A British website tried to resolve the controversy surrounding the best players in the history of football in a scientific way based on statistics and sporting achievements. The result was many surprises, with the absence of some stars and the presence of others who have disappeared historically.
The 90 Minutes website classified the best 25 players in the history of the tournament and ranked them based on several factors:
- Number of goals.
- Making goals.
- The number of yellow and red cards he received.
- Championships won with clubs.
- International tournaments.
- Individual awards.
- Longevity on the field.
While goalkeepers and defenders are ranked on somewhat different factors than strikers and midfielders, longevity can be taken into account for all players, as well as team and individual accolades.
But clean sheets are a good indicator of the careers of defenders and goalkeepers, while goals and assists are key factors when it comes to rating strikers.
The ranking of the top 25 players was as follows:
- 25. Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
- 24. Bobby Charlton (England)
Celebrating the life of Sir Bobby Charlton, a legend of our game. pic.twitter.com/n8vi6Oktpb
— The FA (@FA) November 17, 2023
- 23. Giuseppe Meazza (Italy)
- 22. Raymond Kouba (France)
- 21. Romario (Brazil)
- 20. Eusebio (Portugal)
- 19. Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
- 18. George Best (England)
- 17. Zico (Brazil)
- 16. Franco Baresi (Italy)
- 15. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
- 14. Paolo Maldini (Italy)
- 13. Gerd Müller (Germany)
- 12. Garnacha (Brazil)
- 11. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina)
- 10. Roberto Baggio (Italy)
- 9. Michel Platini (France)
- 8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- 7. Zinedine Zidane (France)
- 6. Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)
- 5. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
- 4. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
- 3. Pele (Brazil)
- 2. Diego Maradona (Argentina)
- 1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi memories 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/e7OWoRSLMW
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 19, 2023
