Modern football is a sport that is widely acknowledged and enjoyed by people worldwide. Ever since modern-day football entered the scene in the 19th century, it has provided countless memories worth remembering. Interestingly, a fascinating, innocent query has always found itself in the spotlight alongside the rich history: who is the king of football?
Needless to say, football fans around the world have their own opinions on this. Some believe it’s Pele, while others think it’s Maradona, and many are battling over Messi and Ronaldo. So, who truly merits the moniker? The answer is a touch complicated, but we assure to simplify that for you in the coming minutes.
Table of Contents
Qualities That Make Someone the True “King of Football”
Before getting into the debate, we must address a few grounds. Nobody can deny that the number of football players is enormous, and the same is growing each day. That being said, the potential candidates for being the football king in the world are pretty substantial. However, it is critical to understand that reaching a fairer conclusion is only possible when we work around a specific set of criteria. The criteria in question are the qualities that define whether or not a player is eligible to be designated as the king.
Passion & Drive
Passion and willingness for the game is a powerful trait that significantly reflects who is the king of football. It is something that enables a player to engage in the game most dedicatedly. The specific sense makes them feel satisfied while avoiding the occurrences of experiencing destructive emotions during the process.
People who are passionate about an activity usually devote a number of hours to it each week. They are also likely to continue doing so for years. The calculation is pretty much the same for footballers. Passion and success are synonymous, especially when we talk about sportsmen who have left their mark.
Individual Brilliance Blended With Team Chemistry
Individual brilliance is often lauded, and for good reasons. However, there is no denying that collective play makes a football team great. Individual brilliance made players talismanic in the early years of the sport. Teams featured an individual element in addition to individual excellence. One player’s individual brilliance may have contributed to his team’s victory, but it would have failed without the team’s collective strength. Individual brilliance and the ability to formulate with the team are just enough to make someone the football king.
The Creative Corner
Creativity is a potent instrument for personal development. It can motivate anyone to become a better version of themselves. The same also helps break free from the routine and boredom of your regular employment. Scenes are not too different when we are concerned about a sportsman.
For those unaware, creativity is something that can get you out of the office and exposes you to fresh stimuli. Needless to say, both are beneficial to your mind, body, and soul. It can help you become more aware of your surroundings and develop new skills and views. It is crucial how the king of football gets away thinking in and out of the field. Believe it or not, the same thing affects long-term performance.
Creativity is not always innate, however. It can be taught. A study of football goals scored by top-tier clubs and teams revealed that teams with higher levels of creativity had more successful outcomes. That’s something pretty evident, isn’t that?
Mindset
The mentality of a footballer is an important factor to consider while uncovering who is the football king. Psychologists believe that the top players are able to retain dedication and effort over time. This approach also gives players a higher appreciation for the game, which aids in their improvement as a player.
Longevity
Admit it! There are tons of players who looked promising up front but just faded away to nothingness. They were more like a one-time event that failed to produce the necessary spark. Do you think they even deserve to feature on the probable football kings list? Not really.
When we talk about the king of the game, we look up to someone who has served his team countless times. Not just with skills or physical abilities, they have mentally contributed to an extent many would still fail.
That’s enough criteria to consider. Now let’s uncover who is the football king in the world. Intending to keep things in balance, we’ve listed a total of 5 footballers who deserve to be called the king of football. Justifying all the mentioned standards, these players have claimed the right to sit at the apex.
Pele – King of Football
As many would have guessed, we’ve got the Brazilian magician Pele at the number one spot. To date, he remains to live in the hearts of football fans as a legendary soccer player who dominated the game during the 1950s and 1960s. Thanks to what he has portrayed on and off the field, Pele is recognized as one of the best players of all time. He was a celebrated midfielder whose distinct playing style incorporated agility, speed, and technical abilities. A total package in all senses! His footwork and vision allowed him to score goals with ease and precision.
Pele was designated a Brazilian national treasure after winning the World Cup in 1958. Interestingly, the event prevented Pele from joining the then-great European clubs. But the same never halted the jaw-dropping run of play. The Brazilian went on to score 1,000 goals in more than 900 first-class appearances. The numbers do speak for his ability, don’t they?
Pele’s goal-scoring record is top-notch. The Brazilian scored five goals or more six times. In addition, he scored three or more goals in 92 games. His total goal total hit 100 three times. The world is still in awe of this great soccer player.
Pele is arguably the most fitting answer to who is the king of football in the world. His style of play changed the game forever and transcended national boundaries. While most people associate soccer with nationalism, Pele fought against this and made soccer a truly global game. The great Brazilian player became an ambassador for soccer, bringing the game to the attention of many countries. He was named one of the “greatest” football players by FIFA and was one of the most successful sports figures of the 20th century. Pele’s passion for his art propelled him to the top of the sport. Whether you like soccer or not, you’ve probably heard of Pele.
Pele: Career Statistics
| Matches Played | Goals Scored | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Penalties Scored |
| National: 92
Clubs: 700 Overall: Near 800 |
National: 77
Clubs: 655 Overall: 700+ |
350+ | 0 | 0 |
International: 7 |
Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was a football player and manager from Argentina. He is considered one of the top players in the game’s history, and there are a bunch of reasons for the same. Whether you consider goals scored for the clubs or the assists provided, numbers reflecting Maradona’s achievement rest on the higher end. Aside from spectacular figures, Maradona catered a long list of memorable moments that are worth reliving time and again.
Diego Maradona was a legendary football player noted for his remarkable ability to generate goal chances. His abilities assisted his club teams in winning titles across the world, including the likes of Spain, Italy, and Argentina. Diego’s dribbling and passing abilities were unrivaled. His propensity to score goals earned him multiple awards, including FIFA Player of the Century.
Note: Maradona was the first person to be named FIFA’s Best Player in both the U20 and senior circuits. Two people currently hold this achievement. While one is Diego himself, the other is another living legend we will discuss later.
It comes as no surprise that it is his accomplishments that have made him a soccer icon. In fact, Maradona’s tale is so great that many Argentines regard him as a God. Even after his demise, he continues to live as a national hero and his country’s idol. His extraordinary playing abilities earned him the title of “the best footballer in history.” While many considered him the greatest player of all time, a portion considered his flaws as proof of his humanity. Regardless of anything, the way he played will always be synonymous with the brilliance of sport and its legend.
Diego Maradona: Career Statistics
|
Matches Played |
Goals Scored | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Penalties Scored | Minutes Played |
| National: 91
Clubs: 491 Overall: 589 |
National: 34
Clubs: 259 Overall: 310 |
220+ | 19 | 4 | 90 |
29718+ |
Lionel Messi
When we speak of skills, one name that seems to outrun all others in this list is the Argentine maestro Lionel Messi. Having initiated the journey in the footprints of the Great Maradona, Leo Messi grabbed the apex position in no time. The number of sparkling moments crafted by Messi is countless. Irrespective of whether someone considers Messi the Greatest of All Time, one thing is certain: everyone admires what Messi brings to the field. Watching this guy play is a paradise for any sports lover.
Leonel Messi, nicknamed “The Flea,” made his club debut for Spanish superpower FC Barcelona in 2003. At the time, he was only 17 years old, making him the third youngest player in Barcelona history. Leo may be third in that category, but his first goal made him the club’s youngest player ever to score. Since that day, there has been no looking back.
Neither words nor figures can adequately depict Leo and his abilities. More than 700 club goals, hundreds of international goals, four World Cups, seven Ballon D’or, multiple “Man of the Match” awards, and the list goes on. As previously stated, he is the only player, along with his idol Maradona, to have been named FIFA’s Best Player for both the U20 and senior circuits.
As Messi continues to take the field, it is pretty evident to witness history being made quite a number of times. A detailed look at his itinerary will help you understand why most of the answers to the question of who is the god of football skills sit on Messi’s end.
Lionel Messi: Career Statistics
|
Matches Played |
Goals Scored | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Penalties Scored | Minutes Played |
| National: 162 (and counting)
Clubs: 854 (and counting) |
National: 86 (and counting)
Clubs: 700 (and counting) |
372 (and counting) | 86+ | 3 | 104 |
80654 (and counting) |
Cristiano Ronaldo
Sketching the list of the Greatest of All Time is next to impossible without mentioning the Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s competitors include Pele, Maradona, and Messi, but his dominant personality distinguishes him from them. A well-known football analyst has stated there is a significant gap between a decent player and a great player. While the decent ones usually contribute to the success of their teams within a restricted domain, great players go beyond anything by assisting their teams in winning trophies. No surprise Ronaldo is excellent in both.
The passion for CR7 does not stop at the borders of Europe. Go out and ask a bunch of Indians who their favourite player is. It’s not difficult to foresee who will end up responding to “Ronaldo 7.” The scenes are no different when we consider any nation familiar with this form of sport. A whopping 700 goals in the club circuit, more than 100 goals in international appearances, multiple Ballon D’or trophies, forwarding for Premier League, endless memories, and you can keep on counting.
Fun Fact: In a game against West Ham in September 2021, Ronaldo clocked 32.51 km/h to become the fastest football player ever. This form of athleticism stands as a strong factor as to why CR7 is the most fitting answer to who is the king of football now.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Career Statistics
| Matches Played | Goals Scored | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Penalties Scored | Minutes Played |
| National: 189 (and counting)
Clubs: 943 (and counting) |
National: 117 (and counting)
Clubs: 699 (and counting) |
230 (and counting) | 128+ | 11 | 145 |
91710 (and counting) |
Johan Cruyff
At number 5, we’ve got the extraordinary “Number 14” from the Netherlands. Dutch football legend Hendrik Johannes Cruyff was a player, manager, and total football philosopher. He was a three-time Ballon d’Or winner whose football philosophy was an inspiration to the rest of the world. Cruyff is still considered one of the greatest players of all time and a true genius of the game.
Cruyff’s athleticism and technique made him a game-changing addition to the world of football. His amazing performance influenced the game in the Netherlands and around the world. Johan’s versatility allowed him to play in any position and score more than 400 goals over the course of his career. Apart from multiple Ballon d’Ors. Cryuff lives as the two times European Footballer of the Year.
Apart from his achievements on the field, Cruyff’s deeds off the field were also noteworthy. Many might not know, but Johan’s experiences inspired the foundation that aimed at helping thousands of children through sports. All these and more stand for the fact that Cruyff is a formidable contender for the king of football, even in 2022.
Johan Cruyff: Career Statistics
|
Matches Played |
Goals Scored | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Penalties Scored | Minutes Played |
| National: 48
Clubs: 713 |
National: 33
Clubs: 400 |
170 | 37 | 4 | 1 |
Club: 44,402 |
FAQ
Who is the king of football?
Diego Maradona. Given his career accomplishments, it is easy to claim that Diego Maradona is the undisputed king of football.
Who is the king of football now?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the current-gen football king. With over 800 official senior career goals, the Portuguese striker is truly unrivaled.
Who is the football king in the world?
Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele. Hundreds of goals, international trophies, multiple Golden Boot recognitions, and a plethora of accomplishments explain why Pele is known as the “King of Football.”
Who is the god of football skills?
When it comes to skill, Lionel Messi takes a huge advantage over his competitors. The Argentine maestro is one of the most skilled footballers out there. Everything from his foot movement to finishing is undeniably next to god-level.
Who is the god of football in 2022?
Thanks to how he can perform even in his mid-thirties, Lionel Messi is the 2022 God of Football. Leo is often made to sit with Maradona, the indisputable God of Football, as one of the most talented players in the world.
Who is the king of football in 2020?
Lionel Messi, the 2020-21 Ballon d’Or winner, deserved to be named the 2020 King of Football.
Who is the king of football in the world 2022?
Having grabbed the spot of the highest goal scorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League, Lionel Messi is the 2022 king of football. Special mentions must be made for the Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski in his regard.
Wrapping Up
And with that, we’re done narrating the tale “King of Football 2022.” Football fans have discussed this subject for years, and no one has a solid answer. With so much information and statistics available, determining who the true GOAT is might be challenging. We’ve helped you determine who genuinely reigns supreme by going into the specifics of each player’s individual exploits and examining their overall impact on the sport.
The information offered in this article will be useful to serve your knowledge of the game and if you enjoy betting. Knowing who the greatest of all time is will help you make better predictions and eventually place online bets more likely to win rewards.
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