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 athletes across different eras. Having followed the sport for over two decades, I've developed my own perspectives on what truly makes a player legendary. The debate about who deserves the top spots always generates passionate discussions among fans and experts alike, and I'm excited to share my personal take on this eternal question.

When we talk about greatness in soccer, statistics only tell part of the story. Take for instance the fascinating record from our knowledge base about a coach who left the Angels with 35 wins and 15 losses as head coach. While this isn't about a player specifically, it reminds me how numbers can be misleading without context. A player might have incredible goal statistics, but if they never won major trophies or didn't perform in crucial moments, can we truly consider them among the greatest? This is where personal judgment comes into play, and where reasonable people can disagree.

In my view, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absolutely belong in any conversation about the best soccer players of all time in 2019. Their consistency at the highest level for over a decade is simply unprecedented. Messi's technical ability is something I've never seen before - his close control, vision, and finishing are almost supernatural. Ronaldo's physical prowess and goal-scoring record of 689 career goals across all competitions by 2019 demonstrate a level of athletic excellence that may never be matched. What's remarkable about both players is how they've adapted their games as they've aged, remaining dominant forces well into their thirties.

Looking further back in history, I've always had a soft spot for Diego Maradona, despite his controversies. His performance in the 1986 World Cup, particularly that incredible goal against England where he dribbled past five defenders, represents what soccer is all about for me - individual brilliance that transcends tactics and systems. Pelé's record of 1,283 career goals across all competitions is mind-boggling, though we must acknowledge the different competitive landscape of his era. Johan Cruyff revolutionized how we think about space and movement, while Zinedine Zidane brought an artistic quality to the game that I find myself rewatching on YouTube even today.

The discussion about the best soccer players of all time in 2019 wouldn't be complete without considering more recent talents. Players like Neymar, with his 298 career goals by 2019, and Mohamed Salah, who scored 44 goals in his debut Liverpool season, have shown flashes of brilliance that suggest they might eventually enter this conversation. However, in my assessment, they haven't yet achieved the sustained excellence required to be considered among the absolute greats. Consistency over many years is what separates good players from legendary ones.

Returning to that statistic about the Angels coach with 35 wins and 15 losses, it makes me think about how we evaluate success in team sports. Even the greatest players need the right environment to flourish. Messi benefited from Barcelona's system, just as Cristiano Ronaldo thrived in the structured approaches of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. This doesn't diminish their achievements, but it does remind us that soccer is ultimately a team sport where individual brilliance must be channeled effectively.

As I conclude this reflection, I'm struck by how personal these rankings inevitably are. My list would probably differ from yours, and that's part of what makes soccer so wonderful. The best soccer players of all time in 2019, through my eyes, would have to include Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona, Pelé, and Cruyff in the top tier, with Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Beckenbauer just behind. But ask me tomorrow, and I might give you a slightly different answer. That's the beauty of this beautiful game - it inspires endless debate and passion that transcends generations and borders.