Lionel Messi Beats Zidane to Be Named Champions League's Greatest Player Ever

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the greatest player in Champions League history.

That is, at least according to a poll conducted by tournament sponsors MasterCard. 

Messi (27 percent) received the most votes ahead of former Real Madrid man Zinedine Zidane (12 percent). 

The Argentine has won the Champions League on three occasions and will aim for his fourth winner's medal when Barcelona take on Juventus in Saturday's final.

Cristiano Ronaldo (11 percent) finished third in the voting ahead of the Brazilian Ronaldo (7 percent) and David Beckham (4 percent).

As noted by the Latin American Herald Tribune: "Interestingly, those most inclined to choose Messi were not young people but respondents over 55 years old, as the Barcelona player won 33 percent of that category’s votes."

The Champions League began in 1992 as a rebrand of the old European Cup. 

[h/t Football Espana]