Ranking the 10 greatest big-game football players of all time

Nnanna
There have been many top big-game players over the years.
There have been many top big-game players over the years.

#4 Luis Suarez | Barcelona, Liverpool

FC Barcelona vs RCD Mallorca - La Liga
FC Barcelona vs RCD Mallorca - La Liga

When Luis Suarez joined Liverpool, it was immediately clear the club had a star on their hands. Without Suarez on the pitch, The Reds floundered in attack, but when he played, he was their best player on the pitch. The magician was quickly courted by Barcelona, where the star became part of the most potent attacking trios in the game's history.

Although Suarez now plays for Atletico Madrid - guiding them to the La Liga title with 21 goals - his performances in big games for Barcelona were astonishing. His partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar saw the trio amass a record 122 goals in a season.

The star helped the Blaugrana win an amazing 13 trophies before he was controversially let go by the club after six years.


#3 Steven Gerrard | Liverpool

Aston Villa vs Liverpool - FA Cup Semi-Final
Aston Villa vs Liverpool - FA Cup Semi-Final

Steven Gerrard is arguably the biggest player in Liverpool history, and one of the greatest stars of his generation.

The star spent 17 seasons at Anfield, where he led Liverpool to five domestic cups, three continental trophies and the Community Shield. However, his exploits in competitive finals have been some of the most remarkable in history.

The Miracle of Istanbul saw Gerrard guide Liverpool to a genuinely miraculous comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the Champions League.

The 2006 FA Cup final has also been called the Gerrard final because of his exploits in the game. Steven Gerrard is the only player to score in the final of FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League, winning the trophy on each occasion.


#2 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - Premier League
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - Premier League

There are not many players with a potent history in the Champions League than Cristiano Ronaldo. He has managed nearly 30 goals in over 20 quarter-finals, 13 goals in 21 semi-final, and four goals in six finals. The Portuguese maestro sits near the very top, considering his consistency in the final third, especially in big games.

In big games, Ronaldo notably pulls through for his side, and he has done for all the teams he has played with, including Sporting. His very recent exploits for Manchester United were injury-time goals that notably helped Ole Solskjaer hold onto his job for a while longer.

At Juventus, his hat-trick inspiring the team's comeback from two goals down against Atletico Madrid was otherworldly. At Real Madrid, he guided Zidane's men to three consecutive Champions League trophies, and four in five years. Ronaldo scored in two of those finals, and in a shootout in a third.


#1 Didier Drogba | Chelsea

Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers - Premier League
Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers - Premier League

No one comes near the king of big games and finals in the history of football. Didier Drogba was Chelsea's talisman for many years, but it wasn't just his goalscoring prowess that won him fans across the world.

The Ivorian star scored in seven finals across three competitions leading to seven trophies, a rare record by any stretch.

An extra-time goal in 2005 against Liverpool in the League Cup final started off the star's penchant for scoring in finals. He ended his career with a beautiful 88th-minute equaliser against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final, which Chelsea won.

Drogba's only poor performance in a final came in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations title match, where he missed a penalty for Cote d'Ivoire.

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Edited by Bhargav
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