Pele

[Surfer]

Maradona
Messi
Zidane

3 best footballers in the modern-ish era. Until Messi drags Argentina all the way to the World Cup Final and wins it for them by himself he will always be in Maradona's shadow.

Granted i think it is a bit more difficult these days as i think defences are tighter, stronger, more savvy to what he can do etc.

 

[Illgresi]

Personaly don't think Pele could have hit this:

 

[StevieP]

Ronaldo doesn't even belong in the GOAT debate.

He's a couple of levels below Messi and has been banging them in for fun stat padding the whole time.

Terrific goalscorer but nothing more

This is a bit harsh imo - "fun stat padding" - how do you to that without incredible skill and talent exactly? Both great players but I'd like to see Messi play in the Premier League just to prove to people he can do it!

For me Maradona but if my generation it would have to be fat Ronaldo, Paul Scholes or Ronaldinho.

And it's just plain wrong that one of the best strikers in history has been relegated to being referred to as "fat Ronaldo"!!!

For me however it's impossible to say who was/is the best ever because the sport has changed so much - probably the player I've liked watching the most in my time has been Thierry Henry tho!