Is Lionel Messi The Greatest Footballer Of All Time?

Lionel Messi is a pretty talented individual. His skill with a soccer ball has seen him labelled as one of the greatest the world has ever seen, which at the age of 24 is quite an impressive feat. Last week Messi scored five goals in the demolition of Bayer Leverkusen which was his 8th hattrick of an incredible season and now sees him only 5 goals away from becoming Barcelona's all time leading goal scorer.

However for some, Messi's talents, whilst ridiculous, do not match others who have played the game. Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cryuff, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer have each shown off their discernible gifts to the world and been roundly lauded because of it. But which player is actually the best ever? And no David Beckham doesn't make the list.

Pele - Edson Arantes do Nascimento is synonymous with soccer. Pele is Babe Ruth, Mohammed Ali and Tiger Woods all rolled into one and the only footballer to win 3 World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970, with the latter side regarded as one of the greatest soccer teams ever assembled. He would go on to score over 1,000 goals in his career.

Diego Maradona - Diego's talents have made him some kind of deity across Argentina and Naples with his displays for club and country leading both teams to unprecedented glories. His off the field activities have helped to cement his place within the soccer folklore too.

Lionel Messi - The diminutive Argentinian could well be the most gifted footballer of his generation which consists of Zidane, Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta. However unlike these players he has yet to lead his country to World Cup glory on the International stage, with the cynics unlikely to quieten down until he does so.

George Best - The fifth Beatle brought sex, booze and rock and roll to Old Trafford. However his stay was only brief as the Northern Irishman retired at the age of 27 but his performances, goals and touches mean many at Manchester United regard him as the greatest footballer of all time.

The Winner? Pele. But Messi could easily eclipse him in the future.

Article by Gregory Wakeman
www.gregorywakeman.com