TOP 50 FOOTBALLERS OF ALL TIME
Football is considered the most beautiful game by billions across the globe. This is because billions either play football or they watch football and they enjoy every touch of the ball. Someone like you is a football fan and wants to know who the best football players of all time are. Also who is currently ranked as the best in Europe right now.
Ranking of the best 50 football players of all time. This is a highly subjective and debated topic within the world of football. With the rich history and diverse talent pool that the sport has witnessed. It is challenging to create a definitive list that satisfies everyone’s opinions. However, various factors are typically considered when compiling such rankings. Including individual skill, achievements, impact on the game, longevity, and overall influence.
When evaluating individual skills, aspects such as technical abilities, vision, dribbling, shooting, passing, and defensive capabilities are taken into account. Achievements, including major titles won at both the club and international levels. This can play a significant role in determining a player’s ranking. The impact a player has had on the game and their influence on future generations is another crucial aspect considered. Longevity and consistency in performing at a high level over a sustained period also contribute to a player’s ranking.
Ultimately, any list of the top 50 football players of all time is a subjective compilation. Opinions may vary depending on individual perspectives and criteria used.
TOP 50
50) John Charles – Major Achievements,
Third place in Ballon d’Or. 1956/57 Serie A top goal scorer, three Scudetti & two Coppa Italia.
49) Jairzinho – Major Achievements,
1970 World Cup. The only player to score in every game of a World Cup, ‘Best body on the planet’.
48) Omar Sivori – Major Achievements,
1961 Ballon d’Or, 1959/60 Capocannoniere, three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia titles.
47) Paolo Rossi – Major Achievements,
1982 Ballon d’Or, 1982 FIFA World Cup. FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 1982, 1977,78 Capocannoniere, two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia title, one European Cup.
46) Paul Breitner – Major Achievements,
1981 Ballon d’Or runner-up, 1974 World Cup. 1972 UEFA European Championships, FIFA world cup all-time team, five Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal titles, and one European Cup.
TOP 45
45) Kylian Mbappe – Major Achievements,
2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 World Cup finalist, 2022 World Cup Golden Boot. 2018 World Cup Young Player award, 2022 World Cup silver ball, 2018 Kopa trophy, 2017 Golden Boy. 2x French Player of the Year, 4x Ligue 1 Top Goal Scorer. 2x FIFA FIFAPRO World 11, five Ligue 1 titles three Coupe de France titles, 2020/21 UEFA Nations League.
44) George Weah – Major Achievements,
1995 Ballon d’Or. Three-time African Footballer of the Year, two Scudetti, and one Ligue 1 title. Two Coupe de France, one FA Cup.
43) Kaka – Major Achievements,
2007 Ballon d’Or, 2007 FIFA Player of the Year. Two-time Serie A footballer of the Year, a two-time Time 100 list member. 2002 FIFA World Cup, one Scudetti, one UEFA Champions League, one La Liga, and one Copa del Rey.
42) Lev Yashin – Major Achievements,
1963 Ballon d’Or, Olympic gold medal, 1960 UEFA European Football Championship. FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, five Soviet Top League titles, Order of Lenin.
41) Gunnar Nordahl – Major Achievements,
Olympic gold medal, five-time Capocannoniere, two Scudetti.
TOP 40
40) Sir Stanley Matthews – Major Achievements,
Ballon d’Or, 2x FWA Footballer of the Year. English Footballer Hall of Fame, Team of the Century, FA Cup, 9x British Home Championships.
39) Kevin Keegan – Major Achievements,
1978 & 1979 Ballon d’Or. 1981/82 PPF Players’ Player of the Year, three Football League First Division titles. One FA Cup, one European Cup, two UEFA Cup titles, and one Bundesliga.
38) Hristo Stoichkov – Major Achievements,
1994 Ballon d’Or, 1990 European Golden Shoe. Five-time Bulgarian Footballer of the Year, one UEFA Champions League, five La Liga titles, and one Copa del Rey.
37) Gianluigi Buffon – Major Achievements,
2006 Ballon d’or runner-up, 2006 FIFA World Cup, 12-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year. 2002/03 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, two-time Pallone Azzurro, 2016/17 Serie A Footballer of the Year. 11 Scudetti, six Coppa Italia titles, one UEFA cup.
36) Johan Neesskens – Major Achievements,
1974 & 1978 FIFA World Cup runner-up. 1974 FIFA Silver Boot, three European Cups, two Eredivisie, two KNVB Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, and one Copa del Rey.
TOP 35
35) Xavi Hernandez – Major Achievements,
2010 FIFA World Cup, 2008 & 2012 UEFA European Championship. 2008 UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament, 2005 La Liga Spanish Player of the Year, four UEFA Champions Leagues. Eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey.
34) Luis Suarez – Major Achievements,
1960 Ballon d’Or, two European Cups. Two Intercontinental Cups, three Scudetti, two La Liga titles, and two Copa del Rey.
33) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – Major Achievements,
1980 & 1981 Ballon d’Or, 1980 German Footballer of the Year. Three-time Torjagerkanone, 1080 UEFA European Championship, two European Cups, two Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal.
32) Andres Iniesta – Major Achievements,
2010 FIFA World Cup, 2008 & 2012 UEFA European Championships. Four EUFA Champions Leagues, nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey, 2012 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award.
31) Rivelino – Major Achievements,
1970 FIFA World Cup, 1970 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, two Campeonato Carioca titles.
TOP 30
30) Bobby Moore – Major Achievements,
1966 FIFA World Cup, 1970 Ballon d’Or runner-up. 1964 FA Cup, PFA Player of the Century, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
29) Luka Modric – Major Achievements,
2018 Ballon d’Or, 2018 UEFA Men’s Best Player of the Year. 2018 the Best FIFA Men’s Player, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2018, five UEFA Champions Leagues.
28) Socrates – Major Achievements,
three Campeonato Paulista, 1983 South American Footballer of the Year. 1980 Bola de Prata, 1976 Campeonato Paulista Top Scorer.
27) Lothar Matthaus – Major Achievements,
1990 Ballon d’Or, 1991 FIFA World Player of the Year, 1990 FIFA World Cup. 1980 UEFA European Championship, two UEFA Cups, seven Bundesliga titles, one Scudetto, and three DFB-Pokal titles.
26) Ronaldinho – Major Achievements,
G2005 Ballon d’Or, 2004 & 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year. 2005/06 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, 2004 & 2005 FIFPRO World Player of the Year. 2002 World Cup, UEFA Champions League, two La Liga titles, one Scudetto.
TOP 25
25) Ruud Gullit – Major Achievements,
1987 Ballon d’or, two-time Dutch Footballer of the Year, 1988 UEFA European Championship. Two European Cups, three Scudetti, three Eredivisie titles, and one KNVB Cup.
24) Bobby Charlton – Major Achievements,
1966 Ballon d’Or FIFA World Cup, 1966 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. 1967/68 European Cup, three Football League First Division titles, 1962/63 FA Cup.
23) Giuseppe Meazza – Major Achievements,
1934 & 1938 FIFA World Cup. 1934 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, three Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, three Capocannoniere.
22) Raymond Kopa – Major Achievements,
1958 Ballon d’Or, 1961 French Player of the Year, 1958 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. Three European Cups, two La Liga titles, four Ligue 1 titles.
21) Romario – Major Achievements,
1994 FIFA World Cup Player of the Year, 1994 FIFA World Cup. 1994 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1994 World Cup All-Star Team. 1989 & 1997 Copa America, one La Liga, three-time Eredivisie, 1993/94 Pichichi winner.
TOP 20
20) Eusebio – Major Achievements,
1965 Ballon d’Or, 1966 European Golden Boot, 1968 & 1973 European Golden Boot. 1962 European Cup, 11 Primeira Liga titles, and five Taca de Portugal titles.
19) Marco Van Basten – Major Achievements,
1988, 1989 & 1992 Ballon d’Or, 1992 FIFA World Cup Player of the Year. 1988, 1989 & 1992 UEFA Best Player of the Year, 1984/85 Dutch Footballer of the Year, two Capocannoniere, 1988 European Championship. Two European Cups, three Scudetti, three Eredivisie, and three KNVB Cups.
18) George Best – Major Achievements,
1968 ballon d’or, 1967/68 FWA Footballer of the Year. 1967/68 Football League First Division Top Scorer. 1968 European Cup, two Football League First Division League titles.
17) Zico – Major Achievements,
Five-time Bola de Prata winner, three-time South American Footballer of the Year. Top Scorer in Flamengo’s history, 1981 Copa Libertadores Best Player. 1981 Copa Libertadores, 1981 Intercontinental Cup, three Campeonato Brasilerio Serie A titles.
16) Franco Baresi – Major Achievements,
AC Milan Player of the Century, Serie A Player of the Century. 1982 FIFA World Cup, six Scudetto, three European Cups, two Intercontinental; Cups, 1989 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
TOP 15
15) Ferenc Puskas – Major Achievements,
European Player of the 20th Century, Olympic Gold Medal, 1954 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. 1960 Ballon D’or runner-up, 1954 FIFA World Cup Runner-up, four-time Hungarian League Top Scorer, and two-time European Cup Top Scorer. Three European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, five La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and five Hungarian League titles.
14) Paolo Maldini – Major Achievements,
Most Serie A appearances of all time, most AC Milan appearances of all time. Five European Cups, seven Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, two Intercontinental Cup. 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up, 2000 UEFA European Football Championship runner-up.
13) Gerd Muller – Major Achievements,
1970 Ballon d’Or, 1974 FIFA World Cup, 1972 UEFA European Championship. 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, two-time German Footballer of the Year, two-time European Golden Shoe Winner. Seven-time Torjagerkanone, three European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, four Bundesliga titles, and four DFB Pokals.
12) Mane Garrincha – Major Achievements,
1958 & 1962 FIFA World Cup. 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, three state Championships.
11) Alfredo di Stefano – Major Achievements,
1957 & 1959 Ballon d’Or, five European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, eight La Liga titles. Five-time Pichini Winner, World Team of the 20th Century, one Copa del Rey.
TOP 10
10) Roberto Baggio – Major Achievements,
1993 Ballon d’Or, 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year, Italy’s Player of the Century. 1994 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball, 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up, two Scudetti, one UEFA Cup, and one Coppa Italia.
9) Michel Platini – Major Achievements,
1983, 1984, & 1985 Ballon d’Or, French Player of the Century. Two-time French Player of the Year, three-time Capocannoniere, 1984 UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament, 1984 UEFA European Championship. One European Cup, two Scudetti, one Ligue 1 title, one Coppa Italia, and one Intercontinental Cup.
8) Franz Beckenbauer – Major Achievements,
1972 & 1976 Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. 1966 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award, four-time German Footballer of the Year, 1974 FIFA World Cup. 1972 UEFA European Championships, three European Cups, five Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals, and one Intercontinental Cup.
7) Ronaldo – Major Achievements,
1997 & 2002 Ballon d’Or, 1966,1997 & 2002 FIFA World Player of the Year. 1998 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 2002 FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe, 1996/97 European Golden Shoe. 1994 & 2002 FIFA World Cup, 1997 & 1999 Copa America, two-time Pichichi Winner, 1998 Serie A Footballer of the Year. Two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one KNVB Cup, one UEFA Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup.
6) Johan Cruyff – Major Achievements,
1971, 1973 & 1975 Ballon d’Or, 1974 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, three-time Dutch Footballer of the Year, two-time Dutch Footballer of the Year. Two-time Dutch Sportsman of the Year, three European Cups, one La Liga title, nine Eredivisie titles, and one Copa del Rey. Six KNVB Cups, one Intercontinental Cup.
TOP 5
5) Zinedine Zidane – Major Achievements,
1998 Ballon d’Or, 1998, 2000 & 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year. 2002 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, 2000/01 Serie A Footballer of the Year. UEFA Champions League Best Player of the Past 20 Years, L’Equipe Best French Player of All Time. 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. Only Player to be named Player of the Year in three of the Top Five Leagues. Most Goals in FIFA World Cup Finals, 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 UEFA, European Championships, one Champions League. Two Scudetti, one La Liga title, one Intercontinental Cup.
TOP 4
4) Diego Maradona – Major Achievements,
Corriere dello Sport’s Best Athlete in History,1986 FIFA World Cup. 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1985 Serie A Footballer of the Year, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. FIFA Goal of the Century, Argentine Sports Writers’ Sportsman of the Century, two-time South American Footballer of the Year. Four-time Argentine Writers’ Footballer of the Year, two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, one Copa del Rey, and one UEFA Cup.
TOP 3
3) Pele – Major Achievements,
FIFA Player of the Century, France Football’s Greatest FIFA World Cup Football Player. Time 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century list, Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer. Youngest FIFA World Cup Winner, most assists in FIFA World Cup History, 1958, 1962 & 1970 FIFA World Cup. Top goal scorer in FIFA World Cup finals, two Copa Libertadores titles, and six Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A titles. Two Intercontinental Cups, 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1958 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player, 1970 Bola de Prata.
TOP 2
2) Cristiano Ronaldo – Major Achievements,
Highest scoring footballer of all time, leading scorer in men’s international football history. 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 Ballon d’Or, 2008, 2016 & 2017 FIFA World Player of the Year. UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, four-time European Golden Shoe Winner, two-time PFA Players’ Player of the Year. UEFA Champions League All Time Top goal scorer, Real Madrid’s all-time top goal scorer, five UEFA Champions Leagues. Two La Liga titles, three Premier League titles, two Scudetti, two Copa del Rey. One FA Cup, one Coppa Italia, and one UEFA European Championship.
TOP 1
1)Lionel Messi – Major Achievements,
90min’s Greatest Footballer of All Time, 2022 FIFA World Cup. 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021Ballon d’Or, 2009 FIFA World Cup Player of the Year. Barcelona is the all-time top goal scorer, La Liga is the all-time top goal scorer, and six-time Pichichi Winner. Argentina’s all-time top scorer, most goals scored in a Calendar Year, 2011 & 2015 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year. Seven-time La Liga Player of the Year, 2014 & 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. 2005 Young European Footballer of the Year, five-time European Golden Shoe Winner, four Champions Leagues. Nine La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey, and one Copa America.
TOP 10 FOOTBALLERS WITH THE MOST TROPHIES IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL
10) Cristiano Ronaldo – 34
1x Euro Cup, 5x Champions League, 2x Spanish Champion, 2x Spanish Cup, 2x Spanish Super Cup, 4x FIFA Club World Cup, 3x English Champion, 1x English FA Cup, 2x English League Cup, 1x Italian Champion, 2x Italian Super Cup, 1x UEFA Nations League, UEFA Super Cup, 1x Portuguese Super Cup, 2x English Super Cup.
9) Sergio Busquets – 35
1x World Cup, 1x Euro Cup, 3x UEFA Champions League, 9x Spanish Champion, 7x Spanish Cup, 8x Spanish Super Cup, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 3x FIFA World Cup.
8) Ryan Giggs – 35
2x Champions League, 13x English Champions, 4x FA Cup, 4x English League Cup, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 9x English Super Cup.
7) Vitor Baia – 36
1x Champions League, 10x Portuguese Champion, 5x Portuguese Cup, 10x Portuguese Super Cup, 1x UEFA Cup, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Spanish Champion, 2x Spanish Cup, 2x Spanish Super Cup, 1x EuropaPokal DEL POKALSIEGER SIEGER.
6) Maxwell Andrade – 37
2x FIFA Club World Cup, 1x Champions League, 2x Spanish Champion, 1x Spanish Cup, 3x Spanish Super Cup, 3x Italian Champion, 1x Italian Super Cup, 4x French Champion, 2x Dutch Champion, 1x Dutch Cup, 3x Dutch Super Cup, 1x Brazilian Cup, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 4x French Super Cup.
5) Hossam Aahour – 37
13x Egyptian Champion, 4x Egyptian Cup, 8x Egyptian Super Cup, 6x CAF Champions League, 5x CAF Super Cup, 1x CAF Confederation Cup.
4) Gerard Pique – 38
1x FIFA World Cup, 1x European Champion, 1x European U-19’S, 4x UEFA Champions League, 3x FIFA Club World Cup Winner, 1x English Champion, 1x English League Cup Winner, 9x Spanish Champion, 7x Spanish Cup, 6x Spanish Super Cup, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 1x English Super Cup.
3) Andres Iniesta – 39
1x World Cup, 2x European Champion, 4x UEFA Champions League, 9x Spanish Champion, 3x FIFA Club World Cup, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Japanese Cup Winner, 6x Spanish Cup, 7x Spanish Super Cup, 1x European U19, 1X European U17
2) Dani Alves – 43
2x Copa America, 3x UEFA Champions League, 6x Spanish Champion, 5x Spanish Cup, 5x Spanish Super Cup, 3x FIFA World Cup, 1x Italian Champion, 1x Italian Cup, 2x French Champion, 1x French Cup, 1x French League Cup, 2x UEFA Cup, 1x Copa Nordeste, 2x Confederations Cup, 1x Under 20 World Cup, 4x UEFA Super Cup, 2x French Super Cup, Olympic Medalist.
1) Lionel Messi – 43
1x World Cup, 1x Copa America, 4x UEFA Champions League, 10x Spanish Champion, 7x Spanish Cup, 8x Spanish Super Cup, 3x FIFA Club World Cup, 1x Under 20 World Champion, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Olympic, 2x French Ligue, 1x French Super Cup, 1x Finalissima.
Football VIO’s list of the top 50 footballers of all time is a definitive tribute to the remarkable talent and skill that has graced the beautiful game over the years. From legendary goalkeepers and rock-solid defenders to mesmerizing midfield maestros and prolific goal-scorers, this prestigious list encapsulates the very essence of footballing greatness. Each player featured has left an indelible mark on the sport, dazzling fans worldwide with their extraordinary abilities and unparalleled achievements on the field.
In addition to recognizing individual brilliance, Football VIO also celebrates the team players who have lifted the most trophies in the history of football. The top 10 footballers on this illustrious roster have enjoyed storied careers, collecting an impressive array of silverware throughout their time in the sport. These footballing icons have displayed exceptional leadership, determination, and a relentless hunger for success, guiding their teams to numerous league titles, domestic cups, and international honors. Their remarkable trophy hauls stand as a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and serve as an inspiration to generations of aspiring footballers worldwide. Football VIO’s list of top trophy winners is a testament to the power of teamwork and the enduring legacy of those who have graced the hallowed stadiums of the world with their brilliance.