Ronaldo beats Messi? Officially determining the greatest player in history

05/11/2025 21:24:00 GameGladiator

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has officially revealed the top 10 greatest football players throughout history.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have once again sparked the timeless debate about who is the greatest footballer ever. After nearly two decades at the pinnacle of world football, the IFFHS has finally spoken and delivered the ultimate verdict between these two legends.

The IFFHS organization, headquartered in Zurich and founded in 1984, has long been regarded as one of the most reputable authorities on football history and statistics worldwide. Over the years, IFFHS has become a trusted reference in the football community.

Accordingly, the IFFHS has published the list of the “Top 10 Greatest Male Football Players in History,” officially honoring Lionel Messi as the best player of all time. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo ranks only fourth on the list.

Ronaldo thắng Messi? Chính thức xác định cầu thủ vĩ đại nhất lịch sử 735512 — Messi is celebrated as the greatest football player in history (Photo: IFFHS).

The Inter Miami superstar leads a list filled with football legends. Following him are Pele and Diego Maradona, both placed ahead of Ronaldo. Notably, Pele and Maradona never won the Ballon d’Or, as the award was previously limited to European players.

The complete top 10 includes: Messi, Pele, Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Ronaldinho. Despite being the youngest on the list, Messi confirms his number one status thanks to an illustrious career: holding records for 46 official titles and 8 Ballon d’Or awards — a feat unmatched by anyone else.

In modern football, the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) debate almost exclusively revolves around two names: Messi and Ronaldo. Their rivalry has defined an entire era of the sport, with very few able to maintain such an elite level for over a decade.

Ronaldo thắng Messi? Chính thức xác định cầu thủ vĩ đại nhất lịch sử 735513 — Ronaldo asserts that Messi is not better than him (Photo: Fanpage Thethao247).

In an interview with L’Équipe, Messi spoke about the biggest rival of his career: “It has always been a ‘battle,’ metaphorically speaking. From a sporting perspective, it’s truly beautiful. We push each other forward because we both have an intense desire to win. He always wants to win everything, by any means.”

The 2022 World Cup champion added: “That period was amazing, not just for us but for everyone who loves football. I believe what we achieved over such a long time deserves recognition. As people say, reaching the top is hard, but staying there is even harder. We stayed at the peak for 10, 15 years. It’s extraordinary and a beautiful memory for all football fans.”

Despite Lionel Messi’s usual humility, Cristiano Ronaldo recently expressed a stronger stance in the debate over the title of “greatest player in history.” In an upcoming interview teaser with British journalist Piers Morgan, the Al-Nassr superstar was once again questioned about his two-decade-long rivalry with Messi.

When asked if he agreed that Messi is better than him, Ronaldo candidly replied: “I don’t agree that Messi is better. I don’t want to be modest.”