Top 10 Best Asian Soccer Players of All-Time

Whenever it’s about soccer, after the breeding ground of the game Europe, Asia has probably the second-most soccer-mad fanbase in the world. The continent has witnessed a plethora of talents dominating the biggest global leagues like the English Premier League and Bundesliga, creating their own category in the game to become the best Asian soccer players of all time.

From Ali Daei to Shinji Kagawa, from Son Heung-Min to Paulino Alcantara, these superstars have not only lifted the soccer status of their respective nations but also have dominated club soccer for quite a long time. Having said that, let’s find out the top 10 best Asian soccer players ever.

List of Top 10 Best Asian Soccer Players Ever

Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Greatest Japanese Footballers

10. Sami Al-Jaber

One of the most consistent scorers of Saudi Arabia at the international level, Sami Al-Jaber was a stalwart in four World Cups. The sensational goal scorer’s feat of featuring in 100 international games for his country at the age of 25 made him a perfect pick on the list of the best Asian soccer players ever. The youngest ever to play in the 100 games for the Middle-Eastern nation, also won the 1996 Asia Cup and five Saudi Pro Leagues with Al-Hilal.

9. Mehdi Mahdavikia

A distinguished player on the right flank, Mehdi Mahdavikia was a generational Asian Soccer player. With Hamburg and Persepolis, the Iranian star emerged as one of the best Asian players ever. The 110-cap winner for Iran, Mahdavikia played in the 1998 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.

8. Shinji Kagawa

Our next pick for the list of the best Asian Soccer players of all time is the Japanese diamond Shinji Kagawa. The former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United helped his country clinch 2010 Asia Cup. He also won Bundesliga and Premier League titles which cemented his place as a legend in club soccer.

7. Ali Daei

Many soccer fans nowadays were not aware of the greatness of Ali Daei before Cristiano Ronaldo broke his scoring record recently. It was a proud moment for Asian Soccer fans when they saw the great Portuguese superstar break the shackles to beat one of the best Asian Soccer players ever, Ali Daei after scoring 109 goals in international soccer.

Daei was sensational in front of goals and won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich. He also featured in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups.

6. Kim Joo-Sung

Kim Joo-Sung was the first soccer superstar of South Korea and earned 76 international caps in 12 years. The “Wild Horse” of the Taeguk Warriors was popular for his stylish long hair and fans used to flock to the stadiums to witness his energetic displays. 

The swashbuckling attacker spent most of his career in South Korea as he spent a lengthy spell at Daewoo Royals. He also played for the German club Bochum and won the Bundesliga title in 1994. His impressive displays have taken him to the list of the best Asian Soccer players’ list.

5. Paulino Alcantara

A true legend of scoring goals! Paulino Alcantara set a new standard of scoring when he was playing for Barcelona in La Liga. The Philippines-born striker netted 369 goals for the Catalan giants in official and friendly games across all competitions and continued to stay as the highest-scoring player for the La Liga club before Lionel Messi broke that record in 2014.

Alcantara first started playing for his country before switching his international playing ground to Spain. He won five Copa del Reys for Blaugrana. 

4. Keisuke Honda

Keisuke Honda is not only the greatest Japanese player ever, but also one of the best Asian Soccer players of all time. The former AC Milan midfielder played with more than 10 soccer clubs before hanging his boots in 2024. The star of the Samurai Blue won 98 caps for his country and scored 37 goals. His incredible contribution to the soccer improvement of his country led him to the 2010 Japanese Player of the Year award. Japan won an Asia Cup title and Honda was pivotal in that tournament. Soccer fans still remember his outrageous long-range free-kick against Denmark in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

3. Park Ji-Sung

Park Ji-Sung, the unsung hero of the soccer world, according to former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, was a dazzling star during his days in the English Premier League. After coming from PSV Eindhoven, Ji-Sung impressed the Reds through his calculated moves in the middle and binding the defensive and attacking units at United. 

He is the first Asian Soccer player to win the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles. During his stint at Old Trafford, Park Ji-Sung made a name as one of the best Asian Soccer players to have ever played on the English shores. The defensive midfielder was instrumental in South Korea’s semi-final appearance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

2. Cha Bum-Kun

The South Korean legend Cha Bum-kun features in the second spot of the list of the best Asian Soccer players, given his aura and contribution to his country’s growth in this beautiful game. His trailblazing display in the 1986 soccer World Cup showed why he deservingly garnered 136 international caps, amassing 58 goals in the process.

Cha Bum-kun left a significant mark in the Bundesliga as he lifted two UEFA Cups with both Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt. He was the first Asian Soccer player to make a mark in European leagues.

1. Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min, the Tottenham Hotspur legend, is the leading icon and the biggest superstar in Asian soccer. The South Korean is our top pick for the best Asian soccer players ever. In 2023, he etched his name in the history book after reaching the 100-goal mark as the first Asian player. The 2020 Puskas Award winner for his incredible run that ended in a remarkable solo goal in the English Premier League against Burnley was awarded his first-ever Golden Boot after finishing the 2020-21 season as the top scorer of the league.

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