Top 10 Football Players of All Time

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

List of Top 10 Football Players of All Time

Ranking	Player Name	Country	Notable Clubs
1	Cristiano Ronaldo*	Portugal	Man United, Real Madrid & Juventus
2	Lionel Messi*	Argentina	Barcelona & PSG
3	Pele	Brazil	Santos FC & New York Cosmos
4	Diego Maradona	Argentina	Napoli & Barcelona
5	Johan Cruyff	Netherlands	Ajax Amsterdam & Barcelona
6	Zinedine Zidane	France	Juventus & Real Madrid
7	Franz Beckenbauer	Germany	Bayern Munich & New York Cosmos
8	Ronaldinho Gaucho	Brazil	Barcelona, AC Milan & PSG
9	Ronaldo Nazario	Brazil	Barcelona, Real Madrid
10	David Beckham	England	Man United, Real Madrid & PSG
11	Karim Benzema	France	Olympique Lyon & Real Madrid
12	Ferenc Puskas	Hungary	Real Madrid
13	Alfredo Di Stefano	Argentina/Spain	Real Madrid, RCD Esanyol
14	Gerd Muller	Germany	Bayern Munich
15	Michel Platini	Italy	Juventus
16	Paolo Maldini	Italy	AC Milan
17	Sir Bobby Charlton	England	Man United
18	Theirry Henry	France	Arsenal & Barcelona
19	George Best	England	Man United
20	Marco Van Basten	Netherland	Ajax Amsterdam & AC Milan

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10. David Beckham

David Beckham is lauded as one of the greatest English footballers ever to embrace 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 amongst 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.

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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 goal after a decade over since his retirement in 2011. It’s next to impossible for any other striker to replicate his greatness, Nazario was complete striker. Thus, making his place

8. Ronaldinho Gaucho

The winner of two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the former Brazilian international Ronaldinho Gaucho, is termed as 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 or 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 best football players in the world for style and flair that sets him apart from other notable names on this list.

7. Franz Beckenbauer

One of the all time greats who has made ever lasting 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 few one of 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 international level he had tremendous club career with Bayern Munich, under his leadership the Bavarians claimed numerous domestic glory including five Bundesliga championship, four DFB Pokal, three Champions League and an Intercontinental cup.

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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’s elegance and knowledge of the game remains 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.

5. Johan Cruyff

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

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

4. Diego Maradona

The former Argentina 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 sum 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.

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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 ever-lasting 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.

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 propels his on-pitch intelligence. Leo is known for both his play-making as 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.

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.

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