The list that ranks Messi as the best in history, look at where they ranked Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are undoubtedly the leading figures of modern soccer. For years, their rivalry was so intense that it continues to generate debates about who is better and who has achieved more. However, despite the rivalries, many of us have been fortunate to enjoy their brilliance and witness how their careers are gradually taking different paths.

Both of them had different beginnings. In the case of Lionel Messi, the Argentine started his career at Newell's Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. There, he took his first steps before captivating the world. Despite trying out for River Plate, the Argentine club decided not to take the risk and did not sign the player. However, destiny had a brilliant future in store for him at Barcelona.

On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo began his career in the youth ranks of Sporting Lisbon, and his journey would take him to Manchester United under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, who played a significant role in shaping the player and taking him to the pinnacle of his career. Today, both players have accumulated achievements, individual awards, and team titles that would be challenging to list comprehensively. Between the two of them, they hold a total of 12 Ballon d'Or awards.

With that said, in recent hours, a ranking of the greatest football players of all time has come to light. This list, sponsored by GDC, features the names of 100 different footballers from various eras, including the present day. It's expected that not all of these names will be familiar to everyone. Without further ado, here is the list of players.

The List

It's worth noting that according to this list, Lionel Messi is ranked as the greatest player of all time, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who occupies the 8th position, far below the Argentine star. However, the list places Messi ahead of other legends such as Diego Armando Maradona and Pele. Undoubtedly, this is a significant surprise. While rankings and lists provide a basis for comparing players from different eras, they can never fully capture the subjective nature of such debates. Ultimately, the appreciation of soccer is deeply personal, and opinions on the greatest player in history will continue to vary.