In October 2024, Marca ranked football’s six greatest-ever players – but aside from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who else featured?
Messi, 37, and Ronaldo, 40, are often compared by fans and are widely considered to be the game’s two greatest-ever players – with 13 Ballon d’Or crowns – eight for Messi and five for Ronaldo - between them strengthening their case for GOAT status.
But who were the other four players included in MARCA’s list?
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Unsurprisingly, South American icons Pele and Diego Maradona were both included with the duo boasting four World Cup winners medals between them.
Messi took top spot in the list, with Ronaldo second, Pele was third but it was not Maradona in fourth.
Instead, the Spanish publication opted for former Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano.
Di Stefano, who died aged 88 in 2014, is widely considered to be one of Los Blancos’ greatest players having scored 306 goals in 392 appearances for the La Liga outfit between 1953 and 1964.
Maradona was then named in fifth place on Marca’s list with former Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands icon Johan Cruyff taking sixth position.
Marca wrote: “In the Big 6 all have an incredible track record. Messi has won more than anyone, which is why he has the honor of being recognized as the No. 1 of the No. 1s."
As a result, Messi received an award dubbed the 'MARCA America Award'.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate
With Ronaldo and Messi topping the list, what have the pair previously said about the GOAT debate?
"I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I'm in the top 10 goalscorers with their left foot in history," Ronaldo told El Chringuito TV earlier this year.
"And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them."
"I'm talking about numbers," he added. "I think I'm the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it's me.
"I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I'm fast, I'm strong.
"One thing is taste - if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that, and I respect that - but saying Ronaldo isn't complete...I'm the most complete. I haven't seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart."
Of course, there are stats which support both player's cases - although Messi has won the World Cup, with Ronaldo only tasting European success on the international stage when Portugal won Euro 2016.
So, what has Messi said on about the topic?
Well, the Inter Miami man has rarely directly answered questions regarding the GOAT debate but he did respond during an interview with PAPER in 2018.
"I don't consider myself the best, I think I am just another player," said Messi.
"On the field, we are all the same when the game begins."
Topics: Football, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Diego Maradona
Luke Davies