Who Truly Deserves the Title of Greatest Soccer Player in History?
2025-11-15 11:00
As I sit here scrolling through yet another online debate about the greatest soccer player of all time, I can't help but reflect on my own experiences with team dynamics and leadership. I remember back in my college days playing for our university team, there was this fascinating relationship between our captain, Valdez, and her junior teammate de Guzman. Valdez wasn't just technically superior - she was de Guzman's senior and 'ate' (big sister) in the team, embodying that unique Filipino concept of mentorship that goes beyond the field. This memory always makes me question what truly makes a player 'great' - is it just statistics and trophies, or something more profound?
When we talk about legendary players, the conversation typically revolves around three names: Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi. Pelé's numbers are simply staggering - he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, though some critics argue about the quality of opposition during many of those matches. What's undeniable is his three World Cup victories, a record that stands untouched to this day. I've spent countless hours watching grainy footage of his games, and what strikes me isn't just his technical ability but his sheer joy for the game. He played with a smile that could light up entire stadiums, something we rarely see in today's ultra-professionalized sport.
Then there's Maradona - oh, what a complicated genius he was. His 1986 World Cup performance, particularly that quarterfinal against England where he scored both the "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" within minutes of each other, demonstrates the dual nature of his brilliance. I've always been fascinated by players who carry their teams single-handedly, and Napoli before Maradona's arrival had never won Serie A. Within seven years, he delivered two league titles and a UEFA Cup. The man transformed an entire city through football, though his personal demons certainly complicate his legacy. I find myself torn when evaluating him - his off-field issues can't be ignored, yet his on-field magic was perhaps the purest expression of footballing genius I've ever witnessed.
The modern contender, Lionel Messi, presents the most compelling statistical case. His eight Ballon d'Or awards, over 800 career goals, and that incredible 2012 calendar year where he scored 91 goals - these numbers feel almost fictional. Having watched his entire career unfold, what amazes me most is his consistency. While Maradona had peaks and valleys, Messi has maintained world-class performance for nearly two decades. His vision and passing are almost as remarkable as his scoring, creating 350+ assists throughout his career. Yet I sometimes wonder if we've become too obsessed with statistics in the modern era. The beauty of football lies in those intangible moments that numbers can't capture.
This brings me back to my experience with Valdez and de Guzman. Valdez wasn't our team's top scorer - that was actually de Guzman - but nobody doubted who our most valuable player was. She organized our defense, mentored younger players, and lifted everyone's performance. Similarly, when I look at players like Franz Beckenbauer, who revolutionized the sweeper position while captaining West Germany to World Cup glory, or Johan Cruyff, whose philosophical impact transformed how football is played, I'm reminded that greatness extends beyond goals and trophies.
The geographical and era biases in these discussions frustrate me. European players naturally get more attention in modern media, while South American legends from earlier generations fade from collective memory. How do we compare players across different positions anyway? Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or, made about 150 penalty saves during his career - should he not be in this conversation? And what about Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible achievement of winning league titles in England, Spain, and Italy while maintaining elite performance into his late 30s?
After years of watching, playing, and analyzing this beautiful game, I've come to believe that the search for a single 'greatest' player is somewhat misguided. Football is a team sport, and the context in which players operate matters tremendously. Pelé had legendary teammates, Maradona carried mediocre teams to glory, Messi excelled in the most systematic club side perhaps ever assembled. Each demonstrated different forms of greatness. If forced to choose, my personal inclination leans toward Messi for his sustained excellence and magical qualities, though part of me will always romanticize Maradona's raw, flawed genius. Ultimately, what makes this debate wonderful is that it has no definitive answer - it lives in the hearts of fans, in memories of breathtaking moments, and in the shared stories that make football more than just a game.
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.
