The sport of soccer has been around for centuries and has evolved into a global phenomenon today. Countless players have dedicated their lives to mastering the game, but only a select few can be considered the greatest soccer players of all time.
Here are 10 of those athletes who have made a lasting impact on the sport.
1. Pele
2. Diego Maradona
3. Lionel Messi
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
6. Franz Beckenbauer
7. Johan Cruyff
8. Ronaldo Nazario
9. Zinadine Zidane
10. Michel Platini
Pele
Pele is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time. He was born in Brazil in 1940 and began playing professionally at the age of 15. Pele quickly became known for his speed, skill, and scoring ability, and he helped lead Brazil to victory in the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
Pele scored 1,279 goals during his career, an average of almost a goal per game. He was also inducted into the American National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992.
Pele’s success on the field helped to popularize soccer worldwide, and his legacy continues to inspire players of all levels today.
Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona undoubtedly makes the list of the greatest soccer players. Born in Argentina in 1960, Maradona began his senior career with the local club team Argentinos Juniors. He quickly rose to prominence, making his first-team debut at 16.
From there, he went on to have a hugely successful career, playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Barcelona and Napoli. He also had a hugely successful international career, helping Argentina win the World Cup in 1986.
Maradona was a natural talent, blessed with superb dribbling skills and an ability to score goals. Unfortunately, he was also a controversial figure, known for his volatile temper and drug use. But despite his faults, there is no denying that Diego Maradona was one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
Read this article to learn everything about the career of Diego Maradona.
Lionel Messi
When it comes to men’s soccer, there is no question that Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players in history. Born in 1987 in Argentina, Messi began playing for FC Barcelona’s youth team at 13.
Messi quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the team’s most important players by the time he was 21. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and numerous other accolades throughout his soccer career.
He is considered one of the best dribblers and passers in the game, and his ability to score goals is virtually unmatched. In short, Lionel Messi is one of the most extraordinary men’s soccer players of all time, and there is no doubt that he is deserving of this distinction.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese soccer player who has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
His extraordinary soccer performances have earned him a place as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
Ronaldo has won numerous individual awards, including five Ballon d’Or trophies. The Portuguese international is known for his speed, skill, and goalscoring ability.
He has scored over 700 career goals, and he is the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League. Ronaldo has also represented his country at the FIFA World Cup and won the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, nicknamed “Zizou,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players. Born in France in 1972, Zidane began his career with the French club Cannes before moving to Girondins de Bordeaux.
He then joined Juventus, winning the Serie A league title. In 2001, he transferred to Real Madrid for a then-record fee of €77 million.
With Madrid, Zidane won the UEFA Champions League in 2001/02, one La Liga title, and the Spanish Super Cup twice. In addition, Zidane was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2002.
The France international retired from professional soccer in 2006 after leading France to a victory in the World Cup finals in 1998. He was inducted into the Real Madrid Hall of Fame in 2014.
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer makes the list of the greatest soccer players. As a defender, he is one of the only players to have won the European Championships in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.
In addition to his success on the international stage, Beckenbauer also enjoyed a long and successful career with Bayern Munich, winning four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups.
He was named German soccer player of the Year and inducted into the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team four times.
Beckenbauer’s legacy extends beyond his accomplishments on the field. He is also credited with helping to popularize the game of soccer in the United States.
In 1977, he joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, becoming one of the first international stars to play in America. His skill and charisma helped attract sell-out crowds and brought new attention to the sport.
Today, Beckenbauer remains an influential figure in the world of soccer. He served as president of Bayern Munich between 1994 – 2009.
Johan Cruyff
Another outstanding player who makes the list of the greatest soccer players is Johan Cruyff. Born in 1947, he began his career with Ajax in 1964 and went on to help the team win three consecutive European Cups.
Johan Cruyff also played for Barcelona, Feyenoord, and the Netherlands national team.
Cruyff was known for his speed, skill, and creativity on the field and his ability to score goals. He scored over 500 goals during his career for club and country. He was also a talented coach, leading Ajax and Barcelona to success.
Cruyff passed away in 2016, but his legacy continues through the many players and coaches he inspired.
Ronaldo Nazario
While there have been many great soccer players throughout history, Ronaldo Nazario is widely considered one of the best of all time. Nicknamed “the Phenomenon,” Ronaldo was a devastating striker who could score goals with seeming ease.
He began his career with Brazilian club Cruzeiro before joining Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. It was at PSV that Ronaldo truly began to shine, winning the KNVB Cup and becoming the league’s top scorer in just two seasons.
He then moved to Spanish giants Barcelona where he won the Copa del Rey in 1996/97. In addition, Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997.
In 2002, Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid, where he enjoyed even more success, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2002, a trophy he previously earned in 1997. He also led Madrid to one La Liga title in 2002/03. Ronaldo retired from soccer in 2011, but his legacy as one of the greatest soccer players is secure.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players in history. He was a complete player with superb technical ability, vision, and creativity. Furthermore, he had an excellent work ethic and was a true leader on and off the pitch.
Zidane began his career with the French club Cannes before moving to Bordeaux in 1992. He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, winning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award in 1996.
The Frenchman moved to Juventus for a world-record fee of $66 million. He spent four successful seasons with the Italian club, winning the Serie A title twice and the UEFA Super Cup in 1996.
In 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for a then-record fee of $77 million. He spent five seasons with Madrid, winning the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
Zidane also won the FIFA World Cup with France in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship in 2000. Zidane retired from professional soccer in 2006 after an illustrious career. However, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time and was inducted into the Real Madrid Hall of Fame in 2014.
Michel Platini
Many see Michel Platini as a French soccer legend and one of the greatest soccer players. He began his career with the French club Nancy before playing for Saint-Etienne and Juventus.
With Juventus, Platini won two European Cups and two Serie A titles.
He also played an instrumental role in France’s 1984 European Championship victory, scoring nine goals. In total, Platini scored 41 goals in 72 appearances for France.
After retiring from playing, Platini became a coach for the French national side. He was also elected president of UEFA in 2007. Michel Platini’s extraordinary talent and achievements have secured his place as one of the greatest soccer players.
FAQs about 10 of the Greatest Soccer Players of All Time
Q: Who is the greatest soccer player of all time?
A: It is subjective that there is no definitive answer to this question. However, many experts and fans would say that Diego Maradona is the greatest soccer player in history.
Maradona was a genius on the field who could do things that no other player could. He was also a successful coach, leading the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup.
Other experts and fans would say that Pelé is the greatest soccer player. Pelé is the all-time leading scorer in professional soccer history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the soccer world has witnessed.
Q: Who is statistically the greatest soccer player ever?
A: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are statistically the best soccer players. Both have scored numerous goals and won more individual awards than any other player in history.
Both Messi and Ronaldo have guided their teams to numerous trophies, including the UEFA Champions League. There is no doubt that Messi and Ronaldo are the two greatest soccer players of all time.
Q: What attributes make a good soccer player?
A: A good soccer player needs physical, mental, and technical ability. They must be able to run long distances, have good stamina, and be physically strong. They must also think quickly, make good decisions, and have excellent hand-eye coordination.
Furthermore, they must have good technique, control the ball well, and have a good understanding of the game.
End of Line
There is no one answer to who the greatest soccer player of all time is. This question is subjective and depends on individual opinions. However, some players considered to be among the greatest include Diego Maradona, Pelé, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
These players have all excelled at the highest level of the sport and have been instrumental in guiding their teams to success.
They have all shown exceptional skills, technique, and understanding of the game. What makes each of them the greatest is up for debate, but there is no doubt that they are all legends of the sport.
