Top 10 greatest 'big game' players ranked as Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate settled
The top 10 greatest 'big game' players have been ranked with some huge names included.
Over the years, many players have made a name for themselves by producing the goods at a vital time.
For example, in 2005, Steven Gerrard ignited Liverpool's comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan, with the Reds eventually winning the Champions League on penalties.
Meanwhile, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos have all stepped up when their teams needed them the most.
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Now, the greatest big game players have been named. GiveMeSport used four key factors in deciding the top 10 - consistency in high-stakes matches, impact on outcomes, composure under pressure and trophies/silverware.
According to their list, Argentina legend Messi is the greatest big game player of all time, having netted 26 El Clasico goals against Real Madrid during his time with Barcelona.
The current Inter Miami star also played a key role in Argentina's road to World Cup glory in 2022.
Messi was followed by Ronaldo, who narrowly missed out on the top spot.
The Portuguese has scored some vital goals in his career and has been previously labelled as Mr Champions League after netting four goals across six finals.
Liverpool great Gerrard rounded off the top three, having scored in arguably the greatest Champions League final of all time back in 2005.
Gerrard also scored a last-gasp equaliser in the 2006 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won on penalties.
Missing out on the top three were the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Didier Drogba.
Spaniard Iniesta came in clutch to score Spain's World Cup-winning goal in 2010, while Drogba was on hand to head in Chelsea's equaliser in the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich before scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.
Top 10 'big game players' ranked
Here are the 10 greatest big game players according to GiveMeSport:
- Lionel Messi - Argentina
- Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
- Steven Gerrard - England
- Andres Iniesta - Spain
- Sergio Ramos - Spain
- Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast
- Alfredo Di Stefano - Italy
- Zinedine Zidane - France
- Franco Baresi - Italy
- Gerd Muller - Germany
Topics: Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Football
Marcus Chan