Which players are you referring to bro?
Achievement wise yes, but skill wise I think it's difficult to pick one. Although Zidane was a naturally talented player but the hard work of CR7 had made him a GOAT too.
Pure talent wise Ronaldo9 is the only one who could have challenged the big 3. But his career got ruined by injury. As for Zidane, no chance really, the players in tier 2 were his match in his best attribute ballcontrol, while being much better athletically. Go to any French football site and you will see that Platini is usually rated higher.
How so? Tier 1 players basically has to fulfill every checklist. Great country career, great club career, high peak, great longevity, unreal technical and physical ability, adaptability and technical intelligence, and also has to among the best scorer, dribbler and passer in the world, and also has to be touched by genius, none other than the big 3 fulfills all the criterion.
Messi is overhyped, Maradona was an ATG and Pele the real GOAT for me. You have Zidane, Baresi and Van Basten in tier 4 who were all the top guys in their eras.
OK, let's take zidane for example. First look at achievement. Messi more than Matches Zidane in country career, both won 1 world cup and 1 intercontinental trophy, Messi was arguably best player in 4 international trophies compared to 2 of Zidane. Club career was there is a gulf between the two. Then come to skillet, zidane probably has a better first touch, but messi destroys him in all other technical attributes like shooting. Close control, passing. Then comes the physical part, zidane was bigger, but Messi is as strong on the ball, faster and quicker, and has a lower center of gravity enabling him to go on those mazy runs. Baresi is a defender, they are in general rated lower for obvious reasons. Van Basten Is a great cf, but again messi scores as much or more than him while being a much better dribbler and passer.
Only could agree on Messi being a very fine dribbler but no way was he better in controlling the ball than Zidane. I suggest you to watch his toying with Brazil in 2006 Fifa quarter-final match. And then be the judge yourself. Van BASTEN was just devoured by injuries.
Messi's close control is in general argued to be best of all time. But you don't agree that messi is a better passer and finisher than Zidane ? I can post stats like goals scored or assists, but they don't really paint a full picture. As for the Brazil match, I saw that live, while Zidane was great in that Messi probably has at least 50 matches where he played better.
Ah yes, sorry, I was arguing in good faith, and then I see you think del piero and Drogba are better than Messi and Ronaldo.
Yep that penalty still haunts him I guess.
Yep its just a flawed criteria.
Has been the new GOAT criteria since Messi's triumph
He like Van Basten also fell prey to injuries.
