It is difficult to pinpoint the top 100 football players of all time, as opinions will vary depending on individual preferences and biases. However, many experts and fans alike would likely agree that some of the most legendary and influential players in the history of the sport include:

10. Alfredo Di Stéfano: The Argentine-Spanish forward won multiple European Cups with Real Madrid and is considered one of the best players of his generation.

International career

1947 Argentina 6 (6)
1957–1961 Spain 31 (23)

Managerial Career

1967–1968 Elche
1969–1970 Boca Juniors
1970–1974 Valencia
1974 Sporting CP
1975–1976 Rayo Vallecano
1976–1977 Castellón
1979–1980 Valencia
1981–1982 River Plate
1982–1984 Real Madrid
1985 Boca Juniors
1986–1988 Valencia
1990–1991 Real Madrid

9. George Best: A Northern Irish winger known for his incredible dribbling and off-field antics, Best is considered one of the greatest players never to win a major international tournament.

Youth career
Cregagh Boys Club
1961–1963 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1974 Manchester United 361 (137)
1974 Dunstable Town 0 (0)
1975 Stockport County 3 (2)
1975–1976 Cork Celtic 3 (0)
1976 Los Angeles Aztecs 23 (15)
1976–1977 Fulham 42 (8)
1977–1978 Los Angeles Aztecs 32 (12)
1978–1979 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 28 (6)
1979–1980 Hibernian 17 (3)
1980–1981 San Jose Earthquakes 56 (21)
1982–1983 AFC Bournemouth 5 (0)
1983 Brisbane Lions 4 (0)
Total 574 (204)
International career
1964–1977 Northern Ireland 37 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

8. Franz Beckenbauer: The German captain won the World Cup as both a player and a coach and is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1977 Bayern Munich 427 (60)
1977–1980 New York Cosmos 80 (17)
1980–1982 Hamburger SV 28 (0)
1983 New York Cosmos 25 (2)
Total 560 (79)
International career
1964 West Germany Youth 3 (3)
1965 West Germany B 2 (0)
1965–1977 West Germany 103 (14)

7. Michel Platini: The French midfielder won three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards in the 1980s and helped France reach the semi-finals of the 1984 European Championship.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1979 Nancy 181 (98)
1979–1982 Saint-Étienne 104 (58)
1982–1987 Juventus 147 (68)
Total 432 (224)
International career
1975–1976 France Olympic 7 (4)
1976–1987 France[3] 72 (41)
1988 Kuwait[4] 1 (0)

6. Zinedine Zidane: A midfield maestro with France and Real Madrid, Zidane is remembered for his technical skill and elegance on the ball.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1992 Cannes 61 (6)
1992–1996 Bordeaux 139 (28)
1996–2001 Juventus 151 (24)
2001–2006 Real Madrid 155 (37)
Total 506 (95)
International career
1988–1989 France U17 4 (1)
1989–1990 France U18 6 (0)
1990–1994 France U21 20 (3)
1994–2006 France 108 (31)

5. Johan Cruyff: A pioneer of the Dutch “Total Football” style, Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards and led the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 1974.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1973 Ajax 245 (193)
1973–1978 Barcelona 143 (48)
1978–1979 Los Angeles Aztecs 22 (14)
1980–1981 Washington Diplomats 29 (12)
1981 Levante 10 (2)
1981–1983 Ajax 36 (14)
1983–1984 Feyenoord 33 (11)
Total 518 (294)
International career
1966–1977 Netherlands 48 (33)
Managerial career
1985–1988 Ajax
1988–1996 Barcelona
2009–2013 Catalonia

4. Cristiano Ronaldo: A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo has been a prolific goal scorer for both Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Sporting CP B 2 (0)
2002–2003 Sporting CP 25 (3)
2003–2009 Manchester United 196 (84)
2009–2018 Real Madrid 292 (311)
2018–2021 Juventus 98 (81)
2021–2022 Manchester United 40 (19)
2023– Al Nassr 0 (0)
International career‡
2001 Portugal U15 9 (7)
2001–2002 Portugal U17 7 (5)
2003 Portugal U20 5 (1)
2002–2003 Portugal U21 10 (3)
2004 Portugal U23 3 (2)
2003– Portugal 196 (118)

3. Lionel Messi: Often compared to Pelé and Maradona, Messi has won numerous individual awards and numerous titles with Barcelona and Argentina.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
2021– Paris Saint-Germain 40 (14)
International career‡
2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
2008 Argentina U23 5[α] (2)
2005– Argentina 172 (98)

2. Diego Maradona: Another World Cup winner with Argentina, Maradona is known for his incredible dribbling skills and the “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1981 Argentinos Juniors 166 (116)
1981–1982 Boca Juniors 40 (28)
1982–1984 Barcelona 36 (22)
1984–1991 Napoli 188 (81)
1992–1993 Sevilla 26 (5)
1993–1994 Newell’s Old Boys 5 (0)
1995–1997 Boca Juniors 30 (7)
Total 491 (259)
International career
1977–1979 Argentina U20 15 (8)
1977–1994 Argentina 91 (34)

Pelé: Widely considered the greatest player of all time, Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals.

Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1956–1974 Santos 636 (618)
1975–1977 New York Cosmos 64 (37)
Total 700 (655)
International career
1957–1971 Brazil 92 (77)
Honours
Men’s football
Representing  Brazil
FIFA World Cup
Winner 1958 Sweden
Winner 1962 Chile
Winner 1970 Mexico
South American Championship
Runner-up 1959 Argentina

This is just a small selection of the many incredible football players to have graced the sport throughout the years. From Pele to Ronaldo, Maradona to Messi, the list goes on. It’s impossible to include every great player in this list, but these players are considered as some of the best of all time by experts and fans alike.

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