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.
|
Cregagh Boys Club |
1961–1963 |
Manchester United |
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) |
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.
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) |
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.
Years |
Team |
Apps |
(Gls) |
1972–1979 |
Nancy |
181 |
(98) |
1979–1982 |
Saint-Étienne |
104 |
(58) |
1982–1987 |
Juventus |
147 |
(68) |
Total |
|
432 |
(224) |
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.
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) |
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.
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) |
1966–1977 |
Netherlands |
48 |
(33) |
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.
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) |
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.
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) |
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.
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) |
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.
Years |
Team |
Apps |
(Gls) |
1956–1974 |
Santos |
636 |
(618) |
1975–1977 |
New York Cosmos |
64 |
(37) |
Total |
|
700 |
(655) |
1957–1971 |
Brazil |
92 |
(77) |
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.