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"The Beautiful Game" has given us a lot over the years. The constant evolution of the sport has been a joy to witness, and various players have played a key role in its development.
Some of the biggest personalities in sport have been football players, and their influence on the game has been easy to witness. There are many great players, but very few who can be regarded as history-makers; these few players have had a huge impact on the game.
It is not easy to have such an influence on a team sport, but these individuals have done just that. Having honed their natural talent, these footballers have gone on to define the game of football.
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We look at 5 players who changed football forever.
#5 Pele
Pele is seen by many as the greatest player to have played the game, and his legacy will stand the test of time.
The Brazilian spent much of his club career with Santos and is the club's all-time top goalscorer. Pele was renowned for his prowess in front of goal for both club and country; with Brazil, he won three FIFA World Cups and is the all-time leading goalscorer of the senior side.
Pele won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball for his performances in the 1970 World Cup. Technically gifted and highly intelligent, the striker is regarded by many as one of the most important and recognizable sporting personalities of the 20th century.
#4 Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff's genius transformed football forever. The influence he had on the game, first as a player and then as a manager, was unparalleled.
Cruyff is regarded as one of the greatest players to have played the game. Well known for his spells with Ajax and Barcelona, Cruyff was a proponent of "Total Football", a football philosophy where any player can play in any outfield role.
Highly technical and creative, Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or thrice. After retiring from his playing career, Cruyff managed Ajax and Barcelona, and with the latter he established the "Dream Team". His coaching philosophy has hugely influenced Pep Guardiola, who was part of Cruyff's "Dream Team" at Barcelona.
#3 Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was a complex character, but the impact he had on the game of football is immeasurable.
Maradona's life was filled with controversies. A prodigious talent, from a very young age there was intense pressure on the forward to perform for both club and country. Maradona rarely disappointed on the field, but his off-the-field activities often overshadowed his footballing abilities.
There is no denying Maradona's greatness. The Argentine is regarded reverentially in the world of football, due to his incredible talent and his achievements in the game. Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, and Napoli, where he spent much of his club career, have named their stadium after him.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a modern great and continues to be one of the best players in the world at the age of 36.
Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at the recently finished Euros. Having made his name at Manchester United, it was Real Madrid that Ronaldo established his greatness. He is the club's all-time top goalscorer, and his rivalry with Barcelona's Lionel Messi is seen as one of the greatest sporting rivalries of all time.
The Portuguese superstar is currently playing for Juventus. He was Serie A's top goalscorer last season and his dedication, hard work and phenomenal fitness levels have all been widely appreciated.
#1 Lionel Messi
The greatest player to have ever graced the game, Lionel Messi's records and achievements speak for themselves.
A one-club man, Messi is Barcelona's greatest ever. A world-class goalscorer, creator and dribbler, the Argentina international has all the tools required to play comfortably in both midfield and attack, and is the engine behind almost every Barcelona and Argentina goal.
Messi won the Copa America 2021 with Argentina, thus removing a big weight off his shoulders. The 34-year old is a beautiful player to watch, with his technical skills and mastery with the ball unmatched by anyone at the highest level.
