The world of football has seen some incredible players over the years, but who are the best?
This list of the greatest footballers in history takes into account both on-field performance and achievements, while also analyzing influence and popularity off the pitch as well. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just enjoy watching games casually with friends, these 5 Best Footballers in history will be known and revered by anyone who knows anything about the sport of football.
Many footballers have earned the title of being called – ‘ The Great ‘, but only few footballers have achieved the grand title of being called ‘ The GOAT ‘ which means ‘The Greatest of All Time.’ The 5 footballers below in the list are widely regarded as – The Greatest.
5) Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is regarded as one of the most recognizable figures in Dutch football history. He is not only regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time but also seen as one of the most influential managers in the history of the beautiful game.
Cruyff was a master of the beautiful game, and his vision and creativity transformed the game. He was also an outstanding leader, and his influence can still be felt in the way Barcelona plays today.
Cruyff died in 2016, but his legacy will live on in future generations. Cruyff’s legacy extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. He was also a pioneer in the development of soccer coaching and tactics, and his idea of ‘Total Football’ have influenced many of the game’s great coaches, including Pep Guardiola, Arsène Wenger, and many more.
Apart from his managerial success, he was an astonishing player on the field. He won three Ballon d’Or awards, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 1974, 3 times Dutch Footballer of the Year & many more accolades.
4) Diego Maradona
The little Argentine is regarded as one of the greatest footballers to ever step on the field. One of the Best No.10’s of the game, Maradona was known for his magnificent dribbling skills. His presence on the field was a nightmare for many defenders of his generation as he toyed with them with his stellar skills.
His major career achievement was to win the FIFA World Cup in 1986. He also won 2 Serie A titles & UEFA Cup with Napoli. He won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 1986, FIFA Player of the Century Award, FIFA Goal of the Century, etc.
Maradona scored 354 Goals in 694 matches for club & country combined. Although, these stats are not enough to do justice to Maradona’s game. He inspired many young footballers with his play & his legacy will live on forever.
3) Pelé
Pelé, known as “The Greatest” by FIFA, is regarded by many as the greatest player in the history of football. In his native Brazil, he is also honored as a national treasure.
At the tender age of 16, the “King of Football,” Pelé, made his international debut for Brazil. In his 831 official matches, Pele scored 757 goals. Pelé claims to have scored over 1000 goals in his career, although this figure includes all of the friendlies that he has appeared in.
Pelé helped Brazil win three world cups in 1958, 1962, 1970. He has also won the FIFA Player of the Century award along with Maradona. His list of accolades are endless & so is his legacy.
The impact of Pelé on soccer is indisputable. He was a genius at playing the beautiful game and had a remarkable talent for scoring goals. His reputation continues to inspire sportsmen and spectators worldwide.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly well-known among football fans. If you are a fan of Ronaldo, you surely are aware of all of his achievements. He is one of the most well-known & significant individuals in the world, not just in football. Ronaldo’s reputation speaks for itself.
Ronaldo is acclaimed for his exceptional athleticism and skill on the field. He is famed for his dedication to his craft and for spending hours every day improving it. He is one of the world’s most successful football players as an outcome of this.
Ronaldo has played for a number of prestigious clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, & Juventus. Just behind his arch rival Lionel Messi, he has won five Ballon d’Or awards, the second-most in history.
He is the first player in history to score 800 official goals. He is still going strong at the age of 37. He has won the UEFA Champions League record 5 times & has many league titles to his name.
1) Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is without a doubt the greatest footballer of all time. The Argentine legend has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the game, and he is still going strong. Messi is undeniably a once-in-a-generation talent. He’s a true game genius, and we’re blessed to be able to witness his greatness firsthand.
‘La Pulga’, has won a record 7 Ballon d’Or, which is enough to justify his prowess. He has also won the most European Golden Shoe awards – 6 times. He has won the UEFA Champions League 4 times with FC Barcelona.
The little maestro mastered dribbling, playmaking, passing, free kicks, as well as other skills. His dribbling abilities are out of this world, making him one of the most exciting football players to watch.
Messi has everything you could want in a footballer, and he’s shown time and time again that he’s capable of producing magic on the pitch. If you’re looking for someone to argue that Messi isn’t the greatest footballer of all time, you’re likely to be disappointed. The evidence is overwhelming, and the case for Messi as the GOAT is strong.
