The question of who is the best soccer player in the world ever is a very debatable one. Different folks will name different players ranging from Pele to Maradona to Messi and so on and so on…
Some persons mention these names according to their generation. Those who saw Pele play in his time will always want to choose Pele as the best soccer player in the world ever.
And those of us who are seeing Lionel Messi play right now will want to go for Messi. So you see that it’s a very contentious question?
However, Goalball does have her choice of who the best soccer player in the world ever is and that is Paolo Maldini. I know some of you will disagree, but as I said: it’s a very arguable issue.
Paolo Maldini Position
You just can't locate a complete defender than Paolo Maldini, a furious tackler and the ace of the superbly planned sliding tackle. Maldini has additionally such a practical insight of the game that his situating let him go an entire game without making a tackle, but then he never looked strange, not notwithstanding when he resigned at 40 years old.
For a player who was normally right-footed, and played for Milan on the right wing, before training himself to end up as a two-footed player and playing at left-back for a long time to be depicted as something besides a complete footballing specimen is unbelievable.
Maldini is all around appreciated, and will perpetually be recognized as the image of AC Milan.
He won the Serie A title and European Cup seven and five times respectively, but Maldini missed out on the top individual award, though the greatest defenders world football has ever seen was shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995 and the Ballon d'Or in 1994 and 2003.
Most people usually just forget about defenders and pay too much attention and focus on forwards.
See the list of the 10 Best soccer players in the world right now
See some quotes by football icons that allude to Maldini’s greatness over the decades:
“The most gifted and hard-working player I’ve ever seen. He was an excellent all-around footballer with true leadership virtues and the rare ability to be reliable in defence and creative in attack.” — Andriy Shevchenko
“He is one of the best players in the history of the game and he represents everything that’s good in football. And above all, he’s a winner.” — David Villa
“Maldini was the best and toughest defender I ever faced. He had everything: he was a complete defender, who was strong, intelligent, and excellent man-marker.” — Zlatan Ibrahimovic
“Played against him for Madrid and Brazil, and he always showed so much composure as a defender. The sort of composure you want to be playing alongside.” — Roberto Carlos
“Paolo Maldini is the best I’ve played against.” — Ronaldo (Luis Nazario de Lima)
“He was one of the best defenders in Champions League history, but what was so impressive about him is that when he was on the ball he didn’t look like a defender, but like an elegant midfield player.” — Ronaldinho
“It’s easy to take him for granted but he’s a legend in his own lifetime.” — Jamie Carragher
“When I think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top-level. And, although he has never taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed, Zinedine Zidane was brilliant but without a doubt, Paolo Maldini has been my favourite. He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although not the world’s greatest technically, he has influenced all the Milan teams during his wonderfully successful era.” — Sir Alex Ferguson
“There are great players and there are world-class players. Then there are those who manage to go beyond that term. Paolo is the perfect example. He is the symbol of Milan.” — Alessandro del Piero
Maldini cannot be compared with the forward players. He is surely the best defender of all time and the best soccer player in the world ever!
See the 3 Players Who Could Stop Neymar from getting the Ballon d'Or.
Please feel free to disagree and name your best soccer player in the world ever in the comment box.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
