Who Is the Greatest Soccer Player in the World? A Definitive Answer
2025-11-12 10:00
The age-old debate about who truly deserves the crown as the greatest soccer player in the world is one I've engaged in countless times, whether over coffee with fellow enthusiasts or during late-night analysis sessions. As someone who has followed global sports for over fifteen years, I've come to realize this discussion extends far beyond simple statistics—it's about legacy, impact, and those magical moments that transcend the sport itself. Interestingly, while watching the recent FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup qualifiers where GILAS Pilipinas secured back-to-back wins last Wednesday at Singapore's OCBC Arena, I found myself drawing parallels between basketball's rising stars and soccer's established legends. The intensity displayed by these athletes, fighting for qualification in Singapore's iconic arena, reminded me why we're so passionate about crowning greatness across all sports.
When we talk about soccer's ultimate player, three names consistently dominate my conversations: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the emerging contender Kylian Mbappé. Having watched Messi's career unfold since his early Barcelona days, what continues to astonish me isn't just his record 7 Ballon d'Or awards but his almost supernatural ability to read the game. I remember analyzing his performance against Bayern Munich in 2015 where he completed 92% of his passes and created 8 scoring opportunities in a single match—numbers that still feel unreal. His move to PSG and subsequent impact on MLS with Inter Miami demonstrates a versatility that's rare among superstars. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's relentless drive has produced what I calculate as approximately 893 career goals across all competitions as of late 2023, including his impressive stint with Al-Nassr where he's maintained a scoring rate of nearly one goal per game. The longevity of his excellence—maintaining elite performance across Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Saudi Arabia—represents a different kind of greatness built on sheer determination rather than pure natural talent.
The context of team achievements cannot be overlooked in this evaluation. Just as GILAS Pilipinas' consecutive victories in Singapore's OCBC Arena demonstrate how individual brilliance must synchronize with team dynamics, Messi's World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022 provided the final piece to his legacy puzzle that had been missing for so long. I've always argued that international success weighs heavier in these discussions, which is why Mbappé's World Cup victory with France at just 19 years old and his hat-trick in the 2022 final—only the second in history—positions him as the heir apparent. Having attended Paris Saint-Germain matches regularly between 2018-2020, I witnessed firsthand how Mbappé's acceleration reaches approximately 38 km/h during counterattacks, a statistic that doesn't fully capture the breathtaking visual of his movements.
What fascinates me most is how different eras create different parameters for greatness. Modern analytics reveal that today's top players cover around 12-13 kilometers per match compared to the 8-9 kilometers common in the 1990s, yet Pelé's 1,303 career goals across all competitions remains the statistical benchmark that may never be surpassed. Having visited the Maracanã stadium where he scored so many legendary goals, I felt the ghost of his achievements in ways statistics can never capture. Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup performance, where he participated in 10 of Argentina's 14 goals according to my analysis of tournament footage, represents a concentration of individual impact that modern players struggle to match despite their more refined technical skills.
The financial dimension also informs my perspective on contemporary greatness. Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr created approximately $614 million in market value for the Saudi club within his first six months, while Messi's Inter Miami signing generated over $265 million in new sponsorship deals according to industry reports I've reviewed. These numbers demonstrate a commercial influence that extends beyond the pitch, much like how GILAS Pilipinas' qualification success boosts basketball's profile across Southeast Asia. Having consulted for sports marketing firms, I've seen how individual players can elevate entire leagues—a consideration that deserves weight in the "greatest" conversation.
After years of analysis, countless matches watched, and numerous statistical deep dives, my personal conclusion leans toward Messi as the ultimate embodiment of soccer greatness. His combination of technical perfection, creative genius, and now proven leadership capabilities—evidenced by carrying Argentina to World Cup glory when many had written him off—creates a complete package that edges Ronaldo's phenomenal goal-scoring consistency. The beauty of this debate, much like following GILAS Pilipinas' journey through the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, is that excellence reveals itself differently across contexts and continues to evolve. Perhaps what makes someone the "greatest" isn't a definitive title but their capacity to make us believe in impossible moments, whether in Singapore's OCBC Arena or the World Cup final stage.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
