As I sat down to compile this list of the best soccer players of all time in 2019, I found myself reflecting on what truly makes a player legendary. Having followed the beautiful game for over two decades, I've witnessed countless athletes come and go, but only a handful leave an indelible mark on the sport's history. When we talk about game changers, we're discussing those rare individuals who didn't just play the game—they transformed it entirely through their skill, vision, and sheer determination. Interestingly, while researching for this piece, I came across a fascinating statistic that reminded me how coaching records can sometimes parallel player legacies—like how one head coach left the Angels with 35 wins and 15 losses, a winning percentage that would make any professional athlete proud.

Looking at the pantheon of soccer greats, Lionel Messi immediately comes to mind as someone who has consistently redefined excellence. I remember watching his breakthrough season in 2005 when he scored 6 goals in the Champions League as an 18-year-old, and thinking I was witnessing something special. Fast forward to 2019, and he's accumulated 672 career goals for Barcelona alone, along with 6 Ballon d'Or trophies. What sets Messi apart in my view isn't just the numbers—it's the artistry. His low center of gravity, combined with that magical left foot, creates moments that feel almost supernatural. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him dribble past four defenders as if they were training cones.

Then there's Cristiano Ronaldo, whose career trajectory demonstrates a different kind of greatness altogether. While Messi feels like a natural phenomenon, Ronaldo represents the ultimate in human engineering and determination. His transformation from a tricky winger at Manchester United to a goal-scoring machine at Real Madrid is something I've always admired. By 2019, he'd scored against 38 different national teams and collected 5 Champions League titles—numbers that speak to both his longevity and consistency at the highest level. What many people don't realize is that he's maintained a scoring rate of approximately 0.76 goals per game throughout his club career, which is simply remarkable for someone playing across multiple leagues and competitions.

Peeling back the layers of history, we cannot overlook Pelé, whose 1,281 career goals across all competitions set a standard that may never be broken. I've spent hours watching grainy footage of his performances in the 1958 World Cup, where at just 17 years old, he announced himself to the world with a hat-trick in the semifinal and two goals in the final. His flair and creativity established the template for what Brazilian soccer would become—a celebration of joy and technical mastery. Similarly, Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup performance, particularly his "Goal of the Century" against England, represents one of those transcendent moments where an individual player completely dominated a tournament. Having spoken to older fans who witnessed it live, they describe it as something bordering on religious experience.

The conversation about all-time greats would be incomplete without mentioning modern influencers like Zinedine Zidane, whose elegance and technical perfection I've always found mesmerizing. His volley in the 2002 Champions League final remains, in my personal opinion, the greatest goal ever scored in a club final. Meanwhile, Johan Cruyff didn't just excel as a player—he fundamentally changed how we think about space and movement in soccer. His development of "Total Football" principles continues to influence coaches worldwide, much like how strategic decisions shape team legacies, similar to that Angels coach who secured 35 victories against 15 defeats through tactical acumen.

As I bring this reflection to a close, I'm reminded that comparing players across different eras is inherently subjective—and that's part of the beauty of these discussions. While statistics provide valuable benchmarks, the true measure of greatness often lies in those intangible qualities that capture our imagination. The players I've highlighted here didn't just accumulate impressive numbers; they created moments that became part of soccer's collective memory. They changed how the game is played, coached, and appreciated. In another decade, this list might look different as new talents emerge, but the legacy of these icons will continue to inspire generations of players and fans alike.