Top 20 Soccer Players of All-Time
The best and most controversial debates in all of sports are the “who are the best players of all-time” debates. In other sports such as the NBA, dozens of players from Chamberlain’s era to Jordan’s era to the modern era can make a claim to be among the best players that have ever played. In baseball, legends such as Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron have resumes that have exemplified greatness.
In soccer, where would one even begin? As is the case in other sports, eras best define soccer. From the the dominance of Pele to today’s battle between Messi and Ronaldo, the world has seen some iconic players play the sport of soccer.
Although the game has changed from tactics to play styles, legacies never change. Regardless of the era, players leave behind a legacy that defines their career and is compared to players of generations that came before and after them.
Without further ado, here are the top 20 soccer players of all-time.
My criteria (not in order): Talent, play style, ability, versatility, longevity, consistency, competition in their era, prime days, clutch performances, individual success, and team success.
( I considered dozens of players for this list but only 20 made it. Honorable mentions go out to: Zico, Marco Van Basten, Bobby Moore, and Andres Iniesta.
20. Lothar Matthäus
Country: Germany
Best known for his time at: Bayern Munich and Internazionale
Unique accomplishment: Played in a world record 25 World Cup games
Many of the midfielders on this list excelled at one exceptional trait but in the case of Lothar Matthäus, he was good at everything.
Matthäus was a world class box-to-box midfielder that had it all. He could shift between an attacking midfielder role and defensive midfield role. When needed, Matthäus was also able to position himself out to the flank on counter attack possessions as a winger. High levels of stamina was needed to fulfill this role but Matthäus was up for the challenge — a challenge that prolonged his career for 20+ years.
Since he was tasked to mark players, Matthäus usually led the counter attacks after winning back possession from his opponent.
And when he shifted into an attacking midfielder role, he was a threat to score goals from any range.
His versatility as a midfielder extended his career into his late 30’s. Matthäus played 20 years in Europe while making 759 total appearances. He also appeared in 150 games for Germany, most by any German player.
Matthäus’ most successful club runs came with Bayern Munich and Internazionale. Matthäus won 19 trophies with Bayern including seven Bundesliga titles. He later moved on to Inter Milan where he won three trophies in four seasons with his most impressive one coming during the 1988–1989 Serie A season where he led Inter to an improbable league title over Maradona’s Napoli and Baresi’s Milan.
For Germany, Matthäus appeared in five World Cup tournaments and two World Cup finals. In the 1986 and 1990 finals, he was matched up against the legendary Diego Maradona. In his box-to-box midfield role, Matthaus marked Maradona throughout the games and had the responsibility of moving upfield in an attacking role. Maradona was held scoreless throughout the two finals.
Overall, Matthäus revolutionized the box-to-box midfield position.
19. Garrincha
Country: Brazil
Best known for his time at: Botafogo
Unique accomplishment: Named to the 1958 and 1962 World Cup All-Star team
If Pele was the Michael Jordan of his era, then it’s fair to say that Garrincha was Scottie Pippen. But the major difference is that when needed, Garrincha can amaze and carry the team in the same fashion as Pele did.
Often overshadowed because he played alongside Pele, Garrincha was known for his ecstatic dribbling skills and world class playmaking. Whether he was creating goalscoring chances for Quarentinha at Botafogo or for Pele with the Brazilian national team, Garrincha always had his fingerprints all throughout the game
Garrincha is best known for his heroic performance at the 1962 World Cup. A Brazil squad that was favorites to repeat as world champions, the team was dealt a huge blow when Pele was forced to miss the knockout stage due to an injury he suffered during the group stage. Instead of admitting defeat, Garrincha carried Brazil through the knockout stage to the World Cup Final where they beat Czechoslovakia 3–1.
Garrincha finished the tournament with four goals, all of them coming in the knockout stage with a pair against England in the quarters and a pair against Chile in the semis.
His 2nd goal against England in the QF’s.
His 1st goal against Chile in the SF’s.
He was awarded the Golden Ball for the tournament and became a national hero in Brazil.
Around the world, Garrincha was admired for his dribbling masterpieces. Before Messi, Maradona, and countless other wowed audiences, Garrincha’s dribbling technique left fans wanting more.
Garrincha could beat and fool defenders in so many ways that he probably had a mental list of different dribbling moves to perform.
18. Ronaldinho
Country: Brazil
Best known for his time at: Barcelona
Unique accomplishment: Won the World Cup, Champions League, Copa America, and Confederations Cup
“He is one of the greatest players I have ever seen” — Diego Maradona
To think about how special Ronaldinho was, just look back at the time he received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu after scoring two goals in a La Liga match against Real Madrid. Yes, Real Madrid fans applauding a Barcelona player.
Ronaldinho’s skill and technique attracted millions of soccer fans around the world.
His play style was reminiscent to the many Brazilian legends that came before him. The way he was able to move the ball with his feet was a work of art. His ball control left fans in awe and speechless. He was most dangerous when he had possession in open space where his outstanding dribbling skills and ball control fooled many as he zig-zagged his way past defenders.
At the club level, Ronaldinho played his best days at Barcelona. His stellar performances at the Camp Nou made him an instant fan favorite. He helped Barca win back-to-back La Liga titles in 2005 and 2006 over the heavy favorites Real Madrid — a team that featured the likes of: Zidane, Ronaldo, Casillas, Carlos, Raul, Figo, Beckham, Owen, Guti, and Robinho.
Ronaldinho was also able to lead Barca to their 2nd ever Champions League title during the 2005–2006 campaign, a tournament that saw him score seven goals and total four assists.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner also had impeccable success with the Brazilian national team. At the age of 22, Ronaldinho formed a dynamic trio alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo in the 2002 World Cup winning team.
Ronaldinho chipped in with three assists and two goals with one of them being a memorable free kick goal against England.
Players come and go but not many have impacted the game as much as Ronaldinho did.
17. Gianluigi Buffon
Country: Italy
Best known for his time at: Juventus
Unique accomplishment: Recorded a clean sheet in 43% (439/1012) of his career games for Parma, Juventus, and Italy
Not many athletes have been at their best longer than Gianluigi Buffon.
For over 20+ years, Buffon has proved that age is just a number. For Parma, Juventus, and at the international level for Italy, Buffon has played in 1,012 games. He has really won everything in Italy: eight Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia titles, and six Supercoppa Italiana titles. Unfortunately for Gigi, he has failed to capture the illustrious Champions League title as he has been part of three Champions League runner-up teams with Juve.
Buffon has had plenty of memorable moments throughout his career but his one legacy-defining moment came at the 2006 World Cup where he led Italy to their 4th World Cup trophy. Buffon was at the top of his game throughout the tournament. Behind a strong backline, Buffon allowed just two goals (own goal to the U.S and penalty to France) throughout the seven games of the tournament.
His overall performance at the 2006 World Cup ranks among the best by any goalkeeper in a major tournament.
Buffon has checked off all of the requirements for being a world class goalkeeper. His athletic ability during his prime days made him nearly unstoppable. While he did not play the sweeper style of goalkeeping, Buffon was aggressive in the box and he was not afraid to sweep in to stop a potential goal-scoring opportunity. At times, it seemed like Buffon had scouted and studied his opponents because of his knowingness to seek out exactly what his opponents preferred to do while in attack.
His incredible work rate has allowed him to continue to play at his best at the age of 39.
A leader and a role model teammate, Buffon is well deserving of being called the greatest goalkeeper that has ever played.
16. Eusebio
Country: Portugal
Best known for his time at: Benfica
Unique accomplishment: Led the European Cup/Champions League in goalscoring in three different seasons, only Gerd Muller (4), Lionel Messi (5), and Cristiano Ronaldo (6) have done it more
Although Eusebio spent his best days at Benfica, he could have also played for European giants such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. While he ultimately did not play in Europe’s top five leagues, there should not be an asterisk next to his name when discussing the all-time greats.
While at Benefica for 15 seasons, Eusebio became the club’s first superstar player. Eusebio scored 473 goals in 440 appearances with the club with 47 coming in European Cup tournaments. Eusebio scored at least 30 goals in eight seasons and his high level of play earned him recognition alongside Pele, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Ferenc Puskas for best goalscorer of the 1960’s.
He would ultimately receive the game’s highest prize for an individual with the Ballon d’Or in 1965 for his 48-goal season and for leading Benfica to the 1964–1965 European Cup final.
His biggest accomplishment was captaining Benfica’s 1961–1962 European Cup title winning season.
Although they were heavy underdogs, Eusebio scored two goals in the final as he helped slay the dragon that was Di Stefano, Puskas, and the loaded Real Madrid squad.
While he only played in one World Cup for Portugal, he made it one to remember. He scored nine goals in the tournament and carried Portugal to a 3rd place finish, their highest ever finish to date in the World Cup.
While Pele, Di Stefano, and Puskas get all of the recognition for being known as the game’s first elite goalscorers, Eusebio’s lengthy career should earn him a spot alongside that trio.
15. Michel Platini
Country: France
Best known for his time at: Juventus
Unique accomplishment: Finished in the top 3 Ballon d’Or voting five times throughout his career
When discussing the greatest soccer players of all-time, you would normally see many of the players in this list be mentioned but how often is Michel Platini mentioned?
Although he was often overshadowed by Johan Cruyff and Gerd Muller in the 1970’s and by Diego Maradona in the 1980’s, Michel Platini became a European star in his own right.
He rose to international stardom by leading France to their first ever major tournament title in the 1984 European Championship. His nine goals in the tournament propelled France to a tournament victory and 1984 Euro Player of the Tournament honors.
His iconic game-winning goal at the 118' mark against Portugal in the Euro semifinal catapulted France’s reputation among Europe’s powerhouse soccer teams.
Platini also led Juventus to their first ever European Cup title in 1985 where they beat Liverpool in the final. Platini’s game-winning penalty in the final cultivated in yet another impressive tournament performance by Platini as he scored seven goals.
Whether he was scoring goals or assisting them, Platini always found a way to impact a game such as was the case in a crucial home game against East Germany in 1984. Platini surveys his options in the box and follows it up with a curling cross that ends up creating a goalscoring opportunity.
The 3-time Ballon d’Or winner was a workhorse on the field. Attempting to mark Platini was an audacious task for defenders because Platini was all over the field. In one instant, Platini would bring the ball upfield to begin a buildup and seconds later, he would begin to sprint upfield off ball as he awaited a cross into the box. His legacy, although, still remains intact as one of France’s best all-time players.
14. Xavi Hernandez
Country: Spain
Best known for his time at: Barcelona
Unique accomplishment: Named to the team of the tournament for the 2008 Euro, 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euro
“If football was a science, Xavi would have discovered the formula. With a ball at his feet, no one else has ever communicated so intelligently with every player on the pitch” — Jorge Valdano.
Watching Xavi play could sometimes make you feel like the game of soccer is simple because he makes it look so easy.
From his first touches to his long-range passes, the sophisticated game of soccer was elementary for him.
In his role of a central midfielder, Xavi orchestrated the team like a conductor. Xavi was a playmaker in all phases of play, whether he was moving the team upfield in an advantageous counter attack opportunity or if he was looking to secure possession while in his own back end of the field.
Patience and execution was the key to Xavi’s style — he placed the ball right where the attacking player can gain possession and accelerate the play into the attacking third as exemplified in Jordi Alba’s goal in the Euro 2012 final.
His work rate was stellar during his prime days as he would at times average over 100 passes per game along with a few created goalscoring chances too. Just a typical Xavi game.
It was rare to see him have an underperforming game where he completed fewer than 90% of his passes and failed to create a goal scoring opportunity. His consistency — from the time he joined Barcelona’s first team in 1998 to his departure in 2015 — solidified himself as a world class midfielder.
Xavi excelled in Barcelona and Spain’s tiki-taka style of play. In a tactical system that requires players to have tremendous ball control and has high emphasis on maintaining possession, Xavi’s playing style was a perfect match.
He was arguably the best player on one of the best international dynasties of all-time and the 2nd best player on one of the best club dynasties ever.
With Barcelona, Xavi revived the success that the club had long hoped for and his consistency helped maintain long-term success for the club. Winning 25 trophies in 17 years with the club, Xavi remains an icon in the illustrious history of Barcelona.
Spanish soccer fans, even some Real Madrid fans, also appreciate Xavi for his efforts in bringing the country their first ever World Cup trophy in 2010. Alongside his longtime teammate Andres Iniesta, the duo also led Spain to winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championship tournaments.
Xavi is Spain’s best all-time player and a once in a generation player.
13. Paolo Maldini
Country: Italy
Best known for his time at: AC Milan
Unique accomplishment: Appeared in eight Champions League finals, winning five of them
To play soccer in three different decades is an impressive feat but for Paolo Maldini, it is just a minor achievement.
From 1984 to 2009, Paolo Maldini cemented his status as one of the greatest defenders of all-time.
Maldini was a multi-dimensional defender as he could play the left back and center-back position. Not only was he called to defend but he was also active in an offensive role. Out of the backline, Maldini was superb in distributing possession to the forwards and he always a threat with crosses. On the defensive side, Maldini’s defensive aggressiveness made him stand out above his peers. Maldini was certainly not afraid to go at a player in the flank for a tackle or challenge to win back possession.
Although he came up short to win a major trophy with the Italian national team, it was a different story for Maldini at the club level. He made 902 appearances for Milan and he won 23 trophies, a club record. He also always took it to another level in Champions League competitions as he won five UCL titles. His first two UCL titles came in a back-to-back feat in 1989 and 1990 alongside a dream team backline of Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti… a superteam of defensive talent.
Maldini’s career longevity spanning 24 years and playing at a world class level is truly phenomenal.
12. Ferenc Puskas
Country: Hungary
Best known for his time at: Real Madrid
Unique accomplishment: His 84 goals with Hungary is the most by a European player at the international level
Looking back at the career of Ferenc Puskas, it is a shame that he never won the Ballon d’Or because he was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever.
At the club level, Puskas’ best days came with Real Madrid where he won 10 trophies including three European Cup titles. Like many of the players on this list, Puskas delivered when it mattered the most.
He tallied 35 goals in European Cup tournaments with four of them coming in European Cup finals.
While at Real Madrid, Puskas did not carry the team all by himself. Alongside Alfredo Di Stefano, the duo dominated Europe for six years becoming arguably the best goal scoring duo of all-time.
While he won every major trophy at the club level with Real Madrid, Puskas fell short of winning the game’s biggest trophy, the World Cup. Puskas’ best opportunity came with Hungary in the 1954 World Cup where along with Sandor Kocsis and Nandor Hidegkuti, the trio led Hungary to a World Cup Final appearance by scoring 27 goals in the tournament. Although Hungary lost to West Germany in the World Cup Final, Puskas’ led Hungary squad is known as one of the best squads ever that did not win the World Cup trophy.
Puskas scored more career goals — approximately 700+ goals — than any other player on this list. One of his most famous goals came against England in 1953 where he scored a superb goal at the old Wembley Stadium.
Sadly, many today just know Puskas because he is named after a yearly FIFA award for best goal of the season. Puskas was one of a kind and should be recognized among the greatest goalscorers.
11. Ronaldo
Country: Brazil
Best known for his time at: Real Madrid
Unique accomplishment: His 15 World Cup goals ranks 2nd all-time
“The best I have ever played against. If it wasn’t for injury, I think he would be talked about on the same level as Pele and Diego Maradona” — Gianluigi Buffon
In his prime, Ronaldo was as dominant as any player in the history of the game.
With his lightning fast pace and high volume scoring, Ronaldo “El Fenomeno” was one of the rare complete strikers. Unlike the traditional “poacher” striker, Ronaldo was capable of shifting to a winger role and facilitating a buildup. This came mostly during his prime club days because with Brazil, his job was to get in position to receive the ball in the box and score — -which he did 62 times for the Seleção.
Opponent’s coaches feared whenever Ronaldo had possession in the box because he was unpredictable. Ronaldo was not like most strikers where after their first touch, they go right ahead with a shot. Instead, Ronaldo was a threat to dribble past multiple defenders or even distribute it to his teammates. But when he needed to carry the team, Ronaldo successfully managed to deliver goals time after time.
The Brazilian international played for seven clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid. Ronaldo would end up scoring 273 goals while in Europe. He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1997 and 2002 where he became the first Brazilian born international to win at least two Ballon d’Or’s.
Ronaldo was a global superstar. Playing alongside Brazilian stars such as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Gilberto Silva made it easier for Ronaldo to perform at the highest level. Ronaldo finished his career with Brazil winning two World Cups (part of the 1994 squad but did not play), two Copa America titles, and a Confederations Cup title.
Had it not been for injuries, Ronaldo would have likely added more silverware to his trophy case and added more goals to his goal tally. Nonetheless, “El Fenomeno” is remembered as one of the best strikers of all-time.
10. Zinedine Zidane
Country: France
Best known for his time at: Real Madrid and Juventus
Unique accomplishment: 3-time World Player of the Year winner
Very few players controlled games like Zinedine Zidane did.
Zidane’s impact on the field went far beyond the basic goals and assists statistics.
As a midfielder, Zidane played more of an attacking role. Zidane’s vision on the pitch and his unique skill enabled him to become a dynamic playmaker. His feel for the game brought the best out of teammates as he became a superb passer. He just made everything look so easy and effortless.
His outstanding ball control allowed him to make longer runs upfield while evading defenders. He did not make many Brazilian fans throughout his career…
Zidane made a career of performing at his best during the biggest games. France see Zidane as a national hero because of his heroic battles in international tournaments. He led France to their first ever World Cup trophy in 1998 where he scored two goals against Ronaldo and Brazil in the final. It did not stop there for France’s golden era as they also won the 2000 Euro where Zidane was once again at his best as he claimed the UEFA Player of the Tournament honor. Although he came up short in the final, Zidane was most impressive for coming out of retirement and saving France in the 2006 World Cup.
Speaking of clutch moments, who can forget his 2002 Champions League final goal while with Real Madrid?
With Juventus and Real Madrid, Zidane added to his trophy cabinet with 12 trophies including two Serie A titles.
Not many dominated like Zidane.
9. Franco Baresi
Country: Italy
Best known for his time at: AC Milan
Unique accomplishment: Made 800 total appearances for club and country
Italy has produced numerous generational soccer greats but there is no one better than Franco Baresi.
For 20 years at Milan and 12 with the Italian national team, Baresi became a legend. Baresi was honored with being Milan and Italy’s captain in his early 20’s and he did not disappoint. Baresi led Milan to three European Cup titles and six Serie A titles. Baresi also played in three World Cup tournaments including the 1994 World Cup final where Italy held Romario and Brazil scoreless in 120 minutes of play only to lose in a penalty shootout.
Although Italy lost the final in penalties, the 1994 World Cup final was one of Baresi’s finest performances.
Ask any Italian soccer fan and they will rave to you about Baresi for hours. Barresi’s was a defensive wizard and was a nightmare for opposing players. He excelled at everything you would ever want out of a defender: marking players, winning aerial battles, intercepting passes, and completing tackles. Most importantly, Baresi was skillful enough to also play the role of a sweeper where he would bring the ball up the pitch — similar to Beckenbauer’s style.
Baresi defined defensive excellence and his play is an embodiment for how a central defender should play.
8. Alfredo Di Stefano
Country: Argentina and Spain
Best known for his time at: Real Madrid
Unique accomplishment: Won five straight European Cup titles with Real Madrid and he scored in all five finals totaling seven goals
“In my opinion, one player was the most complete: Alfredo Di Stefano. They are all great players, but Di Stefano had it all” — Eusebio
Before stars like Santanilla, Ronaldo, Zidane, Sanchez, and Casillas became legends at Real Madrid, Alfredo Di Stefano was the club’s first superstar player.
While Pele became an international superstar, Di Stefano was Europe’s own megastar.
In his prime years with Real Madrid, Di Stefano totaled 308 goals in 396 games. The striker’s best performances came in European Cup tournaments where he scored 49 goals in 58 appearances, a record that he held for nearly four decades.
As mentioned before, Di Stefano scored seven total goals in five European Cup titles including his iconic goal in the 1960 European Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
His goalscoring production paid off with two Ballon d’Or awards in 1957 and 1959.
Di Stefano was also part of soccer’s first club dynasty as he led Real Madrid to five European Cup titles and eight Spanish titles. He was part of one of the best teams of all-time in the 1959–1960 Real Madrid squad where he formed a dynamic scoring duo alongside Ferenc Puskas. The duo combined for 20 goals during the 1959–1960 European Cup tournament including seven in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Real Madrid cruised to a 5th straight European Cup title under Di Stefano in dominating fashion as they outscored their opponents by a 31–10 margin.
Di Stefano’s craft and elegant style was adored by fans across Europe. He did not waste many goalscoring chances while in the box due to his brilliant finishes. As a playmaker, his unselfishness and ability to become a goal-creating playmaker while he had possession made him a unique teammate and a huge reason why Real won 15 titles during his era.
7. Gerd Muller
Country: West Germany
Best known for his time at: Bayern Munich
Unique accomplishment: Highest Champions League goals per appearance ratio with 34 goals in 35 appearances (0.97)
As Pele’s career was winding down, many soccer fans were wondering who would be the sport’s next electrifying goalscorer? Look no further than West Germany’s Gerd Muller.
Muller was scoring goals at a rate that was never seen in Europe’s top five leagues. For Bayern Munich, Muller finished his career with 615 goals in 636 appearances… think about that? Muller almost averaged a goal per appearance. Muller finished with 12 30+ goal seasons including his unbelievable 67 goal season during the 1972–1973 campaign that became a world record until Lionel Messi’s 73 goal season in 2011-2012.
At the international level with West Germany, he was as good and some might argue that he was better than he was at Bayern. Muller scored 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including 14 World Cup goals.
As you would expect a striker to do so, Muller became a legend for delivering in the clutch. Muller won three straight European Cup finals with Bayern Munich, scoring three total goals. Muller also thrived with West Germany as the striker scored 18 goals in three major international tournaments (1970 World Cup, 1972 Euro, and the 1974 World Cup).
Muller’s exceptional positioning and awareness in the box always made him a threat to score. When he was able to gain possession of the ball, he would use his pace and quick agility to maneuver his way in the box to create a goal-scoring shot. While he was not known for scoring highlight reel goals, he did his job as a striker by scoring goals at a high rate and that is really all that matters.
Considering that he is not often talked about amongst the greatest of all-time, Muller has become one of the most underappreciated athletes in the history of team sports. It takes serious skill and talent to score 725 career goals.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
Country: Portugal
Best known for his time at: Real Madrid
Unique accomplishment: All-time Champions League goalscorer with 105 goals
Polarizing is the best word to describe Real Madrid’s best player of all-time. He is admired and hated but when it is all said and done, Cristiano Ronaldo has put together a career resume that deserves recognition amongst the greats that have played the sport.
Although he played in an era that also featured another all-time legend, Ronaldo has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest goalscorers of all-time.
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner has totaled an astounding 605 goals in 861 appearances for club and country.
His consistency is something to be marveled upon as well. Ronaldo is the first player among Europe’s top five leagues to score at least 50 goals in six consecutive seasons. He has been the top scorer in the Champions League in six different seasons.
Ronaldo has also delivered when it has mattered the most as exemplified in his latest Champions League campaign. Not only is he the all-time Champions League scorer but he holds the record for most UCL knockout stage goals with 52, including his famous bicycle kick goal against Juventus.
Ronaldo has conquered nearly every challenge that has been presented to him. He has won 22 club trophies and the 2016 European Championship with Portugal.
With this rapid pace, he has created mismatches against plenty of top defenders. His excellent positioning has become an underappreciated aspect of Ronaldo’s game. His relentless work rate has kept him at a world class level for almost a decade now. Whether it is in the Premier League or in Real Madrid counter attack tactics, Ronaldo has become one of the greatest finishers ever.
Even in his 30’s, it does not look like Ronaldo is slowing down anytime soon.
The Top 5: Once in a lifetime superstars
5. Franz Beckenbauer
Country: West Germany
Best known for his time at: Bayern Munich
Unique accomplishment: First and only defender to win the World Cup, European Cup, and Ballon d’Or
While Gerd Muller amazed fans with his high volume goalscoring, Franz Beckenbauer was the backbone and leader of the 1970’s West Germany and Bayern Munich dynasties.
Beckenbauer is widely renowned for being one of the best players of all-time and that’s for good reason. Beckenbauer’s defensive play was flawless.
Beckenbauer perfectly timed tackles and he always had the duty of marking the opponent’s biggest scoring threat. Pace was not one of his strongest attributes but his precise defending in isolation situations always put him in an advantage, whether he was defending a counter attack or a winger on the flank.
In today’s era where the rules have softened up and defenders are less prone to make aggressive tackles, Beckenbauer was the complete opposite. He was not afraid to challenge an opponent in the box and slide tackles were part of his repertoire.
His position for West Germany and Bayern Munich was not just to play back in his central defender role but also play the role of a sweeper.
As shown above in the 1974 European Cup semifinal rematch against Atletico Madrid, Beckenbauer recovered the ball in the defensive half and brought the ball over to begin the build-up. Beckenbauer’s responsibility as a sweeper was to bring the ball up the field rather than the traditional tactic of having one of the central midfielders begin the buildup. While the team had possession in the opponent’s half, Beckenbauer would stay there and transition into the role of a central attacking midfielder
Doing this required a ton of work from Beckenbauer as he was called to defend and orchestrate the team’s offensive sets on the pitch but there aren’t many players that can effectively succeed in it like he did.
Beckenbauer was the ultimate team player during his prime years in the 1970’s. Alongside his defensive counterpart Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Beckenbauer led West Germany to the World Cup semifinals three times during his career, including capturing West Germany’s 2nd ever World Cup in 1974 against Johan Cruyff and the Netherlands. He also won three European Cup titles with Bayern Munich, an impressive 3-peat during the 70’s.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner should be remembered as the best defensive player of all-time.
4. Diego Maradona
Country: Argentina
Best known for his time at: Napoli and Barcelona
Unique accomplishment: Created 27 goalscoring chances at the 1986 World Cup
The 1980’s was a decade that featured some of the greatest athletes that the world has ever seen, athletes such as: Wayne Gretzky, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Joe Montana. But there was one athlete that attracted millions of sports fans around the world to watch his magisterial playmaking and he was the legendary Diego Maradona.
Maradona was a video game character brought into reality. Nearly every one of his traits as a #10 were flawless. His vision on the field was unmatched as his ability to either accurately pass in tight spaces or in the open field created high percentage goal scoring chances for his teammates. While he was an unselfish creative #10, he was also an underrated finisher himself with his 312 career goals.
The World Cup is where Maradona became a soccer icon. In his four World Cup appearances, Maradona was simply amazing.
His best performance came at the 1986 World Cup where his showing in Mexico is widely recognized as one of the best performances in any major soccer tournament of all-time.
He just made it look so easy.
Maradona was unstoppable at the 1986 World Cup. He created goalscoring chances in the attacking 3rd with ease. At times it looked like the ball and his right foot were brought together by a magnetic force because the ball was so close to his feet when he dribbled past defenders.
Ultimately, the best strategy for opposing defenses was to foul him… which they did 53 times throughout the tournament.
Aside from his international glory, Maradona’s club career is highly underappreciated. Maradona scored 38 goals and won three trophies with Barcelona before moving to Naples to play for Napoli. Playing in a tough and physical defensive-minded Serie A, Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup in 1989.
Maradona’s exceptional play style is one unlike any other. You could insert him into many different teams and regardless of the tactics, he would instantly impact the team with his playmaking and get the best out of the rest squad.
3. Johan Cruyff
Country: Netherlands
Best known for his time at: Barcelona and Ajax
Unique accomplishment: Created 36 goalscoring chances at the 1974 World Cup
World class players come and go in soccer but then there are players like Johan Cruyff that revolutionize and change the game forever.
Cruyff’s playstyle was like no other as he is widely renowned to be one of the most intelligent players that has ever played.
As part of the total football tactical system with Ajax, he was the orchestrator of the game as he directed buildups for the offense. There was no set position for him in total football as he could play as a false 9 or as a winger. His underappreciated speed in the open field would cause havoc to defenses that had no clue upon what his next move would be. He was also a stellar dribbler and he posed to be difficult to defend in isolation matchups.
With Ajax, Cruyff won 20 trophies including the European Cup in 1971, 1972, and 1973.
He would later move on to play for Barcelona and in his first season there, the team manhandled Real Madrid 5–0 in a La Liga-winning season.
Cruyff also had success at the international level with Netherlands under the total football style but he failed to carry the team to a major trophy as they came up short in the 1974 World Cup and 1976 Euro. His performance at the 1974 World Cup was simply legendary as he became a playmaking machine and it earned him the Golden Ball for the tournament’s top player.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner succeeded at every quality and trait of a soccer player. He adjusted to any position whether it was an attacking role or a #10 playmaking role.
Among his gifted skills, Cruyff’s iconic move was the Cruyff turn. He fooled countless defenders by evading them after faking a feint move.
Cruyff’s persona on and off the field was like that of a real life superhero. Players looked up to him and fans saw him as a rockstar role model. He was a special player and a pioneer for Ajax, Barcelona, and the Netherlands. He created a winning tradition with Ajax, he implemented a winning culture with Barca, and he changed the way Netherlands play the game.
Soccer was a form of art for Cruyff and every time he stepped onto the pitch, he painted a picture that words could simply not describe.
2. Pele
Country: Brazil
Best known for his time at: Santos
Unique accomplishment: Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 77 goals in 92 official appearances
When 17-year-old Pele scored a hat-trick against France in the semifinal of the 1958 World Cup, soccer fans around the world knew that this was the beginning of a superstar career.
Pele was soccer’s first international mega superstar. He helped transcend the sport into the grand spectacle that it is today. Pele set the standard for Brazilian football and globally.
The Brazilian international is best known for his World Cup performances with Brazil. He dominated at every phase of his game en route to scoring 12 World Cup goals in four tournaments. His three World Cup trophies with Brazil is a record that still stands today and will likely stand for years.
Although he played with a stacked team that featured Brazilian icons such as Garrincha, Djalma Santos, Didi, and Zito, the team would not be known as the greatest international dynasty without Pele. Time after time, he delivered world class clutch goals. Pele scored three goals in World Cup finals, including the opening goal of the 1970 World Cup final.
While Pele never played for a European club in his career, he did have moderate success against them when Santos played in international club friendlies and tournaments. Pele famously led Santos to triumph in the 1962 and 1963 International Cup — a two-legged cup final that showcased the European Cup winners and the Copa Libertadores winners — against Eusebio’s Benfica and Gianni Rivera’s Milan respectively. European soccer fans got their first glimpse of Pele as he scored a combined seven goals in International Cup tournaments.
Pele would wind up scoring 144 goals against European clubs… imagine if he played in the European Cup tournaments back in his prime?
If you ask any fan that watched Pele play, they will tell you that watching Pele was worth the price of admission. The Brazilian icon scored goals at a rate that broke dozens of records. His versatility and athleticism allowed him to play a striker and alternate to a winger role when necessary.
Overall, his passing and playmaking skills were highly underrated. His vision to create a goal-scoring opportunity out of nowhere made Pele a multi-dimensional forward.
Not only did he have a superstar career but Pele changed soccer forever. Now numerous fans and analysts consider Pele to be the greatest soccer player of all-time but he is at #2 because of…
- Lionel Messi
Country: Argentina
Best known for his time at: Barcelona
Unique accomplishment: Scored a world record 91 goals for club and country in 2012
The Argentine genius Lionel Messi claims the best soccer player of all-time honor.
In just 13 seasons so far, Messi has already scored an incredible 566 official goals for club and country and he has accounted for 231 assists. He has won 31 career team trophies and he currently holds the record for most Ballon d’Or awards with five.
While many others would have legends such as Pele or Maradona at the top spot, Messi holds the top spot because he is the complete player. His ability to dictate games as a scorer, passer, and playmaker is something that has never been seen before.
His quick decision-making in crucial situations such as in an odd man counter attack have generated countless goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. To make a pinpoint accurate pass to David Villa after evading a couple of Real Madrid defenders is simply magisterial.
Messi can create in so many ways. Whether it is a short pass or a long ball, Messi has time after time made life easier for his teammates with his passing. The game can drastically change in seconds when Messi is in control.
While he has received uncanny criticism for not taking on a new challenge at another club — which brings up the famous, “but can he do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke” — Messi has in fact taken up a new challenge for the majority of his career. He has been able to adapt to new teammates and new coaching systems, such as Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka tactic where he played as a false 9 and created havoc all over the field — playing deep allowed for the striker and left winger to occupy more space and also gave Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta the freedom to control the midfield.
Messi would still be on this list even if he never took his shot on goal in his career. Now when you begin to examine his career through his goals, where can you even begin? World class goal after world class goal, Messi has created lifelong memories for fans all around the world.
In every generation of soccer, you will see generational goalscorers with the likes of Pele, Muller, and Ronaldo but with Messi, you have a once in a lifetime talent who is more than just a scorer. Messi can score at an impeccable level, dribble like a magician, and his playmaking skills unravel defenses. Whether he is lying deep along the midfield line or upfront as a forward, Messi will find a way to impact the game.
He scores like Pele. Dribbles like Maradona. Adjusts to any situation like Cruyff. Controls games like Zidane.
There may never be another all-around complete player like Messi so enjoy him while you can.
Writer’s Note: Thank you for reading my first post on Medium. Stats credited to ESPN Stats and Info, RSSF, and Opta. Special shoutout to Footballia.com for their amazing archive of full games.
