Simulation proves who's the real GOAT out of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Pele

A simulation has 'proven' who is the real GOAT of football out of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Pele.

The four players are considered to be the four greatest players to have played the game thanks to their incredible achievements and the legacies they've been able to create.

When it comes to individual prizes, Messi is clear of Cristiano Ronaldo with eight Ballon d'Or wins to five - though it's worth noting that neither Maradona or Pele won the award as non-European players did not qualify for it during the prime of their careers.

They did both get their hands on the World Cup though, with Messi lifting the ultimate trophy in football 36 years on from Maradona's triumph. Pele was a three-time winner, while Ronaldo never tasted World Cup success but did captain Portugal to the European Championship in 2016.

There are of course different opinions on who really is the best ever but EA Sports FC YouTuber Ramman decided to settle the debate by doing a simulation using the video game's career mode to see which player out of Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo and Messi would be the most successful.

Messi and Ronaldo are active players in career mode, while Pele appears as an in-game icon. Maradona used to be an icon, but was removed from the game after he passed away in 2022 and has not yet been re-added.

You can watch the video below.

As part of his simulation, the YouTuber added Ronaldo and Messi to the Real Madrid squad, before creating custom characters for Pele and Maradona and placing them in Barcelona's squad.

In season one, Real Madrid won La Liga, while Messi netted 26 goals and provided 19 assists. But it was Ronaldo who won the inaugural Ballon d'Or.

In season two, both clubs won a trophy - but Real lost in the Champions League final.

Maradona, meanwhile, smashed in 47 goals and provided nine assists, with Pele scoring 30 goals of his own. Unsurprisingly, it was the Napoli icon that scooped the Ballon d'Or.

He then won the next two Ballon d'Or prizes as he continued to dominate world football.

In season five, Real won the Champions League with Messi and Ronaldo - but it was Pele who won the Ballon d'Or.

Barca would miss out on the Champions League in season six, before Argentina and Portugal drew each other at the World Cup. Ronaldo put on a player of the match display as Portugal won 3-1, before going on to win the World Cup.

Maradona, though, scooped another Ballon d'Or, seemingly solidifying his virtual status as the greatest player of all time ahead of Ronaldo, Messi and Pele.