Jay Jay Okocha ahead of Messi, Zidane in 5 most naturally gifted players of all time

• Ronaldinho tops the list of most naturally gifted footballers following his talents during his remarkable career
• Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha was in a world of his own on the pitch as he showed off incredible skills with ease
• Here we look at the naturally gifted players and how they brought their artistry onto the pitch of play

For some players, football is an art; some take it as a business, while others just enjoy the game as it presents itself.

Here we look at some of the naturally gifted footballers who ever graced the game, and this particular ranking is based on pure natural talent as exhibited on the pitch.

Experts have always chosen different paths as regards rankings of footballers, but here we dissect how some of these legends applied their ‘natural default settings’ while on the pitch of play.

Ranking the best Spurs players of all time and more fun facts

Football

Below are the top 5 most naturally gifted footballers

5. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane is arguably the greatest midfielder to have ever graced the game. He won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year on three occasions. The Frenchman poses a rock-solid physique and a silk-smooth touch on the ball; the legend was good at everything.

Watching him in the middle of the pitch was magical. Zidane made the centre of the pitch practically his own, and even opponents feared him.

Zizou was an incredible dribbler, and his passing and sensational goal-scoring ability put him among the greatest of all time.

4. Lionel Messi

Until today, many argue that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time. No doubt, he fits in such a status. Messi is naturally skillful, and to have won the Ballon d’Or on seven occasions is not a fluke.

Revealed! The top 10 most skilled footballers in the world right now

Football

The Argentine is endowed with incredible dribbling and passing skills, complemented by a perfect goal-scoring sense.

Many compare him to the great Brazilian legend Pele, while some even see him as a better player ‘by far’.

He is quick and flawless and can work wonders against the opposition, great in the final third and has scored some great solo goals.

3. Diego Maradona

The late legend is still missed. Maradona was 'football' himself. Many still revere him as a ‘god of football’.

Diego Armando Maradona had a long span in his career, from his debut in professional football in 1975 to his farewell match in November of 2001.

He influenced a great number of modern-day footballers. Maradona was brilliant, magical, special, and practically did anything else with the round-leathered piece.

His vision and masterful technique made him the perfect leader for the Argentine national football team.

2. Jay Jay Okocha

REVEALED! The top 20 dirtiest NBA players of all time

NBA

Nigeria’s Jay Jay Okocha is up there when you talk naturally gifted players. The superlative midfielder was something else with the ball.

While many remain amazed that the former PSG midfielder did not win laurels, Okocha feels satisfied with his career. It was joyful to watch the former Super Eagles captain.

To date, German legend Oliver Kahn feels mesmerized by how the then Eintracht Frankfurt star scored one of the most iconic goals in the Bundesliga.

Okocha was naturally gifted, doing everything with ease – passing, dribbling and goal-scoring. What a talent!

1. Ronaldinho

The Brazilian was practically ‘born to play football’. His footwork and freestyle tricks stand him out when it comes to natural talents.

Ronaldinho had it all, leaving fans puzzled as opponents wondered what he would do in the next split-second. This ‘guy’ endured harsh fouls from opponents because he was just having fun on the pitch.

Finally it is here! Ranking of the 20 best English footballers of all time

Football

It’s obvious that Ronaldinho could wake from a 10-hour sleep and go straight to a World Cup final and still deliver.

He displayed some innovative skills, which left the crowds staring at him in disbelief. He was an exceptionally gifted footballer, a born legend.

Ronaldo dazzles at exhibition match

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Brazil football legend, Ronaldinho made a stunning return to football.

However, at 42, the football icon was back to doing what he does best as he featured in a recent football match.

Ex-Brazil international was in action for Porcinos FC in a seven-a-side King's League which is run by fellow Barca legend Gerard Pique.