Best Soccer Players Of All Time (Top 15)

Have you ever wondered why certain footballers are considered the best soccer players of all time?

Aside from being one of the sports that pay high wages, soccer needs brilliance, strength, speed, endurance, and a lot of other qualities to be regarded as the best player.

Well, you can still partake in soccer if you do not have all these qualities, but you might not be considered one of the best soccer players.

To certain soccer players such as Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Narzio, and others, you can equally accept that they are one of the best due to the qualities they showed us on the pitch.

However, if you are curious about the best soccer players, I will be listing the top 15 best soccer players of all time, and if you have not seen a player you have always rated as one of the top best soccer players of all time, do not feel bad as my list will only contend 15 names.

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So, I proceed with listing the top 15 best soccer players of all time –

1. Pele

Pele is arguably the best soccer player to ever grace the pitch according to stats but you might have a different view on this.

Pele was a complete player who played on the pitch wholeheartedly and due to having all the qualities of a complete player, he was regarded as one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century according to “TIME.”

Pele became a professional soccer player when he was just 17 years old and went on to help Brazil become a famous soccer nation by winning them 3 World Cup trophies.

Moreover, no soccer player is said to ever score more goals than Pele.

Major Achievements –

• Most career goals.
• FIFA Player of the Century.
• France Football’s greatest FIFA World Cup player.
• TIME 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century list.
• Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.
• Santos’ all-time leading goalscorer.
• Youngest FIFA World Cup winner.
• Most assists in FIFA World Cup history.
• 1958, 1962 & 1970 FIFA World Cup winner.
• Top goal scorer in FIFA World Cup finals.
• Two Copa Libertadores titles.
• Six Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A titles.
• Two Intercontinental Cups.
• 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• 1958 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player.
• 1970 Bola de Prata.

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2. Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona is the best player to ever play for the Argentina national although most people who have not known much about him would rate Lionel Messi ahead of him.

In his nation, he was considered “The God of Football.” He made himself the best soccer player to ever exist alongside Pele. At Napoli, he performed magic with his feet. He is arguably the best of all bests.

Major Achievements –

• 90min’s Greatest Footballer of All Time.
• Corriere dello Sport’s Best Athlete in History.
• 1986 FIFA World Cup.
• 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• 1985 Serie A Footballer of the Year.
• FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
• FIFA Goal of the Century.
• Argentine Sports Writers’ Sportsman of the Century.
• Two-time South American Footballer of the Year.
• Four-time Argentine Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year.
• Two Scudetti.
• One Coppa Italia.
• One Copa del Rey.
• One UEFA Cup.

3. Lionel Messi

Just who you might have been searching for. Without hating Lionel Messi’s rival, the Argentine is the best soccer player of our generation.

His soccer career started quite impressively after his greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo started his.

Messi started at Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and now to Inter Miami. During his years of playing soccer, he has won major trophies such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Copa Del Rey, and a lot of others. He is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.

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Major Achievements –

• 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 & 2021 Ballon d’Or.
• 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year.
• Barcelona’s all-time top goalscorer.
• La Liga’s all-time top goalscorer.
• Six-time Pichichi winner.
• Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer.
• Most goals scored in a calendar year.
• 2011 & 2015 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
• Seven-time La Liga Player of the Year.
• 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 2005
• Young European Footballer of the Year.
• Five-time European Golden Shoe winner.
• Four Champions Leagues.
• Nine La Liga titles.
• Six Copa del Rey.
• Ligue 1
• World Cup
• Finalissma

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Tied on number 4 is Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Manchester United legend. Although there are players considered to be more complete than CR7, he will always be admired for what he has done for soccer.

The Portuguese International started his professional career at Sporting Lisbon before being signed by Manchester United. After winning major trophies with the Red Devils, he left United for Real Madrid.

Well, a lot of people did not see CR7 leaving Real Madrid, but he left for Juventus, then to United again before landing at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia Professional League.

Major Achievements –

• 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 Ballon d’Or.
• 2008, 2016 & 2017 FIFA World Player of the Year.
• 2014, 2016 & 2017 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
• Four-time European Golden Shoe winner.
• Two-time PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
• UEFA Champions League all-time top goalscorer.
• Real Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer.
• Five UEFA Champions Leagues.
• Two La Liga titles, three Premier League titles.
• One Scudetto.
• Two Copa del Rey.
• One FA Cup.
• One UEFA European Championship.

5. Ronaldo Narzio

Either way, you might have heard of Ronaldo Narzio, R9, one of the best players Brazil ever produced.

R9 would have been the best player to ever exist if not for knee injuries that forced him to hang the boots. He was a perfect forward with only the aim to net the ball.

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Major Achievements –

• 1997 & 2002 Ballon d’Or.
• 1996, 1997 & 2002 FIFA World Player of the Year.
• 1998 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• 2002 FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe.
• 1996/97 European Golden Shoe.
• 1994 & 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• 1997 & 1999 Copa America.
• Two-time Pichichi winner.
• 1998 Serie A Footballer of the Year.
• Two La Liga titles.
• One Copa del Rey.
• One KNVB Cup.
• One UEFA Cup.
• One Intercontinental Cup.

6. Zinedine Zidane

It would have been so unfair if Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid and France legend could not make it into the list of the top 15 best soccer players of all time.

Zindane was a true definition of greatness for Real Madrid and France. He wholeheartedly played for the batch.

He bagged a lot of memorable goals and still holds the record of the best goal scored in the UEFA Champions League history (2002).

Major Achievements –

• 1998 Ballon d’Or.
• 1998, 2000 & 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year.
• 2002 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
• 2000/01 Serie A Footballer of the Year.
• UEFA Champions League Best Player of the Past 20 Years.
• L’Equipe Best French Player of All Time.
• 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• The only player to be named Player of the Year in three of the top five leagues.
• Most goals in the FIFA World Cup finals.
• 1998 FIFA World Cup.
• 2000 UEFA European Championships.
• One Champions League.
• Two Scudetti.
• One La Liga title.
• One Intercontinental Cup.

7. Gerd Muller

Having scored 68 goals in 62 international appearances for West Germany, Gerd Muller was already considered the best goalscorer of all time.

Gerd Muller has a record of 67 goals in a single season, in just 49 appearances, which is even more difficult for star players of now to accomplish.

In the 1974 World Cup, he scored a crucial goal that won West Germany the trophy.

He is a man of a big moments, small, and in between.

Major Achievements –

• 1970 Ballon d’Or.
• 1974 FIFA World Cup.
• 1972 UEFA European Championship.
• 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.
• Two-time German Footballer of the Year.
• Two-time European Golden Shoe winner.
• Seven-time Torjägerkanone.
• Three European Cups.
• One Intercontinental Cup.
• Gour Bundesliga titles.
• Four DFB-Pokals.

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8. Franz Beckebauer

The best of Franz Beckebauer can be tracked down from 1966 to 1976. During these years, Franz Beckebauer worked magic with his feet.

He was a complete player who also won the Ballon d’Or and helped Germany achieve a lot.

Major Achievements –

• 1972 & 1976 Ballon d’Or.
• FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
• 1966 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award.
• Four-time German Footballer of the Year.
• 1974 FIFA World Cup.
• 1972 UEFA European Championships.
• Three European Cups.
• Five Bundesliga titles.
• Gour DFB-Pokals.
• One Intercontinental Cup.

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9. Johan Cryuff

Johan Cryuff is one of the footballers that could easily adapt to football styles and tactics. He is also one of the most influential and talented soccer players.

He ranks as number 9 on the list of best soccer players of all time.

Major Achievements –

• 1971, 1973 & 1975 Ballon d’Or.
• 1974 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
• Three-time Dutch Footballer of the Year.
• Two-time Dutch Sportsman of the Year.
• Three European Cups.
• One La Liga title.
• Nine Eredivisie titles.
• One Copa del Rey.
• Six KNVB Cup.
• One Intercontinental Cup.

10. Michel Platini

Those that watched Michel Platini would agree that Michel Platini is one of the best soccer players of all time.

Michel Platini had everything a complete player would have. Unfortunately for Michel Platini, he is mostly regarded as a disgraced former UEFA President but that does not erase his name from one of the best soccer players of all time.

Major Achievements –

• 1983, 1984, 1985 Ballon d’Or.
• French Player of the Century.
• Two-time French Player of the Year.
• Three-time Capocannoniere.
• 1984 UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament.
• 1984 UEFA European Championship.
• One European Cup.
• Two Scudetti.
• One Ligue 1 title.
• One Coppa Italia.
• One Intercontinental Cup.

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11. Roberto Baggio

 

Roberto Baggio has not been given the praise he deserves. He is arguably one of the players that changed football entirely for the Italians.

He made the game more beautiful for the fans. He is the best of the best.

Major Achievements –

• 1993 Ballon d’Or.
• 1993 FIFA World Player of the Year.
• Italy’s Player of the Century.
• 1994 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball.
• 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up.
• Two Scudetti, one UEFA Cup.
• One Coppa Italia.

12. Alfredo di Stefano

Even Pele recognized Alfredo di Stefano as the best-ever player. During his active days, even some of the best players admired his brilliance on the pitch.

Major Achievements –

• 1957 & 1959 Ballon d’Or.
• Five European Cups.
• One Intercontinental Cup.
• Eight La Liga titles.
• Five-time Pichichi winner.
• World Team of the 20th Century.
• One Copa del Rey.

13. Mane Garrincha

Garrincha is the original Samba soccer player. He brought the game played in the streets of Brasilia, Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo and to the international stage.

Finally, he utilized his skills to win two FIFA World Cups.

Major Achievements –

• 1958 & 1962 FIFA World Cup.
• 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.
• Three State Championships.

14. Ferenc Puskas

Even if you have not seen Ferenc Puskas played on the pitch, you have probably seen a few clips that he featured for Real Madrid and scored sensational goals for the La Liga side.

Major Achievements –

• European Player of the 20th Century.
• Olympic gold medal.
• 1954 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
• 1960 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
• 1954 FIFA World Cup runner-up.
• Four-time Pichichi winner.
• Four-time Hungarian league top scorer
• Two-time European Cup top scorer.
• Three European Cups.
• One Intercontinental Cup.
• Five La Liga titles.
• One Copa del Rey.
• Five Hungarian League titles.

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15. Paolo Maldini

Have you not been wondering why Paolo Maldini has always been mentioned by pundits when the best soccer defenders are listed?

Maldini was a block that no forward would want to pass. He made soccer difficult for forwards. Well, for his teammates, he made it easy for them not to concede.

He has a lot of major recognition to his name.

Major Achievements –

• Most Serie A appearances of all time.
• Most AC Milan appearance of all time.
• Five European Cups.
• Seven Scudetti.
• One Coppa Italia.
• Two Intercontinental Cu.
• 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up.
• 2000 UEFA European Football Championship runner-up.