Top 10 Football Players of All Time (2024 Updated Ranking)

Football has seen the development of countless renowned players who have left an indelible mark on the sport. The debate over who is the greatest football player of all time is highly subjective, with opinions varying according to personal tastes and biases.

Choosing the best player ever in any sport is a matter of personal opinion, and there are many factors that can’t be measured.

But when it comes to soccer, many people believe Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time. He’s scored a ton of goals and has won pretty much every award and trophy possible. His status as the greatest was solidified when Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, especially after an intense final against France.

Best Football Players of All Time

Here is a list of best football players of all time –

1. Lionel Messi –

With 802 goals and 42 trophies, Lionel Messi tops the the list of top football players of all time. Known for his exceptional dribbling, precise passing, incredible vision, and prolific goal-scoring ability, Messi has set numerous records during his illustrious career. He spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona.

• Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Born: June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder

Clubs:

1. FC Barcelona (2000-2021)
2. Paris Saint-Germain (2021-present)

Achievements: With FC Barcelona

• Numerous La Liga championships
• Numerous UEFA Champions League titles
• Numerous Copa del Rey titles
• Multiple FIFA Club World Cup titles
• Numerous Ballon d’Or awards (best player)

With Argentina National Team:

• Copa America champion: 2021
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2008
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (best player): 2014, 2018

2. Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) –

Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), is considered as one of the greatest footballers of all time:

Born: October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil

Position: Forward

Teams:

• Santos FC (1956-1974)
• New York Cosmos (1975-1977)
• São Paulo FC (1975, 1991-1993)

Brazil National Team (1957-1971): 92 appearances, 77 goals

Achievements:

• World Cup champion: 1958, 1962, 1970
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (best player): 1970
• FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe (top scorer): 1970
• Copa Libertadores champion with Santos: 1962, 1963
• 10-time Campeonato Paulista champion with Santos

Pelé’s impact on football goes beyond statistics. He is often considered one of the greatest footballers in history and is renowned for his incredible goal-scoring ability, athleticism, and versatility on the field. Pelé’s name is synonymous with success and excellence in football, and he remains an icon of the sport, inspiring generations of players worldwide.

3. Diego Maradona –

Diego Maradona is considered one of the greatest footballers ever and is known for his incredible dribbling skills, vision, and ability to score stunning goals, here are details about him:

Born: October 30, 1960, in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Died: November 25, 2020, in Tigre, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Position: Forward

Teams:

• Argentinos Juniors (1976-1981)
• Boca Juniors (1981-1982)
• Barcelona (1982-1984)
• Napoli (1984-1991)
• Sevilla (1992-1993)
• Newell’s Old Boys (1993-1994)
• Boca Juniors (1995-1997)

Argentina National Team (1977-1994): 91 appearances, 34 goals

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup champion: 1986
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (best player): 1986
• FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe (top scorer): 1986
• Copa del Rey with Barcelona: 1983
• Serie A championships with Napoli: 1986-1987, 1989-1990
• UEFA Cup with Napoli: 1988-1989
• Copa America champion with Argentina: 1983
• Argentine Primera División champion with Boca Juniors: 1981

4. Johan Cruyff –

Cruyff played a pivotal role in the development of “Total Football.” His time at Ajax and FC Barcelona left a lasting legacy, and he was instrumental in bringing success to both clubs.

Full Name: Hendrik Johannes Cruijff

Born: April 25, 1947, in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Died: March 24, 2016, in Barcelona, Spain

Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder

Clubs:

1. Ajax (1964-1973)
2. FC Barcelona (1973-1978)
3. Los Angeles Aztecs (1979-1980)
4. Washington Diplomats (1980-1981)
5. Levante (1981-1982)
6. Ajax (1981-1983)

Netherlands National Team (1966-1977): 48 appearances, 33 goals

Achievements: With Ajax:

• Numerous Eredivisie titles
• Three consecutive European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) titles: 1971, 1972, 1973

With FC Barcelona:

• La Liga title: 1974
• Copa del Rey: 1978
• European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1979

5. Beckenbauer –

Franz Beckenbauer, often referred to as “The Kaiser,” is regarded as one of the greatest defenders and footballers of all time.

Full Name: Franz Anton Beckenbauer

Born: September 11, 1945, in Munich, Germany

Position: Sweeper/Defender

Clubs:

1. Bayern Munich (1964-1977)
2. New York Cosmos (1977-1980)
3. Hamburg SV (1980-1982)
4. New York Cosmos (1983-1984)

Germany National Team (1965-1977): 103 appearances, 14 goals

Achievements: With Bayern Munich:

• Multiple Bundesliga titles
• European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) titles: 1974, 1975, 1976
• DFB-Pokal titles

With New York Cosmos:

• North American Soccer League (NASL) titles: 1977, 1978, 1980

With Germany National Team:

• FIFA World Cup champion: 1974
• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1966, 1982

6. Cristiano Ronaldo –

Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro Born: February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Position: Forward/Winger

Clubs:

1. Sporting CP (2002-2003)
2. Manchester United (2003-2009)
3. Real Madrid (2009-2018)
4. Juventus (2018-2021)
5. Manchester United (2021-present)

Portugal National Team (Senior debut in 2003): Ongoing

Achievements: With Manchester United:

• Premier League titles
• FA Cup
• UEFA Champions League title: 2008
• Ballon d’Or (best player) awards

With Real Madrid:

• La Liga titles
• UEFA Champions League titles: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Numerous Ballon d’Or awards

With Juventus:

• Serie A titles

With Portugal National Team:

• UEFA European Championship (Euro) winner: 2016
• UEFA Nations League winner: 2019

7. Zinedine Zidane –

Zinedine Zidane, often referred to simply as “Zizou,” is considered one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. Known for his elegant style, close ball control, and exceptional playmaking abilities, Zidane was a key figure for both club and country.

Full Name: Zinedine Yazid Zidane

Born: June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France

Position: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder

Clubs:

1. AS Cannes (1988-1992)
2. Girondins de Bordeaux (1992-1996)
3. Juventus (1996-2001)
4. Real Madrid (2001-2006)

France National Team (1994-2006): 108 appearances, 31 goals

Achievements: With Juventus:

• Serie A titles
• UEFA Super Cup

With Real Madrid:

• La Liga titles
• UEFA Champions League titles: 2002, 2014, 2016
• FIFA Club World Cup
• Ballon d’Or (best player) awards

With France National Team:

• FIFA World Cup champion: 1998
• UEFA European Championship (Euro) winner: 2000

8. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Spain) –

Alfredo Di Stéfano is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Known for his versatility, incredible skill, and ability to play in various positions, Di Stéfano was a key figure in the success of Real Madrid during the 1950s.

Full Name: Zinedine Yazid Zidane

Born: June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France

Position: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder

Clubs:

1. AS Cannes (1988-1992)
2. Girondins de Bordeaux (1992-1996)
3. Juventus (1996-2001)
4. Real Madrid (2001-2006)

France National Team (1994-2006): 108 appearances, 31 goals

Achievements: With Juventus:

• Serie A titles
• UEFA Super Cup

With Real Madrid:

• La Liga titles
• UEFA Champions League titles: 2002, 2014, 2016
• FIFA Club World Cup
• Ballon d’Or (best player) awards

With France National Team:

• FIFA World Cup champion: 1998
• UEFA European Championship (Euro) winner: 2000

9. George Best –

Full Name: George Best

Born: May 22, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Died: November 25, 2005, in London, England

Position: Forward/Winger

Clubs:

1. Manchester United (1963-1974)
2. Stockport County (loan, 1975)
3. Los Angeles Aztecs (1976)
4. Fulham (1976-1977)
5. Los Angeles Aztecs (1977-1978)
6. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1978-1981)
7. San Jose Earthquakes (1980-1981)
8. Bournemouth (loan, 1983)

Northern Ireland National Team (1964-1977): 37 appearances, 9 goals

Achievements: With Manchester United:

• First Division (now Premier League) titles
• European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) title: 1968

10. Garrincha (Brazil) –

Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Garrincha, nicknamed “The Little Bird,” was a Brazilian winger known for his dazzling dribbling skills, unique bow-legged style, and infectious joy on the pitch.

Here’s a closer look at his incredible career:

• Born: October 28, 1933, Pau Grande, Brazil
• Died: January 20, 1983, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Position: Right Winger
• Teams: Botafogo (1953-1965), Corinthians (1966-1968), Flamengo (1968-1969), Portuguesa (1969-1972), Olaria (1972-1973), Red Star Belgrade (1973)
• Brazil National Team (1955-1966): 50 appearances, 12 goals

Achievements:

• World Cup champion: 1958, 1962
• World Cup Golden Ball (best player): 1962
• World Cup Golden Boot (top scorer): 1962
• Copa Libertadores champion: 1963
• 4-time Campeonato Carioca champion: 1957, 1958, 1962, 1964
• Taça Guanabara champion: 1961, 1962, 1964

Beyond the statistics and accolades, Garrincha’s legacy lies in the joy he brought to the sport and the way he captivated audiences with his unique brilliance. He was a true magician with the ball at his feet, and his name will forever be etched in the history of football.

List of Top 10 Football Players of All Time

Rank	Player	Goals	Trophies
1	Lionel Messi (Argentina)	802	42
2	Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)	819	34
3	Pele	767	26
4	Diego Maradona (Argentina)	353	12
5	Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)	103	43
6	Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)	433	22
7	Gerd Müller (Germany)	722	16
8	Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Spain)	509	26
9	Zinedine Zidane (France)	156	16
10	Garrincha (Brazil)	232	24

Top 10 Football Players— Age, Marital Status, Height & Estimated Net Worth

Beyond their on-field wonders, you can also take a closer look at the lives of these iconic players by uncovering details such as their current age, marital status, and their net worth. Know your favorite football icons beyond the game, providing a well-rounded perspective on the individuals who have left an indelible mark on the sport!

Rank	Player	Age	Marital Status	Height	Estimated Net Worth (in millions USD)
1	Diego Maradona	(Deceased)	–	165 cm	$90
2	Lionel Messi	35	Married	170 cm	$400 – $500
3	Pele	81	Married	173 cm	$100 – $150
4	Johan Cruyff	(Deceased)	–	178 cm	$18 – $20
5	Franz Beckenbauer	76	Married	184 cm	$10 – $15
6	Cristiano Ronaldo	37	In a relationship	187 cm	$500 – $600
7	Zinedine Zidane	50	Married	185 cm	$70 – $80
8	Alfredo Di Stefano	(Deceased)	–	178 cm	$10 – $15
9	Michel Platini	66	Married	179 cm	$15 – $20
10	George Best	(Deceased)	–	1	$8 – $12

Top 10 Football Players of All Time – FAQs

Who is the No 1 richest footballer in the world?

Faiq Bolkiah holds the title of the world’s wealthiest football player, boasting a staggering net worth of $20 billion, primarily stemming from his family’s substantial inheritance. He is a scion of Brunei’s royal lineage, being the son of the Brunei Prince.

Who is the king of football all time?

Pele is also called ‘O Rei’ or The King and he is known as the king of football

How rich is cr7?

Per Forbes, Ronaldo became the first professional athlete ever to surpass the billion-dollar threshold just in career earnings in 2020, as his net worth is around $500 million according to some estimations that include wages, endorsement deals, real estate, and advertisements.

Who’s faster Ronaldo or Messi?

Messi has higher acceleration, Ronaldo has higher speed (when he is at full pace). For dribbling Messi accelerates extremely fast in first few meters, and there he makes a lot of advantage over defenders. His speed at full sprint is also high.

Has David Beckham won a World Cup?

No, this soccer star has never actually won a World Cup. However, his Manchester United bio notes that he is the only England player to have scored a goal in three different World Cups so, go David! For what it’s worth, England last won a World Cup game in 1966, when they beat Germany.

At what age Beckham retired?

David was 38 years old when he played his final professional soccer game in 2013. At the time, he was playing for Paris Saint-Germain. He announced his retirement in May of 2013, 21 years after he started his professional soccer career.