Reader Responses to the World Cup Player Ranking
Readers have been sharing their opinions on The Independent’s ranking of the 50 greatest World Cup players, offering their own selections and highlighting players they believe were overlooked. The original list focused solely on World Cup performances, which sparked a lively discussion among fans about who should be included or ranked higher.
The top of the list generated the most debate. Many readers strongly supported Pelé as the number one player, with one stating, “Pele without a doubt. Yes, Maradona at 2.” Others, however, questioned whether Lionel Messi deserved a place in the top three, with some arguing that he was not as impactful as other legends. One reader wrote, “Messi? Are you kidding?” while others preferred earlier generations of players over modern ones.
Beyond the top three, there was significant discussion about players who were either omitted or ranked too low. Names like Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Franz Beckenbauer, Roberto Baggio, Romario, Paolo Maldini, and Bobby Moore frequently came up. One reader commented, “Platini, Xavi, Iniesta and Cruyff… are too far back,” while another expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Kenny Dalglish.
Perhaps the most vocal criticism was directed at Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the top 50. A reader argued, “CRO has to be there,” emphasizing his impact on Portugal’s World Cup performances, even if the list was based strictly on World Cup achievements.
German Perspectives
From a German perspective, several readers expected players like Lothar Matthaus, Jürgen Klinsmann, Miroslav Klose, Gerd Müller, and Beckenbauer to be much higher on the list. One reader noted, “Walter at 50 indicates some recency bias,” suggesting that the list may favor more recent players over historical greats. Despite the challenges of compiling such a list, many acknowledged the effort and said, “These lists are difficult anyway, so kudos for trying.”
Jairzinho’s Overlooked Performance
One reader highlighted Jairzinho’s 1970 World Cup performance, calling it the greatest and most consistent single tournament by any player. They pointed out that Jairzinho scored in every game, a feat unmatched until Miroslav Klose. However, the reader felt that Jairzinho’s achievement was overshadowed by Pele’s fame and the Brazilian team’s overall strength. They concluded, “Jairzinho was responsible for ensuring victory in every game in 1970 for Brazil.”
Criticism of Messi
Another reader criticized Messi’s performance in the 2016 World Cup, calling it an “abject failure” despite having a strong squad. They argued that Messi’s five World Cup appearances and one win did not justify his placement in the top three. The reader stated, “Pele without a doubt. Yes, Maradona at 2, but Messi at 3? Come on.”
Personal Top 10s
Many readers shared their personal top 10 lists, often reflecting a mix of admiration for both past and present stars. One reader listed:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Zinedine Zidane
- Roberto Carlos
- Johan Cruyff
- Lionel Messi
- Pelé
- Kylian Mbappé
- Iker Casillas
- Gerd Müller
- Bobby Moore
They added, “It’s like trying to pick your favourite song.”
All-Time Greats
Some readers simply listed their all-time favorites, including Pelé, Maradona, and Beckenbauer. One wrote, “The end,” while another made a case for Kenny Dalglish, calling him Scotland’s finest player. They acknowledged the difficulty of comparing players from different eras but felt Dalglish deserved recognition.
All-Time XI Selection
A few readers proposed their ideal World Cup XI, featuring players like Lev Yashin, Cafu, Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini, Xavi, Lothar Matthaus, Zidane, Garrincha, Messi, Thierry Henry, and Ronaldo. This selection reflected a balance between defensive and attacking talents.
Controversies and Opinions
The debate around Maradona’s “Goal of the Century” also sparked discussion. One reader humorously remarked that if the goal were played today, it would likely result in a foul and chaotic free kick. Another reader questioned the inclusion of Messi, arguing that five World Cup appearances with only one win were not enough to rank him highly.
Underrated Players
Several readers pointed out that some legendary players were overlooked due to playing for lesser-known teams. Hristo Stoichkov and Gheorghe Hagi were mentioned as examples of players who performed well at the World Cup but never won a title.
Final Thoughts
The discussion showed that the World Cup is a deeply emotional topic for fans, with strong opinions on who deserves recognition. While some readers agreed with the original list, others believed it failed to capture the full breadth of footballing greatness. As one reader put it, “It’s like trying to pick your favourite song.”
