Football, or soccer as it’s commonly known in some parts of the world, has produced some of the most talented and successful athletes in the history of sports. The game has seen players from different countries, backgrounds, and generations rise to become legends in their own right. In this article, we take a look at the best football players of all time and their achievements and accomplishments that have earned them a place in football history.
Best Football player
Pele (Forward)
Brazil Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely considered the greatest football player of all time. The Brazilian forward won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, scoring a total of 12 goals in the tournament. Pele also scored a remarkable 1,281 goals in 1,363 games during his career, winning numerous domestic titles with Santos and earning three Ballon d’Or awards.
Lionel Messi
Argentina Lionel Messi, also known as “Leo,” is an Argentine forward who has been a dominant force in football for over a decade. He has won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona and is a seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or. This Messi has scored over 700 goals for club and country and led Argentina to the 2021 Copa America title, their first major trophy in 28 years.
Diego Maradona
Argentina Diego Maradona was an Argentine forward who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, scoring the infamous “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinals and the “Goal of the Century” in the same game. Moreover, Maradona also won two Serie A titles with Napoli and was named FIFA’s Player of the Year in 1986 and 1990.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese forward who has won numerous titles throughout his career. This include five Champions League titles and four Ballon d’Or awards. Therefore, Ronaldo has scored over 700 goals for club and country and led Portugal to their first major trophy, the 2016 European Championship.
Johan Cruyff
Netherlands Johan Cruyff was a Dutch forward who was a key player for Ajax and Barcelona during his career. He won three Ballon d’Or awards and led the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 1974. Cruyff is also credited with introducing the “Total Football” style of play, which focused on players being able to play in multiple positions on the field.
Franz Beckenbauer
Germany Franz Beckenbauer was a German defender who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He won the World Cup as both a player and a manager. Moreover, he won numerous titles with Bayern Munich and New York Cosmos. Beckenbauer was also a two-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
Zinedine Zidane
France Zinedine Zidane is a French midfielder who won numerous titles with Real Madrid and the French national team. He led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup, scoring two goals in the final. also won the Champions League three times as a player and three times as a manager. Zidane was also a three-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Michel Platini
France Michel Platini was a French forward who won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row from 1983-1985. He led France to victory in the 1984 European Championship and also won three consecutive European Cups with Juventus in the mid-80s.
Ronaldo
Brazil Ronaldo, also known as “R9,” was a Brazilian forward who won two World Cups with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. He won the Ballon d’Or twice and scored over 400 goals in his career. This is for clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
George Best
Northern Ireland George Best was a Northern Irish forward who is considered one of the most talented players . He won two league titles with Manchester United and was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1968. Therefore, he was known for his incredible dribbling skills and ability to score goals from seemingly impossible angles.
Ferenc Puskás
Hungary Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian forward who was a key player for Hungarian national team and Real Madrid. He won three European Cups with Real Madrid in the 1950s. Also, he scored a remarkable 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary. Puskás was also the top scorer at the 1954 World Cup, despite Hungary losing in the final to West Germany.
Eusébio
Portugal Eusébio was a Portuguese forward who scored a remarkable 733 goals in his career for Benfica Portuguese national team. He led Benfica to victory in the 1962 European Cup and was named the European Footballer of the Year. Therefore he led Portugal to third place at the 1966 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
Conclusion
These players have all left their mark on the sport of football, and their achievements . From Pele’s incredible goal-scoring record to Messi’s unmatched ball control and Ronaldo’s ability to score from almost anywhere. These are the best football players in football.