The long-standing debate over the greatest footballer of all time continues to spark discussion among legends of the game. Italy icon Roberto Baggio has weighed in on the conversation, selecting Lionel Messi as the sport's greatest player, placing him ahead of legendary figures Diego Maradona and Pele. Acknowledging the difficulty of comparing such iconic talents, Baggio noted that ranking them feels somewhat inappropriate given their immense contributions to the sport.
Baggio expressed that Messi stands out due to his sustained excellence over two decades. He stated that while it is difficult to choose, he gives the nod to the 39-year-old Argentina captain for his consistent quality and quantity of performance. According to Baggio, these three players represent the absolute essence of football and have remained above all others throughout history.
In contrast, fellow Italian and former player Marco Materazzi offered a different perspective during the same segment, which also featured contributions from Ronaldo de Lima, Romario, and Gabriel Batistuta. Materazzi bypassed the traditional trio of Messi, Maradona, and Pele, instead naming the Brazilian Ronaldo as his choice for the greatest. He described the Brazilian striker as a "Martian" who played with incredible speed and skill despite suffering severe knee injuries during an era when defenders were known for their physical and aggressive play.
As the debate continues, Lionel Messi remains active on the international stage. After leading Argentina to a historic World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022, mirroring Diego Maradona’s 1986 triumph, Messi is now looking to further his legacy. Currently, the 39-year-old has contributed eight goals and two assists in the ongoing tournament, helping Argentina reach the semifinals. The team is scheduled to face England on Wednesday, July 15, as they compete for a spot in the final in consecutive editions of the competition.
He said:“It’s very hard; it’s even ugly to rank, as we are talking about the absolute essence of football," he said in quotes conveyed by OneFootball.
Because what he did without two knees, going 150 km/h, nobody has done it.
