Wayne Rooney is the greatest footballer of all time.
Lately, soccernet.com has devoted countless pages to interviews of current and ex-players gushing fervently about Lionel Messi as the greatest player not only of the current era, but of all time.
They are wrong. Here is why...
Discussions about the greatest players of all time generally are held up on this point of contention; is scoring goals the definitive measurement of a players greatness? Many would argue yes; Pele is famed for defending himself as football's magnum opus by citing his goal scoring record, a shocking 1281 goals in 1363 top level games. Lionel messi currently has 50 goals in 43 games in La Liga, the greatest league on the planet (see: Bilbao 3 - 2 Manchester United). Cristiano Ronaldo has averaged more than a goal per game since joining Los Blancos in Spain. These three are arguably the greatest goal scorers of the past 50 years at their respective peaks; Messi and Ronaldo currently, Pele as a 21 year old. Are these three legends the greatest players of all time?
What of the playmakers? A goal cannot be scored alone, as even the legendary runs of the Brazilian Ronaldo and the aforementioned Messi are products of the positioning of 21 other players. Diego Maradona and Zidane are the greatest playmakers and passers of all time. Johan Cruyff is next in line, and George Best, Francesco Totti, and Eric Cantona could certainly be considered challangers to their shared throne. Are these the greatest players of all time?
And what of defenders? A game cannot be won if a goal is not conceded. Franz Beckenbauer was an absolute collossus at the back as well as being capable of scoring goals. Namanja Vidic is currently the best defender on earth and organized, strict defensive tactics have only truly existed within the past 30 years. Does that make him the best defender ever? Possibly; so where does he rank among the worlds best?
One must consider the field as a whole, all aspects that make a player a player, when deciding who is the best player to ever grace a pitch. Wayne Rooney, then, is the best player of all time.
He has demonstrated excellence at left wing, right wing, central midfield, outside back (see 2008's victory against Barcelona at Old Trafford), and if Nike virals are to be believed, he makes a decent goalie as well. He has the widest skill set of any player on earth; tanacity to rival midfield hounds like Genarro Gatusso, a nose for goal like Gerd Müller, an eye for a pass like his teammate Paul Scholes.
Wayne Rooney, then, is the best player of all time.
Or maybe not.
But I'd like to think so.
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