Top 100 greatest footballers revealed with Cristiano Ronaldo third, Pele fourth and Neymar not on list at all

THE debate surrounding the greatest footballer of all time is one that divides opinion across the globe.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele and Diego Maradona are often the names touted as the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.

But there are also a host of other names in the conversation, including the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Brazilian Ronaldo, Gerd Muller, Johan Cruyff and George Best.

And what about other current players that are still active?

Does Neymar make it into the top 100? What about Real Madrid legend Luka Modric?

Here SunSport goes into detail reflecting on FourFourTwo’s top 10 – with the more extensive 100 names listed further down.

10) Ronaldo

Brazilian Ronaldo is one of the most lethal, devastating strikers to ever play the game.

He scored 352 goals in 518 club appearances for the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan Real Madrid and AC Milan.

But he also netted a breathtaking 62 times in 98 games for his country, 15 of which came at the World Cup.

9) Ferenc Puskas

Hungary’s best ever player – Ferenc Puskas was so good he has subsequently had Fifa’s “best goal of the year” award named after him.

The legendary attacking midfielder scored 242 goals in 262 games for Real Madrid.

And he also bagged a quite ludicrous 84 goals in 85 for games for the Hungarian national team – including twice in the famous 6-3 win over England in 1953.

8) Franz Beckenbauer

German icon Franz Beckenbauer revolutionised the role of a defender in the 1970s as his ability to carry the ball out from the back changed the very way people looked at the game.

He lifted the European Championships with West Germany in 1972, followed by the World Cup in 1974.

And he also won four Bundesliga titles in five years with Bayern Munich.

7) George Best

Admired by many as the most talented player to have ever been produced anywhere in Britain.

George Best scored 179 goals in 470 appearances for Manchester United, winning the league title on two occasions and the European Cup in 1968.

His skill and ability with the ball was something football fans had seen on very few occasions – and we haven’t seen it many times since.

6) Johan Cruyff

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff was a visionary in the way he played and then managed his way to glory.

But focusing on him as a player, the forward won eight league titles with Ajax and helped them claim three European Cups in a row between 1971 and 1973.

He also won a league title with Barcelona, but narrowly missed out on claiming Netherlands’ first World Cup in 1974 as West Germany beat them in the final.

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5) Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane carved out his legacy as a Juventus, Real Madrid and France player.

Many will remember the genius for his 2001 Champions League final volley.

But for French supporters he will go down as the man that helped them to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

4) Pele

Still to this day, Pele stands alone as the only player to win the World Cup on three occasions – in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

He spent almost his entire 18-year club career at Brazilian side Santos where he racked up a stunning 643 goals in 659 appearances.

But his 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil is perhaps his most impressive statistic – with his international career unparalleled.

3) Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 700th club goal of his career on Sunday night as he continues to stake his claim as the greatest player of all time.

The Portuguese superstar has won five Champions Leagues, seven domestic league titles and five Ballon d’Ors.

He also triumphed with his country at Euro 2016 and holds the record for most international goals scored with 117 in 191 appearances.

2) Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona sits second in this list and yet he isn’t even considered the greatest Argentinian player of all time – startling really.

The South American wizard won the 1986 World Cup almost single handedly with some of the most remarkable displays you will ever see.

He also claimed two Serie A titles with Napoli in 1987 and 1990 – scoring 115 goals in 259 games for the Italian club – and goes down as their greatest ever player.

1) Lionel Messi

It is no surprise to see Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi top the list.

He has bagged a ridiculous 691 club goals in 834 appearances, winning 10 LaLiga titles, Ligue 1 and four Champions Leagues – as well as a host of other accolades.

Messi also has a record-breaking seven Ballon d’Ors and also lifted the Copa del Rey with Argentina last year.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk