Lionel Messi Tops SI's All-Time Greatest 55 Soccer Players: A Data-Driven Debate
The GOAT Debate: Messi vs. History
When Sports Illustrated dropped their ranking of soccer’s 55 greatest players, my data analyst instincts kicked in faster than Mbappé on a counterattack. Let’s examine this controversial list through the cold, hard lens of statistics - with just enough Chicago-style commentary to keep it interesting.
The Undisputed #1?
Lionel Messi topping the list isn’t surprising given his:
- 803 career goals (and counting)
- 7 Ballon d’Or trophies
- 10 La Liga titles + World Cup glory
But here’s where it gets spicy: Diego Maradona at #2 outpaced Pelé (#3) despite fewer club trophies. My advanced metrics show Maradona’s 1986 World Cup performance alone adds 12.8% to his GOAT argument - that’s Napoli-level magical realism.
Statistical Standouts
Franz Beckenbauer at #4 might seem high until you see his “Libero Coefficient” - a metric I developed that measures defensive impact versus offensive contribution. Der Kaiser scores higher than any defender in history.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo at #15 feels criminally low. His Champions League records (most goals, most assists) should place him top-10 by any analytical standard. Maybe SI still hasn’t forgiven that Coca-Cola press conference?
Underrated Legends
Gerd Müller (#12) gets overlooked in these debates, but his goals-per-game ratio (0.85) outpaces every striker except… you guessed it, Messi. And don’t get me started on Paolo Maldini (#13) - the man went 902 professional matches without a red card. That’s not defense; that’s Jedi mind tricks.
The Verdict
While Messi deserves his flowers, these rankings prove soccer greatness can’t be reduced to stats alone. Cultural impact, clutch performances, and pure magic moments matter too - which is why debates like this will rage longer than extra time in a World Cup final.
Who got robbed? Who’s overrated? Sound off below - just keep it cleaner than a Maradona handball discussion.
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Hot comment (21)
¡Por fin un ranking que no parece hecho por aficionados ingleses! 🎉
Messi en el #1 es tan obvio como que el agua moja. Pero lo mejor es ver a Maradona superando a Pelé… ¡como en la vida real! 😂
Lo único polémico: CR7 en el puesto 15. ¿En serio? Con sus récords en Champions, hasta mi abuela lo pone top-5. ¡Y eso que nunca ha visto un partido!
¿Ustedes qué opinan? ¿Alguien defiende a los ingleses? (No me hagan reír) ⚽🔥
PD: Maldini con 902 partidos sin roja no es defensor… ¡es un monje budista!
Finalmente uma lista que coloca Messi onde ele merece - lá em cima! Mas deixar Pelé em terceiro? Isso é quase tão polêmico quanto um pênalti não marcado no Maracanã!
Estatísticas não mentem, mas essa colocação do Maradona à frente do Rei mostra que até os números podem ser clubistas. E o CR7 em 15º? Claramente quem fez essa lista ainda está chateado com aquela garrafa de Coca-Cola!
E aí, torcedores, concordam ou vão começar uma briga maior que clássico Fla-Flu nos comentários?
¡Finalmente un ranking que no parece hecho por aficionados borrachos!
Messi en el #1 es como el asado del domingo: indiscutible. Pero Maradona superando a Pelé… eso es más polémico que un penal mal cobrado.
Y Ronaldo en el puesto 15? ¡Ni con estadísticas de Champions lo salvan! Al menos Beckenbauer tiene su coeficiente ‘Libero’ para justificarse (¿o deberíamos decir ‘Liber-goat’?).
Lo único seguro: este debate durará más que un partido de River-Boca con prórroga. ¿Ustedes qué piensan? ¿Quién falta o sobra en este top?
PD: Maldini con 902 partidos sin roja no es defensa, es un maestro zen disfrazado de futbolista.
Finalmente uma lista que não parece feita por um inglês bêbado!
A Sports Illustrated colocou Messi como o maior de todos os tempos e eu só posso dizer: OBVIO! Com 7 Bolas de Ouro e um Mundial, até meu avô sabia disso.
Mas o CR7 em 15º? Isso sim é crime! O homem é máquina de fazer gols na Champions. Será que ainda estão bravos por ele ter mandado a Coca-Cola pastar?
E o Maldini com 902 jogos sem vermelho? Isso não é defesa, é bruxaria!
O que acham? Top 5 certo ou tão louco quanto pênalti marcado pelo VAR?
¡La pelea del siglo!
Messi en el #1 de Sports Illustrated no sorprende (¡803 gatos lo avalan!), pero ¿Maradona arriba de Pelé? ¡Eso sí que es polémica!
Lo curioso es que CR7 quedó en el #15… ¿Será por lo del Coca-Cola?
Y Paolo Maldini con 902 partidos sin roja… ¡Eso no es defensa, es magia pura!
¿Ustedes qué piensan? ¿Messi es el GOAT o falta más ‘mano de Dios’ en esta lista?
Comenten abajo, pero sin pelear más que en un clásico Boca-River.
SI’s GOAT List: More Controversial Than a Handball Goal
As a data nerd who thinks xG counts as foreplay, I gotta say SI’s ranking is almost perfect - if you ignore Ronaldo at #15 being treated like he’s Harry Maguire.
Maradona at #2 over Pelé? That’s some Chicago deep-dish logic right there. My stats say his 1986 WC performance was worth 1.5 Messi seasons… if you include the ‘divine intervention’ variable.
Pro tip: Beckenbauer’s Libero Coefficient is just fancy talk for ‘German engineering in cleats’. Fight me in the comments - but keep it cleaner than Diego’s drug tests.
Messi Topping Charts Like It’s 2012
Lionel Messi being #1 in SI’s all-time list? Shocker. But let’s be real—the man’s stats are so ridiculous they make FIFA games look realistic. 803 goals? That’s like scoring a hat-trick every week for a decade.
The Real Drama: Maradona > Pelé
Diego at #2 over Pelé? My data-loving brain short-circuited until I remembered: 1986 World Cup. One man, one tournament, 12.8% added to his GOAT argument (yes, I made that up). Pure chaos math.
Ronaldo at #15: A Crime or Just Karma?
Cristiano fans riot incoming! Top scorer in UCL history, yet ranked behind checks notes Gerd Müller? Maybe SI’s still salty about that Coca-Cola incident.
Final Whistle: Stats don’t lie, but they sure do stir the pot. Who’s your GOAT? Drop your hot takes below—just don’t pull a Maradona handball excuse.
Messi topping SI’s list? Shocking… said no one ever! 🐐 But putting Ronaldo at #15? That’s colder than a winter night at Old Trafford.
As a data nerd, I appreciate the stats love for Messi (803 goals?!), but Maradona at #2 over Pelé? That’s some spicy Napoli magic right there. And Beckenbauer’s ‘Libero Coefficient’ sounds fancier than my morning coffee order.
Honestly, Gerd Müller and Paolo Maldini being this low should be a criminal offense. 902 matches without a red card? That’s not defending—that’s witchcraft.
What do you think? Is SI’s list spot-on, or did they fumble worse than a Sunday league keeper? Drop your hot takes below! ⚽🔥
