Messi, Pelé, Maradona: FourFourTwo’s Best Player Ever
- Lionel Messi has been named the greatest soccer player in history by FourFourTwo magazine, reigniting the never-ending debate about who truly reigns supreme in the world of football.
- The Argentine star topped the list, surpassing legends such as Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
- The magazine highlighted Messi's consistency and evolution, noting his continued presence among the world's best for over a decade.
Lionel Messi crowned Best Soccer Player of All Time by FourFourTwo
Lionel Messi has been named the greatest soccer player in history by FourFourTwo magazine, reigniting the never-ending debate about who truly reigns supreme in the world of football.
The Argentine star topped the list, surpassing legends such as Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Cristiano Ronaldo. FourFourTwo described Messi as a “Messianic figure whose brilliance amazed the world,” adding that he “beat endless records and started an era of domain.”
The magazine highlighted Messi’s consistency and evolution, noting his continued presence among the world’s best for over a decade. “It is one thing to get to the top and another very different [to] stay there,” FourFourTwo stated. ”There are twenty-year-old fans who have never met a world in which Messi dose not fascinate us weekly.”

At 37, Messi’s career continues to reach new heights.As the record holder for Ballon d’Or wins, a World Cup champion, and a multiple champion with Barcelona, he has achieved almost everything, yet his ambition remains undiminished.
Pelé,the Brazilian icon and three-time World cup winner,secured the second spot on the list. Maradona, described by FourFourTwo as “captivating and rebel,” followed in third place. The magazine acknowledged maradona’s “possibly marked the most iconic individual goal in history,” referring to his goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. They added that he was “a man venerated both in his homeland and in the Italian city of Naples.”
FourFourTwo’s Top 10 Soccer Players of All Time:
- Lionel Messi
- Pelé
- Diego Maradona
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Johan Cruyff
- Ronaldo Nazário
- Zinedine Zidane
- Franz Beckenbauer
- Alfredo Di Stéfano
- Marco van Basten
In addition to Messi and Maradona, Four othre Argentinian players made the list:
- 58. Daniel passarella
- 67. José Manuel Moreno
- 96. Javier Zanetti
- 99. Mario Alberto Kempes
Lionel Messi: Best Soccer Player of All Time? Analyzing FourFourTwo’s Verdict
Who did FourFourTwo name as the greatest soccer player of all time?
Lionel Messi was crowned the greatest soccer player in history by FourFourTwo magazine.
What did FourFourTwo say about Lionel Messi?
FourFourTwo described Messi as a “Messianic figure whose brilliance amazed the world.” They highlighted his consistency, record-breaking achievements, and his continued presence among the world’s best players for over a decade. The magazine stated that Messi “beat endless records and started an era of domain.”
Who else was on FourFourTwo’s list of the top soccer players?
The list included:
- Lionel Messi
- Pelé
- Diego Maradona
- cristiano ronaldo
- Johan Cruyff
- Ronaldo Nazário
- Zinedine Zidane
- Franz Beckenbauer
- alfredo Di Stéfano
- Marco van Basten
Where did Pelé and Diego Maradona rank on the list?
Pelé secured the second spot, while Diego Maradona ranked third.
What did FourFourTwo say about Diego Maradona?
FourFourTwo described maradona as “captivating and rebel”. They acknowledged his iconic goal against England in the 1986 World Cup and noted his veneration in his homeland and in Naples, Italy.
How old is Lionel Messi, and what has he achieved?
Messi is currently 37 years old. He is a record holder for Ballon d’Or wins, a World Cup champion, and a multiple champion with Barcelona.
Which other Argentinian players were included in FourFourTwo’s list?
Besides Messi and Maradona, four other argentinian players made the list:
- Daniel Passarella (58)
- José Manuel Moreno (67)
- Javier Zanetti (96)
- Mario Alberto Kempes (99)
Key Takeaways from the FourFourTwo Rankings
Here’s a summary of the top players and their placements:
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Key Achievements (According to Article) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentinian | World Cup champion, Record holder for Ballon d’Or wins, Multiple champion with Barcelona. |
| 2 | Pelé | Brazilian | Three-time World Cup winner |
| 3 | Diego Maradona | Argentinian | Iconic goal against England in 1986 World Cup |
| 4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Not Mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 5 | Johan Cruyff | Not Mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 6 | Ronaldo Nazário | Not Mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 7 | Zinedine Zidane | Not Mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 8 | Franz Beckenbauer | Not mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 9 | Alfredo Di stéfano | Not Mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
| 10 | Marco van Basten | Not mentioned in the article | Not Mentioned in the article |
