Best football player in the world
Football needs to get its story straight as the modern game continues to evolve. Exactly who is the benchmark best football player who set the standard the rest of the world could only dream of?
In a world without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta would have scooped it all. The fact he didn’t claim at least one Ballon d’Or in his fabled career is a tragedy.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were the two greatest footballers of a generation, the former earning the Greater is one of the all-time top center-forwards in football history, without a doubt. In an era of wide forwards and false nines, it’s easy to forget the impact of a world-beating, complete No.9.st of Time tag in many quarters after capping off an outrageous career with the World Cup, the ultimate prize.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the face of a generation, the ultimate all-rounder, a player who transcended sport and became synonymous with greatness. However, since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo departed the grand stage of European football for farewell tours of the US and Saudi Arabia, respectively, the position of ‘the best’ is yet to be unanimously filled.
The Brazilian superstar had pace and power in perfect balance like none other before or since. He had everything. He had physical dominance, technical ability in bucket-loads, and a predatory instinct to know when to time his devastating runs and where he needed to be at all times.
Di Stefano was, like Ronaldo Nazario, a complete striker, well-rounded with immense strength, pace, and endurance, as well as technical ability far beyond his era in the 1940s and ’50s. In the annals of Real Madrid’s illustrious history, many regard Di Stefano as the best football player. That is a staggering claim, considering the numerous golden ages the club has enjoyed.