Ronaldo not in top 3 as IFFHS names 10 greatest players of all time

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has compiled a list of the ten greatest footballers of all time, with Lionel Messi at the summit and Cristiano Ronaldo dropping out of the top three.

IFFHS, founded on March 24, 1984, in Leipzig, Germany is an organisation responsible for chronicling football history and statistics, and according to them, the Barcelona legend is the greatest footballer the game has seen.

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Published on their official channels, the IFFHS named the following players as their top ten greatest of all time.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Pele (Brazil)

Maradona (Argentina)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Johann Cruyff (The Netherlands)

Ronaldo (Brazil)

Zinedine ZIdane (France)

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Alfredo di Stefano (Argentina/Spain)

Ronaldinho (Brazil)

Their method of selection read as follows: “IFFHS ALL TIME TOP 10 The IFFHS all-time Top 10 Football Players has been compiled using a comprehensive and balanced voting system.”

“The final rankings are based on a hybrid model of 100 registered offline expert votes (weighted at 25%) and online voting (weighted at 75%), which included inputs from fans and media organisations worldwide. 

“This methodology ensures a blend of expert insight and global fan engagement, reflecting both historical legacy and contemporary impact. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this a credible and inclusive selection.”

Meanwhile, Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or 8 times, three clear of Ronaldo, spoke recently about the significance of their battle and what it meant for the sport.

The 37-year-old said, via L'Equipe, "It was a great battle, from a sporting point of view. We fed off each other's rivalry because we're both great competitors.

“He, too, always wanted to win everything, all the time. It was a very enjoyable time for both of us and for everyone who loves football.”