6 Greatest Football Players Of All Time

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Editor’s note: John Iwobi, a football enthusiast from Nigeria, shares his list of the six greatest football players of all time.

There has been debate over who the greatest football players of all time are for quite some time. And there are as many viewpoints on this subject as there are football fans worldwide.

However, several football players have distinguished themselves over the years for both their contributions to the sport and the enjoyment they have given to fans.

These football greats will be remembered for shaping the sport into what it is now.

Before I go any further, I should clarify that this is merely my personal perspective based on my close to three decades of experience watching this beautiful game.

It’s crucial that we first go through the characteristics of a top football player in a brief conversation before I share my organised list.

1. Technique

Football is frequently described as a language that is understood globally. Technique is the language of football, and it serves as the foundation for all football players. Three key areas of football technique must be mastered in order to be a good player.

• Ball mastery and control: The capacity to catch, hold, and move the ball with one’s feet, legs, chest, and head
• Dribbling and sprinting with the ball—moving the ball under complete control in a variety of directions and at various speeds
• Body movement and shapes: How you move your body efficiently with and without the ball to maximise impact with balance and coordination

2. Mindset

Because mindset is such a broad subject with so many influencing aspects, it has been divided into smaller segments. It is an essential component of a footballer’s makeup and frequently dictates the level at which a footballer will play. This is because the higher up the football pyramid a footballer goes, the more crucial his attitude becomes.

• Enthusiasm and drive: This refers to the desire to succeed. You either have it or you don’t, as the saying goes. On the football field, the fire that is burning within you comes to life.
• Mental toughness: How does a player respond to adversity? In a sports career, there are many highs and lows, and this quality frequently separates those who can handle the pressure and succeed.
• Leadership: There are various metrics used to assess this. There are organised and outspoken leaders, like John Terry, Patrick Vieira, or Tony Adams. There are also those who set an example for others, like Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Lionel Messi. Both approaches will work, and having them is a tremendous benefit.
• Coachability: In order for a footballer to enhance their game, coaches and teachers must be able to give the player constructive criticism. What responses do players have to directions, criticism, and suggestions? Are they willing to pick up new skills?
• Self-motivate: You hear stories of outstanding athletes. Sticking behind for additional practise or devoting hours upon hours to perfecting their abilities. A player’s success is largely determined by their motivation to learn new things and enhance their skills.
• Responsibility: Football is a team sport, yet each player is held responsible for their actions both on and off the pitch. Does the player accept these responsibilities and fulfil them, or do they avoid them?

3. Game intelligence

How frequently have you heard the terms “great vision,” “tactical awareness,” “footballing brain,” and “composure on the ball” used? These expressions constitute game intelligence, which is likely one of the most difficult things to coach because football is random. You can’t plan for every circumstance that arises on the pitch, and you can’t foretell how things will pan out. To put it simply, a player’s decisions and decision-making speed on the pitch serve as an estimate of their level of game intelligence.

• Spatial Awareness: On the football pitch, players must immediately see and comprehend the pictures created on the pitch. What are the distances and spaces between the players and the ball, as well as where they are standing or moving? How quickly can you draw these images to guide your decision-making over your next course of action?

• Risk analysis: What will happen if I run into this area or if I pass the ball there? Are you capable of making the best decision that will benefit your team and reduce risk? Football is no different from life in that past experiences guide your decisions. In order to help you make those decisions, you train and practise, but there are additional components like imagination, reasoning, and taking a chance that will give you the edge.

4. Team player

Is it true that “TEAM” has no “I” in it? In the team sport of football, you both win and lose together. Diego Maradona’s time at Napoli in the 1980s and the recent successes of Ronaldo and Messi are just a few examples of times when you could argue that one player over all others is the reason for a team’s success.

However, they all depended on their teammates to help bring that success, and they will all acknowledge that. The team will typically perform considerably better as a whole and in unison; hence, it is crucial for a player to be able to perform to their full potential in this setting.

claiming that a player’s exceptional contribution during a game frequently boosts the team’s level. It may be a fantastic display of ability, a fantastic goal, or a fantastic tackle. There is no justification for not giving it your best because, in general, the effort you put in will rub off on others.

The adage “Together Everyone Achieves More” is true in football, but it’s important to remember that each player has a significant impact as well.

5. Physique

Football players’ physical attributes are comparable to those of elite athletes. This is to say their athleticism may frequently distinguish one player from another. This factor is far more challenging to evaluate when a football player is younger because their body will develop at varying rates, some of which may be behind or ahead of others. When considering player’s physique, these are the areas to pay attention to.

• ABCs: Agility, balance, and coordination are essential because a soccer game involves so many various movements. This is with and without a football, as you dribble, jump, turn, and position your body in different ways.
• Power and strength: These two are more about how well you use your body to triumph in a physical struggle than they are about the size of the individual.
• Speed: This includes your ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change directions both with and without a football at your feet.
• Stamina: A footballer’s ability to maintain control, concentrate, and make decisions, all of which are crucial in a match situation, is compromised as fatigue sets in. The player’s capacity to manage the game’s continual stop-start nature as well as their stamina while playing will be assessed.

The road to becoming a top football player will take many years. It is therefore crucial to understand that these five characteristics will change as a player matures from childhood to adulthood.

However, all of these characteristics will unquestionably be required to play at the highest level. It’s also important to note that these may be improved and worked on to raise a player’s skills and level up their play.

Having looked at qualities that make a great footballer, let me proceed and mention six players I consider the greatest footballers of all time. The list is in the order of merit:

1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Diego Maradona
4. Zinedine Zidane
5. Ronaldinho Gaucho
6. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele)

READ ALSO: 10-Year-Old Pele Made this Promise to His Crying Father and Fulfilled It

Now, the above are, in my opinion, the six greatest footballers ever. However, in my opinion, if you take longevity and stats out of the equation, Ronaldinho is the GOAT!

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of GOTTA.news. We welcome writers to give their views on various life issues. Send your opinion to info@gotta.news.