Best Soccer Player of All Time

There are many great soccer players throughout history. Some were born with talent and others had to work really hard to get where they are today.

In this article, we will look at the top ten best soccer players of all time. We will also look at how these players got to where they are today.

We will also look back at some of the greatest moments in soccer history.

I hope you enjoy this article as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Best Soccer Players of All Time

There are many soccer players who have made history with their skills and achievements. Some of these players have become legends.

Others have just played well enough to get noticed.

But how do you decide who was the best football player of all time in this beautiful game?

This is a tough question to answer because there are so many great players.

In fact, there are probably more great soccer players than in any other sport.

However, I’ve narrowed down the list to the top 100 players of all time.

I’ve ranked them based on their skill level, longevity, and impact on the sport. I also took into account the number of championships won and the amount of money earned.

The result is a list of the greatest soccer players of all time.

# 1 Pele The Greatest

Football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele is the greatest player of all time. Pele is ranked as “THE GREATEST” by FIFA.

He was one of the most successful and most popular sports figures of the 20th century.

He made his international debut at the age of 16 in 1957 and became a Star after the 1958 World cup.

The Brazilian footballer scored 12 goals in the world cup.

He displayed remarkable kicking power and accuracy, as well as a keen sense for anticipating other players’ moves.

1958 was the year when he scored 6 goals in the World Cup. He was declared a national treasure after the 1958 World Cup by Brazil Government.

Pele Info

Full Name	Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
Playing Position	Forward and Attacking midfielder.
Date of Birth (DOB)	23 October 1940.
Height	1.73 M.
Peak Year	1958-1970.
Country	Brazil.
Major Achievements	# Brazil won three World Cups under Pelé (1958, 1962, 1970).  # Besides scoring 12 goals at the World Cup, he scored more than 1,000 goals in first-class matches.
Clubs Played For	Santos FC and New York Cosmos.
Club Goals	655 Goals.
International Goals	659 Goals.

Note: Pele has scored 775 goals in 840 matches. He has scored 77 goals while playing for Brazil.

Interesting Facts

• Pele was called called “Pérola Negra” (“Black Pearl”) sometimes.
• He scored his 1000th goal in his 909th first-class match on November 19, 1969.
• In 1974, Pele announced his retirement and inked a contract for $7 million to play for New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.
• Pele retired in 1977.
• He has played his first World Cup Final in Sweden.
• In 1978, Pelé won the International Peace Award.
• In 1980, the French sports magazine L’Equipe named him Athlete of the Century, and in 1999 he won the same award from the International Olympic Committee.
• Santos, Brazil, opened the Pelé Museum in 2014. 
• Pele has written several best-selling autobiographies.
• He was in several successful documentary and semi-documentary films.
• Among his many musical pieces is the soundtrack for the film Pelé (1977).

# 2 Diego Maradona A Free Kick Specialist

Diego Maradona was one of the Greatest Football Player of all time and have done wonders with his legs.

A joint winner of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award, he served as one of the leading figures in the sport.

He was great at passing, ball control, and dribbling skills which makes him better than other players.

His presence in the field motivated other players. His team performance was at its peak because of his leadership.

Maradona was a ‘Free Kick Specialist’

Maradona Info

Full Name	Diego Armando Maradona Franco.
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder and Second striker.
Date of Birth (DOB)	30 October 1960.
Height	1.65 m
Peak Year	1982-1994.
Country	Lanús, Argentina
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or Dream Team (2020). # FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1986). # Milliyet Sports Award for World Athlete of the Year (1987). # FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
Clubs Played For	# Argentinos Juniors an Boca Juniors. # Barcelona. # Napoli. # Sevilla, # Newell’s Old Boys. # Boca Juniors.
Club Goals	310 Goals.
International Goals	42 Goals.

Note: Diego Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 games for Argentina and 8 goals for Argentina U20 in 15 games.

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¡Gracias Diego por todo lo que nos dejaste!

A un año de tu partida recordamos todo tu extraordinario talento, magia y liderazgo. El fútbol te agradece por tu enorme legado y todo lo que has logrado. ❤️⚽ #TeExtrañamos #Maradona #CreeEnGrande pic.twitter.com/xNZkrE90a4

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 25, 2021

# 3 Johan Cruyff/Johann Cruyff an Imaginative Playmaking and Cruyff Turn Specialist

Johan Cruyff was a legendary Dutch football player and coach/manager. He is considered one of the greatest players in history and is also known for his innovative playing style.

As a player, Cruyff was renowned for his technical ability, speed on the ball, vision, and passing range.

He was a key figure in the development of modern football and is often credited with creating the concept of Total Football.

Cruyff played for clubs including Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Levante, Washington Diplomats, and  Feyenoord. He later became a manager, leading Barcelona to several championships.

He won the Ballon d’Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. He was also part of the Netherlands national team that reached the final of the 1974 World Cup and received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament.

In the finals, he executed a move that subsequently was named after him, the “Cruyff Turn.” This move is now a common trick used by soccer players around the world. 

Cruyff was also voted European Footballer of the Year in 1971 and 1973.

In 1973, he became the first player to be transferred for a world-record fee when he moved from Ajax to Barcelona.

After his retirement from playing, he became a successful manager, winning trophies with Barcelona and Ajax. 

Cruyff died in 2016 at the age of 68.

Johan Cruyff Info

Full Name	Hendrik Johannes Cruijff.
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder and Forward.
Date of Birth (DOB)	25 April 1947
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in
Peak Year	1971, 1973, and 1974
Country	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or three times. # Led Netherlands to the Final in 1974 FIFA World Cup # Golden Ball.
Clubs Played For	Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Levante, Washington Diplomats, and Feyenoord
Club Goals	291 Goals.
International Goals	33 Goals.

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Interesting Facts

In the summer of 1976, Johan Cruyff led the Netherlands to an impressive third-place finish in UEFA Euro. After the tournament, Cruyff refused to play in the 1978 World Cup after a kidnap attempt on his family. 

He became a footballer as a tribute to his father, who had died when Johan was just 13 years old. 

In 1999, Cruyff was voted European Player of the Century in an election held by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).

He was known for his unique style of play and his football philosophy that influenced managers and players alike.

Cruyff’s influence can still be seen in modern-day football, with many managers adopting his style of play.

# 4 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is arguable the greatest football player of all time. He has won an unprecedented six Ballon d’Or awards, which is the highest individual honor in world football.

He also helped lead Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, and he is set to captain his country at this year’s tournament.

Messi started his professional career at Barcelona, where he has spent his entire career thus far and has recently moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

The Argentinian footballer has played for Barcelona since 2004.

Lionel Messi is an Argentinian footballer who has played for Barcelona since 2004.

He is the all-time top scorer in La Liga, and he has also set the record for most goals scored in a single season in Europe’s top five leagues.

Messi has won a club-record 35 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and six Champions League titles.

He was also named the FIFA World Player of the Year on five occasions.

Messi Info

Full Name	Lionel Andrés Messi
Playing Position	Forward
Date of Birth (DOB)	24 June 1987
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Peak Year	2011-2013 and 2018-2019
Country	Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Major Achievements	# European Golden Shoe. # Pichichi Trophy. # FIFA World Player of the Year. # World Soccer Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or. # UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award. #FIFA Ballon d’Or. #The Best FIFA Men’s Player. # FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. # FIFA FIFPro World XI Award. # UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer # UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. # Best International Athlete ESPY Award.
Clubs Played For	Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Club Goals	694 Goals.
International Goals	102 Goals

Interesting Facts

Lionel Messi, the world-renowned soccer player, was not always a star athlete.

When he was young, he had growth hormone deficiency, which stunted his growth rate and made it difficult for him to keep up with his peers.

After years of treatment and hard work, Messi finally overcame his deficiency and grew to be one of the most successful sportsmen in history.

Today, he is lauded for his incredible talent and his drive to succeed. Despite facing some obstacles early in life, Messi has never given up on himself or his dreams, and this determination is what makes him so special. 

In the late 1990s, Barcelona’s youth academy was producing some of the world’s most exciting young talents.

A team of these youngsters, nicknamed the Baby Dream Team, became one of the club’s greatest-ever sides.

The star of the team was Lionel Messi, who would go on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Lionel Messi, the diminutive Argentina phenom, made his debut in the FIFA World Cup at the ripe age of 18.

In his first match, he scored a goal, making him the sixth youngest player to ever score in the World Cup. His goal was also the first of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup campaign.

# 5 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, GOIH, (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Spanish club Real Madrid and the Portugal national team.

He became the world’s most expensive player when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 in a transfer worth €94 million.

In addition to his goalscoring prowess, Ronaldo is also a creative force and is capable of playing in several midfield positions.

He has won numerous awards, including five Ballon d’Or titles and three European Golden Shoe honors.

In 2016 and 2017, he was named the world’s most marketable athlete by Forbes magazine.

Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), most goals (140), and assists (42) in the Champions League.

The Portuguese football player has achieved great success in his professional career. He is one of the few players to have made over 1,100 appearances and scored over 800 goals.

Ronaldo Info

Full Name	Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Playing Position	Forward
Date of Birth (DOB)	5 February 1985
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Peak Year	2011-2015
Country	Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Major Achievements	# Player of the Century 2001–2020. # Best International Athlete ESPY Award. # European Golden Shoe. # FIFA World Player of the Year (2009). # Pichichi Trophy. # World Soccer Player of the Year. # The Best FIFA Men’s Player. # FIFA Ballon d’Or. # UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award. # Ballon d’Or. # Premier League Golden Boot. # BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year (2014).
Clubs Played For	# Sporting CP B. # Sporting CP. # Real Madrid. # Manchester United. # Juventus.
Club Goals	698 Goals.
International Goals	135 Goals.

Interesting Facts

Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan, former U.S. president.

In 2021, he reached a speed of 32.51 km/h in a match against West Ham. This made him the fastest player in the Premier League at the time.

Ronaldo is known for his speed, agility, and footwork on the field. He has been called “the most complete player in the world” by many experts. 

Ronaldo’s dominance is in part due to his freakish athleticism; when he jumps, he generates 5 times the power of a cheetah. This allows him to make spectacular goals from seemingly impossible angles.

Ronaldo’s athleticism isn’t just limited to his jumping ability; he’s also incredibly fast and agile.

In fact, during his time at Manchester United, he set a club record for the most successful dribbles in a single match.

This combination of speed and power makes Ronaldo nearly unstoppable on the ground. 

At the age of 15, Cristiano Ronaldo underwent heart surgery. It was a risky procedure, but Ronaldo was determined to play professional soccer.

He made a full recovery and went on to become one of the world’s best players. 

# 6 Michel Platini

Michel Platini is a French former football player who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Platini was known for his excellent dribbling skills, his passing ability, and his prolific goalscoring

He won the Ballon d’Or three times and was also named the UEFA European Footballer of the Year twice. 

Platini began his career at Nancy in 1972 before moving to Saint-Étienne in 1979. 

He then played for Juventus from 1982 to 1987, winning three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.  

He has won the Serie A capocannoniere award three consecutive times between 1983 and 1985.

He was a key player of the France national team that won the 1984 European Championship and played in the World Cups of 1982 and 1986. 

Platini retired from professional football in 1992. 

Michel Platini Info

Full Name	Michel François Platini
Playing Position	Midfielder
Date of Birth (DOB)	21 June 1955
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Peak Year	1978-1986
Country	France
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or. # Milliyet Sports Award for World Athlete of the Year.
Clubs Played For	# Nancy. # Saint-Étienne. # Juventus.
Club Goals	312 Goals.
International Goals	41 Goals.

Interesting Facts

Michel Platini is a French former football player and administrator who, in 2015, was banned from the football administration for conflict of interest.

He was his country’s record goalscorer until 2007 and held the record for most goals scored in European Championship history before being overtaken by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021. 

He was a key player on the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top scorer and best player.

Platini also helped the French team reach the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

# 7 Zinedine Zidane Known as Zizou

Zinedine Zidane is a former French football player who, during his career, played for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid.

He is considered one of the best players in the history of the game and was renowned for his elegance, vision, passing, ball control, and finishing.

He is best known for his time playing for Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as the French national team.

Zidane began his career in France with Cannes in 1989 before moving to Bordeaux in 1992.

In 1996, he signed with the Italian club Juventus and quickly became one of the best players in the world.

In 2001, he transferred to Spanish club Real Madrid and led them to victory in the 2002 Champions League final.

With France, Zidane won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. He was appointed manager of Real Madrid in January 2016.

He made an instant impact on Serie A, helping Juventus to win the league title in his first season.

In 1998, he helped lead France to victory in the World Cup, scoring twice in the final against Brazil, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1998, 2000, 2003).

Zinedine Zidane Info

Full Name	Zinedine Yazid Zidane
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder
Date of Birth (DOB)	23 June 1972
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Peak Year	1996-2006
Country	Marseille, France
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or. # FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2006). # Laureus World Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement. # The Best FIFA Men’s Coach.
Clubs Played For	# Cannes. # Bordeaux. # Juventus. # Real Madrid.
Club Goals	125 Goals.
International Goals	31 Goals.

Interesting Facts

• It was a childhood friend who gave him the nickname Zizou.
• Despite being a Muslim by religion, Zidane doesn’t practice it. His family came from Algeria.
• His popularity made him the most popular Frenchman ever.
• Zidane’s son Enzo also plays for Real Madrid.
• In Family Guy, he made a guest appearance.

# 8 Ronaldo

Ronaldo, aka “The Phenomenon” and “R9”, is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

He redefined the striker position with his multi-functional skillset and has served as an inspiration for strikers that have come after him.

In his prime, he was known for his dribbling, ball control, and clinical finishing.

Ronaldo has won numerous individual accolades, including FIFA World Player of the Year three times and two Ballon d’Or awards.

Ronaldo started his career at Cruzeiro in Brazil, then moved to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1994.

He quickly became one of the most popular players in Europe and led PSV to victory in the Dutch Cup in 1996.

In 1996, Ronaldo transferred to Barcelona. Ronaldo was sold to Inter Milan for a world-record transfer fee of $27 million.

Ronaldo Info

Full Name	Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
Playing Position	Striker
Date of Birth (DOB)	18 September 1976
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Peak Year	1998-2007
Country	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. # European Golden Shoe # Pichichi Trophy. # World Soccer Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or # FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1998). # GoldenFoot (2006).
Clubs Played For	# Cruzeiro. # PSV Eindhoven. # Barcelona. # Inter Milan. # Real Madrid. # Milan. # Corinthians
Club Goals	352 Goals.
International Goals	62 Goals.

Interesting Facts

In 1997, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima became the youngest person to ever receive the Ballon d’Or award.

He was only 21 years old at the time and remained the youngest recipient until 2008.

As the youngest winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1996, he made history.

Ronaldo suffered a career-threatening knee injury while playing for Real Madrid. He made a successful comeback two years later, but in 2011 he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

The illness caused him to gain weight and affected his performance on the pitch. Ronaldo retired from football in 2011, citing health problems as the primary reason. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players in the world. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and has won numerous trophies, including 5 Ballon d’Or awards.

However, one trophy has always eluded him – the Champions League. Ronaldo has come close to winning it on several occasions but has always failed to lift the trophy.

# 9 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is considered one of the best players in the history of association football.

He played with great flair and joie de vivre, being renowned for his technique and dribbling skills, as well as his goalscoring ability.

He was also known for his infectious smile and effervescent personality. Ronaldinho won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards (2004 and 2005), both times being voted ahead of then-world number one Kaká.

He was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers compiled by Pelé, and was inducted into the Brazilian Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.

Ronaldinho Info

Full Name	Ronaldo de Assis Moreira
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder and Winger.
Date of Birth (DOB)	21 March 1980
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in).
Peak Year	2001-2008
Country	Porto Alegre, Brazil
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. # Bola de Ouro. # World Soccer Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or. # FIFA FIFPro World XI. # Golden Foot (2009). # UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. # Trofeo EFE (2004). # Best Soccer Player ESPY Award. # FIFPro World Player of the Year.
Clubs Played For	# Grêmio. # Paris Saint-Germain. # Barcelona. # AC Milan. # Flamengo. # Atlético Mineiro. # Querétaro. # Fluminense.
Club Goals	266 Goals.
International Goals	62 Goals.

Interesting Facts

In January 2007, Ronaldinho became a Spanish citizen.

In 2005, Nike released an advertisement starring Brazilian football player Ronaldinho.

The ad went viral on YouTube, becoming the site’s first video to receive more than one million views.

The ad showed Ronaldinho performing a number of impressive tricks and skills and ended with the slogan “There’s Only One Ronaldinho. 

Ronaldinho’s football skills began to blossom at the age of 8, and he was first given the chance to play with the professionals when he was only 11.

# 10 Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer is a German football manager and former player. In his playing career, he was nicknamed Der Kaiser (“The Emperor”) because of his elegant style, dominance on the pitch, and occasional imperial mannerisms both on and off the field.

He played for Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga, and later in his career, for New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.

With West Germany, he won the World Cup in 1974 and in 1990 as manager. He was named European Footballer of the Year twice.

He played in three FIFA World Cups (1966, 1970, and 1974), and was captain of the West German team that won the World Cup in 1974. He played 103 times for West Germany.

Franz Beckenbauer Info

Full Name	Franz Anton Beckenbauer
Playing Position	Defender.
Date of Birth (DOB)	11 September 1945.
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Peak Year	1964-1977
Country	Munich, Germany
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or Dream Team. # Ballon d’Or. # Bambi – Millennium Award. # Laureus World Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement. # Bambi – Honorary Prize of the Jury.
Clubs Played For	# Bayern Munich. # New York Cosmos. # Hamburger SV.
Club Goals	98 Goals.
International Goals	14 Goals.

Interesting Facts

 Franz Beckenbauer is one of the most decorated footballers in history.

He is a World Cup winner, a European Championship winner, and a member of the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.

He is also one of only two men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager.

However, despite his many accomplishments, Franz Beckenbauer will always be remembered for his involvement in a financial fraud and tax avoidance case that goes back to 2012.

In 2012, it was revealed that Beckenbauer had been given €5.5 million by the former president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, in exchange for his vote in the 2010 FIFA World Cup bidding process.

This was a clear violation of FIFA’s ethical code, and it called into question the integrity of the entire bidding process.

As a result of the scandal, Beckenbauer was banned from all football-related activity for 90 days. He was also fined €200,000 by FIFA.

Despite the scandal, Beckenbauer remains one of the most respected figures in the world of football.

He is a true legend of the game, and his accomplishments will never be forgotten.

# 11 Alfredo di Stefano

Alfredo di Stefano was an Argentine-born Spanish footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

He spent most of his career with the Spanish club Real Madrid, where he won a record five European Cups, as well as eight La Liga titles and the Intercontinental Cup. He also helped Madrid win the Copa del Rey in 1957.

Di Stefano was a versatile player who could play anywhere on the pitch but was most commonly deployed as a forward.

He was an exceptionally gifted goalscorer and is the fifth-highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history, with 216 goals in 282 games.

He was also a prolific assist-provider, and is the club’s all-time leading provider of assists, with 149.

Alfredo di Stefano Info

Full Name	Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé
Playing Position	Forward and Attacking Midfielder.
Date of Birth (DOB)	4 July 1926.
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Peak Year	1949-1964.
Country	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Major Achievements	# Pichichi Trophy. # Ballon d’Or.
Clubs Played For	# River Plate. # Huracán (loan). # Millonarios. # Real Madrid. # Espanyol.
Club Goals	487 Goals.
International Goals	23 Goals.

Interesting Facts

Alfredo di Stefano is one of the most legendary footballers of all time. He was a prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker who helped lead Real Madrid to an unprecedented five consecutive European Cup titles in the 1950s.

He was twice named European Footballer of the Year and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time.

# 12 Gerd Muller

Among the greatest players in football history, Gerd Müller stands out.

A striker of unparalleled ability, he was a prolific goalscorer at both club and international levels.

Müller began his career with his local team, TSV 1861 Nördlingen, before joining Bayern Munich in 1964.

He quickly established himself as a key player for the Bavarian giants, winning four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups during his time at the club.

Müller was equally effective for the West German national team, scoring 68 goals in 62 appearances.

He was a member of the squad that won the 1974 World Cup, and also scored the winning goal in the 1970 World Cup final against Italy.

During the 1962–63 season, Müller scored 180 goals for the TSV 1861 Nördlingen youth team.

He made his senior debut for the club at the age of 17 and went on to score an incredible 365 goals in 427 appearances.

Müller’s goalscoring exploits soon attracted the attention of bigger clubs, and he joined Bayern Munich in 1964.

Müller enjoyed tremendous success at Bayern, winning four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups. He scored an incredible 398 goals in 453 appearances for the club, cementing his place as one of their all-time greats.

Müller also enjoyed a hugely successful career with the West German national team. He made his debut in 1966 and went on to score an incredible 68 goals in 62 appearances.

Müller was a member of the squad that won the 1974 World Cup and scored the winning goal in the 1970 World Cup final against Italy.

He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1970 and was a two-time West German Footballer of the Year (1967 and 1969).

Müller was a truly exceptional footballer and is rightly considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Gerd Muller Info

Full Name	Gerhard Müller
Playing Position	Striker
Date of Birth (DOB)	3 November 1945
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in).
Peak Year	1964-1979
Country	Wolfratshausen, Germany
Major Achievements	# European Golden Shoe. # Footballer of the Year (1967 and 1969). # Ballon d’Or. # FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.
Clubs Played For	# TSV 1861 Nördlingen. # Bayern Munich. # Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Club Goals	654 Goals.
International Goals	68 Goals.

# 13 Ferenc Puskas

Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian football player and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

He is the top scorer in the history of the Hungary national team and was named European Footballer of the Year twice.

He played for clubs in Spain, Italy, and Austria, and is considered to be the first superstar of world football.

Ferenc Puskas was born on April 1, 1927, in Budapest, Hungary. Nicknamed the “Galloping Major,” Puskas was one of the world’s greatest soccer players of all time.

He began his professional career with Honved FC in 1943 and scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary.

Puskas played forward and was known for his powerful shots and amazing ball control.

He helped lead Hungary to victory at the 1952 Olympic Games and led his club team, Real Madrid, to three European Cup championships.

In 1954, he led his nation to the World Cup final.

Ferenc Puskas Info

Full Name	Ferenc Purczeld Biró
Playing Position	Forward and Attacking Midfielder.
Date of Birth (DOB)	1 April 1927
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Peak Year	1945-1956.
Country	Budapest, Hungary
Major Achievements	# Pichichi Trophy. # UEFA Jubilee Awards.
Clubs Played For	# Budapesti Honvéd SE # Real Madrid.
Club Goals	308 Goals.
International Goals	84 Goals.

# 14 George Best

George Best was a world-renowned footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Best began his career at Manchester United, where he quickly established himself as a world-class talent.

He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968, and his performances for both club and country helped him earn 6th  place in the FIFA Player of the Century.

George Best was known for his dribbling ability, speed, and skill on the ball. He was also an excellent goalscorer, and his ability to beat defenders made him a nightmare for opposing teams.

Best was a true pioneer of the game, and his impact is still felt today. He passed away in 2005, but his legacy will live on forever.

George Best Info

Full Name	George Best
Playing Position	Winger and Attacking Midfielder.
Date of Birth (DOB)	22 May 1946.
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m).
Peak Year	1963-1974
Country	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or. # BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
Clubs Played For	# Manchester United. # Stockport County. # Cork Celtic. # Los Angeles Aztecs. # Fulham. # Fort Lauderdale Strikers. # Hibernian. # San Jose Earthquakes. # AFC Bournemouth. # Brisbane Lions. # Tobermore United.
Club Goals	251 Goals.
International Goals	9 Goals.

# 15 Eusebio

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira GCIH GCM, better known simply as Eusébio, was a Portuguese footballer who is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

He played as a striker and is Benfica’s all-time top scorer with 473 goals in 440 competitive matches.

He helped Portugal reach third place at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals. Runner-up in 1962 and 1966, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1965.

Eusébio was born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique (now Maputo, Mozambique), on 25 January 1942. 

Eusébio began his football career playing for Os Brasileiros. 

Eusébio made his debut for Benfica’s first team on 7 November 1961, in a 5–3 win against Vitória de Setúbal.

He scored his first goal for the club on 21 January 1961, in a 5–1 win against Belenenses. He quickly established himself as a key player for Benfica.

During his time with Benfica, Eusébio won 11 Primeira Liga titles, five Taça de Portugal titles, and one European Cup.

He is the joint-second highest goalscorer in the history of the Primeira Liga, with 317 goals, behind only Pauleta.

He is also the sixth-highest goalscorer in the history of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, with 47 goals.

Eusébio’s performances for Benfica and Portugal led to him being nicknamed “the Black Panther”, “the Black Pearl”, and “o Rei” (the King).

He was known for his speed, technique, athleticism, and ferocious right-footed shot, making him a prolific goalscorer.

Eusébio retired from football in 1979.  He died on 5 January 2014, at the age of 71.

Eusebio Info

Full Name	Eusébio da Silva Ferreira
Playing Position	Striker.
Date of Birth (DOB)	25 January 1942.
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in).
Peak Year	1961-1975
Country	Portugal
Major Achievements	# Ballon d’Or. # Portuguese Golden Ball. # BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. # UEFA President’s Award. # PFA Merit Award.
Clubs Played For	# Sporting de Lourenço Marques. # Benfica. # Boston Minutemen. # Monterrey. # Toronto Metros-Croatia. # Beira-Mar. # Las Vegas Quicksilvers. # União de Tomar. # New Jersey Americans. # Buffalo Stallions.
Club Goals	580 Goals.
International Goals	41 Goals.

# 16 Romario 

Romário de Souza Faria, better known as Romário, is a Brazilian football legend and current politician.

He is considered one of the greatest players of all time, having starred for Brazil in their 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph.

Romário was named FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002 and was selected for the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004.

Romário de Souza Faria Info

Full Name	Romário de Souza Faria
Playing Position	Striker.
Date of Birth (DOB)	29 January 1966
Height	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Peak Year	1988-1993
Country	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. #  FIFA Player of the Century. # FIFA World Cup Dream Team. # Vasco da Gama Player of the Year. # UEFA Champions League top scorer. # Pichichi Trophy. # Ballon d’Or.
Clubs Played For	# Vasco da Gama. # PSV Eindhoven. # Barcelona. # Flamengo. # Valencia. # Flamengo. # Fluminense. # Al-Sadd (loan). # Miami FC. # Adelaide. # América-RJ.
Club Goals	690 Goals.
International Goals	55 Goals.

# 17 Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten had everything you could want out of a footballer. He scored goals. He won trophies. And he was a beautiful player.

The Dutchman played for some of the biggest clubs in world football – Ajax and AC Milan and he helped each of those teams win multiple league titles.

Marco van Basten was born in Utrecht, Netherlands on October 31, 1964. He started his professional career at Ajax in 1981 and made his debut for the Dutch national team in 1983.

He quickly became one of the most feared strikers in the world, scoring goals at a rate that has not been matched since.

Van Basten led the Dutch to their first European Championship in 1988 and was named player of the tournament.

After playing for AC Milan from 1987-1995, van Basten retired from football at the age of 30 due to a series of ankle injuries.

Marco van Basten Info

Full Name	Marcel “Marco” van Basten.
Playing Position	Striker.
Date of Birth (DOB)	31 October 1964.
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in).
Peak Year	1981-1995
Country	Utrecht, Netherlands.
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or. # Milliyet Sports Award for World Athlete of the Year.
Clubs Played For	# Ajax. # AC Milan.
Club Goals	282 Goals.
International Goals	24 Goals.

# 18 Lothar Matthaus

Few German footballers have had a more illustrious career than Lothar Matthaus. A World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990, he was also a four-time Bundesliga champion.

As a player, Matthaus was known for his all-around skills, stamina, aggressive tackling, shooting ability, and passing range. He was also an excellent set-piece taker.

He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991. In 1990 and 1992 he was awarded goal of the year. 

He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and held the record (along with Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal) of having played in more World Cup matches than any other player.

Matthaus represented Germany in five World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998), winning the title in 1990.

He played for a number of top clubs during his career, including Bayern Munich, Internazionale Milano, and New York/New Jersey MetroStars. He has scored 227 career goals.

After retiring as a player in 2000, Matthaus became a football analyst for television networks.

Lothar Matthaus Info

Full Name	Lothar Herbert Matthäus
Playing Position	Midfielder and Sweeper.
Date of Birth (DOB)	21 March 1961.
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in).
Peak Year	1984-1992.
Country	Erlangen, West Germany.
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Player of the Year. # Ballon d’Or Dream Team. # Ballon d’Or
Clubs Played For	# Borussia Mönchengladbach. # Bayern Munich. # Inter Milan. # MetroStars.
Club Goals	204 Goals.
International Goals	23 Goals.

# 19 Giuseppe Meazza

Giuseppe “Peppino” Meazza was an Italian football player. Meazza played for Italy’s national team in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups, both of which Italy won. He is considered to be one of the best players of all time.

Giuseppe “Peppino” Meazza is considered one of the best footballers of all time. He was an amazing goal scorer and playmaker, as well as a very talented dribbler.

Meazza played for both Inter Milan and Milan and is the only player to have ever scored in both a World Cup final and a European Cup final.

He was also the first player to score in three different European Cup tournaments.

Giuseppe Meazza was an Italian football player who played for both Inter and Milan. He is considered one of the best players of all time He won Serie A three times as well as Coppa Italia once.

Giuseppe Meazza Info

Full Name	Giuseppe “Peppino” Meazza
Playing Position	Forward.
Date of Birth (DOB)	21 August 1979.
Height	1.69 m (5 ft 7 in).
Peak Year	1927-1940
Country	Milan, Italy.
Major Achievements	# Serie A top goalscorer. # Mitropa Cup top goalscorer. # FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. # Italian Football Hall of Fame. # Walk of Fame of Italian sport. # Inter Milan Hall of Fame.
Clubs Played For	# Inter Milan. # Milan. # Juventus. # Varese. # Atalanta.
Club Goals	313 Goals.
International Goals	33 Goals.

# 20 Zico (Known as White Pele) 

Zico is considered one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time. He was a creative and technically gifted midfielder who was known for his passing, dribbling, and shooting.

Zico started his career at Flamengo in 1971. In 1983, he moved to the Italian club Udinese, where he played for three years. In 1985, he joined Flamengo again.

Zico represented Brazil in 71 matches and scored 48 goals. He was a member of the Brazilian squad that finished third at the 1978 World Cup.

He represented Brazil in the 1978, 1982, and 1986 World Cups. He did not win any of those tournaments, but Zico is still considered one of the best players in history.

In 1981 and 1983, he was Player of the Year.

Zico Info

Full Name	Arthur Antunes Coimbra.
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder.
Date of Birth (DOB)	3 March 1953.
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in).
Peak Year	1971-1983
Country	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Major Achievements	# FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. # World Soccer Player of the Year. # Serie A Player of the Year. # FIFA 100. # Golden Foot Legends Award. # Brazilian season top scorer.
Clubs Played For	# Flamengo. # Udinese. # Sumitomo Metals. # Kashima Antlers.
Club Goals	469 Goals.
International Goals	48 Goals.

Other Talented Players in Football (Soccer)

Football is a sport that is enjoyed by people all over the world. While most people know about the top players in the game, there are often other talented players who are not as well known.

Some of these players may be new to you, while others may be veterans of the game.

In this section, we will take a look at some of the other talented players in football and what makes them so special.

• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
• Paolo Maldini.
• Rivaldo.
• Dennis Bergkamp.
• Mane Garrincha.
• Franco Baresi
• Raymond Kopa
• Bobby Charlton
• Socrates
• Bobby Moore
• Andres Iniesta
• Luis Suarez
• Gianluigi Buffon
• Gunnar Nordahl
• Omar Sivori 
• Hugo Sanchez
• John Charles
• Giacinto Facchetti
• Claudio Gentile
• Roberto Carlos
• Hristo Stoichkov
• Josef Masopust
• Luis Figo
• Luka Modric
• Telmo Zarra
• Amancio
• Fabio Cannavaro
• Jairzinho
• Rivelino
• David Beckham
• Hans Krankl
• Kaka
• Neymar

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Thought

In conclusion, there have been many great soccer players over the years. These players have brought excitement, passion, and skill to the game.

They have made a lasting impact on the sport and continue to be an inspiration to soccer fans everywhere.

Who are the best soccer players of all time?

That is a question that will continue to be debated for years to come.

You can also read Best Female Soccer Players of all Time.