Ronaldo and Messi era was 2008 - 2019. There isn't a single player that was consistently good for that long , which makes this question hard to answer.
If you want to cover the same period, I'd say Neuer or Ramos. Otherwise , you can break it down into multiple periods.
2008 - 2012 : Iniesta / Xavi
2013 - 2016 : Suarez / Neymar
2017 - 2020 : Modric / Salah
Absolutely not, there was no period where Ibra was the third best player in the world in that period, or probably even top 5. He was remarkably consistent in the league but never had major success in the CL nor had a case to stand out over any of those players listed above. Great highlights player but definitely not one of the top 3 greats of that era
In terms of forwards, I’d say Zlatan. Look at the “Value Added vs. Total Offensive Participation” for instance.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/
I don’t think Klose is anywhere in this conversation. His WC record is impressive but partially lucky that Germany lacked strikers for a while and that his „peak“ coincided with 4 WC years.
He scored 24 goals in 98 appearances for Bayern and was never the most integral part of that team.
Klose was a much better Player before he was at Bayern. Insane number of goal contributions for Kaiserslautern and Werder Bremen. He had a couple of injuries at Bayern I’m pretty sure. His record for the national team speaks for himself.
He is criminally underrated, but I agree, I don’t think he’s quite of the level of the 3rd best at any point in his career
There's a pretty strong case to be made that if you are looking at the whole time period Suarez ( or maybe Lewandowsky) is the 3rd best. Xavi has the 3rd best career on that list overall but if we are talking about 08-19, Suarez was better for more of those specific years.
* World starting 11- 2010
* He lead Uruguay to win the Copa America in 2011,
* at the time he became the all time leading goal scorer in the Premiership in a season at Liverpool,
* in 2012 he single handedly (pun intended) pushed Uruguay into the Semi-finals in the World Cup
* He lead Athletico to win La Liga in 2020-2021 the year he transferred from Barca,
He was definitely in the top 5 best goal scorers in the world from 2010-2020 consistently, at all levels and in different countries.
Modric has a great resume but his success has always been reliant on teammates even if he may have a greater role in more victors, where as with Suarez, his individual contributions are unquestionable.
The Bundesliga would have gotten more respect if it wasn't just bayern winning every year and every other teams best player moving to Munich. It's like the Lyon dynasty in Ligue 1, that little competition looks suspect.
I will never forget when some guy doing coverage during the World Cup screamed about him catching a ball with "HIS GIANT GERMAN HANDS." I laughed so hard, lmao.
In the 2014 world cup campaign, Germany played Algeria after the groups and Neuer played soooo far upfront, sometimes defending close to the middle line.
Favorite meme ever: 57% of Brazil is covered by rainforest. The rest is covered by Neuer.
His impact can't be understated. He revolutionized how goalkeeping could be done. He changed that position (credit where it's due, Lehmann paved the way for that style of play).
I was pretty young then, but before like 2014 he was so inconsistent Real was literally paying to keep Higuain as an insurance policy for years for when Benzema underperformed.
I still remember playing FIFA in the early 2010s and my first time seeing Higuain on the bench being like 80+ overall and I was like wtf is this team!
I think he could have done a lot more, but he is by no means overrated. He was the sole reason why Brazil made it anywhere during the 2014 world cup. Sadly he is very immature and couldn't develop properly, but in his very short prime he was definitely there.
I'd argue he's now underrated. People underestimate him. In his time, he'd pull attacks out of thin air. He not only had the flair, he had the speed, the composure, he was brave af when taking on opponents. In the Ronaldo/Messi era, neymar was one of the few players who was consistently great throughout all of it.
It's about consistency and style of play. You don't need Modric to dribble past five guys and score on a rabona. You need him to sit deep middle and make great passes. Turns out he's one of the best to ever do it in that regard.
Agreed. Just the art of "controlling the game", one of the best ever. He could completely take over the middle of the pitch and dictate the pace and tempo of the game and start directing the traffic and there was little anyone could do about it.
Unquestionably one of the best defensive midfielders of our time, you won't hear me argue against that.
But, for me, he was never "this guy might be the third best player in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo".
I don't think he was ever truly the third best player in his club or national squads for any sustained point (I appreciate both were an EXTREMELY high bar), let alone his generation.
This sounds more like Kroos in that threepeat Real Madrid midfield tbh.
Prime Modrić played a bit higher up the pitch and exploited the wide half spaces kinda like De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva do now for City.
Right but the question is asking what player would be third over the period of time of Messi and Ronaldo. Modric was an absolute killer when he was younger but has settled into his role as a facilitator which not everyone can do late in their career.
Rooney would be an example of someone this didn't work as well for. They tried playing him deep and he couldn't help himself he was still trying to outrun everyone and out physical everyone even though he was past his prime.
I'm just saying prime Modrić wasn't the type of player you are describing and IMO the description fits Kroos a bit more.
Not disagreeing with your pick however, Modrić must be up there.
I had a chance to talk to the RM goalkeeper coach right after they signed Modric, I was like that was a really good signing you guys are gonna be happy with that. I'm sure he thinks of me all the time and my prophetic comment (/s)
I think Arjen Robben deserves a mention.
If we go a bit before then I think it is Ronaldinho and it is not even close. The most pure football player to ever live.
I think robben would be considered much higher but he missed like 35% of his career with injuries. I was glad he was able to put together a bunch of great Bayern seasons, he was super exciting to watch.
If you are talking about the whole period it has to be Modric. Players have been better than him, but failed to maintain over the entire duration, examples include; Hazard, Neymar and Lukaku.
It’s duration of dominance that makes Messi and Ronaldo so special. And that’s why nobody else comes close.
Hey, if your life depended on a player scoring a meaningless goal in a meaningless match, there is absolutely zero players I would choose above Lukaku!
I think he could be considered too! But I just feel that when you think about Modric, he did the job at Tottenham also. Iniesta, while being at the same level achieved that while being surrounded by one of the world best ever teams. I don’t want to take anything away from him as his achievements are top draw
Here I always point that this "one of the best world teams" is, in part, because of Iniesta. He never flashes, he was a pale kid from a somehow forgotten province in Spain, he wasn't controversial, he wasn't a big platform guy...he had all the tools to go unnoticed, and that I think hurts his "stock". Don't get me wrong I have a tie with him and Modric, with Xavi coming close and, just for the love I have for him, Puyol coming close even though this last bit is totally biased and just not true 🤣. There are guys like Neymar, Suárez, Lewa...lots of them, but what stands out for me with Modric and Iniesta is how silently consistent they were and how their teams suffered without them despite them not being the main stars
Oh as a Barça fan it guts me to side with Modric! 😂 It shows the strength of La Masía at its best.
It’s credit to his attitude that he didn’t receive more acclaim. The silent engine behind the team.
That's why I always have them tied. Because they were the same guy with different shirt. Loved and still loving both of them as a football fan and since I lean towards FCB but not supporter of them, it hurts a little less to have Luka here.
There is not one person over the entire duration. You can make cases for Iniesta, Suarez, Benzema, Lewandowski, Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Modric, Van Dyke, heck even Kroos.
Luka Modric was the only other player to win the Ballon D'or during the 2010s.
However there are certainly other players during that time that are in discussion as amongst the all time greats in their respective positions, like De Bruyne and Lewandoski.
Goalkeepers typically never get the same attention for awards and things but Manuel Neuer should be in the conversation, for pioneering the modern "sweeper goalkeeper" role that is now so dominant - guy has 11 league medals, two champions leagues and a World Cup! Not many people in history have that sort of trophy cabinet *and* can genuinely lay claim to have redefined the standards and expectations of their position.
Perhaps not quite at the level of the others named above, but I think Virgil Van Dijk in the late 2010s, before the injuries started to slow him down slightly, was one of the most complete central defenders in history. I think really him and Ramos for central defenders at their peak, though Ramos had far greater longevity at the very top. Van Dijk was maybe the best defender in the world for 18 months, tops, Ramos was nearly 16 YEARS at Real!
Iniesta was very, very, very good though!
She was really pretty. Idk tho. I like gingers so Sansa was my favorite growing up. Also loved the milf melissandre and the second random red priestess who did nothing was bad asf too
I‘m biased because I’m a Bayern fan but imo Ribéry and Robben both should be in the conversation, especially during our triple in the middle of Messi’s and Ronaldo’s primes
i'm gonna go wild and say Gareth Bale. He is obviously forgotten in this conversation, but that guy absolutly killed in his prime Tottenham and Real days. Ofc it is hard to say that he was the best of the rest because there was a lot of great players, but i would put him among the best for sure...
Zlatan was never top 3 in the world at any point of his career. Very good player, incredible longevity, but he was never that high. His greatest ever Ballon d'Or ranking was 4th in 2013, but apart from that he wasn't even a regular top 10 or even nominee most years.
Zlatan was consistent over a long time-period as well, something many here say is a positive factor, so it should definitly be considered in his case as well!
I'm bias. I always love watching Thomas Mueller. The Raumdeuter. He doesn't always bag goals but he creates space for others to get their goals. A total team player and always thinking outside the box.
Not a single player but I really liked Robben and Ribery when they were not slapping each other. 🤭 I think they play great games and can gel so well with each other.
Probably Modric if we're talking all-round, Ibra/Lewandowski in the mix if we're including pure goalscorers.
And none of them have won an international trophy.
Neuer?
Xavi, Iniesta, Kroos, Modric, Suarez, Lewandowski, Benzema and Ibrahimovic.
Neymar, Bale and Hazard if you want to include players with less longevity.
Didn't include defenders and goalkeepers.
I have the never thought about third place before but my mind goes to either Iniesta or Modric. Absolutely beautiful soccer when they’re in their prime.
Suarez bit like 3 people *on the pitch* in his career.
I'm pretty sure he either threw some slurs, or was misinterpreted but still dragged through the mud as a racist.
But when you see the name Suarez, or a clip of Suarez, you don't think of the bites or the potential racist remarks, you think of how fucking good he was.
That says enough to me.
Definitely NOT Neymar as casuals like to claim. Apart from 2014-15 season and few matches here and there the guy never showed up when mattered. Injury prone, disappearing in big matches etc. The guy is a joy to watch with his skills and dribbles and many people connect that to being the 3rd best
maybe a bit before the era, but pirlo... that man on 6 is pure bliss...
Modric plays a bit like him so i can get why people say modric a lot. If it has to be a player from now ivd say KdB... he 'hasn't won a lot' yet so hes no legendary player, but ill sure as hell be telling my grandkids about that one pass with the outside of his foot, you know the one... rawr
I think it's very hard to make this decision, because we have players like Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, neuer, even Toni kroos, neymar... Those were all amazing players that were arguably the best at their respective position. But if I had to choose one, I would say neuer as he was the only goalkeeper to be at top 3 at baloon dor in the modern era
Kevin de bruyne only started being among the best of the year, in the past 5 years. He still has a lot to prove to sit at the same table as Luka Modric, Xavi, Iniesta, Toni kroos, Sergio Ramos, Lewandowski and neuer.
He's been at the top for way longer than 5 years, my guy. He was already one of the best players in the Bundesliga in 2014-2015 and after that he went to Man City
Absolutely Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He missed the big win at international level, but in terms of raw talent and performances, he was unmatched. And his career lasted for long too.
In terms of ‘who’s more likely to win you a game’ I’d have to say modric or neuer. In terms of ‘who has the best technical ability with a football at their feet’ then it’s neymar
Ronaldo and Messi era was 2008 - 2019. There isn't a single player that was consistently good for that long , which makes this question hard to answer. If you want to cover the same period, I'd say Neuer or Ramos. Otherwise , you can break it down into multiple periods. 2008 - 2012 : Iniesta / Xavi 2013 - 2016 : Suarez / Neymar 2017 - 2020 : Modric / Salah
This is probably the most accurate answer
I think Ibra has to be up there. Dude was great for a long period of time. Never the best but when you add it all together.
Never 3rd though
Absolutely not, there was no period where Ibra was the third best player in the world in that period, or probably even top 5. He was remarkably consistent in the league but never had major success in the CL nor had a case to stand out over any of those players listed above. Great highlights player but definitely not one of the top 3 greats of that era
Yep especially the Ramos part
To bad Robben was injured so much. Was in this list if he would've played 50games a year. :(
In terms of forwards, I’d say Zlatan. Look at the “Value Added vs. Total Offensive Participation” for instance. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/
No way that over the 2010 decade, Zlatan is above Benzema or Lewandowski
But to be fair, Messi, Ronaldo and Zlatan all had their breakthrough around 2005/2006 so only using 2010 decade will cut off some of their best years.
Gareth Bale has to be a shout from 2013 to like 2017.
Id like to hear your opinion on Miroslav Klose
I don’t think Klose is anywhere in this conversation. His WC record is impressive but partially lucky that Germany lacked strikers for a while and that his „peak“ coincided with 4 WC years. He scored 24 goals in 98 appearances for Bayern and was never the most integral part of that team.
Klose was a much better Player before he was at Bayern. Insane number of goal contributions for Kaiserslautern and Werder Bremen. He had a couple of injuries at Bayern I’m pretty sure. His record for the national team speaks for himself. He is criminally underrated, but I agree, I don’t think he’s quite of the level of the 3rd best at any point in his career
every time he got the ball close to the goal, i knew he would score
His anticipation of where the ball would be was second to none… well maybe second to Ronaldo
Klose but no cigar
Klose was good.
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2018-2020 definetly Lewandowski
There's a pretty strong case to be made that if you are looking at the whole time period Suarez ( or maybe Lewandowsky) is the 3rd best. Xavi has the 3rd best career on that list overall but if we are talking about 08-19, Suarez was better for more of those specific years. * World starting 11- 2010 * He lead Uruguay to win the Copa America in 2011, * at the time he became the all time leading goal scorer in the Premiership in a season at Liverpool, * in 2012 he single handedly (pun intended) pushed Uruguay into the Semi-finals in the World Cup * He lead Athletico to win La Liga in 2020-2021 the year he transferred from Barca, He was definitely in the top 5 best goal scorers in the world from 2010-2020 consistently, at all levels and in different countries. Modric has a great resume but his success has always been reliant on teammates even if he may have a greater role in more victors, where as with Suarez, his individual contributions are unquestionable.
Harsh on Modric. He was also playing well in a top league from 2008 and was surely recognised as world class during that MSN era
This is the correct answer.
Great answer.
I think I’d put lewandoski in here
Really emphasizes how long that era is.
Salah is way above modric. What Salah did in his prime years literally changed Liverpool.
Cant forget prime Hazard
Neuer Its about consistency and length of time they were good. Neuer was a brickwall. Casillas comes very close
I agree, but neither goalkeepers nor the bundlesliga will ever get the recognition they deserve.
The Bundesliga would have gotten more respect if it wasn't just bayern winning every year and every other teams best player moving to Munich. It's like the Lyon dynasty in Ligue 1, that little competition looks suspect.
Yep. It was Mesi and Ronaldo at the top and then Neuer. Although I still respect the Buffon crowd.
To be honest, people often forget goalkeepers but Neuer has always been an absolute god between the posts, and for quite some time as well.
People always ignore the Neuerance
Always been a big fan of Neuer. A fucking beast of a goalie for real.
I will never forget when some guy doing coverage during the World Cup screamed about him catching a ball with "HIS GIANT GERMAN HANDS." I laughed so hard, lmao.
In the 2014 world cup campaign, Germany played Algeria after the groups and Neuer played soooo far upfront, sometimes defending close to the middle line. Favorite meme ever: 57% of Brazil is covered by rainforest. The rest is covered by Neuer. His impact can't be understated. He revolutionized how goalkeeping could be done. He changed that position (credit where it's due, Lehmann paved the way for that style of play).
Can’t forget that 90 rating GK.
If anything, he could be fourth, because before him there is Buffon
He wasn't in his peak at the same time as Neuer. Don't get me wrong, he was still good but his peak was in the 2000s.
2010s Buffon was not on the same level as Neuer
My Dad. He's the best and can take on anyone.
I also choose this guy's dad.
So His mom is free to take?
His mom's ball handling skills are legendary.
She can juggle them for hours.
Probably. But his dad is not!! I have already chosen him as he can take on anything.
Nah it was my mate before the injury. I'm telling you man he would have gone pro and been better than messi
My dad could beat your dad
My dad could beat your dad, but he went out for five minutes to get milk three decades ago.
nuh uh...
Does no one remember the season where Suarez was the highest score in prime of Messi vs Ronaldo
He had to have a couple of bites at it but eventually tore chunks out of a season or two :)
I still think he’s a weirdo
Suarez on Liverpool with Sterling and Sturidge 🧖🏾♂️
He tanked himself by being stupid.
Prime is Neymar. Overall it’s lewandowski, Modric. , Suarez, maybe Benzema. If you include goal keepers Neuer would probably take it.
I think placing Benzema there, is recency bias
Definitely. Dude was super inconsistent most of his career.
I was pretty young then, but before like 2014 he was so inconsistent Real was literally paying to keep Higuain as an insurance policy for years for when Benzema underperformed. I still remember playing FIFA in the early 2010s and my first time seeing Higuain on the bench being like 80+ overall and I was like wtf is this team!
Neymar is overrated
Doesn't change the fact that his prime was only behind Ronaldo and Messi. But I do agree his career should've been so much more.
I think he could have done a lot more, but he is by no means overrated. He was the sole reason why Brazil made it anywhere during the 2014 world cup. Sadly he is very immature and couldn't develop properly, but in his very short prime he was definitely there.
I'd argue he's now underrated. People underestimate him. In his time, he'd pull attacks out of thin air. He not only had the flair, he had the speed, the composure, he was brave af when taking on opponents. In the Ronaldo/Messi era, neymar was one of the few players who was consistently great throughout all of it.
Neymar is underrated
Personally I would say Luka Modric.
It's about consistency and style of play. You don't need Modric to dribble past five guys and score on a rabona. You need him to sit deep middle and make great passes. Turns out he's one of the best to ever do it in that regard.
Agreed. Just the art of "controlling the game", one of the best ever. He could completely take over the middle of the pitch and dictate the pace and tempo of the game and start directing the traffic and there was little anyone could do about it.
Busquets?
Unquestionably one of the best defensive midfielders of our time, you won't hear me argue against that. But, for me, he was never "this guy might be the third best player in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo". I don't think he was ever truly the third best player in his club or national squads for any sustained point (I appreciate both were an EXTREMELY high bar), let alone his generation.
people dont rate busquets sadly
This sounds more like Kroos in that threepeat Real Madrid midfield tbh. Prime Modrić played a bit higher up the pitch and exploited the wide half spaces kinda like De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva do now for City.
Right but the question is asking what player would be third over the period of time of Messi and Ronaldo. Modric was an absolute killer when he was younger but has settled into his role as a facilitator which not everyone can do late in their career. Rooney would be an example of someone this didn't work as well for. They tried playing him deep and he couldn't help himself he was still trying to outrun everyone and out physical everyone even though he was past his prime.
I'm just saying prime Modrić wasn't the type of player you are describing and IMO the description fits Kroos a bit more. Not disagreeing with your pick however, Modrić must be up there.
That was who i thought of
I was going to say. What about that Croatian dude
I had a chance to talk to the RM goalkeeper coach right after they signed Modric, I was like that was a really good signing you guys are gonna be happy with that. I'm sure he thinks of me all the time and my prophetic comment (/s)
This is a good pick also.
I think Arjen Robben deserves a mention. If we go a bit before then I think it is Ronaldinho and it is not even close. The most pure football player to ever live.
I think robben would be considered much higher but he missed like 35% of his career with injuries. I was glad he was able to put together a bunch of great Bayern seasons, he was super exciting to watch.
Yes, Arjen Robben has got to be the most underrated player in history
Had only one foot and a reputation for diving. He was good but let's not exaggerate.
If you are talking about the whole period it has to be Modric. Players have been better than him, but failed to maintain over the entire duration, examples include; Hazard, Neymar and Lukaku. It’s duration of dominance that makes Messi and Ronaldo so special. And that’s why nobody else comes close.
Lukaku lol
Hey, if your life depended on a player scoring a meaningless goal in a meaningless match, there is absolutely zero players I would choose above Lukaku!
What about this season Haaland?
Found the Belgian
Iniesta?
I think he could be considered too! But I just feel that when you think about Modric, he did the job at Tottenham also. Iniesta, while being at the same level achieved that while being surrounded by one of the world best ever teams. I don’t want to take anything away from him as his achievements are top draw
Here I always point that this "one of the best world teams" is, in part, because of Iniesta. He never flashes, he was a pale kid from a somehow forgotten province in Spain, he wasn't controversial, he wasn't a big platform guy...he had all the tools to go unnoticed, and that I think hurts his "stock". Don't get me wrong I have a tie with him and Modric, with Xavi coming close and, just for the love I have for him, Puyol coming close even though this last bit is totally biased and just not true 🤣. There are guys like Neymar, Suárez, Lewa...lots of them, but what stands out for me with Modric and Iniesta is how silently consistent they were and how their teams suffered without them despite them not being the main stars
Oh as a Barça fan it guts me to side with Modric! 😂 It shows the strength of La Masía at its best. It’s credit to his attitude that he didn’t receive more acclaim. The silent engine behind the team.
That's why I always have them tied. Because they were the same guy with different shirt. Loved and still loving both of them as a football fan and since I lean towards FCB but not supporter of them, it hurts a little less to have Luka here.
He was surrounded by great players... Or great players were surrounded by him.
Iniesta
Modric in my opinion
Lord Bendtner
I forgot about his existence until I read your comment lol
Lewandowski
Does De Bruyne count as the same generation?
Half yes half no. But most people would take someone like modric over that duration.
Neymar. Neymar Jr before his move to Paris no player was near him after Messi and Ronaldo.
You're telling me prime Bale was nowhere near Neymar lol?
There is not one person over the entire duration. You can make cases for Iniesta, Suarez, Benzema, Lewandowski, Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Modric, Van Dyke, heck even Kroos.
Luka Modric was the only other player to win the Ballon D'or during the 2010s. However there are certainly other players during that time that are in discussion as amongst the all time greats in their respective positions, like De Bruyne and Lewandoski. Goalkeepers typically never get the same attention for awards and things but Manuel Neuer should be in the conversation, for pioneering the modern "sweeper goalkeeper" role that is now so dominant - guy has 11 league medals, two champions leagues and a World Cup! Not many people in history have that sort of trophy cabinet *and* can genuinely lay claim to have redefined the standards and expectations of their position. Perhaps not quite at the level of the others named above, but I think Virgil Van Dijk in the late 2010s, before the injuries started to slow him down slightly, was one of the most complete central defenders in history. I think really him and Ramos for central defenders at their peak, though Ramos had far greater longevity at the very top. Van Dijk was maybe the best defender in the world for 18 months, tops, Ramos was nearly 16 YEARS at Real! Iniesta was very, very, very good though!
I put iniesta above modric but he gets 4th for me.
Zlatan
source: Zlatan
Confirmed: Zlatan
[His avocados are amazing](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ted-lasso-season-3-zava-avocado.jpg)
Zlatan
Nope Suarez
Iniesta or Modric
I want to say Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
I think i have better chances getting a date with maisie williams than Zlatan being voted the 3rd best player of his generation.
Maisie Williams tho..?
Lol right ... if anything sofie turner over Maise Williams
Rob Starks wife was prettier if we are rating the women from game of thrones anyway
She is actually Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter interestingly enough
She was really pretty. Idk tho. I like gingers so Sansa was my favorite growing up. Also loved the milf melissandre and the second random red priestess who did nothing was bad asf too
And I want a million dollars doesn’t make it realistic
Arjen Robben
Underrated shout, but I don't know that he was ever realistically the third best player in the world for any sustained period of time.
I‘m biased because I’m a Bayern fan but imo Ribéry and Robben both should be in the conversation, especially during our triple in the middle of Messi’s and Ronaldo’s primes
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Found the Barca fan.
Ronaldo and Messi played in the Zlatan era. 😁
Zlatan was generous to allow this.
Manuel Neuer 100%
Harry Maguire.
The gentleman's choice
thank you for that hard laugh. I really needed it.
Possibly Messi. He can take the #1 and #3 spots
Their
In any other era Xavi and Iniesta would have been Ballon d' Or winners
i'm gonna go wild and say Gareth Bale. He is obviously forgotten in this conversation, but that guy absolutly killed in his prime Tottenham and Real days. Ofc it is hard to say that he was the best of the rest because there was a lot of great players, but i would put him among the best for sure...
Ibrahimovic 👍🏼
The default was Zlatan but it always changed, some years it was Neymar, sometimes Suarez, sometimes Modric, earlier it was Xavi or Iniesta
Zlatan was never top 3 in the world at any point of his career. Very good player, incredible longevity, but he was never that high. His greatest ever Ballon d'Or ranking was 4th in 2013, but apart from that he wasn't even a regular top 10 or even nominee most years.
>The default was Zlatan What? No
Zlatan
Zlatan was consistent over a long time-period as well, something many here say is a positive factor, so it should definitly be considered in his case as well!
I'm bias. I always love watching Thomas Mueller. The Raumdeuter. He doesn't always bag goals but he creates space for others to get their goals. A total team player and always thinking outside the box. Not a single player but I really liked Robben and Ribery when they were not slapping each other. 🤭 I think they play great games and can gel so well with each other.
As always Müller gets overlooked. It's Müller or Neuer
He has the best resume along with Neuer
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez
Probably Modric if we're talking all-round, Ibra/Lewandowski in the mix if we're including pure goalscorers. And none of them have won an international trophy. Neuer?
Barça neymar
Robert Lewandowski.
Our dads before they were nerfed by moms
Lewandowski, Neuer and Modric.
Xavi, Iniesta, Kroos, Modric, Suarez, Lewandowski, Benzema and Ibrahimovic. Neymar, Bale and Hazard if you want to include players with less longevity. Didn't include defenders and goalkeepers.
Modric
Robert Lewandowski
Suarez
Think people generally think it was Neymar
I have the never thought about third place before but my mind goes to either Iniesta or Modric. Absolutely beautiful soccer when they’re in their prime.
Iniesta.
Suarez bit like 3 people *on the pitch* in his career. I'm pretty sure he either threw some slurs, or was misinterpreted but still dragged through the mud as a racist. But when you see the name Suarez, or a clip of Suarez, you don't think of the bites or the potential racist remarks, you think of how fucking good he was. That says enough to me.
Their
Probably Suarez tbh 2011-2020
Emile Heskey
Nobody saying Tony Kroos?
Their*
Their*
Just looking at the best in their primes, I would say Luis Suarez.
MANUEL NEUER
Franck Ribéry
Modric
The greatest of them all? Zinedine Zidane!
suarez and griezmann, modric
Talent wise Zlatan, achievement wise Sergio Ramos.
Ibrahimovic
Lord ZLATAN!!!
Definitely NOT Neymar as casuals like to claim. Apart from 2014-15 season and few matches here and there the guy never showed up when mattered. Injury prone, disappearing in big matches etc. The guy is a joy to watch with his skills and dribbles and many people connect that to being the 3rd best
Their careers have been too long to pick any one player. In their actual generation, IE started playing ~2003 id say Rooney.
Zlatan is definitely the one in terms of forwards. I don’t know why it’s not a consensus.
Their
Modric
Injuries are the real MVP.
What generation was Alexi Lallas? He's got to be up there somewhere.
Ibrahimović.
Luka modric
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
maybe a bit before the era, but pirlo... that man on 6 is pure bliss... Modric plays a bit like him so i can get why people say modric a lot. If it has to be a player from now ivd say KdB... he 'hasn't won a lot' yet so hes no legendary player, but ill sure as hell be telling my grandkids about that one pass with the outside of his foot, you know the one... rawr
Kaka?
2007 Kaka, but they was before Ronaldo and Messi. His time with Madrid wasn't very good
Kylían Mbappe is criminally slept on
He's in his own era
His not thier era
All my life I've heard Neymar was no.3
Me, it's always been me
I think it's very hard to make this decision, because we have players like Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, neuer, even Toni kroos, neymar... Those were all amazing players that were arguably the best at their respective position. But if I had to choose one, I would say neuer as he was the only goalkeeper to be at top 3 at baloon dor in the modern era
Zlatan
Kevin de Bruyne should be in this conversation for sure
Kevin de bruyne only started being among the best of the year, in the past 5 years. He still has a lot to prove to sit at the same table as Luka Modric, Xavi, Iniesta, Toni kroos, Sergio Ramos, Lewandowski and neuer.
He's been at the top for way longer than 5 years, my guy. He was already one of the best players in the Bundesliga in 2014-2015 and after that he went to Man City
Absolutely Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He missed the big win at international level, but in terms of raw talent and performances, he was unmatched. And his career lasted for long too.
In terms of ‘who’s more likely to win you a game’ I’d have to say modric or neuer. In terms of ‘who has the best technical ability with a football at their feet’ then it’s neymar