Exclusive comment from Joe Cole: Five of the most skilled players in football history have been revealed. Which one’s skills amaze you the most?

Former Premier League legend Joe Cole was once a representative of "technical flow" during the West Ham and Chelsea era - even though his peak was shortened due to injuries, he still had a vicious eye on "players with a good feel for the ball".

Now transformed into a commentator, he has selected the five most skilled players in the history of football. Even Brazilian superstar Neymar failed to crack the top five, and the list is full of gold.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo (2003 - present): The top scorer also has "skills"

Although he has become the "historical top scorer" with 900+ goals, Ronaldo's skills are often underestimated. Joe Cole mentioned that when he was a winger at Manchester United when he was young, he dribbled the ball so fast that defenders were caught off guard; Real Madrid's golden hook against Juventus in the Champions League during the period was the pinnacle combination of strength and skill. At the age of 40 in 2025, he can still rely on his skills to complete difficult shots. From Manchester United, Real Madrid to Riyadh Victory, every career has a "delicacy masked by goals."

4. Diego Maradona (1976-1997): Messi’s “technical predecessor”, one goal determines the “century”

“Maradona paved the way, so Messi can run further.” The most classic of this Argentine legend is the “goal of the century” in the 1986 World Cup—— Stealing the ball from his own half, easily getting rid of the two English midfielders, breaking through the defense and passing the goalkeeper to open the goal, he used his personal ability to the extreme. His career spanned from Boca Juniors to Naples. He was a "field magician" wherever he went. His ability to single-handedly lead the team to win games is still difficult to replicate.

3. Zinedine Zidane (1989-2006): The 1.85-meter "elegant alien"

is different from the "small and flexible". The 1.85-meter Zidane turned the "tall midfielder" into a work of art. As a legend of Real Madrid, he often stuns opponents with his smart passing skills and balanced skills with both feet; when he won the 1998 World Cup, the scene when he dribbled the ball from the midfield was full of calmness and elegance. From Cannes and Bordeaux to Juventus and Real Madrid, he relied on his "ball intelligence" to attract fans every step of the way. Joe Cole also recognized that his "skills are among the top among big men."

2. Lionel Messi (2004 - present): At the age of 38, he still has the "ball control code"

Messi relies on his low center of gravity and extreme control of the ball to shuttle through the narrow gaps of the defense countless times - the "Messi Corridor" where he played with defenders when he was young is still a famous scene in football. At the age of 38 in 2025, although he has lost his peak vitality, his touch with the ball is still unmatched. From Barcelona to Paris to Miami, he can "stick to the ball" wherever he goes and organize the offense smoothly. Joe Cole bluntly said that "his ball sense is innate."

1. Ronaldinho (1998-2015): Joe Cole certified as the "King of Skills", the undisputed number one

"In terms of skills alone, he must rank first." This is Joe Cole's direct evaluation of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian legend played football like "playing a game". During Barcelona's Champions League match against Chelsea, he relied on simple body feints to stun the defense and scored with zero run-up. From Gremio, Paris to AC Milan, his dribbling can make fans exclaim no matter where he is. He can be called "synonymous with beautiful football", and there is no suspense about his top position.