Top 10 Greatest Soccer Players of All Time According to AI

There have been boatloads of phenomenal talent who’ve played the beautiful game over the years. The debate as to who is the greatest player to ever step foot on a soccer pitch will always include Lionel Messi, but we took a different approach to determine the top-10 in the history of the sport. 

RG called on artificial intelligence for some assistance, laying out specific groundwork with a data-driven approach. Immense research went into this experiment, with four different large language models doing the work. 

We used ChatGPT-4o, DeepSeek V3, Gemini 2.5 PRO, and Grok 3.0 to rank the top-10 greatest soccer players of all time. Just like our NBA and NHL series, six specific categories were used to determine the list, each with its respective weight that went into the final results. 

Statistical Performance accounted for 25%. This is arguably the most important category when it comes to soccer. For attackers, goals and assists were of course considered, while for defenders, it was more about tackles, interceptions, completed passes, etc. 

Accolades & Championships were next at 20%. This is typically an important consideration when discussing the greatest players ever. How many Ballon d’Ors did the player win? Did he capture the Champions League trophy numerous times? What about league titles (Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, etc) and World Cup greatness? It’s difficult to sometimes base a lot on that latter, given the country they represent, but league success is key. 

20% was also put towards Longevity & Consistency. Messi has performed at a high level for nearly two decades. While he’s now playing in the MLS, the statistics are still fantastic. The same can be said for Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. These two have aged but remain productive. Ronaldo played in three different top-five European leagues and still succeeded. Impact at club and international levels was both considered as well.

While there’s always been an elite level of talent in world soccer, it’s changed over the years. Era Adjustments & Competition accounted for 15%. For example, Maradona played in a more physical era. Some players benefited from access to more medical treatment like Messi and Ronaldo, in this current era. The globalization of talent has increased compared to 30-40 years ago. 

How did the player Influence the sport? This category was worth 10%. Messi has been a revolutionary player. Cristiano has motivated millions across the world as well. What type of legacy has the player left on soccer, both on and off the pitch? These are all vital talking points when it comes to influence. 

The remaining 10% was based on Peer/Expert Recognition. What do fellow players, current and former, say about them? Do experts consistently rank the player in the greatest of all time lists? Are they in the Team of the Century, Hall of Fame lists? This category can serve as a tiebreaker on statistical dominance. 

Each LLM was asked to follow a specific prompt, and each category above was asked to be considered in their rankings. ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini didn’t completely follow the guidelines and more so just spoke on the statistics, longevity, influence, etc. However, Grok actually used the weighted categories to determine their rankings, which was interesting. 

Our points system helped determine 1-10. So if Messi were first with all four models, he’d score a 40. Second would get nine points, third eight points, and so on. We had 12 total players who made the list, with AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and Hungarian icon Ferenc Puskás just missing the cut. Alfredo Di Stefano and Michel Platini rounded out the top-10. 

Maldini was only included in ChatGPT’s rankings at No. 10, and they mentioned he was arguably the most respected defender in modern history. The Italian didn’t even get an honorable mention with the other three models. As for Puskas, he landed at No. 10 with Grok only. They cited his scoring and European Cup success as a key indicator, but he wasn’t ranked higher due to lack of competition in his era and minimal individual accolades. Puskas didn’t get a mention from ChatGPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek. 

Here’s the final rankings and our analysis. 

Messi’s greatness speaks for itself. The Argentinian has accomplished everything in world football. He’s won numerous LaLiga titles, Copa America, and finally captured a World Cup in 2022. Messi can do it all on the pitch and remains the most complete attacker the sport has ever seen. 

Messi scored a perfect 40 out of 40 across the board - earning 10 points from every single model. As you’ll see below, they all mentioned how he’s covered all categories – statistical dominance, accolades, influence, longevity/consistency, era adjustment, and peer recognition. Messi’s triumph in Qatar solidified his case as the greatest ever. 

ChatGPT: “The most complete attacker in football history, combining vision, consistency, and titles across two decades.”

DeepSeek: “The most decorated player ever, with unmatched consistency, adaptability (Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami), and a complete résumé after winning the World Cup.”

Gemini: “Messi ranks first due to his unparalleled performance across nearly every criterion in the framework.”

Grok: “Messi’s blend of statistical dominance, unmatched accolades, and global influence in a hyper-competitive era makes him the clear No. 1. His 2022 World Cup sealed his legacy, balancing club and international greatness.”

Brazilian legend Pele (Photo by Xavi Torrent/Getty Images for Pele)

While Pelé doesn’t have the European resume of some other players on this list, he changed the sport for the better. The Brazilian won three World Cups with his country and truly became a global icon. Pele’s first World Cup victory came at 17-years-old. He was a lethal finisher and set the standard for greatness. He scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil. 

Pele was second with all four models, generating a 36 out of 40 score. His World Cup heroics were a common talking point and how he set the standard for winning. Pele defined an era, but the reason he will always finish behind Messi is due to his club career. Pele played for Santos and the NY Cosmos – he didn’t even play in Europe. 

ChatGPT: “A three-time World Cup winner who brought global fame to the sport and set the standard for greatness.”

DeepSeek: “The ultimate winner with unmatched World Cup success, though his club career (Santos, NY Cosmos) was less tested in Europe.”

Gemini: “Pelé defined an era and was football's first global icon, setting a benchmark for greatness that stood for half a century.”

Grok: “Pelé’s three World Cups and prolific scoring in a less structured era place him just behind Messi. His global impact is unmatched, but limited European competition slightly tempers his ranking.”

Argentina legend Diego Maradona lifts the 1986 World Cup (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)

Maradona was absolutely breathtaking with the ball at his feet. Despite off-field issues, the Argentine legend still put together a decorated resume that included carrying Napoli to Serie A glory and also winning the World Cup Player of the Tournament in 1986. He did have a shorter prime though compared to others above him on this list, but Maradona played in an extremely physical era. 

He landed an overall score of 32 out of 40. Maradona was third with all four LLMs. Not only was his lack of good years a talking point but so was the absence of European success compared to the likes of Messi and even Ronaldo, who is next up. 

ChatGPT: “A genius with the ball, remembered for carrying average teams to glory and thriving in the sport’s toughest era.”

DeepSeek: “The most dominant peak ever (1986 World Cup, Napoli’s rise), but shorter prime and lack of UCL/European success hurt his résumé.”  

Gemini: “Maradona's case is built on a transcendent peak and an influence that went beyond statistics, embodying the flawed genius archetype.”

Grok: “Maradona’s transcendent 1986 World Cup and ability to carry Napoli in a brutal Serie A make him a top-tier legend. His shorter peak and lack of modern stats place him below Messi and Pelé.”

Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Portugal (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

When you think of the most clinical finisher in soccer history, Cristiano instantly comes to mind. The Portuguese legend joined Manchester United as a teen and quickly made his presence felt. Ronaldo was more of a show-boater earlier in his career with fancy footwork, but as the years went on, that changed. One thing has stayed consistent throughout the last 20 years though – Cristiano has scored goals everywhere. England, Spain, Italy, and now, Saudi Arabia. 

He finished fourth in the rankings with a 28 out of 40 score. None of the AI models placed Ronaldo below fourth. His dominance across Europe’s top leagues was mentioned. Also, his ability to always rise to the occasion in big games. The main reason he was below Maradona, however, is the lack of international impact, particularly in the World Cup with Portugal. 

ChatGPT: “A relentless goalscoring machine who dominated across three major leagues and on the international stage.”

DeepSeek: “A machine in goalscoring and big-game performances, but less creative than Messi and weaker World Cup record.”

Gemini: “Ronaldo is the ultimate athlete and goalscorer whose career is a monument to ambition, longevity, and physical perfection.”

Grok:  “Ronaldo’s goal-scoring records, longevity, and adaptability across leagues are staggering. He ranks below Maradona due to less singular international impact and slightly lower playmaking influence.”

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images for Laureus)

Cruyff has had a tremendous impact on the sport in a variety of ways. He sustained his top level in Europe and the NASL, ultimately winning three Ballon d’Ors, finishing as a World Cup runner-up, and leading Ajax to three European Cup trophies. He played a key part in helping develop Barcelona in their early days as well. Cruyff was a deadly finisher and had a special talent to create. 

Cruyff was ranked sixth by DeepSeek, Gemini, and Grok, but ChatGPT placed him in seventh. Overall, the Dutchman compiled a 23 out of 40 score. His legacy was mentioned by all four models and his tactical influence. 

ChatGPT: “The thinker and artist of the game, whose legacy shaped both how football is played and taught.”

DeepSeek: “The most influential player tactically, but lacked World Cup success (runner-up 1974).”  

Gemini: “Cruyff's influence on the sport is arguably greater than any other player in history; he was a revolutionary thinker on the pitch.”

Grok:  “Cruyff’s tactical revolution and on-field brilliance make him a top-5 lock. His lack of a World Cup and slightly less global competition place him below Ronaldo.”

West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)

Regarded as one of the best defenders ever, Beckenbauer was a staple in West Germany’s squad, leading them to a World Cup title in 1974. He’s one of only a few who also captured the World Cup as a manager in 1990. At club level, Beckenbauer led Bayern Munich to three European Cups in a row. He also took home two Ballon d’Ors, which is practically unheard of for a defender. 

Beckenbauer received a 19 out of 40 score in our rankings. DeepSeek, Gemini, and Grok all placed him in sixth, but ChatGPT, ranked the German seventh. All the models mentioned his longevity and consistency at both club and international level, finding success for over a decade. He revolutionized the position, making it clear that defenders could do more than just defend. 

ChatGPT: “Revolutionized the role of defender, captaining Germany and Bayern to global and European success.”

DeepSeek: “The greatest defender ever, with leadership and trophies at every level.”  

Gemini:  “"Der Kaiser" is the only defender to feature this high, a testament to how he redefined his position and achieved success at every level.”

Grok: “Beckenbauer’s revolutionary defending and leadership in World Cup and European Cup triumphs secure his spot. His non-attacking role ranks him below offensive legends.”

Zidane coaching Real Madrid (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

While his unforgettable moment in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy will go down in history for all the wrong reasons, Zidane did have a decorated career. He always stepped up when the lights were brightest – two goals in the 1998 World Cup final, a clutch goal in the 2002 UCL final en route to the trophy with Real Madrid, and even a Ballon d’Or in ‘98. His touch, technical abilities, and god-given talent were second to none. 

The rankings gave Zidane an 18 out of 40 score, finishing in seventh overall. While Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok put him in seventh, ChatGPT actually ranked the Frenchman fifth. All the models mentioned his ability to shine under pressure and his elegance on the pitch. He set the standard for what a No. 10 is in the 1990s. 

ChatGPT: “The ultimate big-game performer whose elegance and impact went far beyond numbers.”

DeepSeek:  “A big-game artist, but lacked Messi/Ronaldo’s stats and longevity.”

Gemini:   “Zidane was the ultimate "big game" player, a footballing artist whose career was defined by moments of sublime genius on the grandest stages.”

Grok: “Zidane’s clutch brilliance and elegance in a competitive era make him a top-tier midfielder. His single Ballon d’Or and shorter peak place him below Cruyff.”

Ronaldo playing for Brazil (Photo by Tim De Waele/Getty Images)

This was the first true great Ronaldo. In his prime, the Brazilian was literally unstoppable. He combined pace, skill, technical abilities, and clinical finishing all into one. But, injuries cut his prime short. Ronaldo was phenomenal in the late 90s at Inter Milan and Barcelona, even bagging 47 goals in 49 appearances for the Spanish giants in ‘96-97. He captured two Ballon d’Ors and two World Cups with Brazil, showing amazing resilience in 2002 to lead Selecao to glory, even winning the Golden Boot for the tournament following several knee injuries. 

Every AI model mentioned Ronaldo’s prime and how he was completely dominant. Injuries undoubtedly hurt his longevity and overall ranking, but he still secured eighth place overall. Roaldo scored a 12 out of 40 in the rankings. 

ChatGPT: “At his peak, the most explosive and unplayable striker the game has ever seen.”

DeepSeek:  “The greatest peak of any striker, but injuries robbed him of longevity.”

Gemini: "Il Fenomeno" had perhaps the most explosive and awe-inspiring peak of any player in history, redefining the striker position before injuries intervened.”

Grok: “Ronaldo’s transcendent peak and World Cup heroics are marred by injuries, limiting his longevity. His influence and stats keep him above others with longer careers.”

Alredo Di Stefano against Man United -- Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive

Alfredo Di Stefano is a Real Madrid legend and carried them to their early years of European dominance, winning five consecutive titles from 1956-1960. He was the most complete player of his generation and a natural-born leader. It’s hard to find players nowadays who could do it all on the pitch – Di Stefano could. He scored goals, defended, and did his job in the middle of the park when called upon. 

The reason Di Stefano is ninth on the list and not higher is the absence of World Cup success, as all four models alluded to. He notched a total score of 6 out of 40, landing in third with DeepSeek, Gemini, and Grok. But, ChatGPT didn’t include Di Stefano at all. 

ChatGPT: Didn’t include Di Stefano. 

DeepSeek: “Carried Madrid’s early UCL dominance but lacked World Cup impact.”

Gemini: “The most complete player of his generation and the engine of the most dominant club team in history.”

Grok: “Di Stéfano’s versatility and dominance in Real Madrid’s early European reign are legendary. Lack of World Cup exposure and older era place him below Ronaldo.”

Michel Platini playing for Juventus (Photo by Mike King/Allsport/Getty Images)

Platini did it all for club and country. He led Juventus to the European Cup in the mid 80s and also captured three straight Ballon D’ors in 1983,1984, and 1985. He was also the focal point of France’s Euro ‘84 triumph, bagging nine goals in just five matches. He won the Serie A Golden Boot three times and had a special ability to find the back of the net for a central midfielder. 

Platini was No. 10 on DeepSeek and Gemini’s rankings. ChatGPT had Platini at No. 9, while Grok excluded him altogether. Platini had some trouble after he retired and that hurt his legacy, as DeepSeek mentioned. He also had quite a short peak, although when at his best, Platini was brilliant. 

ChatGPT: “A creative force and goal-scoring midfielder who dominated European football in the mid-1980s.”

DeepSeek: “One of the greatest playmakers, but post-career controversies hurt legacy.”

Gemini: “A masterful playmaker and goalscoring midfielder who dominated European football in the mid-1980s with a rare blend of intelligence and elegance.”

Grok: Didn’t include Platini.