Under the headline “Could Lionel Messi be the ultimate football player of all time?”, Spain’s Marca newspaper is predicting a shift in the hierarchy following the 2022 World Cup final. The newspaper is drawing comparisons between Messi and iconic football legends such as Pele (from Brazil), Maradona (from Argentina), Johan Cruyff (from the Netherlands), and Di Stefano (who initially played for Argentina and later for Spain due to the absence of restrictions on switching national teams at that time).
Messi, a legend in the world of football, is captured in action in the photo by Marca. According to Marca, if Messi were to win the World Cup on December 18 at 10:00 p.m., would he be considered the greatest player in Argentine football and even surpass Maradona in the eyes of the Spanish newspaper? The newspaper also presented a list of the most celebrated figures in soccer history and their remarkable achievements.
Messi is on the brink of achieving the one title missing from his impressive career collection: the World Cup championship. 1. Lionel Messi, representing Argentina, is on the verge of outshining Cristiano Ronaldo in the quest for titles if he secures a World Cup victory. With over 1,000 professional matches under his belt, Messi has scored 11 goals in 25 World Cup final matches (as of prior to the final on December 18).
Maradona came closest to bringing the World Cup back to Argentina than any other player. Diego Maradona, a legend in Argentina, achieved cult status by winning the 1986 World Cup. Despite Messi’s success at the club level, Maradona’s achievement in the World Cup stands out. Messi may have better overall stats than Maradona, with Messi currently having scored 791 goals in 1,002 matches compared to Maradona’s 345 goals in 678 matches. Maradona scored 8 goals in 21 World Cup matches, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
Pele, hailing from Brazil, holds the impressive record of being the only player to have clinched the World Cup trophy three times. With victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, Pele’s talent and skill have truly cemented his legacy in football history. Surpassing even the likes of Messi, Pele has scored a total of 753 goals in 813 professional matches, including an impressive 12 goals in just 14 World Cup appearances.
Johan Cruyff, a pivotal figure in football history, is credited with spearheading the innovative total play style of the Dutch team in 1974. Despite not securing a World Cup title, his impact on the sport is undeniable. His philosophy not only revolutionized football but also served as the inspiration for Pep Guardiola’s mesmerizing attacking style seen in tiki-taka. Cruyff’s impressive record includes 424 goals in 754 matches, with 3 goals in 7 World Cup appearances.
Alfredo Di Stefano, a legend hailing from both Argentina and Spain, is recognized as the shining star that illuminated the path to Real Madrid’s greatness. With an impressive record of scoring 468 goals in 643 matches for the club, he played a vital role in securing five European Cups, which set the stage for Real Madrid to become a powerhouse in the world of football. Despite his immense success at the club level, Di Stefano’s achievements with the national team were limited, as he only managed to win the Copa America in 1947 and never had the opportunity to showcase his talents on the World Cup stage.
For over a decade now, Ronaldo has been Messi’s main competitor on the football field. When discussing Messi, it’s impossible not to mention Ronaldo. The talented Portuguese forward is constantly striving to keep up with Messi when it comes to records and achievements. With an impressive 820 goals in 1,143 games, including 8 goals in 22 World Cup matches, Ronaldo certainly brings his A-game to the field. While Ronaldo may have 5 UEFA Champions League titles compared to Messi’s 4, Messi edges him out in several other key statistics.
