Is Messi the goat of all time?

Messi Crowned Greatest of All Time by IFFHS

For years, the debate over who deserves the title of football’s Greatest of All Time has raged on—now, one of the most respected authorities in football history may have settled it. On May 20, 2025, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) officially crowned Lionel Messi as the GOAT—Greatest Player of All Time—based on a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of individual performance, career achievements, and global influence.

The IFFHS, known for its meticulous long-term analysis of footballing excellence, placed Messi at the pinnacle of the sport, ahead of legends past and present. What sets Messi apart, according to the IFFHS, is not just his staggering list of accolades—including multiple Ballon d’Or titles and a FIFA World Cup with Argentina—but the consistency, creativity, and vision he brought to the game over nearly two decades at the highest level.

Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, often named as Messi’s closest rival in such discussions, was ranked fourth in the same assessment. The gap in rankings reflects the IFFHS’s emphasis on overall impact and on-field intelligence, areas where Messi’s low-center-of-gravity dribbling, playmaking precision, and football IQ left a lasting mark on teammates, opponents, and fans alike.

From his early days at Barcelona to his decisive role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Messi’s journey has been one of quiet dominance. Unlike flashier narratives built on athleticism alone, his legacy is rooted in the artistry of the game—making the impossible look effortless, game after game.

While debates will always spark in bars and living rooms around the world, the IFFHS recognition adds a formal weight to Messi’s case—one that transcends fan loyalty and speaks to a career of sustained brilliance. For many, that’s all the confirmation they need.