1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart & Lionel Messi
An easy one. Both Mozart and Messi were child prodigies who in different ways 'changed the game'. Mozart is widely regarded as one of the most influential classical composers of all time, and even before he retires, the 8 time Ballon D'Or, World Cup winner Messi is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time. Messi won the World Cup when he was 35, and Mozart's final opera The Magic Flute, debuted when Mozart was the same age. Mozart composed over 600 works, while Messi has scored over 800 goals for clubs and country. Productivity.
2. Richard Wagner & Diego Maradona
Two men who are regarded to be at the top of their respective fields, but not without controversy. Wagner's innovations in orchestrations, form and harmony changed the way many conceptualised music and theatre (Gesamtkunstwerk), and Maradona's incredible dribbling ability and drive guided Argentina to the World Cup in 1986. However, Wagner's anti-semitism and links to certain German supremacists have been well documented, while Maradona had his own issues with drugs and the law. Epic operas, epic goals.
3. Clara Schumann & Marta
Schumann, like Marta, represent something greater than what they are individually known for. Schumann's music and life is a positive and inspiring example for many people (especially women) everywhere. She was a performer, composer and teacher, as well as the person who set the standard by performing from memory. Over the course of five World Cup tournaments, she has set the record (in the men's and women's game) for most goals with 17. She played for Brazil for 22 years and her 6 FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Women's Player awards and 119 international goals for As Canarinhas may never be beaten.
4. Johann Sebastian Bach & Johan Cryuff
Yes these men have similar names, but there is more to it than that. With such a range of music, from sonatas, fugues and masses, Bach's music continues to be studied and performed across the world. Not only that, but Bach directly influenced many of the composers on this list including Mozart and Beethoven. Cryuff was a legendary player (3 x Ballon D'Or winner) but also went on to help popularise the total football philosophy as a coach. After playing for and managing clubs such as Ajax and Barcelona, he is regarded as one of the most influential people in football over the past 50/60 years, having coached players such as Pep Guardiola, Romário and Hristo Stoichkov.
5. Ludwig van Beethoven & Pele
If Beethoven is one of the most respected classical composers of all time, it only makes sense to look to Pele, the Brazilian footballer who is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. Beethoven's music has transcended the European classical world, with the opening motif of his 5th Symphony being one of the most recognisable classical motifs ever. In addition to composing whilst being profoundly deaf, Beethoven's music is amongst the most programmed by many of the worlds top professional orchestras. Whether taking about goals scored, or iconic status, Pele's three World Cup wins and over 1,000 goals scored are remarkable. His name will forever be synonymous with the yellow shirt of Brazil, and his first World Cup win as a 17 year old has set a benchmark for footballing achievement and impact at a young age.
6. Piotr Illych Tchaikovsky & Cristiano Ronaldo
Although regarded as extremely talented at a young age, both men had to work hard to become the legends that they are. Tchaikovsky (alongside others such as Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and the other Five) helped to create a distinctly Russian nationalist style of music, while Ronaldo helped to deliver Portugal's first ever major title at the 2016 European Championships. Tchaikovsky's works such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are classics, and Ronaldo's 902 career goals (including 450 goals in 438 game for Real Madrid) are nothing short of phenomenal.
7. Joseph Haydn & Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm played more games for her country than she did for any professional team. When the worlds first professional women's football league called Women's United Soccer Association was formed in 2001, Hamm became the face of the league, and has gone on to become an icon in global soccer. Her career and influence as a player led her to being named as one of the greatest 125 living players by Pele in 2004, and she is now co-owner of Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC. Like Hamm, Haydn had a huge influence on Classical music, and was a mentor/teacher to other influential composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. He helped to develop his field of composition, and is often called the 'Father of the Symphony'.
8. Errollyn Wallen CBE & Jaime Vardy
In a world where classical music created by Black women continues to be underrepresented (just 1.6% of all classical works performed were by global majority women) Errollyn Wallen is someone who has had to fight through barricaded doors to become the Master of The Kings Music in 2024. Overcoming the odds, Jamie Vardy went from playing for semi-professional Fleetwood Town in 2012, to being the Barclays Premier League Player of the Season as Leicester City won the Premier League only four years later in 2016. Both Wallen and Vardy have inspired many around the world, showing us the possibilities of hard work and dedication to their craft.
9. Frédéric Chopin & Ronaldinho
Virtuosic, Influential. Timeless. Chopin was one of European classical music's first celebrities, and the melodies found throughout his music have resulted in many being foundational repertoire for many pianists. Watching Ronaldinho play at times was like poetry in motion. Like a Chopin nocturne, the way he could glide past opponents and make difficult skills look nonchalant was mesmerising. Like Chopin, he was one of the YouTube's first celebrities, with his crossbar video, an iconic moment in football and internet history.
10. Hildegard von Bingen & Claude Makélélé
Even though Hildegard von Bingen is well known as a composer of monophonic music, she was much more than that. She was officially canonized as a Saint in 2012, and contributed to the world of science by writing about treatments and causes of disease in the human body. If Hildegard von Bingen helped to define sacred monophony, Claude Makélélé hhelped to define the central defensive midfield role, now known as the Makélélé role. He won titles in three different leagues, and since retirement has become a manager. Both of these people achieved what they did despite significant barriers, and are recognised as being exemplary in their respective fields.
11. Nadia Boulanger & Sabrina Wiegman OON OBE
Both of these women are well known for being 'teachers' as opposed to being known for their music or footballing abilities. Boulanger taught many well known 20th century composes including Aaron Copland, Julia Perry and Philip Glass. Like Sabrina Wiegman, she received national awards from multiple countries that she has worked in. Wiegman took control of the English women's football team (the Lionesses), and led them to their first ever major international tournament win at the UEFA Women's Championships in 2022. Like Boulanger, she has coached many incredible footballers including Vivianne Miedema, Jill Scott MBE and Ellen White MBE.
12. Michiru Ōshima & John O'Shea
There are very few people who can claim to have done almost everything in their respective fields. Ōshima has written music in many different styles, including symphonies, video game music, film and anime soundtracks. John O'Shea can boast being one of the most versatile players in Premier League history, having played as a goalkeeper, centre-back, both full back positions, in midfield and as a striker.
13. John Cage & Eric Cantona
This comparison rests on the enigmatic and uniqueness that was Cage and is Cantona. Cage's philosophies have been extremely influential in the art and music worlds, and Cantona can be credited for being the catalyst to Manchester United's domination of mid-90's English football. It is the 'outside the box' thinking that connects these two - Cage's 4:33 being a classic example, with Cantona's famous seagulls and sardines comment in 1995.
14. Dmitri Shostakovich & Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo and Shostakovich were superstars by the age of 20. Shostakovich's First Symphony put him on the map at 19, and after falling out of favour with Stalin's regime, his Fifth Symphony led critics to recognise him as an important Soviet composer. He had many battles with his health, especially towards the end of his life. Ronaldo won the World Cup in 1994 as a teenager, and rocketed to stardom, breaking the world record fee when he completed his move from PSV to Barcelona in 1996. He was no stranger to injuries, with the first major one happening in 1999. O Fenômeno combined technique, strength, pace and finishing to become one of the most feared strikers of the 1990's. His highlight reels are still incredible, and no other player has really come close to matching his unique skillset. Like Shostakovich, his health would become a significant factor later in his career.
15. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor & Just Fontaine
It might seem strange to think now, but Coleridge-Taylor was one of the most famous composers in England in the early 20th century. He was a contemporary of Ralph Vaughn Williams and Edward Elgar, both of whom are still often spoken about more than Coleridge-Taylor. Just Fontaine had a stellar career, scoring 226 goals in 248 appearances, most notably for Reims from 1956 to 1962. He was forced to retire at the age of 28, but not after scoring a record 13 goals in 6 games at the 1958 World Cup (which stared a certain 17 year old named Pele). Coleridge-Taylor unfortunately passed away at the age of 37. What could have been.
Any other suggestions? Comments are welcome!
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