Sports2004–present
Lionel Messi
The greatest club footballer in history whose career reached its crescendo with the 2022 World Cup — finally completing a biography that needed that trophy to be complete.
Origin
Rosario, Argentina
LM
The Athletic Record
Rank History
Not Yet Available
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for Lionel Messi.
Often Compared To
Pelé
#2Soccer / FIFA — Três Corações, Brazil · 1956–1977
The first and still arguably greatest football player in history — three World Cup titles with Brazil and 1,279 career goals that made him a global symbol of the sport's power.
Cristiano Ronaldo
#3Soccer / FIFA — Funchal, Madeira, Portugal · 2002–present
The most prolific goal scorer in men's football history — 900+ club and international goals, unprecedented physical conditioning, and a relentless drive to be the best.