The footballing world was recently treated to another sporting spectacle, as Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona
to an emphatic 3-0 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich,
sensationally slotting home a dazzling double to all but sure his side’s
place in the Berlin-based final.
After the Argentine great’s latest magical exploits, on a night he became the all-time European goalscorer, the age-old debate rages on over who is the greatest of all-time? Messi is odds-on 1/3 favourite with Coral to win the 2015 Ballon d’Or following his delightful double.
Here are 10 other world-class forwards who could possibly claim that crown and rival Barcelona’s global superstar.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Whenever Messi grabs the headlines, this Real Madrid maestro is usually the one to steal back the spotlight. Ronaldo, like his Argentine counterpart, is a footballing freak, capable of virtually anything on the pitch with his amazing all-round attacking abilities.
Those that question this prolific pair’s inability to take the greatest ever acclaim due to an elusive World Cup triumph, only need to look as far as those special Champions League nights, where both stars produce countless moments of excellence. In particularly, against opposition who have lifted that coveted world accolade. Just ask Jerome Boateng.
When both greats eventually hang up their boots, the footballing world is doubtful of ever witnessing their like again, with Messi and Ronaldo setting unrivalled standards.
Ronaldo ‘The Phenomenon’, and original Ronaldo, embodied everything Brazilian football stands for, with his pace, power, skill and a clinical eye for goal. Having netted 15 World Cup goals, along with over 300 club strikes for some of Europe’s great teams, Brazil’s second-highest ever scorer is true goalscoring great.
George Best
Regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players ever, Best possessed a sensational balance on the ball, which allowed the ‘Belfast Boy’ to score some outrageous solo efforts.
Part of the ‘Busby Babes’ which famously lifted the 1968 European Cup, Best could certainly live up to his fitting surname.
PeleUntil Messi arrived on the global stage, Pele was widely viewed as the best player ever to have laced up their boots. The prolific Brazilian struck over 600 times for Santos in his clinical career and guided his country to three emphatic World Cup victories.
Diego Maradona
Like so many Argentine’s before him, Messi was dubbed ‘the new Maradona’. But, after seemingly eclipsing his former international mentor, those new prospects coming through the country’s ranks are now being outlined as ‘the new Messi’ instead.
Maradona led his country to a 1986 World Cup triumph and netted over 500 goals during his club career with the likes of Napoli and Barcelona, making the number 10 jersey famous throughout the globe.
Samuel Eto’o
A former teammate of Messi at Barcelona for five seasons, Eto’o is undoubtedly the greatest footballer to have emerged from Africa.
The Cameroonian has an overflowing trophy cabinet, having secured Champions League wins with Inter Milan and the Catalan giants, as well as a double of African Cup of Nations wins and an Olympic gold medal from 2000.
Marco van Basten
This deadly Dutchman was one of the most exciting forwards to have graced the pitch, spending six prolific seasons at Ajax before becoming a true AC Milan great.
Despite failing to win the World Cup, Van Basten inspired the Netherlands to a 1988 European Champions victory, scoring one of the most extravagant goals ever seen in the final.
Gerd MullerLike Messi, Muller had an incredible sense of positional play, knowing exactly where the space would be and exploiting it continuously. A World Cup winner in 1974, the German netted an unbelievable 68 goals in 62 international outings, and over 600 club strikes, most of which came at Bayern.
Hugo SanchezThis magnificent Mexico marksman was a spectacular forward for club and country, slotting home 207 times for Los Blancos and finishing off 29 clinical efforts for his country. His former club Real are a 3/1 chance to retain their Champions League crown this term, and could really use a striker of Sanchez’s ability.
EusebioHaving struck a career total of 790 goals for club and country, this Portuguese poacher was simply sublime. Famous for his brilliant 15 years at Benfica, Eusebio won the European cup during his time with the Eagles and was rightfully awarded with the Ballon d’Or in 1965.
After the Argentine great’s latest magical exploits, on a night he became the all-time European goalscorer, the age-old debate rages on over who is the greatest of all-time? Messi is odds-on 1/3 favourite with Coral to win the 2015 Ballon d’Or following his delightful double.
Here are 10 other world-class forwards who could possibly claim that crown and rival Barcelona’s global superstar.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Whenever Messi grabs the headlines, this Real Madrid maestro is usually the one to steal back the spotlight. Ronaldo, like his Argentine counterpart, is a footballing freak, capable of virtually anything on the pitch with his amazing all-round attacking abilities.
Those that question this prolific pair’s inability to take the greatest ever acclaim due to an elusive World Cup triumph, only need to look as far as those special Champions League nights, where both stars produce countless moments of excellence. In particularly, against opposition who have lifted that coveted world accolade. Just ask Jerome Boateng.
When both greats eventually hang up their boots, the footballing world is doubtful of ever witnessing their like again, with Messi and Ronaldo setting unrivalled standards.
Ronaldo ‘The Phenomenon’, and original Ronaldo, embodied everything Brazilian football stands for, with his pace, power, skill and a clinical eye for goal. Having netted 15 World Cup goals, along with over 300 club strikes for some of Europe’s great teams, Brazil’s second-highest ever scorer is true goalscoring great.
George Best
Regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players ever, Best possessed a sensational balance on the ball, which allowed the ‘Belfast Boy’ to score some outrageous solo efforts.
Part of the ‘Busby Babes’ which famously lifted the 1968 European Cup, Best could certainly live up to his fitting surname.
PeleUntil Messi arrived on the global stage, Pele was widely viewed as the best player ever to have laced up their boots. The prolific Brazilian struck over 600 times for Santos in his clinical career and guided his country to three emphatic World Cup victories.
Diego Maradona
Like so many Argentine’s before him, Messi was dubbed ‘the new Maradona’. But, after seemingly eclipsing his former international mentor, those new prospects coming through the country’s ranks are now being outlined as ‘the new Messi’ instead.
Maradona led his country to a 1986 World Cup triumph and netted over 500 goals during his club career with the likes of Napoli and Barcelona, making the number 10 jersey famous throughout the globe.
Samuel Eto’o
A former teammate of Messi at Barcelona for five seasons, Eto’o is undoubtedly the greatest footballer to have emerged from Africa.
The Cameroonian has an overflowing trophy cabinet, having secured Champions League wins with Inter Milan and the Catalan giants, as well as a double of African Cup of Nations wins and an Olympic gold medal from 2000.
Marco van Basten
This deadly Dutchman was one of the most exciting forwards to have graced the pitch, spending six prolific seasons at Ajax before becoming a true AC Milan great.
Despite failing to win the World Cup, Van Basten inspired the Netherlands to a 1988 European Champions victory, scoring one of the most extravagant goals ever seen in the final.
Gerd MullerLike Messi, Muller had an incredible sense of positional play, knowing exactly where the space would be and exploiting it continuously. A World Cup winner in 1974, the German netted an unbelievable 68 goals in 62 international outings, and over 600 club strikes, most of which came at Bayern.
Hugo SanchezThis magnificent Mexico marksman was a spectacular forward for club and country, slotting home 207 times for Los Blancos and finishing off 29 clinical efforts for his country. His former club Real are a 3/1 chance to retain their Champions League crown this term, and could really use a striker of Sanchez’s ability.
EusebioHaving struck a career total of 790 goals for club and country, this Portuguese poacher was simply sublime. Famous for his brilliant 15 years at Benfica, Eusebio won the European cup during his time with the Eagles and was rightfully awarded with the Ballon d’Or in 1965.
