'%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)
#5 Johan Cruyff
The man who created a whole new philosophy of ‘total football,’ Johan Cruyff is rightly considered by many to be one of the most influential people in football's history. The Dutchman redefined the way the game was played and won the Ballon d'Or award an incredible three times (1971,1973 and 1974) during his stellar career.
Cruyff first created his legacy in Ajax, where he guided the Dutch giants to multiple league titles and three stunning European Championships, playing an integral role and leading from the front. However, what he is best remembered for in the modern era is the transformation he brought at Barcelona.
Guiding the Catalan giants to their first league title in 14 years immediately after joining them, Cruyff introduced the ethos of tiki-taka at the Camp Nou and kickstarted a new era at Barcelona.
Barcelona's ex-President Joan Laporta hit the nail on the head when he said:
"As a player, he turned football into an art form. Johan came along and revolutionised everything. The modern-day Barça started with him; he is the expression of our identity, and he brought us a style of football we love."
Cruyff's contributions to the beautiful game as a player and a manager have cemented his status as one of the all-time greats.
#4 Zinedine Zidane
A real big match player, Zinedine Zidane won the Ballon d'Or in 1998 for his stunning performances with the French national team and Italian giants Juventus. While the legendary Frenchman might have claimed only one Ballon d'Or during his inspirational career, what set him apart from other players was his incredible longevity.
The mercurial midfielder scored several important goals for club and country in his long career as a player and almost spearheaded France to World Cup glory in 2006, before he received his marching orders in extra-time for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi. His idol, Platini knew just how good he was.
"Technically, I think he is the king of what's fundamental in the game — control and passing. I don't think anyone can match him when it comes to controlling or receiving the ball."
Zidane remains one of the most elegant players ever to grace the football pitch.
#3 Ronaldo Nazario
When a player plays for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan and still has no haters, you know that he is something special. Ronaldo Nazario, popularly known as 'O Fenomeno' is probably the greatest striker ever to play the game.
Winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002, Ronaldo, during his single season at Barcelona, was almost unplayable. Blessed with pace, physicality, technical skills, dribbling and excellent finishing ability, Ronaldo was a complete footballer with no glaring weaknesses.
Former Atletico Madrid and Manchester United star Quinton Fortune even said that Ronaldo was the greatest player he has ever seen:
"He was physical perfection, and he seemed like a mythical figure. I love [Lionel] Messi, I played many times with Cristiano [Ronaldo], and I adore him, Neymar is outstanding, Ronaldinho was exceptional—but if you put all of them together, you might get what Ronaldo was that season."
Guiding Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002, Ronaldo, for 5-6 years was head and shoulders above any forward in world football. Emerson articulated what many fans and pundits felt when he said.
"I wasn't able to see Pelé play, but I've seen Ronaldo, and I've never seen a player like him. He's unique, number one in everything."
If a tragic knee injury and weight issues hadn't cut short his career, 'O Fenomeno' would have probably been the greatest footballer ever to play the game.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of our generation without a doubt. Driving each other on to glory and greatness, the duo have broken numerous goalscoring and individual records.
With 5 Ballon d'Or awards to his name, the Portuguese superstar is still going strong and is determined to end his career as the best footballer ever to play the game. A precociously talented kid in Sporting CP, Cristiano Ronaldo was discovered by Sir Alex Ferguson, and it is at Manchester United that the Portuguese Superstar first cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of our generation.
The legendary George Best was so impressed with Ronaldo that he lavished praise on the Portuguese superstar.
"There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me."
Arguably the best goal scorer to ever play the game, Ronaldo is primed to achieve further greatness with Juventus and the Portuguese national team.
#1 Lionel Messi
The only footballer in the history of the game to win the Ballon d'Or a staggering six times, Lionel Messi has redefined what a footballer can individually do in a match.
Bursting onto the scene as a fresh-faced La Masia teenager in 2005, Messi, under the tutelage of Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola, honed his skills and established himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game.
Having arguably taken his game to new heights, the only thing keeping Messi away from being declared the greatest player of all time is the lack of a World Cup trophy. Mascherano's incredible comments can see Messi's importance to Barcelona and the club about the little magician:
"[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable. – No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player. except Leo. That's the reality, and you have to accept it."
Capable of some outrageous things on the football field, Messi is all set to go down as one of the most iconic figures in the history of the game.
