As I sat watching the 2019 Champions League final, I couldn't help but reflect on what truly makes a soccer player legendary. Having followed the sport for over two decades, I've developed my own criteria for greatness that goes beyond just goals and trophies. When we talk about the best soccer players of all time in 2019, we're discussing athletes who've not only dominated their era but have fundamentally changed how the game is played.

The conversation inevitably begins with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - two players who've redefined excellence in modern football. What fascinates me about these two is how they've maintained peak performance for over a decade. Messi's 672 career goals and Ronaldo's 689 tell only part of the story. Their consistency at the highest level is what truly separates them. I remember watching Messi's incredible free-kick against Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League semi-final - that moment reminded me why many consider him the most technically gifted player ever. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's hat-trick against Atlético Madrid earlier that same season showed his unparalleled big-game mentality.

But here's where my perspective might differ from some pundits - true greatness isn't just about individual brilliance. It's about transforming teams and leaving lasting legacies. This reminds me of that fascinating statistic about the Angels' coach - 35 wins and 15 losses as head coach. While that's from a different sport, it illustrates how we measure impact through tangible results. In soccer, we see similar patterns with players like Zinedine Zidane, whose influence extended beyond his playing days into his coaching career. His volley in the 2002 Champions League final remains, in my opinion, the greatest goal ever scored in a final.

When I think about legendary defenders, Franz Beckenbauer and Paolo Maldini immediately come to mind. Beckenbauer revolutionized the sweeper position while winning everything there was to win. Maldini's longevity at AC Milan - playing at an elite level until he was 41 - is something I doubt we'll ever see again in modern football. Their defensive artistry often gets overlooked in these discussions, but for me, they're essential to any all-time great list.

The Brazilian magicians deserve special mention too. Pelé's 1,281 career goals might be debated, but his three World Cup victories are undeniable. Then there's Diego Maradona, whose 1986 World Cup performance represents, in my view, the single greatest tournament display by any player. His combination of technical skill and sheer willpower was something magical to witness.

What strikes me about evaluating players across different eras is how the game has evolved. Today's athletes face physical demands that would have been unimaginable in Pelé's time. Yet the classics like Johan Cruyff introduced concepts that still influence modern tactics. His "turn" isn't just a cool move - it represents a philosophical approach to the game that continues to inspire coaches today.

As we look at the current generation, players like Kylian Mbappé are already making compelling cases for future inclusion. His World Cup final performance in 2018 at just 19 years old showed maturity beyond his years. While it's too early to place him among the absolute greats, he's on that trajectory if he maintains this level.

Ultimately, compiling such a list is deeply personal. My choices would certainly include Messi, Ronaldo, Pelé, Maradona, and Cruyff as my top five, though I'd struggle with the exact order. Each brought something unique to the beautiful game that transcended statistics and trophies. They didn't just play football - they elevated it to an art form that continues to inspire millions worldwide, myself included.