Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona ranked according to AI
It's the football argument that might never be settled, but now artificial intelligence has given it a good go.
Lionel Messi bagged a record extending eighth Ballon d'Or crown this year, following a 12-month period that saw the mercurial forward inspire Argentina to a World Cup win in Qatar. But still, many remain in the Cristiano Ronaldo 'GOAT' camp, with the Real Madrid icon continuing to score goals at a prolific rate for club and country.
And nostalgists will lean towards the likes of three time World Cup winner Pele and another Argentinian legend in Diego Maradona. All four players can lay claim to lighting up the big stage during their careers, and now technology has done its best to rank them.
4. Diego Maradona
Few can dispute Diego Maradona being categorised as one of the four greatest players of all time, although residents of Naples may question how there are three people ahead of him.
He is remembered by AI for his "exceptional dribbling skills, vision, and the 'Hand of God' goal'." Indeed he was, and fittingly he followed up punching the ball past Peter Shilton with one of the greatest individual goals ever scored in a World Cup.
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Diego Maradona had a close relationship with Lionel Messi (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who is the football's GOAT? Comment below.
It was that 1986 tournament, where he eventually captained Argentina to victory, that ultimately defined his career. And his stint at Napoli, elevating them to two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup, secured him god-like status there for evermore.
3. Pele
Won World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970 - but Pele's career was about so much more than stats.
Long before the days of stringent player diets and relentless fitness programmes, Pele combined athleticism with an abundance of skill and vision. He spent almost his entire career with Santos before finishing off at the New York Cosmos, but it was his displays at international level for which he's best remembered.
Cynics have argued his apparent goal record is dubious. But one things for sure, regardless of the actual number of goals - he scored a serious amount of them.
Pele won three World Cups with Brazil (Popperfoto via Getty Images)2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Football fans don't need AI to inform them that Ronaldo is blessed with "athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and versatility."
At 38, his current marker of 739 club career goals will continue to rise, albeit in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nasr. And he stands alone as international football's record scorer having netted 128 times for Portugal.
His trophy record with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus is also noted, with five Champions League and multiple league titles to his name. And such is his relentless desire to be the best, seeing himself ranked second on this list would ignite fury.
1. Lionel Messi
He hasn't won eight Ballon d'Or crowns by accident. To say that Lionel Messi is known for "his incredible dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability," may even sell him short. His goal record may not quite match that of Ronaldo's, but there's no doubt who produces more magic in possession.
Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup in Qatar (FIFA via Getty Images)Forever a club legend at Barcelona, many felt his career was capped by lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in Qatar. Currently ripping it up with Inter Miami at a level which, in truth, looks well beneath him.
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