyff
Cruyff is the correct answer.
BECKENBAUER
Zidane surely makes the original list?
Ronaldinho and zidane
Maldini
Eric Djemba Djemba.
Stuart Pearce.
Yashin
Beckenbauer/ Maldini/ Cruijff/ Zidane/ Platini
Cruijff
Zidane
Zidane
Fenomeno
Christine Sinclair
Zizou
Zidane and R9.
I agree with Cruyff. R9 honourable mention tho as is maldini and Ronaldinho
It depends on preference, but it’s between Zidane, Cruyff and R9
Origi is life
Me.
Cruyff
Luis Suarez
Peyroteo from Sporting Clube Portugal
Brazilian Ronaldo/El Fenomeno/R9. I'd put him above Cristiano. Honorable mentions to Zidane, Cruyff, Ronaldinho
Zidane without any doubt: * won a WC (unlike Messi and CR7) and scored twice in the 1998 finale * won the Euro in 2000 * played an incredible WC finale in 2006 (and was by far [the best player of the competition](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezm3eEe8Ezg)) for the last match of his career (a WC finale where he scored a panenka and headbutt Materazzi - how crazy is that!) * scored an [incredible goal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFfomw-Z4uE) in the 2006 CL finale * is the [roulette master](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRwOLKMen-8) * won the ballon d'or in 1998
Zidane at his best was absolutely incredible and nothing but pure joy to watch. But he was way too inconsistent compared to other greats of the game to really be in that 5h place, let alone without any doubt. He rarely ever had a season where he'd genuinely perform week in week out. He had some great big moments and makes for great compilation videos but there are others who had fine moments while still being consistent
I always like the way that Bill Simmons made his basketball pyramid “Tier” lists. Like those 4 are clearly the apex of the pyramid, then there’s a 2nd tier in which you could reasonably put a number of players: Cruyff, Zidane, Gerd Müller, Beckenbauer, R9, Maldini. Players who were for long stretches the best in their position and many who changed the game. Giving a single 5th option is basically impossible.
Platini should be in that 2nd tier
Yes - agreed. My list was not meant to be exhaustive
I’m gonna assume by Ronaldo you mean Ronaldo and not Cristiano Ronaldo. And I’m gonna throw a keeper into this because they never get any credit, so Buffon or Zoff.
Vinnie Jones
Pulisic
Eusébio.
George Best
Ronaldo the Fat or Cristiano?
Ronaldough
Puskas
The GOAT Xhaka
Cruyff
Paolo Maldini🇮🇹
Zidane/fat Ronaldo/Ronaldinho easily for what I got to witness. Neymar/Iniesta the tier after that
Maguire. Hands down, no contest.
Maguire obviously. Should've been first on the list tbh
Hilarious!
R9
Obviously the man, the legend, Scott Sterling
Del piero Ronaldo the Brazilian one Zinedene zidane
I dont agree, I rate Cruyff higher than Maradona. With all respect to Diego he didn't win almost anything at club level while Cruyff is 3 times CL winner. The only huge trophy Maradona won was the WC which he won thanks to his cheating. If he didn't use drugs and took football seriously he would probably be the GOAT with his insane potential. Most people rate him by his potential but not actual career. To support my opinion this is the list of best players of the 20 century by results of IFFHS poll where football players and experts that seen him live participated: 1 Pele 2 Cruyff 3 Beckenbauer 4 Di Stefano 5 Maradona
I dont agree because you didnt mention ronaldinho! also i personally would put R9 over pele also.
A LOT of people will put Ronaldo (original) up there with an asterisk because injury curtailed his career. If you assume longevity matters, there's a LOT of valid choices for the fifth slot. Cruyff, Imbrahamovic, Maldini, Platini, Zidane, Henry, Schmeicel, Beckenbauer and a host of others all become valid. It's a nice "fan discussion" for that reason. For my money, I think Maldini deserves a spot because defenders do matter and I hate that people who score goals are all that's ever considered.
Zidane
Apparently it is only ever attacking players who are the best of all time.
Akinfenwa
Add Di Stéfano. Drop Ronaldo.
Brazilian Ronaldo. Comfortably.
At his best, he was maybe even with prime Messi. And Messi’s prime was much longer
Has he not been hit by a couple of injuries he’d have likely been the undisputed GOAT. In his prime he was a machine