As a data analyst with 8 years of NBA modeling experience, I’ve applied the same statistical rigor to football’s all-time greats. The myth that Ronaldo surpasses Cruyf, Zidane, or Beckenbauer isn’t supported by metrics—it’s emotion masking as narrative. Here’s what the numbers actually show: goal efficiency, defensive contribution, and peak performance under pressure. This isn’t about legends—it’s about layered performance curves.