The Beautiful Game has given joy to many worldwide, and the evolution has been a great thing to watch. Key players have played decisive roles in football development and have made it the globally worshipped sport it is today.
Some of the biggest personalities are the deciders of top online sports betting decisions with their magnificence and grace. Big personalities have created momentous occasions that have shaped the course of the game.
It isn’t so easy to have such an impact on a sport, but when the right player comes along, they have done exactly that. Here are five of the greatest to ever kick a football and those who will remain forever in the rich tapestry of the great game.
Johan Cruyff
The genius of Johan Cruyff changed the face of football forever. In both his playing and managing careers, he had an unparalleled influence on the game. Among the greatest football players of all time, Cruyff is considered to be one of the best. He is known for his stints with Ajax and Barcelona and was a proponent of the ‘Total Football’ philosophy, which implies that players can play in any position in the outfield.
Cruyff won the Ballon d’Or three times for his technical and creative abilities. Cruyff retired from playing in 1965 and went on to manage Ajax and Barcelona, creating the “Dream Team” with the latter. A member of Cruyff’s Barcelona “Dream Team,” Guardiola has been heavily influenced by his coaching philosophy.
Lionel Messi
Quite possibly the greatest player to ever grace the football pitch; Lionel Messi has a record that speaks for itself. Throughout his career, he was known as a one-man club, but this loyalty changed recently with a move to French giants PSG. Messi is known for his world-class dribbling, creativity, and goalscoring. The Argentinian international has all the attributes to cover numerous positions across the field, both in attack and midfield. He has been the driving force of Barcelona for many years, being one of the main contributors to goals, whether that is with assists or conversions himself.
In 2021, Messi won the Copa America with Argentina, removing a big weight off of his shoulders and not having any international accolades. The 35-year-old is always a contender for the Ballon d’Or, with 7 wins of the trophy throughout his career. An unmatched tactician playing at the highest level of the game.
Pele
There is no doubt that Pele is one of the greatest players ever to play the game, and his legacy will endure for generations to come. Santos is the club’s top goalscorer of all time after the Brazilian spent most of his club career with them. His goal-scoring prowess for both clubs and nations made him a legend, and he holds the record for the most goals scored by Brazil’s senior team.
As a result of his performances in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, Pele won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. A technically adept and highly intelligent striker, he made his mark in football during the 20th century as one of the most recognizable and prominent figures.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Another player in the current game to be a strong contender for best player in the world, currently and ever, is Cristiano Ronaldo. The 37-year-old is still playing elite football way after some of his fellow sportsmen make him a true athlete. Ronaldo made his name under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, becoming the goal-hungry attacker we have loved to see throughout the years. His true greatness was established at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time top goalscorer. Not many players rival the likes of Cristiano, but Lionel Messi is one of them, making the rivalry between the two Spanish club giants even more contested.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the Euro’s winning Portugal side in 2016 was the main reason they won the tournament. His dedication, training, and skill are pushed onto his teammates wherever he plays, helping those around him achieve things greater than ever expected. Hard work and superior fitness levels have made Ronaldo the victory-hungry machine he is, but also one of the greatest to kick a football.
Diego Maradonna
The impact Diego Maradona had on football is immeasurable, despite his complex character. In the course of his life, Maradona was involved in many controversies. The forward was a prodigious talent, putting great pressure on himself from a very early age to perform for both his club and country. Despite his footballing abilities, Maradona’s off-the-field activities usually overshadowed his on-field accomplishments.
Maradona is one of the greatest athletes of all time. His remarkable talent and achievements in the game have earned him reverence in the world of football. His name is engraved on Napoli’s stadium, where he spent much of his career as a player. He won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986.