Who is the greatest player in Premier League history?

Cristiano Ronaldo? Thierry Henry? Ryan Giggs?

None of the above.

That’s because Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is. Well, that’s according to fans of Eurosport, who have been voting for the best player to have graced England’s top-flight.

Thirty-two of the best Premier League players went head-to-head in a voting knockout tournament until we found the ultimate winner.

The initial list of 32 players consisted of:

  • Thierry Henry
  • Yaya Toure
  • John Terry
  • Sergio Aguero
  • Paul Scholes
  • Andy Cole
  • Dennis Bergkamp
  • Nemanja Vidic
  • Eric Cantona
  • Tony Adams
  • David Silva
  • Vincent Company
  • Ryan Giggs
  • Gianfranco Zola
  • Roy Keane
  • Harry Kane
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Matt Le Tissier
  • Petr Cech
  • Rio Ferdinand
  • Steven Gerrard
  • Didier Drogba
  • Wayne Rooney
  • Eden Hazard
  • Alan Shearer
  • Robin van Persie
  • Peter Schmeichel
  • David Beckham
  • Frank Lampard
  • Ashley Cole
  • Patrick Vieira
  • Kevin de Bruyne

And after more than 20,000 votes, Le Tissier beat Cristiano Ronaldo in round one, Rio Ferdinand in round two, Steven Gerrard in the quarter-final, Alan Shearer in the semi-final and Thierry Henry in the final.

So, Henry had to settle for second place while Shearer and Ryan Giggs both lost out in the semi-finals, taking joint-third place.

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So, did Le Tissier deserve to win?

There’s no doubt ‘Le God’ was an incredible talent. He scored 100 goals in 270 appearances for the Saints in the Premier League, whilst registering 64 assists.

Criminally, the naturally gifted footballer only received eight caps for England.

PORTRAIT OF MATTHEW LE TISSIER

One person that definitely was a fan of Le Tissier was Barcelona legend Xavi.

"In Catalonia, there used to be a half-hour programme every Monday where they'd show the best goals from the Premier League," Xavi said back in 2016.

"Every week, Matt Le Tissier would be on the show. I'm talking outrageous, sickening goals. Straight in the top corner, left-foot flick and then right over a defender and score against Newcastle.

"We used to say: 'This guy, Le Tissier, is outrageous and he never goes to a big team. He stays at Southampton. It's incredible. He could play for anyone.’ Our whole house was obsessed with him."

Maybe he was underrated by fans in England - but definitely not Europsport fans (and the Xavi household).