This article is also available in French.
Soccer is the official sport of over 200 countries and the beautiful game has captured fans worldwide for over a century. The sport has experienced a boom in popularity in North America in recent years, owing to a golden era of talent, including Christian Pulisic and Alphonso Davies. However, this leaves us wondering, who are the ten best soccer players of all time?
There is no debating the best soccer players won trophies. Whether it was individual accolades like the Ballon d’Or or success on the world stage, the greats stand out from the rest. Their expansive skills dazzled fans on the field and, in some cases, continue to do so in 2024. Lionel Messi dazzles fans at Inter Miami, who are MLS odds-on favourites to win the MLS Cup this year. Without further delay, let’s get into the soccer greats!
10. Michel Platini
Michel Platini was considered the best French soccer player of all time until Zinedine Zidane. An attacking midfielder, Platini was masterful on the ball. He had incredible passing ability, ball control, dribbling and vision and was one of the most adept set-piece takers of his generation. Platini was one of the best soccer players in the world during his playing career and was arguably the best in the first half of the 1980s.
His leadership and decisiveness in big games for his native France and at club level earned him the nickname ‘Le Roi’ or ‘The King’ in English. Platini’s record set at Euro ’84 remained unbeaten for three decades. Le Roi finished as the top scorer in the competition, netting nine of France’s 14 goals on their way to the trophy.
Although he spent most of his career in France with Nancy and Saint Etienne, he is best remembered for his time with Juventus. His goal in the 1984/85 European Cup final helped secure their first-ever big-eared trophy and his efforts over five years in Turin saw him inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2011. A three-peat Ballon d’Or winner, Platini’s honours are enough to fill a page and he takes the tenth spot on our list of best soccer players.
Notable Honours
- Position: Midfielder
- Appearances/Goals: 654/354
- Domestic Titles: 4x
- Domestic Cups: 2x
- European Cups: 1x (One Cup Winners Cup, One Super Cup)
- UEFA European Championship: 1x
- Ballon d’Or: 3x
9. Alfredo Di Stefano
Belonging to a bygone era of soccer, Alfredo Di Stefano is rarely mentioned in the 21st century. However, he was the talisman of one of the most dominant teams in history. The Spaniard scored 276 goals in 360 appearances for Real Madrid between 1953 and 1964, helping secure eight La Liga titles in 10 years and five European Cups.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Di Stefano began his career in River Plate before moving to Colombian club Millonarios. He was a prolific goalscorer, netting 90 times in 101 goals. His superstardom caused a storied frenzy between bitter rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid for his signature. Los Blancos secured his services, and the rest is history.
Di Stefano is regarded as one of the greatest dribblers of all time. He was ahead of his time, full of agility and skilful feet to skip and feint past defenders. Argentinian by birth, the striker switched allegiances to play for Spain in 1957. Di Stefano defined a generation of dominance for arguably the biggest club side in the world and belongs on this list.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Striker
- Appearances/Goals: 710/509
- Domestic Titles: 12x
- Domestic Cups: 5x
- European Cups: 5x
- Copa America: 1x
- Ballon d’Or: 2x
8. Ronaldo Nazario
From one legendary former Real Madrid striker to another, Ronaldo Nazario starred for several of the biggest clubs in European soccer during his playing career. Beginning at Cruzeiro in his native Brazil, Ronaldo caught the eye of Dutch side PSV Eindhoven after scoring 34 goals in 34 games as a teenager and debuting for the Brazilian national team. He spent two years in the Eredivisie, scoring 42 goals in 46 games before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona for a then world-record fee of $19.5 million, then to Inter for another record-breaking fee a season later.
R9 is perhaps best known for his time at Real Madrid, where he made 127 league appearances, scoring 83 goals. The Brazilian was prolific everywhere he went at club level and was the star of one of the greatest Brazil sides of all time. He was the most feared striker in the world for over a decade.
Ronaldo may not have won the number of trophies that most on this list have, but his ability outshines any silverware. And he had bags of it. He was simply untouchable every time he stepped onto the field. For his nation, Ronaldo was a star. His Brazil side was sports betting favourites for the World Cup because of his excellence and he led them to gold in 2002.
Capable of scoring with both feet, Ronaldo was technically immaculate, a flashy and skilful dribbler and had incredible pace and power. If it wasn’t for a persistent knee injury and off-the-field issues, Ronaldo would likely have been the greatest striker of all time. Regardless, his legacy in football will exist for decades and he will be at the top of many fan’s lists of greatest-ever forwards. His astounding ability on the ball makes him one of the best soccer players of all time.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Striker
- Appearances/Goals: 616/414
- Domestic/State Titles: 3x
- Domestic Cups: 6x
- UEFA/Cup Winners Cups: 2x
- FIFA World Cups: 2x
- Copa America: 2x
- Ballon d’Or: 2x
7. Franz Beckenbauer
Defenders rarely receive recognition when talking about the best soccer players of all time. If any of them deserve a place on this list, it is Beckenbauer. Nicknamed der Kaiser, or ‘The Emperor’ in English, he is one of just nine players in history to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cup, and the Ballon d’Or.
Born in Munich, Beckenbauer became a legend at his boyhood club Bayern Munich, making 427 appearances over 13 years. He also became an icon at international level, winning the World Cup and European Championship with West Germany in the 1970s. Beckenbauer forayed into management following his playing career, winning the league with former club Bayern in 1993/94 and the UEFA Cup in 95/95, along with the World Cup with West Germany in 1990.
Der Kaiser is arguably Germany’s greatest-ever player. He revolutionized the role of a centre-back and ushered in the role we now know as a ‘sweeper’. He mixed intelligent defending with technique and passing higher up the pitch, often becoming the focal point of attacks. Beckenbauer’s legacy and influence can still be seen in football 60 years after he began his career.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Defender
- Appearances/Goals: 857/112
- Domestic Titles: 9x
- Domestic Cups: 4x
- European Cups: 3x (Plus Cup Winners Cup)
- FIFA World Cups: 1x
- UEFA European Championship: 1x
6. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is the greatest French soccer player of all time. Zizou was the complete player, adept in every area of the game. His presence on the pitch was intimidating, standing at 6’1”, but he played beyond his size. Gliding past defenders with incredible ball control, dribbling and strength, he could thread passes through the eye of a needle and score from anywhere on the pitch.
Starting his career at Cannes in his native France in 1989, he moved to Bordeaux in 1992 and became a permanent fixture in the French setup two years later. Zidane secured a lucrative deal with Italian giant Juventus in 1996. He spent five years in Italy, winning the league and cup double in the 1996/97 season.
During that time, he played in his first World Cup in France ’98. Zidane starred in the tournament and capped off with two goals for France in the final on their way to a 3-0 win and their first-ever World Cup trophy. Zizou helped them to the European Championship trophy two years later. His red card in the 2006 World Cup final overshadowed his retirement, but his overall career has aged magnificently.
He finished his career with another giant of European soccer, Real Madrid, moving from Juve for a world-record fee. Zidane established himself as a legend over his five years in the Spanish capital, making 155 La Liga appearances with 37 goals. He was one of the first ‘Galacticos’, part of a super-team of the best soccer players in the world in the early 2000s. Zizou was adored everywhere he played, feared by all opposition and goes down as one of the best soccer players ever.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Midfielder
- Domestic Titles: 3x
- Domestic Cups: 3x
- UEFA Champions League/European Cup: 1x
- FIFA World Cup: 1x
- UEFA European Championship: 1x
- Ballon d’Or: 1x
5. Johan Cruyff
From the greatest French player of all time to the best Dutch player of all time. Johan Cruyff demonstrates everything that made the Dutch style of ‘Total Football’ so dominant throughout the 1970s and 80s. His impact on football through his playing style was so big that he is still influencing players 40 years on from his retirement.
Cruyff was an expert at creating and finding space, the central concepts of total football. His expertise made him a conductor every time he stepped onto the pitch. A creative and skilful player, his ‘Cruyff turn’ in 1974 was a flash of brilliance that helped usher in a new era of soccer players. He had total freedom on the field owing to his excellence and his role as a ‘9.5’ moulded soccer as we know it today.
Cruyff was a prolific scorer at boyhood club Ajax, scoring 193 goals in 245 games before moving to Barcelona in 1973 for a world-record $5 million. He spent five years in Spain, helping Barca to their first league title in 14 years. His playmaking ability wowed fans and his brand of football paved the way for Barca to play as we know today.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Forward
- Appearances/Goals: 761/433
- Domestic Titles: 10x
- Domestic Cups: 7x
- Ballon d’Or: 3x
- Eredivisie top scorer: 2x
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1x
4. Diego Maradona
Lionel Messi is the only man who stops Diego Maradona from claiming the moniker of the greatest Argentinian soccer player of all time, but you could not imagine a better second place. Maradona paved the way in the same vein as Cruyff. His unique skills ushered in a new kind of flashiness for attacking players and his influence led to the likes of Messi leading future generations.
The diminutive Argentinian breezed past defenders throughout his career with quick feet and silky skills at club and international level. The opposition never had an answer for his speed and ball control, frequently carving out goals for himself. This includes his goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, considered one of the greatest goals of all time. He dominated his native Argentina, scoring 144 goals in 206 appearances at Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, before moving to Barcelona in 1982.
Although he only had a short stint in Barca, he is held in high regard in Spain 40 years later. Maradona’s seven years in Napoli came at the peak of Italian soccer and is where he enjoyed his prime years. His off-the-field troubles were rife, but never overshadowed the legacy he had carved out. The Golden Boy played when non-Europeans couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or, but fans and critics will tell you he was worth 10 of them. Maradona’s place among the best soccer players of all time is deserved.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Appearances/Goals: 680/345
- Domestic Honours: 7x
- Major European Trophies: 1x
- FIFA World Cup: 1x
- League Top scorer: 5x
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1x
- FIFA Player of the Century: 1x
3. Pele
Every player in our top three has an argument for being the best soccer player of all time. Pele will be at the top of the list for many fans and critics. The Brazilian is essentially the reason soccer is referred to as ‘The Beautiful Game’, owing to his elegance and intelligence on the ball. One of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, Pele was just as adept at creating for and linking up with his teammates.
Nicknamed ‘Rei’, or ‘King’ in English, Pele spent most of his club career at boyhood club Santos in Brazil, save for a two-year stint with the New York Cosmos. He scored an incredible 569 goals in 583 games. In all competitions, his tally bleeds into the thousands. Pele announced himself on the world stage at the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old. It was unlike anything soccer had ever seen. He moved with a grace that no other player in history had up to then and backed it up with bags of goals. He would leave the opposition in awe of him.
His signature skills, the Drible da vaca and the Paradinha, introduced the world of soccer to body feints. That has been the foundation of every skilful forward that has come after him. Pele’s legacy is untouchable. If he played when he could win the Ballon d’Or, he’d have won them all for nearly two decades. He is the greatest Brazilian player of all time from a nation that has bred hundreds of worthy candidates.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Forward
- Appearances/Goals: 858/786
- Domestic/State Titles: 21x
- International Club Cups: 3x
- Copa Libertadores: 2x
- FIFA World Cup: 3x
- FIFA Player of the Century: 1x (Shared with Diego Maradona)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
The argument for the best soccer player of all time usually comes down to a meta-argument between two men: Ronaldo or Messi. That alone tells you how great Cristiano Ronaldo is. He fell onto legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar at the request of his assistant Carlos Queiroz. After watching CR7 turnout for Sporting CP against his Manchester United side in a pre-season friendly, Fergie gave the United higher-ups one job: Sign this kid — now.
Aged 17, he moved to Manchester for £12 million the same summer, a world record fee for a teenager. He spent six years at United and made himself a legend, scoring 84 goals in 196 Premier League appearances. Even though he left United for Real Madrid in a record £80 million move, the world had not yet seen his true potential. CR7 spent nine wonderful years in Madrid for the best stint of his career, scoring 311 goals in 292 games.
Ronaldo has everything. Standing at 6’2”, his heading ability is the best in the world, boasting a vertical leap that would make NBA players blush. He has bags of speed despite his size, quick feet, flashy skills, 20/20 passing vision, powerful striking, formidable set pieces. If the perfect athlete was to be sculpted, he would be Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions League. He also has the most appearances (30), assists (8), goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (130) and international appearances (212). His legacy and influence exist while he is still playing. CR7 is the best living player in any other generation by a comfortable margin.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Forward
- Appearances/Goals: 1,231/895*
- Domestic Titles/Cups: 18x
- Major European Trophies: 6x
- Major International Trophies: 1x
- Ballon d’Or: 4x
*Accurate at the time of writing
1. Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo is the best soccer player in any other generation, which does not include Lionel Messi. Barcelona’s legendary La Masia football academy discovered the diminutive Argentinian as a 13-year-old at Newell’s Old Boys. His education at Barca helped him realize the potential that previous coaches had seen in him from the age of five.
Messi broke into the Barcelona first team at 17 and stayed there for 17 years. He was already one of the best in the world by the time he was 19. When Pep Guardiola stepped into his role as Barca manager, Messi took his game to a level not of this world. He scored 50 goals in 37 games in the 2011/12 season and followed up with 46 in 32 the next year. Messi is the best soccer player from a team that was arguably the greatest of any generation. A team that boasted the likes of Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez at their peak. Some of the best soccer players of all time. Lionel Messi sat above them all.
Messi styled his play on the legendary Diego Maradona, who came before him and exceeded him in every area of play. His balance and dribbling are incredible, moving as if the ball is glued to his foot and showing us skills we were not even aware were possible. He scores from inside the six-yard box, long-range, set-pieces, impossible angles: Lionel Messi scores from wherever he pleases.
No one has ever had the ability on the ball that Messi has. No one may ever have the ability he possesses. He has won more Ballon d’Or awards than any player in history. He is his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker. His 50 La Liga goals in a single season have never and likely will never be beaten. Messi can carry teams to titles and trophies at 50% of his ability. Lionel Messi is so good that he is almost alien.
Notable Honours:
- Position: Forward
- Appearances/Goals: 1,101/849*
- Domestic Titles/Cups: 27x
- Major European Trophies: 10x
- Major International Trophies: 3x
- Ballon d’Or: 8x
*Accurate at the time of writing
Conclusion
So, that wraps up our definitive list of the top 10 best soccer players of all time. The top three could go in any order and few people would judge. The greatness of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pele is tough to separate. Whittling the list down to 10 was tough. The likes of Gerd Muller, Franco Baresi, and Garrincha, who lit the world on fire during their playing days, had to miss out.
Stars of today, such as Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, could find their way onto this list in a decade. The revolving door of world-class talent in soccer is never-ending. And that makes it the beautiful game.
