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Football is the biggest sport in the world, and as such, it's played almost everywhere. As a result of its popularity, some immensely talented individuals have graced the football field from all corners of the world.
From lethal strikers to gracious playmakers, from imperious defenders to fleet-footed wingers, and those who could seemingly do it all. Today, we'll take a look at the top 16 football players of all time:
#16 Ferenc Puskas
"Canoncito Pump” was a prolific forward whose goal-scoring feats with Hungary and Real Madrid were extraordinary. Known for his powerful left foot, he remains one of the most prolific forwards in history. He began his career at Budapest Honved, winning five Hungarian League titles, before moving to Real Madrid at the age of 31.
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Puskas cemented his legend status in Spain, winning five La Liga titles and three European Cups. while scoring 242 goals in 262 games. Internationally, he led Hungary to an Olympic gold medal in 1952 and a World Cup final in 1954, scoring 84 goals in 85 caps for his country. His legacy is honored with the FIFA Puskas Award, given to the best goal of the season.
#15 George Best
George Best was a Northern Irish winger whose dribbling, flair, and charisma made him a global icon. His dribbling and brilliance in the final third dazzled Manchester United fans, where he spent 11 years. In that time, he became a massive celebrity, both on the pitch and off it.
With the Red Devils, Best won two English league titles and the European Cup in 1968. Best was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Despite some of his off-field issues, Best’s talent and charisma have made him one of football’s most beloved figures.
#14 Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthaus was a versatile midfielder and sweeper, known for his leadership and tactical intelligence. His leadership and hunch for scoring goals from deep were key to Germany’s success as he captained them to World Cup victory in 1990, winning the Ballon d’Or in the same year.
His career spanned over two decades of excellence, playing mostly at Bayern Munich, where he won seven Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Cup. Matthaus also won the UEFA European Championship in 1980. He also had a successful stint at Inter Milan, winning the Serie A and the UEFA Cup.
#13 Xavi Hernandez
He may be surrounded by much older legends, but Xavi remains one of the finest midfielders the game has ever seen. He was the metronome of the Barcelona midfield during their golden era, as his vision and passing precision orchestrated their tiki-taka style of play.
Xavi won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona. He was also a key figure for Spain when they won the 2010 World Cup, and back-to-back Euro titles in 2008 and 2012, an era of complete domination for La Roja. The legendary midfielder notably returned to Barca as a manager, leading them to the La Liga title.
#12 Franz Beckenbauer
“Der Kaiser” revolutionised the sweeper role with his composure, tactical knowledge, and strong leadership from the back. He won the World Cup as both a player in 1974 and a manager in 1990, and was twice named European Footballer of the Year in 1972 and 1976.
At Bayern Munich, where he started his career and became a legend, Beckenbauer won four Bundesliga titles and three consecutive European Cups (1974-1976). After retirement, he led them to win Bundesliga as a manager. His contributions to football have cemented his status as one of football’s greatest minds, both on the pitch and in the dugout.
#11 Paolo Maldini
Maldini is usually regarded as the best defender to have played the beautiful game. His defensive mastery set him apart from his peers and made him a legend at AC Milan where he won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League trophies.
Maldini was known for his versatility, playing both as a left-back and center-back, while having impressive passing accuracy that saw him aid the midfield regularly. He was included in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team twice (1994, 2002), but Maldini was unable to lead Italy to win the coveted trophy.
#10 Michel Platini
Platini’s playmaking brilliance and goal-scoring ability made him a legend for both Juventus and France. His exploits saw him win three consecutive Ballons d’Or (1983-1985). He also led France to Euro 1984 glory. At Juventus, he won two Serie A titles and a European Cup, among other trophies.
Platini’s vision and creativity were second to none, and he's still arguably the best French player to have graced a football field, besides perhaps Zinedine Zidane. His influence on the game is still felt today, as Platini delved into football administration, becoming the president of UEFA.
#9 Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is the architect of “Total Football.” His intelligence and elegance on the field transformed Ajax and Barcelona, impacting football tactics in a manner that still influences managers. A three-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cruyff won three European Cups with Ajax and a La Liga title with Barcelona.
His tactical philosophy continues to inspire coaches and players alike, as the concept of Total Football led to Barcelona's domination while he was manager. Managers like Pep Guardiola played under Cruyff and have built teams that embody the tactical philosophy with great success.
#8 Ronaldo Nazario
O Fenomeno was a force of nature. His explosive speed and clinical finishing saw him conquer Europe and win two World Cups with Brazil (1994, 2002). Despite injuries that plagued him throughout his career, he won two Ballons d’Or, shining at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
It's unfortunate that injuries did not allow him the longevity to match the talent that would have seen him definitely rank higher on this list. He played only 518 games throughout his career, scoring 352 goals.
#7 Alfredo Di Stefano
Di Stefano’s versatility and intelligence made him Real Madrid’s talisman during their golden era, and arguably the greatest to have played for the club. Winning five consecutive European Cups, there was hardly a better Los Blancos player in his time. Di Stefano also won eight La Liga titles and was a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 1957 and 1959.
On the national stage, he won the Copa America with Argentina and participated in the 1962 World Cup with Spain. His ability to play in multiple positions up front made him a unique talent at the time. He is also often credited with transforming Real Madrid into the global winning powerhouse, with 18 trophies in just 11 seasons.
#6. Garrincha
Manuel Francisco dos Santos, famously known as Garrincha, was a Brazilian footballer celebrated for his extraordinary dribbling skills and joyful playing style. Throughout his career, he entertained and inspired. He played 50 matches for Brazil, scoring 12 goals, and helping them win two World Cups in 1958 and 1962.
Despite being born with physical deformities in his legs, Garrincha became one of the greatest right wingers in football history. He spent the majority of his club career at Botafogo, where he won the Campeonato Carioca three times. In the 1962 World Cup, with Pele injured, Garrincha led Brazil to glory, winning the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot in the same tournament.
#5 Zinedine Zidane
Zidane’s sublime technique and vision made him a midfield maestro who was a joy to watch. Leading France to World Cup and Euro glory in 1998 and 2000, respectively, his career was capped by a memorable volley in the 2002 Champions League final with Real Madrid. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1998, and he's widely regarded as the greatest French player of all time.
At club level, Zidane won two Serie A titles with Juventus and La Liga with Real Madrid. He returned to Real Madrid as head coach, and he became the first to win the UEFA Champions League three times in a row.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Popularly known as CR7, Cristiano Ronaldo’s athleticism and goal-scoring have earned him five Ballons d’Or, alongside a truckload of individual and club accolades. His journey from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr has seen him win trophies in every country he has played in.
Ronaldo has won seven league titles, five Champions League trophies, as well as 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal. He recently scored his 901st career goal, sealing his place as arguably the greatest goal-scorer in the game. Now 39, he will look to hit the 1000-goal mark before he retires.
#3 Lionel Messi
La Pulga has broken so many football records, it is hard to keep up with them. Messi has won it all, and he has done so as a talismanic figure who can do the unthinkable every time he takes to the pitch. He inspired a period of Barcelona dominance in Spain that saw them win the league ten times as well as four Champions League titles.
Messi also won titles with PSG and led Inter Miami to their first-ever trophy, while also inspiring Argentina to two Copa America trophies and a World Cup triumph. Messi holds the record for most Ballons d'Or with an astonishing eight. He is the most decorated footballer in history with 45 trophies and holds the record for goals scored in a calendar year (91 in 69 matches).
#2 Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and his mesmerizing dribbles are etched in football folklore. However, his career was a rollercoaster of genius and controversy. He led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, and at club level, he won two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup with Napoli.
Maradona sealed his place as one of the finest to ever kick a ball with that wand of a left foot. He had brilliance, drama, and was a true icon of the sport. He never won a Ballon d'Or because the award only opened to non-European players in 1995, and we can only wonder how many he would have hauled in back in the day.
#1 Pele
The Brazilian maestro confounded the world of football with his extraordinary talent. While he may argue that he scored over 1000 career goals and others claim the number to be closer to 700, Pele's talent and genius were undeniable. After all, he remains the youngest player to win the World Cup at the age of 17.
Pele won three World Cup titles with Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970) and still remains a symbol of South American footballing excellence. His career, which was mostly spent at Santos, and later the New York Cosmos, was filled with league titles and international accolades.
