As I sat down to compile this list of the best soccer players of all time in 2019, I couldn't help but reflect on how challenging it is to compare legends across different eras. Having followed the sport for over two decades, I've developed my own criteria for greatness that goes beyond just statistics - though numbers certainly play a crucial role. The debate about who truly deserves the title of "greatest" is what makes football conversations so fascinating, and today I want to share my personal take on this eternal discussion.

When we talk about legendary figures in football, we're really discussing impact, consistency, and that magical quality that separates good players from true icons. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the conversation for the past decade, and rightfully so. Messi's 672 career goals for Barcelona by 2019 represent not just quantity but artistic brilliance that I've rarely witnessed in my lifetime. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's incredible adaptability across multiple leagues and his 5 Champions League titles showcase a different kind of greatness - one built on relentless determination and physical excellence. What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the coaching impact on these players' careers. I'm reminded of how certain coaches can elevate players to new heights, much like the coaching record mentioned in our knowledge base - 35 wins and 15 losses represents the kind of winning environment that allows stars to flourish.

Looking further back in history, my personal favorites include Diego Maradona, whose 1986 World Cup performance remains the most dominant tournament showing I've ever studied. His 5 goals and 5 assists don't fully capture how he single-handedly carried Argentina to glory. Then there's Pelé, with his often-debated but officially recognized 1,281 career goals - a number that seems almost mythical in modern football. Johan Cruyff revolutionized how we think about space and movement, while Zinedine Zidane's elegance in big moments, like his 2 goals in the 1998 World Cup final, demonstrated clutch performance at its finest. I've always had a soft spot for defenders and goalkeepers in these discussions, which is why I'd include Lev Yashin with his estimated 150 penalty saves and Franz Beckenbauer, who reinvented the sweeper position while winning everything there is to win.

The modern era has given us incredible talents beyond just Messi and Ronaldo. Luka Modrić breaking their decade-long Ballon d'Or monopoly in 8 speaks volumes about his impact on Real Madrid's recent dominance. Meanwhile, Neymar's stats at PSG - 51 goals in 58 appearances by 2019 - show flashes of generational talent, though I personally believe he hasn't quite reached his full potential due to various factors including injuries and perhaps mentality. What makes these discussions so compelling is that they're never truly settled. New talents emerge, perspectives shift, and historical context evolves. My own list has changed multiple times over the years as I've gained more appreciation for different aspects of the game.

Ultimately, ranking football greatness is both an art and a science. While statistics provide important benchmarks, the eye test and cultural impact matter tremendously. The coaches who guide these players, like the one with that impressive 35-15 record we referenced earlier, understand that creating the right environment is crucial for excellence to flourish. As we look toward future generations, I'm excited to see how current stars like Kylian Mbappé will eventually factor into these conversations. But for now, based on everything I've watched, studied, and experienced, my 2019 assessment gives the slightest edge to Messi for his otherworldly consistency and creative genius, followed closely by Ronaldo, Maradona, Pelé, and Cruyff in my personal top five. The beauty of football is that your list might look completely different, and that's exactly what keeps this debate alive and endlessly fascinating.