Skill is a subjective term in football, though there is a universal understanding that the word encapsulates dazzling feet, quick movements and actions that wow the watching fans.
Brazilian icon Ronaldinho nigh-on epitomised skill in football, dazzling with flair, no-look passes, and hundreds of goal contributions.
Current stars like Neymar and Lionel Messi are also among the elite who can be considered among the most skilful in football history, but how do they stack up against the all-time greats?
In a modern game where many metrics are ranked on quality based on statistics, “skill” is one of the few that can not be quantified. To define the list, a selection of factors was considered:
Ranking Factors via GiveMeSports
Fan reception – How did fans feel about the player and how do they still feel about him now?
Overall quality – Often, the most skilful players are some of the best in the world.
Longevity – Honours can not really define skill, but lengthy careers indicate a level that rarely drops.
The ultimate list of the 20 most skilful players sees Ronaldinho take the top spot. The man who, for so many, is the first face in their head upon hearing the phrase “Jogo Bonito.”
Notching 373 goal contributions across his 561-game career, Ronaldinho was impossible to defend against at times, such was the sheer spellbinding nature of the brand of football that he played. He is followed by Ronaldo Nazario at second and Jay-Jay Okocha at third.
Lionel Messi ranks fourth, often viewed as the epitome of talent and flair, having amassed 768 goals and a staggering 367 assists in 945 games.
Further down the list, one finds Zinedine Zidane at number seven. The midfielder received overwhelming praise for his skill: Ex-Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan once remarked that he had “never seen a player quite like Zidane,” while former West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer labelled Zidane as “one of the greatest players in history.”
Cristiano Ronaldo comes in at eleventh. While many view him as the epitome of hard work compared to Messi’s natural talent, it would be unfair to say the Portuguese is not one of football’s silkier operators.
For years, Ronaldo terrified opposing defenders with his wide array of tricks and flicks.
Michael Laudrup (13th) was another player to receive the highest praise from a modern legend. Current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola once touched on Laudrup’s career, stating:
“I just can’t believe he hasn’t won the title as best player in the world.” Laudrup was a diamond, capable of making the hardest parts of the game look so simple.
Hatem Ben Arfa (14th) also featured, with his career filled with moments of genius, such as the famous goal against Bolton Wanderers in April 2012, which papers rightly dubbed “a moment of genius.”
Rounding out the list is Sergio Busquets at number 20. Despite being a defensive midfielder, his technical ability is undeniable. Pep Guardiola once referred to him as a player who could “solve any problem with his brain.”