Your greatest footballer of all time unveiled - and you might be surprised

13 January 2023 , 10:49

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So which footballer came out on top in our poll? (Image: Getty Images)

Your votes have been cast and there's a runaway winner for who you think is the greatest footballer of all time.

It may not come as much surprise but Mirror voters overwhelmingly voted in favour of none other than Argentinian ace Lionel Messi.

The recent World Cup winner and Paris Saint-Germain forward won by quite some margin, attracting a staggering 912 of your votes, beating Brazilian legend Pel é into second place with 136 and Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo into third on 102.

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There's no doubt Messi's dazzling play captured our hearts throughout the Qatar World Cup, his sublime skills causing many to hail him the best the world has ever seen.

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The South American is renowned as being one of, if not the , best dribblers ever.

Argentina's Lionel Messi with the FIFA World Cup. (Getty Images)

His confidence and creativity on the pitch, coupled with exceptional passing skills, vision and pace, are unrivalled in the modern game.

A true play maker who can dictate the tempo of any match, it's small wonder you picked Messi as your number one.

Pelé in action for Brazil against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final (newcastle chronicle)

Of course, many felt that Brazilian forward Pel é - who sadly passed away at the end of last year - should have been crowned the king of football.

A true team player boasting formidable vision and intelligence, the playmaker was a natural goalscorer with an uncanny ability to create his own space on the pitch. When coupled with his precise passing and messianic dribbling skills, it really did make him virtually untameable.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo finished third in our poll. (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo may have fallen out of favour with many football fans in recent years, but there's still no denying his prowess on the pitch.

The Portuguese forward is a n all-rounder whose work ethic and dedication has perhaps never been equalled. Ronaldo frequently ducks into his own half to pick up the ball and orchestrate an attack. His superb ball skills and long-range shooting ability make him a nightmare for any defence. A deserved top three finish in our poll.

Argentina's Diego Maradona in action during the 1986 FIFA World Cup. (Hulton Archive)

Heading up the rest of the pack was Argentinian midfielder par excellence Diego Maradona , who finished fourth.

The breathtaking player used his small stature to his advantage, with his low centre of gravity enabling him to run rings around the opposition. His ball control, passing, vision and dribbling skills were phenomenal.

George Best playing for Northern Ireland in 1971. (Mirrorpix)

In fifth was Northern Ireland's George Best , a highly skilful dribbler - considered one of the best. A great turn of pace, skill and goalscoring ability made him a formidable opponent. No wonder you ranked the midfielder so highly.

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Zinedine Zidane playing for France in 1996. (EMPICS Sports Photo Agency)

Next was the magnifique Zinedine Zidane . The French playmaker was renowned for his elegance, precision passing, vision, ball control and technique. Zidane was mainly an attacking midfielder but was just as comfortable further up the pitch. A hugely versatile player.

Brazilian goal machine Ronaldo Nazário, left, in 2002, and Flying Dutchman Johan Cruyff in 1974. (Dusan Vranic/APREX/Shuttersto?ck/Mirrorpix)

In joint seventh and eighth were Brazilian goal machine Ronaldo Nazário and Flying Dutchman Johan Cruyff .

Forward Ronaldo boasted explosive pace and beautiful touch. He was much admired for his dribbling skills and quality finishing from even the tightest of angles. A powerfully-built goalscorer who struck fear into any opposition.

How Mirror readers voted in our greatest footballer of all time poll. (Reach)

Cruyff was a great offensive tactician renowned for his imaginative playmaking. And who can forget his signature Cruyff Turn? A tremendously exciting forward/attacking midfielder, and widely regarded as a genius of the game.

Franz Beckenbauer in 1974. (Mirrorpix)

The penultimate player in our list is Franz Beckenbauer. The German defender's quality and versatility enabled him to play in a range of positions. Always extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, he introduced a new style of play as an attacking sweeper. An elegant player with an almost psychic ability to read the game.

Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1964. (Getty Images)

And finally in our top ten list of the greatest footballer of all time is forward Alfredo Di Stéfano - who did not receive a single vote.

We think this is no reflection at all on the great man, and rather that his career peaked in the 50s and early 60s, and as such has faded a little from memory. This is a man who played for Spain/Argentina/Colombia and was a stunning all-rounder.

He could defend, attack, assist and score goals. Boasting tremendous pace, vision and strength coupled with a real warrior's spirit, having Stéfano on the pitch was like having two players in every position.

Don't agree with the poll result? Have your say in the comments below

Paul Speed