Preface: After Messi became the king, there were three ball kings in the history of world football. They are Pele, Maradona, and Messi! In this issue, let’s talk about some of the [quasi-ball king] players who are closest to the ball king level. Who are they?

Foreword:

After Messi became the king, there were three football kings in the history of world football. They are Pele , Maradona , and Messi! In this issue, let’s talk about some players who are closest to the ball king level. Who are they? Let’s talk about what conditions they still have before becoming king.

c Ronaldo

Lack of qualifications: World Cup champion

Before this World Cup, Ronaldo was the only active player in football who could compete with Messi! As the best striker in the history of football, Ronaldo's strength, popularity, and honor are all undoubted. Unfortunately, Ronaldo is still one move away from being the "Ball King", and is the World Cup.

In terms of strength, as a striker, Ronaldo has no shortcomings! Cristiano Ronaldo is proficient in all the skills that a forward should have. His superb skills, handsome appearance, and unyielding fighting spirit have earned Cristiano Ronaldo countless fans. Among them, those born in the 80s and 90s have the most fans. Even Mbappé is a little fan of Ronaldo.

In terms of honor, no one in today's football can come close to Ronaldo except Messi! 5 Golden Balls, 4 European Golden Boots, 3 La Liga Golden Boots, 1 Premier League Golden Boot, 1 Serie A Golden Boot, the top scorer in world football history, the Club Grand Slam and so many more honors are too numerous to count.

is only one World Cup champion away from the "Ball King"! Although Ronaldo's Portuguese team is also a traditional strong team, it has never been a top team. This has also led to Ronaldo's failure to compete in the World Cup 5 times! Qatar After the World Cup, Ronaldo has no chance of winning the World Cup, so he can only be positioned as a "quasi-ball king".

Ronaldo

Lack of conditions: Champions League champion, league champion

"Alien" Ronaldo, the strongest center who combines speed, technology, consciousness and shooting skills! The ceiling that combines actual combat with appreciation, the idol of Benzema, Ibrahimovic, Jesus, Aubameyang, Balotelli and other stars.

In terms of strength, Ronaldo is definitely the only one in history! This point means that Messi and Maradona have to step back a little. Ronaldo's skills have reached the pinnacle. The football at his feet is like a part of his body, free and smooth.

If nothing else, let’s just say that Ronaldo’s “pendulum pass” was something that no player could accomplish in actual combat before, and even less so now! In addition, Ronaldo is the only man in the history of football who can make a highlight reel of passing goalkeepers.

In terms of honors, Ronaldo has won: World Player of the Year , 2 Golden Globe Awards, 2 European Golden Boots, 2 La Liga Golden Boots, 1 World Cup Golden Boot, 1 Eredivisie Golden Boot, 1 America's Cup Golden Boot, the second scorer in World Cup history, the National Team Grand Slam and other honors.

Why didn't Ronaldo become the king of football? It's because Ronaldo didn't win the Champions League in his career! There is only one league championship, and the lack of club honors prevents Ronaldo from winning the title! Therefore, his final positioning can only be at the "quasi-ball king" level.

Zidane

Lack of conditions: Popularity

Zidane, the number one attacking midfielder in football history! The most powerful midfield brain in the history of football, the totem-level boss of the French team, and an incredible man whose transfer fee can reach a sky-high price of 73 million euros at the beginning of the new century. The only condition Zidane lacks to become the "King of Football" is that his popularity is a bit low.

In terms of strength, Zidane's technique, overall view, vision, field control, and organization are all impeccable, and he has a king's aura and competition attributes! The bigger the performance, the better, such as the 1998 World Cup final, the 2002 Champions League final, and the 2006 World Cup final.

In terms of honors, Zidane has won: 3 World Players, 1 Ballon d'Or, 1 Serie A assists champion, Lawrence Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Foot Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, International Football History and Statistics Federation Best Midfielder of the Year, Club + National Team Double Grand Slam and other honors.

It stands to reason that a midfield master like Zidane would be very popular, but the reality is that Zidane's popularity has never been comparable to that of top stars! Why? Because the midfield position is not the most popular position on the court, the most popular position on the court is always the forward.

Zidane's main position is the midfielder, so his popularity will naturally be lower if he is less in the limelight! Another reason is that Zidane is not handsome enough. If Zidane was as handsome as Beckham, or as sunny and handsome as Kaka, Zidane's popularity would definitely increase.

Those who like Zidane are all real fans! Unlike Kaká and Beckham, there are many fans who only care about appearance but don’t know anything about football. Because of his position on the field and appearance, Zidane’s popularity has never reached the level of “Ball King”, so he is positioned as a “quasi-Ball King”.

Let me clarify here: I am not saying that those who like Kaka and Beckham are pseudo-fans, I am saying that there are some.

Di Stefano

Lack of conditions: World Cup champion

"Golden Arrow" Di Stefano, a representative figure of ancient football and the best striker in the world before Pele! A strange man who has played on behalf of three countries, is also the "quasi-ball king" who did not win the World Cup because he did not win the World Cup.

In terms of strength, Di Stefano is not inferior to Messi and Ronaldo. Not only is he superb in shooting, he is also very proficient in ball control, and overall his skills are quite comprehensive! Representing Real Madrid , he played 396 games and scored 308 goals as the best proof. The nickname Golden Arrow was tailor-made for him.

In terms of honors, Di Stefano has won: 2 Golden Globe Awards, 5 La Liga Golden Boots, the only winner of the "Super Ballon d'Or", the first player elected to the FIFA Hall of Fame, the second best player of the century (the first is Pele) and other honors.

Di Stefano's life is quite legendary. The most legendary thing is that he has played for three national teams in Argentina, Colombia and Spain! But due to various reasons, he was never able to make it to the World Cup stage, resulting in no World Cup championship in his life! The national team has only one America's Cup honor, so its final positioning can only be at the "quasi-ball king" level.

Cruyff

Lack of conditions: National team honors

"Dutch Flying Man" Cruyff, the originator of total offense and total defense, godfather of Barcelona , was very successful both as a player and as a coach! However, Cruyff also failed to win the title, only because his national team honor was not strong enough.

In terms of strength, Cruyff is extremely fast, explosive, comprehensive in technique, broad in vision, good in passing and shooting, and has an almost perfect calm mind! Also one of the best wingers in football history.

In terms of honors, Cruyff has won: 3 Golden Globe Awards, FIFA Hall of Fame, Lawrence Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the 19 football players who changed the world in "CHAMPIONS", UEFA third place among the top 50 European players in the 50th anniversary and other honors.

Whether as a player or as a coach, Cruyff was quite successful! So why didn't he become the champion? That's because Cruyff's national team had poor results and didn't have any championships, let alone the World Cup. It didn't even have European Cup , so Cruyff could only be a "quasi-ball king".

Platini

Lack of conditions: World Cup champion

Platini, the totem superstar of the French team before Zidane, not only played well, but also became the president of UEFA after retirement, a veritable football giant.

In terms of strength, Platini has exquisite and mature techniques. He is not only fast in movement but also quick in mind. He is a player who uses his body and brain to play football! Moreover, Platini was good at passing and shooting, and was the best midfielder in world football in the 1980s.

In terms of honors, Platini has won: 1 World Footballer, 3 Ballon d'Or Awards, 3 Serie A Golden Boots, 1 European Cup Golden Boot, a member of the Italian Football Hall of Fame, and wears France's highest honor, the Order of the Knights.

Why didn’t Platini become king? That's because Platini doesn't have a World Cup title! Platini represented the French team in three World Cups, and his best result was only third place. Without a World Cup championship, Platini can only be the "quasi-ball king"

Beckenbauer

Lack of conditions: Popularity

"Football Emperor" Beckenbauer, the founder of the "liberal" playing style, the first player in the history of the German team, the first defender in the history of football to win the Ballon d'Or, Bayern honorary lifelong chairman, was not popular because of the loss of position on the field and failed to win the title.

In terms of strength, Beckenbauer can play as sweeper/centre-back/midfielder/winger, except for goalkeeper. Beckenbauer is not only an excellent defender, but also an offensive organizer. His footwork is delicate, he handles the ball flawlessly, his passing is accurate, his movements are light and elegant, and most importantly, his leadership qualities are unparalleled.

In terms of honors, Beckenbauer has won: 2 Golden Globe Awards, been selected into the FIFA Hall of Fame, one of the 19 football players who changed the world in "CHAMPIONS", and the first place in the FIFA Centenary Celebration Best Player Award.

The reason why Beckenbauer did not win the title is entirely because he mainly plays the defender position. The defender position is the least popular position among all positions on the football field, so even someone as strong as Beckenbauer did not gain much popularity! Therefore, Beckenbauer can only be ranked at the "quasi-ball king" level.

Veterans, which other players do you think can be called "quasi-ball kings"? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area.

Conclusion:

works are purely original! Anyone who plagiarizes or transfers shall bear all legal consequences at their own risk. Thank you for reading. If you have any additions or different opinions, please leave a message in the comment area! Those who like NBA and football follow me and I will bring you the most professional interpretation every day. Remember me! and the stories I bring to you.