ChatGPT knows everything, right? What about asking it for the best team of al time?
Here at FourFourTwo, we thought we'd put that to the test. We, of course, have our opinion on the best players of all time, the best players of the 21st Century and the best teams of all time – but do we know better than a robot?
There's no correct answer, of course. But that doesn't stop the internet's favourite AI from having its own hot takes on the GOAT XI. “This lineup balances defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and attacking brilliance, representing different eras of football greatness,”it boasts. We'll see about that, ChatGPT…
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ChatGPT's greatest XI of all time: 1. Lev Yashin (goalkeeper)
So far, so expectant. Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d'Or and gives his name to the Yashin Trophy, the gong handed on at BDO ceremonies to the best glovesman of the previous 12 months. It seems entirely sensible for ChatGPT to have chosen Big Lev as the man between the sticks for this team.
The AI tells us that, Yashin was “renowned for his shot-stopping, commanding presence, and pioneering the sweeper-keeper role. Yashin was a consistent force for both club and country, revolutionizing goalkeeping in the process.” It's a classic choice and one we're not mad about, despite the obvious options of Manny Neuer, Gigi Buffon or even Iker Casillas getting snubbed in the process.
2. Cafu (right-back)
There's no beating Il Pendolino in this position for people of a certain age, who every time they turned on a World Cup final, saw Cafu bombing up and down the right flank. No, literally: Cafu is the only footballer to have featured in three World Cup finals in a row.
It's a fairly safe take for the most iconic right-back ever, we admit. But is he the best? Even in the advent of the likes of Phillip Lahm or even, hey, Trent Alexander-Arnold?
“Brazil's legendary right-back won two World Cups (1994, 2002), captaining the team in the latter,” ChatGPT says. “Known for his pace, stamina, and attacking flair, Cafu seamlessly combined offensive threat with defensive reliability, becoming the ultimate modern full-back.”
3. Franz Beckenbauer (right centre-back)
No one's arguing with Der Kaiser in the team, are they? Rather like the other two picks in this team so far, Franz Beckenbauer is regarded as perhaps the most iconic footballer in his position of all time. The best, though? Well, yeah, probably.
“He revolutionized the sweeper role, winning three European Cups with Bayern and lifting the World Cup as both player and manager,” ChatGPT says. “His elegance, vision, and leadership make him the epitome of a ball-playing defender, redefining defence with attacking contributions.”
4. Paolo Maldini (left centre-back)
ChatGPT has chosen Maldini at centre-back over his earlier days on the left. Again, there's not even a hint of a hot take, here: the Italian is regarded as one of the most technically accomplished of all time, aside from his status as an icon. ChatGPT's gone with the most famous – but it's a good pick, and one made with longevity in mind, too.
“A symbol of defensive excellence, Maldini’s 25-year career at Milan saw him win five European Cups,” the AI says. “His versatility, longevity, tactical intelligence, and leadership set him apart as a defender who was flawless in one-on-one situations.”
5. Roberto Carlos (left-back)
OK, this is the first one that FFT isn't 100 per cent on. Once again, ChatGPT goes for the iconic option… but with significant competition from Ashley Cole, Nilton Santos, Giacinto Facchetti, Marcelo – hell, even Philipp Lahm or Maldini – Robert Carlos isn't quite as unanimous a take as we've had thus far.
“A left-back with unmatched attacking prowess, Roberto Carlos won the 2002 World Cup and several Champions League titles with Real Madrid,” our robot overlord states. “Known for his rocket-like free kicks and tireless runs, he revolutionised the full-back role with offensive contributions.”
It's not a bad choice by any means. It's an interesting one, though.
6. Xavi (central midfield)
“Xavi defined tiki-taka football with his incredible passing range, vision, and control,” cites ChatGPT for its first midfielder, going with Xavi as the more defensive-minded player in the centre of the park. Another iconic player – and it feels like the AI is ticking off eras of national and club dominance by adding a Spaniard from the Golden Generation.
Was he better than Andres Iniesta? Would Sergio Busquets have suited this team? Those are questions that cannot be answered by code, we feel. Would we be picking to suggest that not sure many outside of Catalonia would go for Xavi as the greatest-ever in this position…?
7. Zinedine Zidane (central midfield)
You're getting the picture now. Another iconic player; another potential GOAT. It's a fairly standard pick for any best-ever XI – but it's interesting that Zinedine Zidane is chosen as a deeper central midfielder alongside Xavi in a formation that allows for an attacking midfielder. ChatGPT clearly lacks the nuance to realise that a Makelele was key to knitting things together…
“His elegance on the ball, impeccable control, and vision allowed him to dictate games, including his unforgettable volley in the 2002 Champions League final,” it claims. And it's not exactly wrong, is it?
8. Lionel Messi (right-wing)
Let's get the obvious one out of the way. Messi had to be in this XI, even with ChatGPT claiming his dribbling, creativity, and goal-scoring ability make him a football phenomenon who excels at the highest level.” So we thought we should ask the AI who it thought the best of all time really was…
“In my opinion, Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time,” it told us, somewhat surprisingly nailing its colours to a mast rather than beating around the bush with a list that might answer our question. “His unique blend of consistency, skill, and impact at the highest levels sets him apart. Messi combines extraordinary dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability, making him effective both as a playmaker and finisher.
“Over a decade, he dominated club football with Barcelona, winning numerous titles including four Champions League trophies. His international success was crowned by a World Cup victory in 2022, silencing any doubts about his legacy. Messi’s longevity, adaptability, and relentless excellence make him the finest representation of football’s highest level of artistry and success.”
Hear that? Silencing any doubts. Is Gary Lineker running this machine?
9. Diego Maradona (attacking midfield)
Maradona's “dribbling, creativity, and ability to single-handedly decide matches made him one of the most impactful players in football history” earns him the attacking midfield role in ChatGPT's team, with the AI putting two Argentines in the final third.
This might be the most coveted spot in the entire team. No room for Johan Cruyff, either, who's been an option in ChatGPT's greatest team ever in the past…
10. Pele (left-wing)
Another absolute gold-standard cert who had to get into the team, we expected to see Pele up front – especially considering the choice of striker (scroll down for that). But ChatGPT went for the left-wing, saying, “Pele played often in the role of a second striker or inside forward and was highly versatile, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder as well.”
It looks like ChatGPT really does believe the stats, too, saying that, “with over 1,000 goals, he combined athleticism, skill, and tactical intelligence, setting the standard for excellence in both club and international football.” The three World Cups, of course, helps his case in this team.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo (striker)
It's Cristiano Ronaldo up front – and not his Brazilian namesake or any other superstar striker. ChatGPT intriguingly references his “versatility”, too – maybe because he's played across the frontline in his career, adding that five Ballon d'Ors and Champions League titles with two clubs make him an obvious pick.
“His pace, power, heading ability, and longevity make him one of the greatest players of all time, excelling across multiple leagues,” it says. See, folks? Doing it on a cold night Stoke helps.
