For many years, football fans have argued online, often like cats and dogs, about who the two best football players are. The debate usually revolves around Messi and Ronaldo, with fans discussing whether Messi is first and Ronaldo second, or vice versa. Whatever your stance, it’s undeniable that Messi and Ronaldo are widely recognized as the greatest players of this era. Even non-football fans know that these two legends are the most prominent players of the modern football scene. But the question arises: After Messi and Ronaldo, who is the third-best player of this generation?

The Contenders for Third Place

Some fans quickly mention Neymar, while others bring up players like Lewandowski, Suarez, or Modric. But this isn’t a simple matter of personal preference like “I like Neymar’s dribbling, so he must be the best.” To determine the third greatest player, we need a logical and data-driven approach.

We’ll compare multiple candidates, considering their career achievements, performance consistency, and the number of trophies won, among other factors. This comparison will include players who have been prominent since Messi and Ronaldo first reached the Ballon d’Or podium in 2007.

Establishing the Criteria

In 2007, Messi and Ronaldo first reached the Ballon d’Or podium: Ronaldo was second, and Messi was third. From that point onward, they dominated the Ballon d’Or awards, effectively making the Messi-Ronaldo era. Now, we need to decide who among the other players, during this same period from 2007 to 2024, deserves to be considered the third-best.

Player List

Here are our 10 candidates for the third-best player, after Messi and Ronaldo:

Neymar

Robert Lewandowski

Manuel Neuer

Xavi

Andres Iniesta

Sergio Ramos

Luka Modric

Dani Alves

Sergio Busquets

Luis Suarez

These players have been compared using various criteria, including average match ratings, number of trophies, and individual performances.

Average Match Ratings

To evaluate consistency, we can look at average match ratings throughout each player’s career. While stats alone don’t tell the full story, they do give us some indication of a player’s consistency.

  • Neymar comes out on top with an average rating of 8.08.
  • Robert Lewandowski has an average rating of 7.59.
  • Luis Suarez follows with a 7.49 rating.
  • Luka Modric has an average of 7.16.
  • Manuel Neuer (a goalkeeper) has a 6.75 rating, which is quite impressive given his position.

Neymar’s consistently high ratings are a standout, especially considering the number of world-class players on the list.

Trophies Won: Club and Country

Another major factor in determining the third-best player is the number of trophies they’ve won with both their club and national team.

  • Dani Alves is the most decorated player after Messi, with 46 trophies, including multiple Champions League titles and domestic league victories.
  • Xavi and Iniesta are also among the most successful, with 41 and 48 trophies, respectively. They’ve won numerous La Liga and Champions League titles with Barcelona, as well as major international honors like the World Cup and European Championship.

When comparing players based on their trophy cabinets, it’s clear that someone like Dani Alves stands out. However, a key point to remember is that his international achievements are not as notable as those of Xavi and Iniesta.

The Debate: Neymar or Lewandowski?

One of the most contentious debates is between Neymar and Robert Lewandowski. Neymar has been incredibly consistent at the top level, earning multiple podium finishes in the Ballon d’Or rankings, while Lewandowski’s incredible goal-scoring record speaks for itself.

While Lewandowski has been prolific, Neymar’s flair, versatility, and ability to impact big matches have kept him in the spotlight. Moreover, Neymar’s overall consistency in both club and country helps him secure a spot higher on this list.

Conclusion

After examining all the factors, including performance consistency, achievements, and individual accolades, it’s clear that Neymar is the most deserving of the third spot in the Messi-Ronaldo era. While there are arguments for other players like Xavi or Lewandowski, Neymar’s combination of skill, consistent performances, and impressive trophy haul across both club and country make him the standout candidate.

The top players of this generation have all achieved greatness in their own right, but when considering every metric, Neymar emerges as the third-best player, after Messi and Ronaldo.

By admin

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