20 Best Soccer Players?
Sometimes in sports, there are debates on who is the best of all time. These debates can go on for years, and sometimes never have a clear-cut answer. In soccer, there are many great players that have graced the sport with their amazing talent. This list is of the 20 greatest players of all time. They come from different parts of the world and have played in different eras, but all undeniably left an impact on the sport. So without further ado, here are the 20 best soccer players of all time.
Top 20 Best soccer players of all time
The list of the top 20 best soccer players of all time is filled with some of the most talented, skillful, and decorated athletes in history. From Pelé to Cristiano Ronaldo, these are the men who have thrilled fans and inspired the next generation of greats.
Here is our list of the Top 20 Best Soccer Players of all time!
20 Luis Figo
Luis Figo is a retired Portuguese professional footballer. He played for several clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Sporting CP. He won 127 caps for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo has since outplayed Figo in terms of total caps, but he still holds the record. If you’re interested in learning more about Figo, read on to learn more about his career.
Throughout his professional career, Luis Figo won numerous awards. He made his international debut in a friendly match against Luxembourg in 1991. He was 18 years old at the time. Eventually, Luis became a regular first-team player for Portugal and played in the Euro 1996 and 2000 finals. Luis Figo‘s career ended in 2009, after which he retired from international football. However, he reversed his decision to retire after the Euro 2004 final and continued playing for Inter Milan. He was also appointed a board member of Inter Milan’s charity project, Inter-Campus, and has worked with the UEFA for over a decade.
19 Lev Yashin
Lev Yashin is considered one of the best players of all time. He has won numerous international soccer tournaments, including the World Cup. He won the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne and the European Nations Cup. In addition, he played in three finals of the FIFIA World Cup. In addition to his many honors, Yashin was also the first Russian to reach 60 years of age.
He led the Soviet team to victory between 1950 and 1970. He won Olympic gold in 1956 and a Euro gold medal in 1960. He also won five Soviet championships and three Soviet cup tournaments. In 1967, Yashin was awarded the Order of Lenin, the highest honor bestowed by the Russian government. death 20 March 1990 (aged 60)
His legendary performance helped the Soviet Union win two gold medals: at the 1956 Olympics and the 1960 European Championships.
18 Franco Baresi
It’s easy to understand why Baresi is regarded as one of the best players of all time. His fierce tackling skills and leadership qualities made him a formidable opponent for opponents. He was never a ‘hatchet-man’ backline defender, and his innate sense of game craft made him an incredible playmaker. But what makes him so special?
He enjoyed great success on the international stage and was part of Italy’s ’84 World Cup squad. He was named to the FIFA World Cup all-star team after that tournament and helped Italy finish third. He was also part of the Italian team at the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1994 World Cup, and he scored a goal against the United States in the group stage of that World Cup.
17 Garrincha
Although he’s not as famous as Messi or Pele, Garrincha is one of the most underrated players of all time. Garrincha’s brilliance and dribbling ability are unrivaled. Despite his short stature, Garrincha is considered the God of soccer and an angel of the game.
Many of the world’s greatest players are still active today. Nilton Santos, the left-full-back for Brazil, won 75 caps and a single South American title. His impact on the game was immense. He reshaped the role of the full-back and became one of the first players to push forward in attack. Santos was a mentor to young Garrincha and influenced the development of the wing-back position.
Carlos Alberto Silva began his career at Flamengo before turning professional. After winning the Rio-Sao Paulo tournament, he was named Placar’s Player of the Year. A year later, he was named second top scorer at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. After this, Silva moved to Botafogo and won the Copa do Brasil and two state championships. He continued to be one of the most prolific players of all time and was called to the Brazil national team in 1966.
16 Paolo Maldini
One of the most illustrious soccer players of all time, Paolo was a legendary defender who captained Italy in two World Cups. He was so good, he was immortalized when his joint stadium with Inter Milan was renamed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. This Italian defender spent his entire 25-year senior career at AC Milan, where he followed his legendary father Cesare as captain.
While popular polls often have a bias, a good example is Pele, who was voted the greatest player of all time. A disproportionate number of English players is included, and some players who played in the early 1990s may have not yet reached their prime. For this reason, a better player of the century list would be based on votes from players themselves.
Another Italian who has a special place in my heart is Francesco Totti. The legendary Italian spent his entire career with AS Roma and scored 307 goals in 785 games. His goals were crucial to AS Roma’s success and led them to the Serie A title in 2001. His club’s success also led to two Coppa Italia titles and two Italian Supercups. His five Italian player of the year awards are a testament to his greatness.
15 Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio, a legendary Italian footballer, was born in 1967. He was the sixth child of eight siblings and first played soccer professionally when he was eleven years old. He began his career at a local team in Vicenza, Italy, and soon became a national celebrity. In 1988, he signed with Juventus for a world-record PS8million and by the following year had scored 115 goals in 366 games. His career was destined to be a long and fruitful one, as his dribbling skills, goal scoring, and curling free kicks made him one of the greatest players of all time.
Among the 8 greatest players of all time, Roberto Baggio is renowned for his ponytail, which has become a worldwide symbol. While he may not be a household name in the United States, his appearance at the 1994 World Cup was enough to make him a household name. His contribution to Italy’s World Cup success is credited for introducing soccer to many people in the United States.
14 Roberto Carlos
A true pioneer of the modern game, Roberto Carlos was a left-back who changed the way the position was played. He was known for his attacking prowess, as well as his rocket of a left foot. Carlos is widely considered to be one of the best defenders of all time.
If we’re talking about soccer greats, Roberto Carlos is among them. He won the Ballon d’Or: in 2002 as runner-up
Born in Garça Sao Paulo, Brazil, Roberto Carlos was a talented footballer. He was a star for Inter Milan, and in 1996 he joined Real Madrid. His team, Real Madrid, went on to win four La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League three times. In 2013, Carlos was named to Marca’s “Best Foreign Eleven”. He has made more than 1,100 appearances in his professional career.
13 Michel Platini
In 1978, Platini won his first major trophy, the French Cup, when he captained Nancy to victory over Nice. Platini’s goal in the final was the only goal of the game, and the president of France presented him with the trophy. His goal helped France win Euro ’84, and he was the top scorer at the tournament. In 1989, Platini led France to the World Cup final, which he won in four games.
In his first World Cup appearance, Platini was snubbed by the crowds but did not lose hope. Despite this, he continued to show excellent form in reserve team matches. While at Nancy, he became a target of jeers. In his first league match against Saint-Etienne, Platini picked up a bad ankle injury and was ruled out of the club’s Cup Winners’ Cup campaign.
Aside from his talent as a soccer player, Michel Platini also had a reputation as a prankster. He would set off firecrackers in public places and pretend to be dead. He even squeezed toothpaste into his teammates’ beds! And, of course, his reputation as a prankster helped him score many goals and earn him a place in the history of soccer.
12 Franz Beckenbauer
Best Soccer Players in History
Franz Beckenbauer was born in Munich, Germany, on September 11, 1945. He became a world-class football legend during his lifetime. He is the only person in the history of soccer to cap both a team and win a World Cup. His impressive record of international success earned him the title of Outstanding European Footballer of the Year twice. He is also the only person to manage and cap off winning teams in both of his respective eras. And despite all of these accolades, Beckenbauer remains one of the best soccer players of all time and is considered one of the eight most important players in history.
As a player, Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or award in 1972 and 1976. Most people remember him as one of the best all-rounders in history. He played in the midfield, winger, and center-back positions and was highly versatile, despite his lack of ability to play on the opposite wing. Johan Cryuff, meanwhile, was arguably the greatest player of all time without ever winning an international trophy.
11 Alfredo Di Stefano
In his prime, Alfredo Di Stefano was a highly versatile player who dominated the world stage. He won two European Footballer of the Year awards and was hailed by Miguel Munoz as one of the best players of all time. He played in all areas of the field and represented Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. He also won the European Footballer of the Year award twice, in 1957 and 1966.
The Argentine played for Real Madrid for nearly a decade and won eight La Liga titles. He also won five European Cup titles and twice won the Ballon d’Or. He scored over two hundred goals in 348 games for Real Madrid, including five finals. In addition to scoring in the league, he also helped Real win the European Cup on five occasions. His career has been a constant source of inspiration for soccer fans, and his contributions to football are unmatched by anyone in history.
10 Ferenc Puskas
Born in Budapest on April 27, 1927, Puskas was a brilliant dribbler and a key part of the Hungarian national team’s early success. His low center of gravity made him a highly versatile player. He also possessed a ruthless left-foot shot and showed a mischievous streak. Puskas won 10 national championships and three European Cups and scored 806 goals in 793 matches. His physical prowess was capped a few times by Real Madrid, including two European Champions Cup finals.
Although he was never a member of a World Cup-winning team, his career as an international player is impressive. He played for Real Madrid, Spain, and Hungary. His career was so successful that he was named the sport’s first international superstar. In a storied career, he scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary. He later scored 808 goals in 794 matches in his native country.
9 Eusebio
When it comes to soccer greats, Eusebio is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining and prolific. He is considered the best player from Africa and the most famous Portuguese player. Born in Mozambique, Eusebio is also known as the “Black Panther.” His goals have been credited with inspiring a new generation of soccer players. The following is a look at the history of Eusebio and why he is ranked among the greatest players of all time.
Before achieving fame, Eusebio faced racial discrimination as a youngster. His white teammates made more money than him. Racism was so prevalent in Mozambique that Eusebio avoided speaking openly about it. Even in his youth, racism was the biggest obstacle to success. During his time at Benfica, he was constantly discriminated against. His wages were far lower than his white teammates, and he avoided talking about it in public.
8 JOHAN CRUYFF
The legendary Dutch midfielder is considered one of the best soccer players of all time. He played for both Ajax and Barcelona and was regarded as Europe’s greatest player. He was a leader of the “Total Football” movement and played in both wide and central positions. His versatility made him one of the most effective players ever. He won eight Dutch titles and three European Cups with Ajax and was a controversial decision to join Feyenoord.
After retiring from playing, Cruyff played for several American clubs and was named the North American Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player. He then returned to Ajax in 1981 after a contract dispute. While at Ajax, he won the Dutch national championship and his fifth national cup. In 1984, he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax. In addition, Cruyff coached FC Barcelona and the Catalonia national team.
7 Ronaldo Nazario
When it comes to soccer legends, few can match the achievements of Ronaldo Nazario. A Brazilian legend, he won two Ballon d’Or awards and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards. A star of Brazil, he also played for Barcelona, PSV, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. In spite of numerous injuries, however, Nazario is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
The Brazilian-born superstar first rose to fame at Cruzeiro in his early days. He was part of the Brazilian national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, but failed to score a goal. His next stop was Holland, where he signed with PSV. He scored 30 goals in his first season at PSV and was eventually transferred to Barcelona. From there, he would go on to score 34 goals in 37 appearances.
In 2007, France Football magazine declared Nazario “honored” for his achievements. The magazine named him one of the world’s top 11 young players. Pele included him in his list of 100 greatest players alive. He played for the Brazilian national team in 98 international matches and scored 62 goals, making him the second-highest goal scorer in World Cup history. In 2002, he also helped Brazil win its second World Cup.
6 ZINEDINE ZIDANE
It is hard to find an athlete with more versatility in the field of play than Zinedine Zidane. Zidane began his career at age ten, playing for a local club in the city of La Castellane. After only 1.5 years with the club, he was transferred to SO Septemes-Les-Vallons. In 1992, he was selected for his national team’s training camp and was crowned the country’s Best Young Footballer. After playing for September for two and a half seasons, he was selected to make his international debut against the Czech Republic.
Zidane’s achievements have made him a legendary figure in soccer. He won the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France and was named Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euro 2000. In addition, he won the World Cup four times, winning La Liga three times and a UEFA Super Cup twice. His career has also been recognized by a UEFA Golden Jubilee in 2004.
5 Ronaldinho
Born on 21 March 1980, Ronaldinho spent his youth years with Gremio and wore the number 10 in his uniform. When he was just 17, he was already a member of the Brazil national team. He played for Gremio’s senior team from 1998 to 2001, scoring 21 goals in 52 appearances. After leaving Gremio, he went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 17 goals in 55 caps. He stayed at the club until 2008 and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
The award he won most recently came from Spain. He was awarded the Footballer of the Year award and the EFE trophy without even playing in the final match. And in 2005, he and his team won the World Cup with a perfect record. After winning this tournament, he was deemed one of the greatest players in soccer history. In addition to winning the World Cup, Ronaldinho has also won the Ballon d’Or award and is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.
4 Diego Armando Maradona
During his illustrious career, Diego Armando Maradona fused fantastical football with an outsize lifestyle. Not only did he stand out for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, but he also inspired his country to two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup triumph. His performance in the 1986 World Cup made him a national hero in Argentina, and he won many trophies with the Naples team.
Maradona has an interesting relationship with the Giuliano crime syndicate. He once attended Carmine Giuliano’s party. Since the mid-1980s, Maradona suffered from cocaine addiction. Nevertheless, he remained dedicated to his sport and led Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final. While his relationship with the Camorra may have caused some controversies, it has not hampered his ability to lead Argentina to glory.
But Maradona’s health hasn’t been without its challenges. Since retiring, the Argentinean legend has suffered from a series of health issues. He battled a cocaine addiction for years, spending time in detox clinics in Switzerland and Cuba. He was eventually released from these institutions in May 2001 and returned to Cuba. Despite his stellar career, Maradona struggled with his weight and had several operations to treat his health. His most recent operation was a gastric bypass, and he returned to public appearances shortly afterward.
3 LIONEL MESSI
There are a number of reasons why LIONEL MESSI is regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time. First and foremost, he is one of the most decorated players in history. He has won 35 major trophies for Barcelona, including four UEFA Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys, and 10 La Ligas. Messi’s career is unlikely to end anytime soon, so he should be a top contender for the best soccer player of all time.
In addition, he holds the record for most goals in a season with 79. He also has the record for the most hat-tricks with eight in the UEFA Champions League and 13 in Copa America. Moreover, he is the current footballer with the most assists with 104. These are just some of the reasons why LIONEL MESSI is one of the best soccer players of all time.
2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Among the greatest players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo’s name doesn’t necessarily spring to mind when you think of great soccer. The Portuguese international has five Ballon d’Ors, the most of any player in history. Although he is injured right now, Ronaldo is one of the best players of his generation, with an impressive track record of consistently scoring goals. His stats, including the total number of goals scored in a season, are unrivaled.
Ronaldo has broken records in almost every program he has played for. He is currently the leading scorer in men’s soccer history and holds records for scoring the most goals in champions league play. Though he is 37 years old, he is already a legendary figure in the world of soccer
While most people think of Ronaldo as one of the best players in history, his personal life is not as glamorous. He was a violent teenager, once hurling a chair at his teacher. This led to a doctor’s appointment and treatment for his racing heart. After a few days, he was back on the pitch. In the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo received a chilly reception from the crowd in England. He was booed as he stepped off his coach and as he warmed up for the game. This incident prompted Ronaldo to respond by scoring two goals and an assist against Oxford United.
1 PELÉ
The name Pele is synonymous with soccer. It is the Brazilian footballer who has made a lasting impact on the game. His random World Cup 1958 number has become synonymous with the best player in the world. His name is celebrated in the game’s history alongside Zico, Maradona, Platini, Ronaldinho, and Messi. It is hard to imagine a player with more fame and impact than Pele.
Pele has achieved the most career goals of any player in the history of the sport, including becoming FIFA Player of the Century. He also holds the record for most assists in World Cup history. His list of accolades is lengthy. His list of trophies includes three FIFA World Cups, the Serie A Footballer of the Year award, the FIFA Golden Ball, and many more. And that’s not even including his numerous individual honors: he won the Golden Ball in 1958, the Serie A Footballer of the Year award in 1985, and the FIFA Player of the Century award in 1986.
Pele started his career as a cobbler’s apprentice. This job required him to repair shoes for his teammates. This was unusual because not many teams at that time had a shoe repairer. When Pele took this job, he was given the nickname, “Pele, the Cobbler.” This name does not have a literal translation in Portuguese, and Pele was not particularly fond of it at the time.
My Final Thoughts about the Best Soccer Players of all time
While there are many great soccer players of all time, the three that stand out to me the most are Messi, Ronaldo, and Pele. These three players have made a lasting impact on the game and have set records that may never be broken. They are all legends in their own right and have inspired future generations of soccer players. What sets these three players apart from the rest is their ability to change the game and their passion for the sport. Messi, Ronaldo, and Pele have all helped to grow the game of soccer and have made it the global phenomenon that it is today. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Please feel free to share it with your friends and family.
Let me know in the comments below! Thank you
