The 6 Players Van Basten Puts in the GOAT Debate with Lionel Messi
Throughout football history, few have had the same impact on the game as Marco Van Basten who changed the game on and off the pitch across his career.
Although he claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or award thrice and won the European Championships, he had to bring an early close to his career at just 28 years old. Despite his remarkable records and accomplishments standing tall alongside those who share similar legacies, it undeniably marked an untimely conclusion for one of football’s genuine legends.
After retirement, he has primarily focused on providing insights into contemporary football, and his views hold significant merit due to his accomplished past. When it comes to understanding genuine soccer excellence, Van Basten is undoubtedly an authority.
In 2022, when expressing his opinion on the best players ever, he chose not to include both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, thus excluding them from his list. When mentioning seven players he believes belong in the 'greatest of all time' discussion, he included the pair.
Pele
Revered as the top footballer of the 20th century, Pelé’s accomplishments will endure through the ages. It remains astonishing that he became the youngest athlete to participate in a World Cup final in 1958 at such an early age, and subsequently shattered records by scoring twice in the match.
He would ultimately secure two additional World Cup titles and served as the cornerstone of the victorious 1970 team that outshone Italy.
His accomplishments on the global arena might remain unparalleled, yet he was awarded the title of Player of the Century by FIFA in 2000, narrowly surpassing Diego Maradona. Because his club career was confined to playing in Brazil and the United States, he did not qualify for the Ballon d'Or prize, as it was exclusively reserved for players competing in European leagues back then.
Pele was later presented with seven Ballon d'Or awards by the French magazine France Football because he was posthumously acknowledged for his outstanding career achievements.
Certainly, the Guinness Book of World Records lists him as the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of football. 1,283 out of 1,363 matches (including friendly games), however, many disputes have arisen regarding which goals should be counted.
Nevertheless, he rose above the sport, and his legacy endures as he continues to be regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful athletes in history.
Diego Maradona
Prior to Messi, there was Diego Maradona. The Argentine player stands out as one of the most gifted footballers ever. Despite controversies throughout his legendary career, he had numerous unforgettable moments. While everyone remembers the 'Hand of God', the 'Goal of the Century' scored later in the same match might just be among the finest goals in history.
During his tenure at Napoli, he set numerous records and achieved legendary status with the team. He guided them to their inaugural league championship in 1987, maintaining his position as the club’s top goalscorer up until 2017. Following his passing, the team honored him by naming their stadium after him; his impact and renown extended globally.
In 2000, he shared the honor of being named FIFA Player of the Century with Pelé, placing him among the most exceptional athletes in the history of the sport.
Gifted with a talent that remains unparalleled, he enthralled spectators by effortlessly outplaying opponents through sheer speed and artistry. His performances during the 1986 FIFA World Cup might stand as the finest single-tournament display by any athlete in World Cup history—truly, he was one-of-a-kind, and there'll never be another like Diego.
READ: Who comes out on top between Pele and Diego Maradona when it comes to total goals and assists scored throughout their careers?
Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff, a figure revered and beloved in football lore, revolutionized the game both on and off the field. Known for his exceptional talent and remarkable skills, he earned three Ballon d'Or titles and won multiple European Cups playing for clubs like Ajax and Barcelona.
After playing under Rinus Michels, the innovator of 'total football,' Cruyff later embraced this philosophy and expanded upon it during his managerial career.
Cruyff achieved remarkable success at both Barcelona and Ajax, inspiring an entire era of players through his exceptional play. Among those influenced was Pep Guardiola, who subsequently motivated the present generation. The impact of Cruyff’s contributions reverberates deeply within the essence of the game itself. When considering such profound influence, his legacy stands unrivaled.
Lionel Messi
After leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup as captain, numerous people felt that the discussion about who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) had been settled, since Messi had finally secured the pinnacle achievement in soccer.
Considering everything he has accomplished with both his clubs and national team, it’s difficult to dispute Messi as the best footballer in history. Boasting an unprecedented seven Ballon d'Or awards along with an extensive collection of trophies, he also boasts remarkable stats that support this claim.
His exceptional talent can be assessed through numerous metrics. Nevertheless, his true genius is most evident when observing him perform live. Beyond being an outstanding goalscorer, he might just be the greatest facilitator ever along with being one of the top scorers, due to his remarkable ability to excel in both aspects of the sport.
Mesi has accomplished everything, netting every kind of goal imaginable, delivering consistently during crucial moments, securing trebles, European championships, league titles across different nations, and collecting numerous personal honors including an unmatched number of Ballon d'Or awards—surely making him the greatest of all time (GOAT).
Cristiano Ronaldo
It's noteworthy that Ronaldo is the sole player on this list who hasn’t won a World Cup, but his overall career achievements surpass those of most others here. He’s heading towards an astounding total of 1000 career goals for both club and country, and he boasts an impressive collection of 33 trophies alongside these accomplishments.
Transitioning from an ambitious wing player to one of the most prolific scorers ever, following Ronaldo’s career progression has been remarkable. Along with Messi, he was at the pinnacle of football during his peak years.
Boasting five Ballon d'Or awards, Ronaldo leads the discussions, and his status as one of the most versatile and athletically gifted players ever in his role stands out as one of his key attributes.
He possesses the ability to execute every kind of goal, outjumping even the tallest defenders, converting free kicks, penalties, and producing remarkable goals while leaving opponents bewildered with his skill set—he undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of his career and remains a top contender for the title of the best footballer in history according to numerous fans.
Zinedine Zidane
The French player was undoubtedly the premier midfield talent for various compelling reasons, and his impact and presence stand unrivaled considering the heights he reached with both his club and national teams. In essence, his career was brimming with memorable highlights.
Consider the remarkable weak-footed volley in the European Cup final, the pair of goals scored in the World Cup final, the day he outshone one of Brazil’s finest midfielders, or any number of other astounding feats; his career stood out as truly exceptional.
Securing the Ballon d'Or only once appears unjust for someone with his caliber, yet he also claimed FIFA's Player of the Year award thrice.
Admittedly, he claimed just 15 titles during his time playing for both his club and national teams, which might seem modest considering his skill level. However, his impact on the game remains unmistakable, and it’s improbable that another player will replicate his elegance, talent, and commanding presence on the pitch.
READ: With a single twirl, Zidane demonstrated why occasionally it's preferable not to score.
Michel Platini
Throughout much of his career positioned as an attacking midfielder, he emerged as the leading goalscorer and standout player at the 1984 European Championship. Additionally, he helped guide his team to the semifinals of both the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup tournaments and was a dominant force in central midfield.
Interestingly, Platini was his nation's top goalscorer until 2007, maintaining this record for a long time. entry for scoring the highest number of goals (nine) in the Euros until being surpassed by Ronaldo In 2021, even though they last appeared in the 1984 tournament.
He wasn’t just graceful and high-quality; he excelled in every aspect of play from midfield. Whether it involved creating opportunities, scoring goals, or asserting control, he left an indelible mark inspiring countless players across generations.
His extraordinary pinnacle of success was acknowledged through three consecutive Ballon d'Or awards. That indeed signifies true greatness.
READ NEXT: The 5 players Pep Guardiola views as contenders for the GOAT title along with Lionel Messi
TRY A QUIZ: The Definitive Lionel Messi Quiz: 30 Challenging Questions to Test Your Expertise on the G.O.A.T.