Ranking the greatest football players of all time is a daunting task, but here’s a list that takes into account three key factors:
- Importance to the Team: The player’s impact on their team’s success.
- Club and International Trophies: The number of titles won at the club and international level.
- Individual Awards: The number of individual accolades received, such as the Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot.
- Lionel Messi: Regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, with a record-breaking eight Ballon d’Or awards & a World Cup.
- Pele: A three-time World Cup winner and iconic Brazilian forward.
- Diego Maradona: A legendary Argentine attacking midfielder and leader of the 1986 World Cup-winning team.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of the most successful players in the modern era.
- Johan Cruyff: A Dutch football legend and pioneer of the “Total Football” style.
- Ferenc Puskas: A Hungarian forward and one of the greatest goal-scorers in history.
- Franz Beckenbauer: A German legend and one of the most decorated players of all time.
- Zinedine Zidane: A French midfielder and leader of the 1998 World Cup-winning team.
- Ronaldo: A Brazilian forward and two-time World Cup winner.
- Alfredo Di Stefano: An Argentine-Spanish forward and one of the greatest players of the 20th century.
- Michel Platini
- Gerd Muller
- Paolo Maldini
- Garrincha
- Franco Baresi
- Eusebio
- Kaka
- Marco van Basten
- Sir Bobby Charlton
- Lev Yashin
- Ronaldinho
- Andres Iniesta
- Xavi
- Ruud Gullit
- George Best
- Luka Modric
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Roberto Baggio
- Romario
- Lothar Matthaus