'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
An integral characteristic of an elite athlete is their ability to come up with the goods at the most crucial junctures of a match or tournament. Be it Maradona for Argentina and Napoli, or Pele in his time in Brazil, every footballer regarded among the greatest-ever in the sport had the ability to come up trumps in such big matches.
Apart from the aforementioned duo, the likes of Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Didier Drogba and Steven Gerrard have enhanced their reputation with clutch performances in some of club and international football's biggest games.
Today, we take a look at the five best big-game players in world football right now.
#5 N'Golo Kante
The World Cup winner has established himself as the best holding midfielder in world football following a stellar 2020-21 campaign.
N'Golo Kante showcased his big-match pedigree on plenty of occasions last season, playing a crucial role in Chelsea's Champions League glory. The Frenchman was arguably at his best in the return leg against Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Kante was effectively Chelsea's "one-man midfield" and dominated play almost single-handedly in the middle of the park. This was no mean feat against the multi-time Champions League-winning midfield trio of Kroos, Modric and Casemiro.
Kante was adjudged as the Player of the Match in both legs of the semi-finals and would go on to deliver another masterclass in midfield against Manchester City in the all-important finals. In an extremely tight encounter decided by Kai Havertz's 42nd-minute strike, N'Golo Kante functioned as the engine room for the Blues.
Even though Manchester City controlled 61% of possession, they never really managed to consistently threaten Mendy's goal. Kante played a significant factor in this as he repeatedly shut down the Cityzens' attacks with exceptionally well-timed tackles and jaw-dropping interceptions.
The Frenchman was equally dominant in big games when he used to don the blues of Leicester, playing an indispensable role in the Foxes' first top-flight English title.
#4 Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy is arguably the most inspirational story in English football, working his way up from non-league football in 2011 to the pinnacle of English football just five years later. The bumpy road to success has undoubtedly contributed to Vardy's steely mental resolve, which shines through when he takes on the "big boys" of English and European football.
The Englishman's record against the "Big Six" of English football speaks volumes of his big-match pedigree. Some of Vardy's best performances have transpired against members of the big six. The 34-year has enjoyed his most successful scoring record against Arsenal, registering 11 goals in 13 appearances along with an assist to his name.
Vardy will also count Manchester City among his favorite opponents, as he has racked up a tally of nine goals and three assists against the Cityzens. Like any other elite athlete, Vardy elevates his game when he faces off with the big boys at the biggest stages of world football, such as Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge, to name just a few.
In 15 appearances against Tottenham, Vardy was involved in 13 goals (eight goals, five assists), adding to the nine-goal involvement (eight goals, one assist) against Liverpool in 13 appearances. One of Vardy's most memorable goals was against Manchester United at Old Trafford, when he broke the record for scoring in consecutive Premier League games (11 matches).
#3 Lionel Messi
After a tumultuous 2020-21 footballing season at his boyhood club, Lionel Messi finally laid hands on his first-ever international trophy for Argentina's senior side.
The Argentine wizard has established his name among the greatest in footballing history and has also been one of the best big-match players for Barcelona. Lionel Messi is the all-time top scorer in one of the most iconic fixtures in football, El Clasico, with a tally of 26 goals and 14 assists in 45 matches. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has also been responsible for some of the most incredible individual performances in Champions League history.
Messi put on a masterclass against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in the 2011 Champions League finals and claimed his first goal on English soil. He also managed to get on the scoresheet in Barcelona's finale against the Red Devils in the 2009 Champions League campaign.
The Argentine also scored one of the most astonishing solo goals in CL history. La Pulga dummied one of the best defenders in world football at the time, Jerome Boateng, which led to the German twisting and tumbling onto the floor, while Messi chipped the ball over the best goalkeeper at the time, Manuel Neuer.
This breathtaking performance in the semi-finals of the 2014-15 Champions League would eventually guide Blaugrana to European glory that season.
#2 Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid have lost one of their most valuable assets in the past month when Sergio Ramos joined forces with the likes of Neymar and Mbappe at PSG on a free transfer.
The Spaniard is not only one of the best defenders in world football in the 21st century; he's an exceptional leader who always guides by example, especially in the big games. Ramos has played an indispensable role in every team he has represented, lifting all the major trophies available to him. The four-time Champions League winner has been a constant presence in Los Blancos' backline over the years and has a special knack for getting on the scoresheet in big matches.
Sergio Ramos has scored 7 goals in the knockout stages of his Champions League career - the most by any defender in CL history. This includes his two goals in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals against cross-town rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Ramos scored the all-important equalizer in added time through his hallmark towering header in the 2014 CL finals, while he opened the scoring in the 2016 CL finale.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers to have graced the beautiful game, but he somehow elevates his game a couple of levels higher when it matters the most.
The Portuguese paid huge dividends on his then-world record €117.00 million move to Real Madrid, amassing a whopping tally of 451 goals in just 438 appearances for the club. Some of these goals came about at the biggest stage of European club football, the UEFA Champions League. Ronaldo holds the record for most goals and assists, including a host of essential contributions in the tournament's knockout stages.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has the record for the highest number of appearances in the CL knockout stages (34) and is also the highest goalscorer in CL finals (four). Ronaldo has found himself on the scoresheet 25 times in 22 quarter-final appearances and 13 times in 21 semi-final encounters.
The Portuguese superstar has been an exceptional leader for his country in the international arena, making a vital contribution to Portugal's European glory in 2016. Ronaldo registered three goals and as many assists from seven appearances at Euro 2016.
Cristiano Ronaldo's other memorable performances for the national side included hat-tricks against Sweden in a crucial World Cup qualifier and Switzerland in the Nations League semi-finals.
