Above Messi and Pelé: Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer of all time according to a mathematical study

In football there has always been an eternal debate, which dates from time immemorial: who has been the best player? This prompted Tom Crawford, a mathematician at the University of Oxford, to decide to get an answer from science.

He created a formula (GOAT index) to compare ten of the best footballers in football history, with Cristiano Ronaldo being number one. The scientist considered seven variables for his measurement: club goals, club titles, international goals, international titles, Ballon d'Or awards, individual records and number of seasons where they guided his team to win a title.

Cristiano Ronaldo obtained 100% of the GOAT index, thanks to his incredible statistics at the team and selection level. Behind the Portuguese was the Argentine Lionel Messi with 94% and the Brazilian Pelé closed the podium with 85%.

In fourth place is Ferenc Puskas, followed by Ronaldo Nazario and Marco Van Basten. The top 10 are completed by Alfredo di Stéfano, Michel Platini, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, in that order.

“As a great soccer fan, I have long debated with my friends who is the best player of all time. I have loved bringing math to the masses over the past few years, so being able to show how it can be used in the world of football has been a lot of fun", said Crawford, after presenting his study.