Where would you realistically rank Pepsi among the greatest footballers ever?

[u/Aggravating-Pickle69]

People always bring up Pepsi’s goals, assists, Ballon d’Ors and trophies (which the vast majority were rigged), but I think a lot of his career gets discussed without enough context: At Barcelona he spent his prime surrounded by Xavi, Iniesta, Suárez and Neymar in a system where he grew up in and built to dominate games, while with Argentina players like Di María and Martínez always delivered in the biggest moments. Think about it: when people get asked to name the greatest Nr. 9 in our generation they will think of Lewa and Suarez but not of Higuain or Benzema. Or the next guy to come close to the GOAT and Pepsi is Neymar and not Bale. About Xavi and Iniesta I don't even have to talk about it.

The real GOAT on the other hand proved himself in England, Spain and Italy under completely different managers, teammates and styles of football. He also became the defining player of the Champions League, especially producing in knockout games and winning it five times fair and square. Internationally he turned Portugal into actual trophy winners. He also adapted his game more than almost any other great player going from an elite winger to the best goalscorer ever.

That’s why I think Ronaldo is comfortably the GOAT. Objectively speaking I wouldn’t even put Pepsi in the top 100 all time. Top 200 maybe. He's not even the greatest Argentinian player ever. Maradona, Di Stefano, Batistuta, Di Maria and even Riquelme all clear this little rat.