Kenny Dalglish has become one of those figures in world football who everyone sits up and listens to on the rare occasion he publicly gives his opinion. Earning that right as a legendary figure for three different teams - Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland - the 74-year-old is one of the most respected British figures the game has ever produced.
After winning four top-flight titles in Scotland, Dalglish earned a move to Liverpool in 1977 and lifted a further six First Division titles for the Merseysiders. He was also pivotal in three European Cup successes with the English giants.
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Hanging up his boots in 1990, the Scot wrapped up a 21-year career as one of the finest Brits to ever pull on a pair of boots. Greatly respected by some of the greatest players of all time, Dalglish's status in the game is more than justified. For example, Argentine great Diego Maradona labelled the attacker 'a phenomenon' after facing him at Hampden Park.
Scottish hero hails iconic quartet as the greatest
Dalglish was full of praise for Lionel Messi after the Barcelona hero dragged Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. The diminutive playmaker was sensational as he finally got his hands on the biggest international prize to go along with the staggering club success he's achieved.
That momentous accomplishment wasn't lost on Dalglish, who made sure he was clear on the four players with a shout to be named the greatest ever. Alongside Messi, the Scottish icon name-checked Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona and Pele in his column for The Sunday Post:
"Of course, as the careers of Messi and Ronaldo inch towards their end, the debate will continue about the greatest player of all time.
"It was certainly Messi’s World Cup and, if there was any doubt before, he must now be in the stellar company of Pele and Maradona when fans argue about the best ever. But still the argument will never go away because, ultimately, it is down to opinion, not fact, and everyone has an opinion."
These are often the four names brought up in conversations about the best to ever grace the hallowed turf, and Dalglish believes they are the right candidates, although he didn't nail his colours to any of the four men.
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Kenny Dalglish on Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi
'I’m just glad I didn’t have to play against either of them'
The never-ending debate that will continue to roll on forever is that between Messi and Ronaldo. The duo have dominated world football for the last two decades, scooping up an unbelievable 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them since 2008.
Everyone in the world has their opinion on who they prefer, and Dalglish decided to weigh in with his personal thoughts. The Liverpool legend stated: "My view is that we have been hugely fortunate to have enjoyed Messi and Ronaldo both providing such spectacle, skill and sheer magic at the very top level for two decades. They’ve given us all wonderful pleasure, time and time again.
"Messi now, of course, has one up on Ronaldo with the fact he has walked away from Qatar as a world champion with Argentina. Me? I’m just glad I didn’t have to play against either of them."
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 29-06-25.