The top 10 ‘gods for football' of all time, Ronaldo No.5 and Messi No.2

One of the most famous, and also the most paying, sports is football. There have been hundreds who came, played and disappeared but only a handful justified the name on the back by performing for the crest in front. Some absolute legends of the game who dominated in different eras but are now regarded as the top 10 football players are as follows:

# 10 Paul Scholes

The one-club English midfielder was considered a 'footballing genius' by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. A part of United’s 'Class of 92' and the key to Manchester United's success, the 'Ginger prince' won 11 EPL titles and 2 Champions League trophies in his career. He was recalled from retirement and despite being out of touch, the midfielder helped United clinch another title, Sir Alex's last. When asked how it felt to be the best midfielder ever, Zidane replied 'Go ask Paul Scholes'. One of the greatest players in the Premier League history, Scholes is our #10 on the list. 

#9 Gerd Muller

Nicknamed 'bomber de Nations' for his goal-scoring abilities, Muller was named the European footballer of the year in 1970. He was also the golden boot winner when he scored 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup for West Germany. The 11th highest international goal-scorer is hence #9 on the list. 

#8 Franz Beckenbauer 

The former player, coach and manager for Germany, is regarded as the best German player of all time. He was selected as the European Player of the Year twice in 1972 and 1976 and was the most versatile player to have donned the German Whites. The 1974 World Cup winner and the manager of West Germany is #8 on the list. 

#7 Alfredo de Stefano

Born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, Alfredo De Stefano's record of scoring in 5 consecutive European Cup finals is unlikely to be broken in the future. He was a player with extreme fitness levels and he rarely missed a game due to injury. He was a driving force in Real Madrid's success during the 1950s and features at #7 on the list. 

#6 Johan Cruyff

The fearless and outspoken Dutchman is regarded as the best European player ever post his success with Ajax and Barcelona in the 1960s and 1970s. He was named in the FIFA list of 100 world's greatest living players by Pele in 2004. Cruyff was known for his 'total football' game play and won 8 Dutch Eredivisie titles and 3 European Cups with Ajax. The 3-time Ballon d'Or winner features at #6 on the list. 

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo

There was Ronaldo, then came Cristiano. The wonder-boy from Portugal was born on 5th February 1985, and since then, has been one of the best players in the world while with Manchester United (till 2009), with Real Madrid (till 2018), and with Juventus (2018 onwards). The most expensive football player signed by Madrid (before Bale's transfer broke that record) is a 5-time Ballon d'Or winner. He features at #5 on the list.

#4 Zinedine Zidane

Described as the 'God of Football' by UEFA President Michel Platini, the former French captain was born on 23rd June 1972. Many believe he was the best midfielder ever and his records have proven the same. Zidane is the winner of one Ballon D’ Or trophy and is also the 3-time holder of the title of World Player of the Year. His red card for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 WC Final is considered to be one of the most remembered moments in the history of football. He features at #4 on the list.

#3 Diego Maradona

If God was a defender, Maradona still would have gone past him and scored. The player of the 20th century, jointly with Pele, was one of the most feared footballers due to his unimaginable dribbling skills. As many as 4 players of the same team used to mark Maradona during the peak of his career. The infamous 'Hand of God' goal was one of the biggest sporting scandals in history. Twice he took Argentina to World Cup glory, and for his sheer genius, he deserves to be at #3 on the list.

#2 Lionel Messi 

The 21st-century magician, Lionel Messi is certainly the greatest player to be still playing and has been more successful than any other player of this age. Born on 24th June 1987, the FC Barcelona legend is the only player to be the top scorer of 4 consecutive Champions League campaigns.

Leo Messi is greater than Diego Maradona and the latter agrees. Now, he has achieved what others can just dream about and that makes him feature at #2 on the list. 

#1 Pele

Inarguably the king of football, Pele the legendary Brazilian was born on 21st October 1940. The former player is regarded as the best ever because of what he did for the game of football.  He was voted as the 'Player of the Century' by International Federation Of Football History and Statistics, and thus, sits at #1 on the list.