List of Top 10 Football Players of All Time: Updated (2025 Edition)

The world has witnessed some of the greatest footballers of all time embrace the centre stage at the highest level ever since the origin of the sport. While some players were able to slowly rise to international fame, others looked imminent to be future superstars from the initial stages of their careers.

It doesn’t sit right to compare modern game greats with the early 20th century legends to made this sport so famous and competitive, with their skills and technicality. But we all love to compare, hence, we have created a list of the top 10 football players of all time during their peak. Let’s take a look at the legends who have set the benchmark so high that some greats struggled to even get near it. From their goal-scoring finesse to midfield magic to robust defending, we’ve got it all covered. Still wondering who is leading on our list, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or a serious entry?

Well, you may certainly disagree with some of the picks or the position the player is placed at, but think logically, is there really a correct answer to the question that we all have been arguing about for ages?

What Makes a Footballer Truly Great? Our Ranking Criteria

Impact and Influence: The primary ranking factor considered while compiling the list of the greatest football players is their impact and influence. Well, this can differ from position to position, as goals, assists, and clean sheets each weigh equally.

Scoring Metrics: The second factor for ranking the top 10 football players of all time is scoring metrics. How well these players performed during their career peak, how well they scored during clutch games, or their key tackles during knockout stages, or cleansheets during rivalry games.

Individual Awards: The third parameter considered was their individual accolades won throughout their playing career. If ranking individually, then using individual honours becomes mandatory for ranking the top 10 football players of all time.

List of 10 Greatest Football Players in History

S No	Player Name	Country	Notable Clubs
10	David Beckham	England	Man United, Real Madrid & PSG
9	Ronaldo Nazario	Brazil	Barcelona, Real Madrid
8	Ronaldinho Gaucho	Brazil	Barcelona, AC Milan & PSG
7	Franz Beckenbauer	Germany	Bayern Munich & New York Cosmos
6	Zinedine Zidane	France	Juventus & Real Madrid
5	Johan Cruyff	Netherlands	Ajax Amsterdam & Barcelona
4	Diego Maradona	Argentina	Napoli & Barcelona
3	Pele	Brazil	Santos FC & New York Cosmos
2	Lionel Messi*	Argentina	Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami
1	Cristiano Ronaldo*	Portugal	Man United, Real Madrid & Juventus

Top 10 Greatest Footballers of All Time

Making the game a global spectacle for fans around the world, these players managed to stitch their names in the hearts of their followers. Here we take a closer look at the top 10 greatest football players of all time.

10. David Beckham

David Beckham is lauded as one of the greatest English footballers ever to play at the highest level of the sport. Beckham is considered a legend by the hierarchy of the English club Manchester United. The midfielder was known for his dynamic and versatile gameplay. Some of his free-kicks hold an iconic stature in football’s greatest moments ever.

Moreover, he is among the players with the most free-kick goals in the history of the game. He has played for the biggest clubs across the globe, such as Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, AC Milan and LA Galaxy. Beckham is hailed as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
724	127	225	22

9. Ronaldo Nazario

The former player Ronaldo Nazario was one of the most consistent players for Brazil on the international stage. He played for some of the biggest clubs in world football, like FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. Playing prominently as a striker in his career, his finishing skills in front of the goal were second to none. The 47-year-old always proved to be a menace to the defenders of his generation.

Even today, fans acknowledge his class in front of the goal after a decade since his retirement in 2011. It’s next to impossible for any other striker to replicate his greatness. Nazario was a complete striker.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
481	310	75	11

8. Ronaldinho Gaucho

The winner of two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the former Brazilian international Ronaldinho Gaucho, is considered one of the top 10 football players of all time. Ronaldinho was a versatile player and was capable of playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger, depending on the needs of his team.

His major stints at the club level came with clubs like FC Barcelona in Spain and AC Milan in Italy’s Serie A. Regarded as one of the top 10 football players of all time for style and flair that sets him apart from other notable names on this list.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
622	228	181	11

7. Franz Beckenbauer

One of the all-time greats who has made ever everlasting impact on the sport, Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed as der Kaiser, is undoubtedly the greatest German player of all time. The German legend is amongst the nine players to have lifted the coveted FIFA World Cup and the European Champions Cup with his country and the prestigious Ballon d’Or award as a player.

Not only on the international level, he had a tremendous club career with Bayern Munich, under his leadership the Bavarians claimed numerous domestic glory, including five Bundesliga championships, four DFB Pokal, three Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
622	75	75	18

Also Read: Who is the best football player in the world?

6. Zinedine Zidane

The Former Real Madrid and France attacking midfielder Zinedine Zidane is one of the top 10 football players of all time. He was known for his ability to interlink the play at crucial junctures of a match. Despite playing behind the front line, he was never afraid of taking the initiative to score for his team whenever the opportunity arose. Zidane is hailed as one of the top 10 football players of all time.

Zidane’s elegance and knowledge of the game remain quite supreme over the years and further aided him in transforming himself into one of the biggest managers in the world of football. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to ever play the game.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
689	125	141	13

5. Johan Cruyff

The Dutch phenomenon was one of its kind, known for his impeccable dribbling, pace, skills and creativity, has revolutionised the sport. Johan Cruyff was hailed as one of the best dribblers in football history, having shown his magic with Ajax and Barcelona and established himself as a legend of the game and also won three Ballon d’Or awards.

Cryuff’s influence on the game is remarkable, especially his playing style and skills are memory for a lifetime. With Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam, the forward enjoyed a trophy-laden career, winning nine league titles and three UEFA Champions League titles.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
594	334	241	22

4. Diego Maradona

The former Argentine player Diego Maradona is regarded as a legend of football. The midfielder is admired for his skills, game intelligence, severe ability on the ball, and his time with Serie A club Napoli in Naples, Italy. Maradona was listed as one of the joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Twentieth Century. The veteran player played a total of about 91 matches for the Blues on the international stage.

In these appearances, apart from his contribution as a midfielder, he managed to net a respectable tally of 34 goals for his country, and also led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup triumph. Often regarded as one of the top 10 football players of all time.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
347	160	109	8

Also Read: Top 10 Best Football Players In The World 2024

3. Pele

The former Brazil international Pele is regarded as a global icon and legend when it comes to the sport of football. He is still considered one of the most talented and gifted players ever to play at the highest level. The forward was known for his goal-scoring prowess. Pele remains one of the most celebrated and successful sports personalities of the twentieth century.

He had achieved three World Cup feats with Brazil and his career made an everlasting impact on the world, hailed as one of the most influential sporting icons. Pele is hailed as one of the top 10 football players of all time.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
1363	1241	–	26

2. Lionel Messi

Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2022 winner, Lionel Messi, is considered to be one of the closest rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo. The iconic number 10 rose through the ranks of Barcelona and made his name in world football. His game awareness and knowledge of football propel his on-pitch intelligence. Leo is known for both his play-making and well.

Messi’s finishing skills in front of the goal and is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, assist provider, and appearance maker. He currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami at the club level. Lionel Messi is often hailed as one of the top 10 football players of all time.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
929	754	360	39

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most celebrated footballers of all time. The veteran Portuguese number seven rose to fame after his initial spell at Manchester United. Since then, Ronaldo has only grown bigger and bigger in terms of his stature in world football. He has been a consistent performer at both club and country levels in the last 15 years or so.

Even at the age of 39, the forward is among the list of top scorers lately. He is the most decorated attacker in world football with the most goals to his name for both club and country. Cristiano Ronaldo tops our list as the best football player in the world.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
1052	792	243	31

Bonus Section: Honorable Mentions

S No	Player Name	Country	Notable Clubs
1	Karim Benzema*	France	Olympique Lyon, Real Madrid, Al Ittihad
2	Ferenc Puskas	Hungary	Real Madrid
3	Alfredo Di Stefano	Argentina/Spain	Real Madrid, RCD Espanyol
4	Gerd Muller	Germany	Bayern Munich
5	Michel Platini	Italy	Juventus
6	Paolo Maldini	Italy	AC Milan
7	Sir Bobby Charlton	England	Man United
8	Theirry Henry	France	Arsenal & Barcelona
9	George Best	England	Man United
10	Marco Van Basten	Netherlands	Ajax Amsterdam & AC Milan

Also Read: Top 10 Best Soccer Players of All Time

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