Messi is recognized as the best player in the history of football by the IFFHS

Argentina and Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi has been named the best player in the history of football by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). The corresponding publication was posted on the organization's website on May 18.

In the overall ranking, Messi beat Brazilian striker Pele and Argentine Diego Maradona, who took second and third places.

Portugal and Saudi Al-Nasr striker Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the Golden Ball, took fourth place.

Messi is 37 years old. During his career, he won the Golden Ball eight times and is the most decorated football player in the world. In December 2022, Messi became the world football champion with the national team of Argentina, adds Sport-Express.

Earlier today, Lev Yashin, the former goalkeeper of the Dynamo Moscow football club and the USSR national team, topped the IFFHS ranking of the best goalkeepers of all time. The Soviet goalkeeper beat Italian Gianluigi Buffon and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the ranking, who are in second and third places, respectively.