He was obviously an amazing player at Madrid and united but when he went to Milan and Paris it feels like an afterthought.

Where would you put him in the list of greats?

Its all a matter of opinion I guess.
Here's a players own points ranking to 100.
https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm from 1999, its interesting to compare to later times.
You could look up plenty more and get completely different rankings and players
https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm
Goldenballs ranked 35th above.
All depends when during a players career they are ranked, so it could be up or way down depending when during their career.
Another point is specific key moments a player stood up.
Some in ranking have very low NT appearances for eg.
So it needs to be really specific when and what your ranking for, eg Club or NT singularly or combined or like the first link, a players choic poll/ranking.

For a player who had no pace, average defense work rate imo watching him from start to finish of his career his attacking prowess, passing skill and obviously spot kick techniques sure made up on his weaker points.