The debate of “Who is the GOAT in soccer?” has been questioned and argued for decades, sparking unending arguments in bars, stadiums, and living rooms throughout the world. So, what’s so difficult about this question? Soccer has grown across decades, with varying playing styles, positions, and times that influenced perceptions. The affection towards a club or country also causes partial evaluation. It is a complex question to answer, but Lionel Messi is probably the best possible answer to the question: Who is the GOAT of soccer?
Lionel Messi: The Unrivaled Genius
Messi’s rise to the mark of GOAT comes not only from his extraordinary goal-scoring talents but also from his godlike technical qualities and unparalleled vision. Messi’s touch is nearly magical, as the ball listens to his every move. He is the best 1-on-1 forward in modern football. His dribbling is likened to the stroke of a painter, which allows him to move through defenses with an elegance that few can match. Finding impossible angles and creating space where no one can imagine has made him stand out from the other legends.
Beyond the Technique-Beyond the Technique
Beyond his technical brilliance, Messi’s records are almost unmatched. He won the Ballon d’Or seven times, more than any player in history. He has an impressive list of personal milestones, including six European Golden Shoes, awarded to the top scorer on the continent. He is the best ever playmaker soccer has seen. He made more than 350 assists in his career. While Cristiano Ronaldo edges Messi in total goals, Messi leads in assists, which is a testament to his dual-threat as a scorer and creator.
Messi has almost 800 career goals and, at his best, scored an incredible 91 goals in one calendar year. In modern football, no one has matched this global record for goals scored in a calendar year.
Messi has an illustrious trophy-winning record with FC Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, and countless domestic cups. Messi’s records was not limited to his club career; he finally led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, ending years of international trophy drought.
The crowning glory was yet to come in 2022 when he was to lead Argentina to World Cup glory, which will forever pronounce his name as a national hero. Messi scored seven goals and three assists, including a brace in the final. Messi took the responsibility of a young team and performed like a true leader in the Qatar World Cup 2022. He won the trophy and Golden Ball of the tournament, which marked his legacy beyond anyone else.
Many famous pundits, including Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher, answer Lionel Messi is the GOAT due to his consistency, technical genius, and influence on the pitch. They marked Messi as the GOAT for his playmaking and scoring skills. Pundits often talk about Messi’s longevity, adaptability, dribbling skills, and recent World Cup triumph as proof of his greatness, solidifying his place as the most complete footballer in history. Carragher said, “Messi is the greatest player we’ve ever seen. He makes the extraordinary look routine.”
Other Contenders for the “Who is the GOAT of Soccer” Title
As Messi stands atop the mountain of soccer, four players could have strong claims to the title ” Who is the GOAT of soccer?”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the closest modern-day rival of Lionel Messi. He is known for his towering athleticism, Ronaldo is the most prolific goalscorer in international and club football combined. Breaking record after record, he has five Ballon d’Or to his name and five Champions League titles. His success in different leagues in England, Spain, and Italy is a feat Messi hasn’t pulled off. Ronaldo also lifted Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. That is why he is considered one of the greatest football players in history, because of his capability to dominate with his physical presence, powerful shots, and leadership on the pitch.
Pelé
Pelé was an icon from Brazil who won three World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970-more than any player in history. Pele is the highest scorer in the soccer history. He also scored over 1,000 goals in his career, which is a world record. Although he had never played in Europe, few have matched Pelé’s impact on the game or his contribution to soccer as an internationally popular sport. A combination of skill, speed, and tactical understanding made him one of the most renowned soccer players ever to play.
Diego Maradona
Another Argentine legend, Maradona, was a player of a different level with his flair and vision. Many pundits claim Maradona is the best dribbler soccer has ever seen. Most famously, he guided Argentina to the champion of the 1986 World Cup, scoring the “Goal of the Century” along with his infamous “Hand of God” goal against England. Maradona’s career was consumed by sublime performances-essentially, with Napoli. His time in Napoli was about artistry as much as raw statistics. His natural talent and ability to single-handedly influence matches put him in the conversation for who is the GOAT of soccer.
Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff inspired the world with his soccer philosophy, which is regarded as the pillar of modern soccer philosophy. As a player and later as a coach, his philosophy of “Total Football” changed the way the game was played today. Cruyff won three Ballon d’Ors and led the Netherlands team to the World Cup final in 1974. Though his international trophy cabinet does not bear a World Cup, from a technical genius standpoint, combined with his vision and influence on the tactical development of the game, he can easily be ranked as one of the greatest soccer players to have played the game.
Why Messi Stands Out
So, why is Messi better than these four legends? Unlike Ronaldo and other legends, Messi’s game is more well-rounded. Messi has everything as a footballer; his magical touch, dribbling, and creating space to score for his own and other players are unmatched. Where Ronaldo is a great goalscorer, Messi plays both the roles of playmaker and scorer.
The ability to control the rhythm of the game, having that eye for spotting runs, and creating that play takes him to another level. Maradona and Pelé were the best in their respective times, but Messi has been doing it repeatedly in a far more competitive and globalized game. Many critics said his performance in the national team didn’t match with his club performance, but his World Cup successes with Argentina also erased the doubts of the critics against him.
Messi’s longevity, consistency, and adaptation of the game as he aged kept him at the top of soccer for over 15 years. His ability to remain decisive in big matches for club and country cements his spot as the answer to the question of “Who is the GOAT of soccer?”.
Where the debate will always continue, Lionel Messi’s unique talent, record-breaking, and sustained brilliance make him the best answer to the question: Who is the GOAT of soccer? An athlete for the ages, a living legend whose name will be associated with soccer greatness forever. A cast above even the most famous soccer players in history.
