But as a younger dude your judgement of those players is informed entirely by editorials, essays, selective footage, and even revisionist history.
You didn’t witness those players play the way you have Messi or Ronaldo. The way you have consumed them is fundamentally different. How can you say with such confidence that Di Stefano is on another level?
So, apart from the sources of your opinion that I highlight, you probably look at their achievements. Even in that aspect, Messi stands as a giant despite being diminutive.
Comparing players from different eras when you haven’t lived those eras is also dangerous for these reasons.
Unless, of course, you’re 102 years old.
Maradonna? The person who helped a Napoli side win 2 scudetti against the best possible team that ever existed ? Milan of late 80s and early 90s
Napoli were pretty strong then but no where close to what they are in recent times. Maradona elevated that team.
Pele dominated everyone everywhere.
I value a player’s ability to elevate mid table teams etc to be champions or close to being elite enough so they can compete for titles more than just winning in a stacked team.
Of course performance matter and titles too matter but to lesser extent.
Di Stefano won a lot. And he was clearly a stand out player. He made the team win.
He elevated the team due to his sheer ability.
Cruyff the same. His teams weren’t as stacked as the ones Messi played for. And Messi is untested in more difficult leagues.
He also had 2 of the greatest midfielders supporting him. They are easily in top 5 of all time.
