Great vs GOAT

Greetings, I am 15-year-old Garrett Zhou, a student at Durham Academy High School. I enjoy studying, exercising, playing soccer, and maintaining discipline in general. My history with soccer is fairly straightforward: I began playing when I was 7 years old, and at the age of 12, I was chosen for the ECNL regional Carolinas team as the top player in the state. I was chosen to travel with 20 players from my club, NCFC, to play against NY Red Bulls Academy, PDA Academy, and NYFC Academy that same summer. I'm currently with the second-ranked NCFC 09 ECNL club.

For soccer fans, the debate over who qualifies as a great striker versus a GOAT-level striker is always a hot topic. While both are undoubtedly skilled athletes, there are specific characteristics and accomplishments that distinguish the two levels of talent.

Great strikers are those who consistently perform at a high level, scoring goals and contributing to their team's success. These players are often the top scorers in their respective leagues and have a knack for finding the back of the net in crucial moments. They possess excellent technical abilities, such as precision shooting, dribbling, and positioning, which allow them to excel on the field. Great strikers are also known for their adaptability, being able to thrive in different systems and playing styles. On the other hand, GOAT strikers are a rare breed, transcending the label of greatness to achieve legendary status. These players not only dominate on the field but also have a lasting impact on the sport as a whole. Their influence goes beyond scoring goals; they elevate the performance of their entire team and leave an indelible mark on the history of the game. GOAT-level strikers consistently deliver exceptional performances year after year, demonstrating their extraordinary talent and mental fortitude. One crucial aspect that sets GOAT-level strikers apart is their ability to perform at the highest level in the most significant matches. Whether it's a cup final, a derby, or an international tournament, these players rise to the occasion and deliver game-changing moments when it matters most. Their mental resilience and composure under pressure separate them from great strikers, as they consistently prove themselves on the grandest stages. Another distinguishing factor is the longevity of their success. While great strikers may have periods of exceptional performance, GOAT strikers maintain their superiority over an extended period, often throughout their entire careers. Their consistency in delivering outstanding performances sets them apart and cements their legacy in the historybooks of soccer. Here are some numbers and examples to back this claim.

If I were asked to name a list of GREAT strikers in the game of soccer/football, a couple of names come to mind: Samuel Eto'o, Marco van Basten, Raul, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Gerd Muller, Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema. These are all undoubtedly very good strikers, but I am sure if I asked anyone who the greatest striker ever was, they would not say any of these names. 

The difference between these players and, say, Cristiano Ronaldo is a lack of some factor of greatness. For Karim Benzema, it might be a lack of 'carrying a team', as he was always overshadowed by his teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. For Lewandowski, it is likely a lack of sharpness in the big games or his lack of international success with Poland. Luis Suarez was overshadowed by Lionel Messi, and he has gotten notoriety for the biting of 2 players and the handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, so he has few fans. 

I'm sure you get my point. Now, if I were asked to list GOAT strikers, some names come to mind: Cristiano Ronaldo, R9, Pele, and Ferenc Puskas. The difference with these players is they all have a very complete game and careers filled with stardom and success. For CR7, it's obvious. He has the most goals of all time, he is Mr UCL, and he brought international success to Portugal, etc. If I were to list every great thing that Cristiano Ronaldo did in his career, it would take a couple of pages. R9, however, is a unique case. His career was brilliant but very short due to injuries. If you remember my previous list of GREAT strikers, you may recognize that R9 and Marco van Basten both had very short but successful careers. What makes R9 a GOAT and van Basten a GREAT? Let's first look at some stats. Marco van Basten: 301 goals in 431 matches, including 91 assists. Van Basten won 3 Ballon D'ors, 1 FIFA Player of the Year, and no UEFA Best Player of the Year, but also won many other team trophies. R9: 360 goals in 553 matches, including 98 assists. He won 2 Ballon D'ors, 3 FIFA Player of the Year, and 1 UEFA Best Player of the Year, among many other team trophies. If you look at the G+A/G ratios, van Basten has a 0.91 goal contribution per game ratio, while R9 has a 0.83 goal contribution per game ratio. It seems as if R9 has a slight edge in terms of individual trophies, while van Basten has a slight edge in terms of efficiency. However, you will rarely hear anyone say van Basten is on the same level as R9. A big reason why this is is because R9 has 2 WORLD CUPS, and he also has 2 Copa America's. Van Basten only has one team trophy with the Netherlands, and it is not a World Cup. It is a European Championship, an EURO. Additionally, every single defender, when asked, always said that R9 was their toughest opponent, meaning that in his relatively short prime, his star shone brighter than anyone else's. 

To conclude my point, GOATs have a cutting edge to them; a well-roundedness that makes it impossible to say, "He was trash." Whether that be their statistics, their style of play (Johan Cryuff brought a whole new look to football), the eye test (how pleasing is it to watch them play?), or in Cristiano Ronaldo's case, ice in their veins. Of course, many of these factors you cannot control. If you are born to a national team that isn't the greatest, that's hard to change and will affect your entire career. So, GOAT and GREAT are simply a perception of opinion that is different for everyone. Maybe your GOAT is Lionel Messi. Mine certainly is Cristiano Ronaldo. Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed the mini-article. This is Garrett, signing off.