The debate surrounding who deserves the title of the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT) has been ongoing for years, with no signs of resolution. Names such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi frequently come up as candidates for the prestigious accolade. However, a recent mathematical study conducted by Dr. Tom Crawford of the University of Oxford in 2021, on behalf of LiveScore, aimed to bring some clarity to this enduring question.
Methodology: How the Players Were Ranked
Dr. Crawford’s study began by narrowing down a list of ten footballing legends. The initial criterion for inclusion was that the player had to have won at least two Ballon d’Or titles. From there, the players were assessed across seven distinct categories to determine their overall greatness, ensuring that a broad range of skills and achievements were taken into account.
The final shortlist of players included Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pele, Diego Maradona, Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo (Brazilian), and Michel Platini. Each player was then evaluated and given a score based on their performance across these seven categories.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: The Greatest of All Time
After analysing the results, Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the greatest footballer of all time. His position at the top of the list wasn’t unexpected, considering his extraordinary achievements. Ronaldo holds the record as the highest international goalscorer of all time, with an impressive tally of 125 goals for Portugal, amassed over more than 200 matches. His ability to maintain an elite level of performance across various leagues and international competitions earned him the top spot in this mathematical ranking.
2. Lionel Messi: A Close Contender
For many football fans, Lionel Messi is the undisputed GOAT, especially after adding the coveted World Cup title to his already staggering list of honours. The Argentine maestro has been a central figure in football for nearly two decades, dazzling spectators with his skill, vision, and extraordinary goal-scoring ability.
Although never deployed as an out-and-out striker, Messi has made an indelible mark on the sport with his prolific scoring rate, including an unbelievable 91 goals in 2012—a record that seems almost untouchable. His ability to drift between playing as a false nine and a playmaker allowed him to contribute creatively and as a finisher. While Barcelona fans enjoyed the best of Messi’s brilliance, his legacy, bolstered by his World Cup win, places him among the sport’s all-time greats.
3. Pele: The Brazilian Legend
Brazilian footballing legend Pele remains one of the most recognisable figures in the sport’s history. His passing in December 2022 at the age of 82 brought the footballing world together in mourning, but his legacy will continue to be celebrated for generations to come. Often considered one of the top two footballers of all time, along with Maradona, Pele’s career goal tally became so impressive that it became hard for historians to determine the exact number of goals he scored.
For many years, Pele’s name was synonymous with greatness in football, and his three World Cup victories only cemented his standing as the finest player to emerge from Brazil. While this study ranks him just behind Ronaldo and Messi, Pele’s influence on the game is undeniable. Many still regard him as the best player to have ever come from Brazil, a testament to his impact and enduring legacy.
4. Ferenc Puskas: The Hungarian Goal Machine
Ferenc Puskas, a name that resonates with modern football fans mainly due to the Puskas Award, given annually for the best goal, was an unparalleled goal scorer during his era. His ability in front of goal was nothing short of remarkable, with the Hungarian star netting 358 goals in just 350 appearances for Budapest Honved in Hungary. Despite playing in the mid-20th century, Puskas’ goal-scoring feats are still considered outstanding, regardless of the era in which he played.
After his success in Hungary, Puskas joined Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he continued his remarkable career by winning five La Liga titles and scoring an abundance of goals. His consistency at both the club and international levels helped solidify his place among football’s all-time greats.
The Legacy of Football’s Greatest
While the study crowned Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest footballer of all time, the debate remains subjective, with many football enthusiasts continuing to argue for their favourite players. Each player on this list contributed uniquely to the sport, achieving greatness in different eras, with varying styles of play.
Though mathematical analysis attempts to bring some clarity to the argument, it is evident that the GOAT debate will continue for many years, fuelled by future generations of footballers aiming to carve out their own legacies.