In brief
Joe Cole, a former Chelsea and England star, was a very talented football player in his own right.
The difficult task of ranking five of the greatest skilled football players in history fell to the TNT Sports analyst.
Neymar was not included in Cole’s top five, while Ronaldinho was named first.
One of the most talented players the Premier League has ever seen was Joe Cole, especially when he was younger and playing for Chelsea and West Ham. Even if the former England international’s ailments ultimately overcame him, he is undoubtedly able to identify a teammate with exceptional skill with the ball.
The three-time English Premier League winner, who is well-liked in the football community, has now focused on becoming a pundit. Cole frequently shares his opinions on everything football-related on TNT Sports’ coverage of Premier League and Champions League matches.
When the 42-year-old spoke exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, it was the same. He was given the responsibility of ranking some of the most talented football players in history. His responses were interesting because of his own technical skills. Brazil’s Neymar barely missed out on a spot in the top five.
1Ronaldinho
Career Span: 1998 – 2015
Football fans who were fortunate enough to witness the Brazilian’s amazing dribbling abilities will likely choose Ronaldinho. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is considered by many to be the most fluid with the ball at his feet among the South American nation’s many exceptionally gifted football players.
In addition to making the sport appear effortless, Ronaldinho helped many people realise what the “beautiful game” really meant. His incredible goal against Chelsea in the Champions League, where he deceived the opposing defenders with basic body feints before blasting into the bottom corner without even needing a run-up, was the most spectacular of the mercurial talent’s many extraordinary goals throughout his career. “Purely for skill, I’d go Ronaldinho in [first place],” Cole said, quickly naming the former Brazil international as his top pick.
The Career of Ronaldinho
Club
Years
Gremio
From 1998 to 2001
Saint-Germain, Paris
From 2001 to 2003
Barcelona
From 2003 to 2008
Milan AC
2008–2011
The Flamengo
2011–2012
Mineiro Atletico
From 2012 to 2014
Queretaro
2014–2015
Fluminense
2015
2Lionel Messi
Career Span: 2004 – Present
Lionel Messi was always going to be mentioned when discussing the most talented players to have ever set foot on a football ground because he was a man who could squeeze through even the smallest openings. With his combination of ball control and low centre of gravity, the small Argentine has left fans speechless on numerous occasions.
Messi was known for leaving defenders in his wake and scoring some incredible goals on his own, especially when he was younger. His ability to think quickly, which seems to be superior to anyone else the game has ever seen, is largely responsible for this. Even if he isn’t quite as active when he has the ball in 2024, the 36-year-old is still the best football manipulator in the world.
Messi Lionel’s Career
Club
Years
Barcelona
From 2004 to 2021
Saint-Germain, Paris
2021–2023
Miami Inter
2023–Today
3Zinedine Zidane
Career Span: 1989 – 2006
Both Messi and Ronaldinho benefited from having smaller frames, which made it a little simpler to change course, but this just serves to highlight Zinedine Zidane’s ranking on this list. The former midfielder is among the best to have ever worn Real Madrid’s iconic white uniform, and it’s always entertaining to see his explosive outbursts from the centre of the pitch.
The Frenchman, who stood 6’1″, was as graceful as anyone he had ever encountered on a football ground and had a very astute use of the ball. Zidane frequently employed cunning moves to outmanoeuvre his rivals. The 1998 World Cup winner turned many midfielders inside out because of his ability to move either way, which was further aided by his ability to use either foot well.
The Career of Zinedine Zidane
Club
Years
Cannes
From 1989 to 1992
Bordeaux
1992–1996
Juventus
From 1996 to 2001
Real Madrid
From 2001 to 2006
4Diego Maradona
Career Span: 1976 – 1997
In order for Lionel Messi to run, Diego Maradona had to walk. There was a similar magician from the South American country that dominated the international game before the renowned Argentine that everyone in the present generation grew up with and loved.
After winning Goal of the Century, his lone goal against England at the 1986 World Cup is still frequently seen today. With ease, Maradona spun away from two English midfielders after picking up the ball in his own half. He then drove at the centre of the Three Lions’ defence, beating the last defender and sliding the ball around the rushing custodian to score into an empty net. This is only one of many instances where the legendary trickster makes opponents look stupid.
The Career of Diego Maradona
Club
Years
Junior Argentinos
1976–1981
Junior Boca
1981–1982
Barcelona
1982–1984
Napoli
1984–1991
Sevilla
1992–1993
The Old Boys of Newell
1993–1994
Junior Boca
1995–1997
5Cristiano Ronaldo
Career Span: 2003 – Present
Especially in 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo might not be most recognised for his skill with the ball. After all, with more than 800 goals to his credit, the Portuguese legend is the all-time best goal scorer. The 39-year-old’s technical skill has been astounding, even in his exploits in front of goal.
Throughout his lengthy and illustrious career, he has scored numerous acrobatic goals, but his spectacular overhead kick for Real Madrid against Juventus in the Champions League may be his greatest. He was a winger for Sporting CP and Manchester United in his earlier years, and he scared opposition full-backs to death. Ronaldo frequently left defenders red-faced each week due to his scary speed when carrying the ball.
The Career of Cristiano Ronaldo
Club
Years
Playing CP
2002–2003
United Manchester
From 2003 to 2009
Real Madrid
From 2009 to 2018
Juventus
2018–2021
United Manchester
2021–2023
Al-Nassr
2023–Today
