Sports

Ronaldo Nazario Named The 8 Greatest Players in Football History

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2026

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Who is the greatest player of all time? It’s a question that has been asked for many, many years. The answer tends to be either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, with the two superstars winning 13 Ballons d’Or between them. They have dominated football for an entire generation. Before them, though, there were Pele and Diego Maradona. The two South Americans dominated the sport during their era and are still in the GOAT conversation despite the emergence of Messi and Ronaldo.

While everyone has an opinion on the best players in the world, the opinions of those who have reached the pinnacle of football just hold a little bit more weight. That’s why it’s so interesting to hear from Ronaldo Nazario – the Brazilian Ronaldo – who named eight players who he thinks are in a ‘very special’ group among the greatest players of all time during an interview with The Guardian in 2022. And he didn’t include Cristiano in that.

While there can be no arguments over the players included, there are some notable absentees on Ronaldo’s list. How can he possibly exclude the Portuguese talisman? The likes of Michel Platini, Alfredo Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane, George Best and Ferenc Puskas will all feel hard done by not being mentioned. But who are we to argue with the opinion of someone who has played at the very highest level and is one of the greatest strikers to have lived? So, let’s take a look at the eight players he did include – and why they deserve to be in the GOAT debate.

Diego Maradona

Argentina – Attacking midfielder

Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest to have played the game. The Argentine played in four World Cups and led his nation to victory in 1986. His greatest achievement at club level was at Napoli, who he inspired to their first-ever Serie A title in 1986/87.

They won their second a few years later. If you’re to walk around Naples, you will see Maradona merchandise and graffiti down almost every street. He’s remembered as a god in the city and for every reason. He was a larger-than-life character who was capable of producing magic with the ball at his feet. Remember that goal against England? Incredible.

Diego Maradona’s career statistics
Appearances	435
Goals	194
Assists	134

Lionel Messi

Argentina – Forward

From one Argentine legend to another. While Maradona may be considered one of the best, Messi might just be the best. The Inter Miami man has won everything he could possibly get his hands on and his 2022 World Cup triumph may well have secured his GOAT status. There are too many records and accolades to speak about but 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona goes some way to explaining his brilliance.

20 Greatest Barcelona Players in History [Ranked]

Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario all feature among Barcelona’s greatest ever players.

But Messi simply isn’t about goals. Yes, he may go down as the greatest goalscorer of all time, but he’ll also go down as the greatest playmaker, the greatest dribbler and surely the greatest player of all time. No one has won the Ballon d’Or more than his incredible tally of eight.

Lionel Messi’s career statistics
Appearances	1180
Goals	922
Assists	454

Johan Cruyff

Netherlands – Attacking midfielder

He may not be considered the very best, but Johan Cruyff is surely the most influential and revolutionary footballer ever. The Dutchman won three Ballons d’Or in 1971, 1973, and 1974, establishing himself as an Ajax and Barcelona legend. He’s also responsible for inventing the ‘Cruyff’ turn – a skill that is still widely used in modern football as a way to skillfully beat defenders.

Creating your own move is enough to earn a legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and it wasn’t just on the pitch where he thrived. His managing career wasn’t bad either for both of those clubs, becoming one of the best managers of all time, too.

Johan Cruyff’s career statistics
Appearances	599
Goals	335
Assists	221

Franz Beckenbauer

Germany – Defender

The greatest defender of all time? Well, Ronaldo appears to think so, with Beckenbauer being the only defensive-minded player to feature in his list of seven. But the German is fully deserving of his place. Beckenbauer is credited with inventing the ‘modern sweeper’ role and is one of just nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cup and the Ballon d’Or.

10 Greatest ‘Rolls Royce’ Centre-Backs in Football History [Ranked]

William Saliba does not make the cut, yet.

He played almost 600 times for Bayern Munich, winning everything there was to win. Never before had there been a force at the back quite as dominant as Beckenbauer, and he truly was the peak version of what a defender could be.

Franz Beckenbauer’s career statistics
Appearances	724
Goals	88
Assists	85

Pele

Brazil – Forward

As Ronaldo said, you “can’t compare generations.” And he’s right. How good was Pele? There aren’t too many people alive who can say they watched Pele in his prime and remember just how good he was. We don’t even know how many goals he scored.

The figures are often disputed but FIFA state the Brazilian scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games. What we do know is that he won three World Cups for Brazil and is a Santos legend. His impact on the game was absolutely tremendous and, considering the level of players that he inspired and influenced in the years since, it’s hard to deny just how important he’s been to football.

Pele’s career statistics
Appearances	1363
Goals	1281

Marco van Basten

Netherlands – Forward

Marco van Basten is regarded as one of the best strikers ever – and that’s despite playing his final match at the age of 28 following an ankle injury. He won the Ballon d’Or on three occasions – 1988, 1989 and 1992. He also won three Eredivisie titles and the Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax, and four Serie A titles and three European Cups with AC Milan.

It wasn’t just at club level where he thrived, though. For the Netherlands, he scored 24 goals and helped them win Euro 1988 in a tournament where he scored five goals – including that volley against the Soviet Union in the final. Just imagine how much more we could have gotten if he hadn’t been forced to retire so early.

Marco van Basten’s career statistics
Appearances	431
Goals	301
Assists	92

Ronaldinho

Brazil – Winger

Ronaldinho is rarely mentioned in the GOAT debate, but there can be no denying how uniquely brilliant the Brazilian was. At his peak, he was the best in the world, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005. It was simply a joy to watch Ronaldinho during those 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons at Barcelona.

Smiling his way through world-class performances and match-winning moments. One of the most skilful players in history. He would do things with a football that we’d never seen before and while his peak wasn’t quite as long as some of the other players on this list, it was certainly one of the most impressive for what we got.

Ronaldinho’s career statistics
Appearances	643
Goals	180
Assists	151

Ronaldo Nazario

Brazil – Forward

Ronaldo picked himself as one of the eight greatest players of all time. And, you know what? We don’t blame him. We’re going to defend Ronaldo for his ego trip because he was one of the greatest strikers ever. He was the first real superstar in football with those Nike Mercurial Vapors and blistering pace, Ronaldo was almost impossible to stop. That was until those devastating knee injuries threatened to derail his career.

At 20, Ronaldo had the world at his feet following a move from PSV to Barcelona for a world record fee. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year. A year later, he broke the transfer record again when Inter signed him, and he became the youngest recipient of the Ballon d’Or when he claimed it at 21. 59 goals in 99 appearances for Inter Milan earned him a move to Real Madrid, where a further 104 goals were scored. He finished his career at AC Milan and Corinthians before injuries finally took their toll. But what a player.

Ronaldo’s career statistics
Appearances	553
Goals	360
Assists	108

Statistics via Transfermarkt and FIFA.com (Correct as of 25/06/26)

Sports

Guillermo Ochoa Wears Special Shirt in Mexico vs Czechia

Published

6 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

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Guillermo Ochoa has been a regular in Mexico squads for two decades, but his appearance off the bench against the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Cup was likely his international farewell.

The veteran shot-stopper came on late, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned six World Cup call-ups. He may have kept a 15-minute clean sheet in his cameo appearance, but something on his shirt caught the attention of some eagle-eyed fans.

Ochoa was sporting the new FIFA “Legacy” patch, reserved for players who’ve featured in five or more tournaments. The trouble is, the numbers don’t quite add up.

Why Ochoa’s Legacy Patch has Raised Questions

FIFA introduced the legacy patch this year to mark out the players who’ve made the World Cup feel like home, names such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo among them. Ochoa, named in six consecutive squads stretching back to 2006, looked a natural fit for the honour.

Except being named in a squad isn’t the same as playing in one. Ochoa was an unused substitute throughout the entirety of the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, never once stepping onto the pitch. FIFA’s own guidelines are clear that the patch is meant for players with genuine on-field minutes across five separate editions, not simply squad inclusions.

15 Greatest Mexico Players in Football History [Ranked]

From Hugo Sanchez to Javier Hernandez, Mexico have developed a host of stars.

By that measure, Ochoa has only actually played in four World Cups: 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026, still an impressive feat, but not one that qualifies him for the patch.

What This Means For Mexico’s Goalkeeping Great

None of this is likely to bother Ochoa much. At 40, he’s already confirmed his status as one of Mexico’s most beloved players, famous for his acrobatic saves and his habit of frustrating bigger nations on the biggest stage. He won’t feel as though he requires a commemorative badge to rubber-stamp it.

Whether a patch technically belongs on his shirt or not, his place in World Cup folklore isn’t going anywhere.

Lionel Messi Diet, Exercise & Workout Routine

Lionel Messi is indisputably the GOAT when it comes to football, winning titles and breaking records wherever he goes, but how does he do it?

Still, the mix-up does highlight the slightly messy rollout of FIFA’s new initiative. If the governing body wants the legacy patch to mean something, a quick look at the eligibility criteria might be in order before the next batch of kits is rolled out.

Sports

Man Utd Make Fresh Contact For Alex Scott

Published

30 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

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Manchester United have made fresh enquiries over a move for Alex Scott this summer, according to TeamTalk, as the Old Trafford outfit continue their pursuit of a new midfielder.

There is an expectation that the Red Devils could sign up to three central options in the transfer window, with a deal for Ederson already agreed as the first arrival.

One of the other two expected signings is set to be the marquee arrival, with money set aside to spend big on a star who will anchor the midfield for years to come.

Plenty of links have emerged, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes the most prominent options, but a move for Scott appears to be on the cards for Man United.

Alex Scott To Man United Transfer Latest

Alex Scott has emerged as a transfer target for Man United, as the England international appears to be gaining plenty of interest from top sides in the Premier League.

After an impressive season with Bournemouth, the Red Devils appear keen on a deal, as TeamTalk reports that the club have recently made fresh enquiries over a switch.

Scott has been valued at £80 million in some reports, as the team on the south coast face a battle to keep hold of their star player, who has been described as “amazing”, with the years on his contract dwindling.

However, despite the growing pressure to potentially sell the 22-year-old, the report from TeamTalk claims that Bournemouth are insisting that they won’t allow for an exit this summer.

New Cherries boss Marco Rose is believed to have told the hierarchy that he doesn’t want to lose the midfielder, and intends to go into next season with the star in his team.

It comes as the latest frustration for Man United in their ongoing pursuit of another midfielder, with challenges arising over a few of their other transfer options.

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Man United’s Midfield Struggles

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks on after Premier League win against Nottingham Forest

Manchester United will be left frustrated with how their approach to the midfield options on the transfer market has gone so far this summer.

While a deal for Ederson has been wrapped up quickly, it seems as though ground has been lost to Tottenham in the race to sign both Tonali and Fernandes.

Man Utd Begin Talks to Sign £130m Superstar With Swap Deal Mooted

Manchester United are lining up a huge statement signing for Michael Carrick

Other options, such as Aurelien Tchouameni may prove costly and tough to get over the line, while Scott is the latest player to be seemingly ruled out for a move as it stands.

The Red Devils may need to dig deeper into their scouting pool to find their next top option, with others seemingly being ruled out one by one.

Sports

Predicted Starting XIs for World Cup Group I Match

Published

52 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

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One of the most exciting games at this year’s FIFA World Cup thus far takes place on Friday when France meets Norway in the final matchday of Group I. The European nations collide at Gillette Stadium, battling to top their group.

Erling Haaland and the Vikings have lived up to their billing as dark horses with a 4-1 win over Iraq and a 3-2 victory against Senegal. Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus have looked the real deal, beating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0.

It means the Norwegians will be eyeing victory over the French to steal first place in their group. Both countries are already through to the Round of 32.

Match:	Information:
Date	Friday, June 26, 2026
Kick-off Time	15:00 EDT Local Time (20:00 BST)
Venue	Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough
Competition	FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I (Matchday 3)
Referee	Michael Oliver (English)

Norway

Stale Solbakken’s men sealed their place in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal. Manchester City striker Haaland was at the double as his side made it six points from their two opening games.

Norway can really put the cat amongst the pigeons with a win over favourites France and finish at the top of Group I. That will be a tough ask, though, as they haven’t beaten the two-time world champions since August 2010.

Team News

Solbakken is likely to be without Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, who picked up a thigh injury in the win over Senegal. That will be one change that has to be made, and it will force their manager to rotate for the first time at this World Cup.

Torbjorn Heggem’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the game after coming off late on against Senegal. That might mean Solbakken tinkers with his defence, but Haaland will undoubtedly continue to lead the line, having bagged four goals in two games.

Predicted Starting 11

There should be two changes to Norway’s backline, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who scored against Senegal, replacing Ryerson. Leo Ostigard could come in for Heggem as he did at the end of their win over the Senegalese.

Haaland should be joined by Antonio Nusa in attack, as well as Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, to give Alexander Sorloth a rest. Solbakken will want to field a team that can spring a surprise and beat France.

Expected XI: Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa

France

Of the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, France are looking the strongest side. A slightly underwhelming first-half performance against Senegal aside, they have been superb, and Mbappe is in red-hot form.

Mbappe, like Haaland, has found the net four times in two games, and he’s not the only French attacker shining. Les Bleus are currently top of Group I, ahead of Norway with a superior goal difference of just one.

Team News

Deschamps will miss the game against Norway after the death of his mother, leaving his assistant Guy Stephan to lead the team. He will have to decide which of Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking pair, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, should start.

Manchester United-linked Aurelien Tchouameni lost his place in midfield to Manu Kone in the victory over Iraq. He might have a fight on his hands to reclaim it, as well as Theo Hernandez, whom Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne displaced at left-back.

Predicted Starting 11

William Saliba returned and played the full 90 minutes in the win against Iraq, and he should keep his place against Norway. Digne fared well in that game and could get the nod over Hernandez again.

Kone’s performance earned praise, and he may have done enough to continue in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot. In attack, Barcola has outperformed Doue thus far and should get a chance to prove he deserves to be a starter.

Expected XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe