AI settles GOAT debate and it's not Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi

Artificial intelligence has determined who is the greatest player of all time with neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo claiming the top ranking.

While fans of a younger variety have long debated over who is better between Messi and Ronaldo, ChatGPT has come up with a definitive answer over who is the best player of all time, with neither modern great claiming top spot.

Here are the top 10 greatest players of all time according to the AI, via The Mirror.

10. Ferenc Puskas

Puskas scored some 625 goals at club level, whilst he also notched 84 times for his native Hungary, whose football was at that time the envy of the world.

He joined Real Madrid in 1958 and went on to win five league titles and three European Cups. Moreover, Puskas sits sixth in the club’s all-time top scorers list.

9. George Best

Despite his personal demons, George Best is regarded among Manchester United’s best-ever wingers, characterised by balletic runs on the pitch, and a playboy lifestyle off it.

8. Zinedine Zidane

The France midfielder was known for his elegance on the ball and ability to step up in the most high-stakes moments.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star netted a spectacular volley in the 2002 Champions League final and nodded in a brace of goals in the 1998 World Cup with France.

7. Franz Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer, the only defender on the list, redefined what it meant to play in central defence, trademarking the “sweeper” role.

He was crucial in West Germany’s World Cup triumph, while he claimed four Bundesliga titles and three European cups with Bayern Munich.

6. Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano assembled one of the most prolific strike forces in football history with Puskas at Real.

The Spaniard claimed 480 club career goals and helped Real Madrid establish a period of dominance in the 1950s and 1960s.

5. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff had successful spells with Barcelona and Ajax, winning no less than ten league titles and three European Cups.

He also won the Ballon d'Or three times and was a proponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football developed by the Netherlands manager Rinus Michels.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been a dominant force for the likes of United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, having claimed five Ballon d’Ors.

Moreover, the forward sits at the top of Real Madrid's all-time top scorers list with 450 goals, won five Champions League and claimed a European championship with Portugal.

3. Lionel Messi

Messi, who has won a record seven Ballon d’Or’s, achieved remarkable success with Barcelona before moving to Saint-Germain.

Moreover, his crowning moment came last December as he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.

2. Diego Maradona

Like Messi, Maradona spearheaded Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, while he led Napoli to the Scudetto.

The South American's game was characterised by creativity, dribbling and mastery of the dark arts.

1. Pele

Fans of a certain generation have long claimed Pele as the greatest footballer of all time, having won the World Cup on three occasions, and scored over 1,000 goals - although that claim has been disputed.

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