There are many footballers who could lay claim to the title of greatest footballer of all time (GOAT), but there is only one who can truly be called the GOAT: Lionel Messi.
Messi is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, and he has also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice. He has been named the best player in the world by FIFPro a record six times, and he has won 30 trophies with Barcelona, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions League titles.
In terms of individual records, Messi holds the record for most goals scored in a La Liga season (50), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36), and most goals scored in a calendar year (91). He is also the only player to win three European Golden Shoe awards.
Messi's achievements speak for themselves, and there is no doubt that he is the greatest footballer of all time.