If I had thought for longer about this post (which itself was just suggestions for additions to an-an's list of 10 options in each category, without any names I had already mentioned as top options earlier too) I would have named Ivan Gudelj, for versatility, rather than Popescu I would say. Gudelj evidently was very good in various midfield roles, but also as a sweeper or right back in defence for example I think, and probably as a supporting forward pretty much too. Similarly I think I'd have put in Francesco Totti or Paulo Roberto Falcao for volleys, rather than Voller. I was also thinking that probably some other current players would at least be in the ballpark for consideration in some categories (that can also be true for other older players though too): possibly Pedri for balance, or Cherki for ball control for example.... I think Eusebio might well be an older legend that could still be there or thereabouts in the mix for speed too....
Speed: Mbappé Balance: Messi Strength: Thuram Stamina: Kanté Heading: Cristiano Ronaldo Flexibility(Range of motion and injury prevention): Cristiano Ronaldo Ball control: Messi Short passing: Xavi Long passing: Pirlo Through balls: Messi Crossing: Beckham Dribbling: Neymar Finishing: Cristiano Ronaldo Long range shooting: Cristiano Ronaldo Shot power: R. Carlos Lobs: Loco Abreu Bicycle kick: Cristiano Ronaldo Volley: Cristiano Ronaldo Shielding: Zidane Free kicks: Marcelinho Carioca Penalties: Cristiano Ronaldo Corner kicks: Beckham Positioning/Off-the-Ball Movement: Cristiano Ronaldo Vision/Decision making: Xavi Versatility(multiple positions): Cristiano Ronaldo Concentration/focus: Cristiano Ronaldo Leadership: Cristiano Ronaldo Weak foot: Cristiano Ronaldo Defense: Thuram
It's already evident I don't agree I suppose mate from my answer, irrespective of truth about any allegations of ''wrong-doing' (Maradona had those too to be fair) but we've been getting on well again lately so I certainly didn't want to rep all the other answers and not yours. Carlito (not to quite this extent this time) and Spartacus himself aren't so far from your answer I guess either (and it can be partly a general modern is better....or not....perception rather than just about one player in particular I guess).
I only included the players I've seen the most. I was born in 1998 and I haven't seen enough of players from before that. I suppose you haven't even seen Sarosi, but you must have studied him quite a bit to have chosen him. I've also read about its versatility. I chose Cristiano because he played at an elite level on both wings and as a second striker. Most players drop their level when playing out of position but Ronaldo were compared to Best when playing RW and were undisputedly the best LW of all times. Also he has a solid case for being the greatest second striker in the three peat era playing alongside Benzema but the competition on that position is stronger. This is the position of Pelé
Ah, ok, yes I was wondering about lack of Pele (even though you might perceive him as best/greatest I remember), but yeah hard to factor in some players from ages ago maybe - I probably contradicted slightly with my posts as I did put Sarosi there for versatility (maybe the narrative is enough, but I haven't seen him play enough really of course) even if after putting Gullit there in the 1st wave of answers, while I said about Liedholm's passing that it can be a bit hard to tell (and compare to later players), although choosing him 1st for any particular passing category without having been able to see enough to be convinced visually is perhaps more of a stretch in theory it could be argued even if there is certainly more footage of him than Sarosi (I don't criticise Spartacus going with Liedholm for short passing at all though, as it can make sense based on what we can see and also read - I just made some qualifying comments to show my doubts about how I could compare him to others from later times with limited footage, especially lacking early 1950s games to see....)
The perfect player: Goalscoring: Gerd Müller Assisting: Messi Playmaking: Cruyff Dribbling: Maradona Ball control: Zidane Physical: Eusébio Speed: Gento Long shot: Puskás Heading: Cristiano Free kick: Marcelinho Carioca Penalty: Koeman Big games: Pelé Some skills can be argued with factual data. For example, Koeman scored 116 penalties and only missed 15, an 88.55% success rate. He also had a 100% success rate in penalty shootouts, where the pressure is even greater.
Did you try to use one player no more than once on the whole list? If you did, I kind of like the end result, and the idea.
To be completely honest, Cherki might be the most two-footed / ambipedal player I have ever seen. I am honestly still not sure if he is left- or right-footed. https://youtube.com/shorts/-HEr6s8q4-s?si=Nrh3euqjAYGyeN5Q https://youtube.com/shorts/1VfbuPCsnTw?si=WnLqcTHNJGaOOSVc
Eder Aleixo de Assis for crossing, corner taking and all the stuff a winger is normally going to be in charge of. The more I see footages of him, the more I get convinced he is the most underrated winger ever. Not that fast, sure (better, lacking acceleration). Andin part victim of his own poor work rate and professional commitment. But what you see in footages like the two attached below is nothing but all-timer brilliance.