When IFFHS Ranked Lionel Messi as Greatest Ever, Cristiano Ronaldo Outside Top Three
- Lionel Messi was crowned the greatest footballer of all time by the IFFHS in 2025, cementing his long-debated GOAT status
- Diego Maradona and Pelé ranked highly, reaffirming their impact on the game, as Cristiano Ronaldo missed the top three
- The top 10 notably excluded icons like Puskás, Gerd Müller, Paolo Maldini, and Michel Platini, with no goalkeepers listed
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) once ranked Lionel Messi as the number one player on its list of the 10 greatest footballers of all time.
Renowned for its detailed record-keeping and historical analysis of the sport, the rankings released by the IFFHS sparked widespread discussion among football fans and analysts around the world.
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Messi crowned the greatest of all time
According to the organisation’s assessment, Messi stands as the greatest footballer in the history of the game.
As reported by Flashscore, the Argentine superstar has won eight Ballon d'Or titles, lifted the FIFA World Cup, and secured four UEFA Champions League trophies.
Alongside those achievements, Messi has accumulated a remarkable collection of club and international records. His consistency, creativity, and extraordinary vision on the pitch have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Pelé and Maradona among the top three
Ranked second on the list is Brazilian legend Pelé, whose illustrious career included three World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, according to France 24.
Pelé remains one of football’s most iconic figures, having scored more than 1,000 goals during his career and becoming one of the sport’s earliest global superstars.
In third place is another Argentine great, Diego Maradona, who famously led his country to World Cup glory in 1986. Renowned for his remarkable dribbling ability, exceptional vision, and competitive spirit, Maradona also guided SSC Napoli to two Serie A titles, transforming the Italian club into a dominant force during his time there.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s position in the rankings
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, often considered Messi’s biggest rival in the debate over football’s greatest player, was placed fourth in the IFFHS rankings.
The Portuguese forward has won five Ballon d’Or awards and more than 30 major trophies throughout his career.
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He has also scored over 900 official goals and lifted five Champions League titles. On the international stage, Ronaldo helped Portugal national football team win the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
In addition, he holds the record as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 140 goals and is also the leading scorer in international football, with 143 goals to his name.
Which other legends made IFFHS top 10?
Rounding out the top 10, Dutch legend Johan Cruyff took the fifth spot, followed by Ronaldo Nazario of Brazil in sixth.
Zinedine Zidane of France ranked seventh, with German icon Franz Beckenbauer in eighth.
The list is completed by Alfredo Di Stefano in ninth and Brazilian magician Ronaldinho in tenth.
Notable omissions from IFFHS greatest footballers list
While the top 10 celebrates elite talent, some high-profile absentees have sparked discussion.
No goalkeepers feature in the ranking, and Franz Beckenbauer is the only defender included, raising eyebrows from fans of greats like Paolo Maldini and Lev Yashin.
Other notable omissions include legendary figures such as Ferenc Puskás, Gerd Müller, and Michel Platini, whose historical impact remains immense despite missing out on this particular list.
Essien settles GOAT debate
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien had once made his stance clear in the Messi vs Ronaldo debate.
The answer as to who holds the title of the greatest footballer of all time remains a hot topic, fuelling many passionate discussions that cut across the sport worldwide.
Source: YEN.com.gh
