Top 10 football players of all time
Top 10 football players of all time is subjective and varies based on personal opinions. However, here is a list of 10 football players who are widely regarded as among the greatest of all time:
There are also many other football legends who could be included on this list, such as Eusébio, Ferenc Puskás, George Best, and Marco van Basten, among others.
Top 10 football players of all time
1. Pele
| Name | Pele |
| Birth Name | Edson Arantes do Nascimento |
| Date of Birth | October 23, 2040 |
| Place of Birth | Tres Coracoes, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Clubs | Santos FC(1956 -1974), New York Cosmos (1975-1977) |
| International Career | Brazil National Team (1957-1971) |
| Position | Forward |
| Goals scored | 1281 |
| National Team caps | 92 |
| Honors | Three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962,1970) Two Copa Libertadores titlees (1962, 1963) Two Intercontinental Cups (1962, 1963) Multiple domestic leagues and cup titles with Santos FC |
| Death | December 29, 2022 |
Pele, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is a retired Brazilian football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil.
Pele began his football career at the age of 15 and quickly rose to prominence, playing for the Brazilian national team in the 1958 World Cup at the age of 17. He scored two goals in the final against Sweden and helped Brazil win the tournament for the first time.
Throughout his career, Pele scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, which remains a record to this day. He won three World Cup titles with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, and also won numerous domestic titles with his club team, Santos, in Brazil.
Pele is known for his exceptional technical skills, speed, and creativity on the field, and is often regarded as the best football player of all time. He was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame in 2013 and has also been a global ambassador for football and sportsmanship.
Pele passed out on December 29, 2022
2. Diego Maradona
| Name | Diego Maradona |
| Birth Name | Diego Armando Maradona Franco |
| Date of Birth | October 30, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Lanus, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Clubs | Argentinos Juniors (1976-1981), Boca Juniors (1981), Barcelona (1982-1984), Napoli (1984-1991), Sevilla (1992-1993), Newell’s Old Boys (1993), Boca Juniors (1995-1997) |
| International Career | Argentina National Team (1977-1994) |
| Position | Attacking midfielder, Forward |
| Goals Scored | 345 |
| National Team Caps | 91 |
| Honors | FIFA World Cup title (1986), UEFA Cup (1989), multiple domestic league and cup titles with Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli |
| Death | November 25, 2020. |
Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and passed away on November 25, 2020.
Maradona’s playing career spanned from 1976 to 1997, during which he played for several clubs in Argentina, Spain, and Italy. He also represented the Argentine national team in four World Cup tournaments, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he led Argentina to victory and scored one of the most famous goals in football history, the “Hand of God” goal, as well as the “Goal of the Century” in the same match.
Throughout his career, Maradona was known for his incredible ball control, dribbling skills, and ability to score goals. He won numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d’Or, and led his teams to multiple domestic and international titles.
However, Maradona also faced controversy throughout his career, including being suspended for drug use and getting involved in several on-field altercations. Despite these controversies, he remains a beloved and iconic figure in football history, and his impact on the sport and popular culture is significant.
3. Lionel Messi
| Name | Lionel Messi |
| Birth Name | Lionel Andres Messi |
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Rosario, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Clubs | FC Barcelona (2004-2020), Paris Saint Geraman(2021-still) |
| International Career | Argentina National Team (2005-present) |
| Position | Forward |
| Goals Scored (as of September 2021) | 750 (672 for Barcelona, 78 for Argentina) |
| National Team Caps (as of September 2021) | 156 |
| Honors (selected) | Seven Ballon d’Or awards One time world cup title with the Best player Four UEFA Champions League titles ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles Olympic gold medal with Argentina (2008) |
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
Messi began his football career at a young age and joined the youth academy of Barcelona at the age of 13. He made his debut for the club in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the world.
Throughout his career, Messi has won numerous individual and team awards, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona, as well as multiple Ballon d’Or awards. He is known for his incredible dribbling skills, precise passing, and ability to score goals from a variety of positions on the field.
Messi has also had success with the Argentine national team, although he has faced criticism for not winning a major international trophy with the team. He has represented Argentina in four World Cup tournaments and four Copa America tournaments, and has scored over 70 international goals . Argentina won 3rd world cup title at 2022 under Messi captaincy. He also declared best player of the tournament. Messi was also best player at 2014 world cup where Argentina secured 2nd position.
Off the field, Messi is known for his philanthropic work, including founding the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports children’s health, education, and sports initiatives around the world. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been involved in numerous charity matches and initiatives.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
| Full Name | Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro |
| Birthdate | February 5, 1985 |
| Birthplace | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m) |
| Weight | 183 lb (83 kg) |
| Position | Forward |
| Club | Sporting Cp, Manchester United,Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr |
| National Team | Portugal |
| Honors | 5 Ballon d’Or awards, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 Premier League titles, 2 La Liga titles, 1 Serie A title, and 1 European Championship with Portugal |
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on February 5, 1985, on the island of Madeira in Portugal.
Ronaldo began his professional career at Sporting CP in Portugal before moving to Manchester United in England in 2003. He became a superstar at Manchester United, winning numerous domestic and international titles, as well as individual awards like the Ballon d’Or.
In 2009, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in Spain, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and won four Champions League titles. He then moved to Juventus in Italy in 2018 .He played for Portugal at last world cup in 2022. .
Ronaldo is known for his incredible speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability, as well as his fierce competitiveness and work ethic. He has won numerous individual awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or awards, which is a record he shares with Lionel Messi.
Off the field, Ronaldo is also known for his charitable work and philanthropy. He has used his fame and fortune to support a variety of causes, including children’s charities, disaster relief efforts, and medical research.
5. Johan Cruyff
| Full Name | Hendrik Johannes Cruyff |
| Birthdate | April 25, 1947 |
| Birthplace | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Playing Position | Forward, Attacking Midfielder |
| Club Career | 1964-1984 (Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord) |
| International Career | 1966-1977 (Netherlands) |
| Managerial Career | 1985-1996, 2009-2013 (Ajax, Barcelona, Catalonia, Netherlands) |
| Honors | 3 Ballon d’Or awards, 3 European Cups, 10 Dutch League titles, 1 Spanish League title, 1 World Cup runner-up with Netherlands |
| Death | March 24, 2016 |
Johan Cruyff (1947-2016) was a Dutch professional footballer and coach who is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was known for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and creativity on the pitch.
Cruyff began his playing career with Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands in 1964, and he quickly established himself as one of the team’s key players. He helped lead Ajax to three consecutive European Cup victories from 1971-1973, and he won the Ballon d’Or award three times as the best player in Europe during his career.
Cruyff also played for FC Barcelona and the Dutch national team, with whom he reached the World Cup final in 1974. He was known for his innovative style of play, which came to be known as “Total Football,” and his influence on the game is still felt today.
After his playing career, Cruyff became a highly successful coach, leading Ajax, FC Barcelona, and the Netherlands national team. He was known for his commitment to developing young players and for his emphasis on attacking possession-based football.
Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68 after battling lung cancer, but his legacy in the sport continues to be celebrated around the world.
6. Zinedine Zidane
| Full Name | Zinedine Yazid Zidane |
| Birthdate | June 23, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Marseille, France |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Playing Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Club Career | 1988-1992 (Cannes), 1992-1996 (Bordeaux), 1996-2001 (Juventus), 2001-2006 (Real Madrid) |
| International Career | 1994-2006 (France) |
| International Caps | 108 |
| Honors | 1 Ballon d’Or award, 1 European Championship, 1 World Cup, 1 UEFA Champions League, 2 Serie A titles, 1 La Liga title |
Zinedine Zidane (born June 23, 1972) is a retired French professional footballer and current football coach. He is widely considered one of the greatest football players of all time and is regarded as a legend of the game.
As a player, Zidane was known for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and creativity on the pitch. He began his career with Cannes and Bordeaux in France, before moving to Juventus in Italy, where he won two Serie A titles and reached the Champions League final in 1997.
Zidane’s most successful years as a player came during his time at Real Madrid from 2001 to 2006, where he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League three times in a row. He also helped France win the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, and he was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1998, 2000, and 2003 as the best player in the world.
After retiring from playing, Zidane moved into coaching, and he has been highly successful in that role as well. He began his coaching career with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, before being appointed as the head coach of the first team in 2016. In his first two seasons in charge, he led Real Madrid to back-to-back Champions League titles, making him the first coach in the modern era to achieve the feat.
Zidane resigned from his position as Real Madrid coach in 2018, but returned to the role in 2019 and led the team to another La Liga title in 2020. He is widely admired for his calm demeanor, tactical knowledge, and ability to manage and motivate some of the world’s top football players.
7. Franz Beckenbauer
| Full Name | Franz Anton Beckenbauer |
| Birthdate | September 11, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Munich, Germany |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Playing Position | Sweeper, Central Defender |
| Club Career | 1964-1977 (Bayern Munich), 1977-1980 (New York Cosmos), 1980-1982 (Hamburger SV) |
| International Career | 1965-1977 (West Germany) |
| International Caps | 103 |
| International Goals | 14 |
| Managerial Career | 1984-1990 (West Germany), 1990-1994 (Olympique de Marseille), 1994-1996 (Bayern Munich), 1996-1997 (Germany), 1998-2000 (Bayern Munich), 2006-2008 (Bayern Munich) |
| Honors | 2 Ballon d’Or awards, 1 European Championship, 1 World Cup as a player, 1 World Cup as a manager, 3 Bundesliga titles, 1 North American Soccer League title |
Franz Beckenbauer (born September 11, 1945) is a retired German football player and coach who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He is known for his exceptional technical skills, leadership, and vision on the pitch, and for his contributions to the development of modern football as a coach and administrator.
As a player, Beckenbauer won numerous domestic and international titles with Bayern Munich and the German national team. He was the captain of the West German team that won the 1974 World Cup, and he also helped lead his country to the final of the 1966 and 1982 tournaments. He won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1972 and 1976, and he is one of only three men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach.
After retiring as a player, Beckenbauer went on to become a successful coach and manager. He led the West German national team to the final of the 1986 World Cup and later coached Bayern Munich to two Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Cup. He also served as the president of Bayern Munich from 1994 to 2009, and he was a key figure in Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
Off the pitch, Beckenbauer is credited with helping to popularize the modern “sweeper” or “libero” position, which he played during his career. He is also known for his contributions to the development of the modern footballing philosophy known as “tiki-taka,” which emphasizes quick passing and possession.
Beckenbauer is widely admired for his intelligence, tactical knowledge, and leadership abilities, and he remains one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport.
8. Michel Platini
| Full Name | Michel François Platini |
| Birthdate | June 21, 1955 |
| Birthplace | Jœuf, France |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m) |
| Playing Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Club Career | 1972-1979 (Nancy), 1979-1982 (AS Saint-Étienne), 1982-1987 (Juventus) |
| International Career | 1976-1987 (France) |
| International Caps | 72 |
| International Goals | 41 |
| Honors | 3 Ballon d’Or awards, 1 European Championship, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 Serie A title |
Michel Platini (born June 21, 1955) is a retired French football player and coach who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was known for his technical skills, vision, and ability to score goals from midfield.
As a player, Platini had a highly successful career with clubs such as Nancy, Saint-Etienne, and Juventus. He won three Ballon d’Or awards as the best player in Europe and was a key member of the French national team that reached the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
Platini’s greatest success came as the captain of the French national team that won the European Championship in 1984. He scored nine goals in the tournament, including two in the final against Spain, and was named the player of the tournament.
After retiring from playing, Platini became a coach and administrator. He served as the head coach of the French national team from 1988 to 1992 and later served as the president of UEFA, the governing body of European football, from 2007 to 2015. However, his time as UEFA president was marred by controversy, and he was banned from football-related activities for four years in 2015 due to ethics violations.
Despite the controversies, Platini remains widely admired for his skills as a player and his contributions to the development of football in Europe. He is also known for his work as a television commentator and analyst, and he has been a vocal advocate for reform in the sport
9. Ronaldo (Brazil)
| Full Name | Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima |
| Birthdate | September 18, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Club Career | 1993-1994 (Cruzeiro), 1994-1996 (PSV Eindhoven), 1996-1997 (Barcelona), 1997-2002 (Inter Milan), 2002-2007 (Real Madrid), 2007-2008 (AC Milan), 2008-2009 (Corinthians) |
| International Career | 1994-2011 (Brazil) |
| International Caps | 98 |
| International Goals | 62 |
| Honors | 2 World Cups, 3 Ballon d’Or awards, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 Copa América, 1 Copa del Rey, 2 La Liga titles, 1 Serie A title, 1 Dutch Eredivisie title |
| World cup goals | 15 |
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was born on September 18, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As a player, Ronaldo was known for his incredible speed, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He began his career with Cruzeiro in Brazil before moving to Europe to play for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. He later played for FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians, winning numerous domestic and international titles along the way.
Ronaldo’s greatest success came with the Brazilian national team. He played in three World Cups, winning the tournament in 1994 and 2002. He scored eight goals in the 2002 tournament, including two in the final against Germany, and was named the player of the tournament.
Despite suffering several serious injuries during his career, Ronaldo was able to return to form each time and continue to perform at the highest level. He retired in 2011 with a record of 62 goals in 98 appearances for the Brazilian national team, and he is often cited as one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of the sport.
Off the pitch, Ronaldo has been involved in various business ventures and charitable organizations. He is known for his philanthropy and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005.
10. Alfredo Di Stefano
| Full Name | Alfredo Stéfano di Stéfano Laulhé |
| Birthdate | July 4, 1926 |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.77 m) |
| Playing Position | Forward |
| Club Career | 1945-1949 (River Plate), 1949-1953 (Millonarios), 1953-1964 (Real Madrid), 1964-1966 (Espanyol), 1966-1967 (Hurst FC) |
| International Career | 1947-1961 (Argentina, Colombia, Spain) |
| International Goals | 23 for Argentina, 6 for Colombia, 23 for Spain |
| Honors | 5 European Cups, 8 La Liga titles, 1 Argentine Primera División title, 4 Colombian Professional Football League titles, 1 Copa del Rey |
| Death | July 7, 2014 |
Alfredo Di Stefano (July 4, 1926 – July 7, 2014) was an Argentine-Spanish football player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He played as a forward and is known for his incredible skill, vision, and versatility on the pitch.
Di Stefano played for several clubs during his career, including River Plate in Argentina, Millonarios in Colombia, and Real Madrid in Spain. He won numerous domestic and international titles, including five European Cups with Real Madrid.
Di Stefano’s success with Real Madrid was instrumental in establishing the club as one of the dominant forces in European football during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a prolific scorer and playmaker, known for his ability to score goals from anywhere on the pitch and create opportunities for his teammates.
Di Stefano also had a successful international career, playing for both the Argentine and Spanish national teams. He helped lead Spain to the quarter-finals of the 1962 World Cup, scoring two goals in the tournament.
After retiring as a player, Di Stefano became a successful coach and manager. He coached several clubs, including Valencia, Real Madrid, and Boca Juniors, and he is known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young talent.
Di Stefano is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and his legacy at Real Madrid is still celebrated to this day. He is also remembered for his sportsmanship and his contributions to the development of modern football.
Conclusion
, This Story is based on a view of Football history and according to news, portal, and opinion of Pundits. Each person may have a different view to classify the players.