50 Best Football Players – 2024
In the world of football, the debate over the greatest players of all time is both passionate and ongoing. This article details the 50 football players of all time who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From legends of the Premier League to icons celebrated in FIFA’s rankings.
Whether you’re a fan of the best 50 NFL players of all time or just passionate about football, this overview provides insights into the careers and achievements of these extraordinary athletes who have defined the beautiful game highlighting their major teams and awards.
| RANK | NAME | COUNTRY | TEAMS | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pelé | Brazil | Santos, New York Cosmos | 3x FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970) |
| 2 | Diego Maradona | Argentina | Barcelona, Napoli, Boca Juniors | FIFA World Cup (1986), Ballon d’Or (1986) |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain | 7x Ballon d’Or, 4x Champions League, FIFA World Cup (2022) |
| 4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr | 5x Ballon d’Or, 5x Champions League, European Championship (2016) |
| 5 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs | 3x Ballon d’Or, 1x UEFA Champions League |
| 6 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid | FIFA World Cup (1998), UEFA Champions League (1998, 2002) |
| 7 | Michel Platini | France | Nancy, Saint-Étienne, Juventus | 3x Ballon d’Or, UEFA European Championship (1984) |
| 8 | Franz Beckenbauer | Germany | Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos | 3x European Cup, FIFA World Cup (1974) |
| 9 | George Best | Northern Ireland | Manchester United | Ballon d’Or (1968) |
| 10 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain | FIFA World Cup (2002), Ballon d’Or (2005) |
| 11 | Paolo Maldini | Italy | AC Milan | 7x Serie A, 5x UEFA Champions League |
| 12 | Roberto Baggio | Italy | Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan | FIFA World Cup Runner-up (1994), Ballon d’Or (1993) |
| 13 | Ronaldo Nazário | Brazil | Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid | 2x FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002), Ballon d’Or (1997) |
| 14 | Thierry Henry | France | Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls | Premier League (2002, 2004), World Cup (1998) |
| 15 | Eusebio da Silva Ferreira | Portugal | Benfica | Ballon d’Or (1965), FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (1966) |
Follow Nekius
visit Nekius Shop
nekius
| 16 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | Germany | Bayern Munich, Inter Milan | 2x European Cup, Ballon d’Or (1980) |
| 17 | Paolo Rossi | Italy | Vicenza, Juventus, Milan | FIFA World Cup (1982), Ballon d’Or (1982) |
| 18 | Luis Figo | Portugal | Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid | Ballon d’Or (2000), UEFA European Championship (2016) |
| 19 | Ruud Gullit | Netherlands | AC Milan, Chelsea, Feyenoord | Ballon d’Or (1987), UEFA Champions League (1989, 1990) |
| 20 | Hugo Sánchez | Mexico | Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid | 5x La Liga, FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (1986) |
| 21 | Johan Neeskens | Netherlands | Ajax, Barcelona, New York Cosmos | 2x European Cup, UEFA European Championship (1974) |
| 22 | Andreas Brehme | Germany | Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern | FIFA World Cup (1990), UEFA European Championship (1980) |
| 23 | Roberto Carlos | Brazil | Real Madrid, Juventus, Fenerbahçe | 3x UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup (2002) |
| 24 | Francesco Totti | Italy | Roma | Serie A (2001), World Cup (2006) |
| 25 | Samuel Eto’o | Cameroon | Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea | 4x UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2010) |
| 26 | Clarence Seedorf | Netherlands | Ajax, Real Madrid, AC Milan | 4x UEFA Champions League |
| 27 | Kaka | Brazil | AC Milan, Real Madrid | Ballon d’Or (2007), FIFA World Player of the Year (2007) |
| 28 | Carlos Alberto Torres | Brazil | Santos, New York Cosmos, Fluminense | FIFA World Cup (1970), Ballon d’Or (1970) |
| 29 | Giuseppe Meazza | Italy | Inter Milan, AC Milan | 2x FIFA World Cup (1934, 1938) |
| 30 | Emilio Butragueño | Spain | Real Madrid | 5x La Liga, 2x UEFA Champions League |
| 31 | George Weah | Liberia | AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain | Ballon d’Or (1995) |
| 32 | Xavi Hernandez | Spain | Barcelona, Al Sadd | 4x UEFA Champions League, World Cup (2010) |
| 33 | Andrés Iniesta | Spain | Barcelona, Vissel Kobe | 4x UEFA Champions League, World Cup (2010) |
| 34 | Pavel Nedved | Czech Republic | Juventus, Lazio | Ballon d’Or (2003), Serie A (2000) |
| 35 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | Ajax, AC Milan | 3x Ballon d’Or, 2x European Cup |
| 36 | Didier Drogba | Ivory Coast | Chelsea, Marseille | Premier League (2005, 2006), UEFA Champions League (2012) |
| 37 | Michel Laudrup | Denmark | Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus | La Liga (1991, 1992), UEFA Cup (1990) |
| 38 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | Netherlands | PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid | 2x La Liga, UEFA Champions League (2002) |
| 39 | Lothar Matthäus | Germany | Bayern Munich, Inter Milan | FIFA World Cup (1990), Ballon d’Or (1990) |
| 40 | Gerd Müller | Germany | Bayern Munich | 4x Bundesliga, FIFA World Cup (1974) |
| 41 | Paulo Silas | Brazil | Flamengo, Internacional, São Paulo | Copa Libertadores (1981) |
| 42 | Nandor Hidegkuti | Hungary | MTK Budapest, Ferencváros | FIFA World Cup (1954), 2x European Cup |
| 43 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Ajax, Barcelona | 3x Ballon d’Or, 1x UEFA Champions League |
| 44 | Hristo Stoichkov | Bulgaria | Barcelona, CSKA Sofia, Parma | Ballon d’Or (1994), UEFA Champions League (1992) |
| 45 | Ivan Zamorano | Chile | Inter Milan, Real Madrid | Serie A (1998), Copa Libertadores (1991) |
| 46 | Jorge Valdano | Argentina | Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruña | FIFA World Cup (1986), La Liga (1990) |
| 47 | Francesco Totti | Italy | Roma | Serie A (2001), World Cup (2006) |
| 48 | Aymen Abdennour | Tunisia | Monaco, Olympique de Marseille | Ligue 1 (2016) |
| 49 | Gabriel Batistuta | Argentina | Fiorentina, Roma | Serie A (1999), Copa América (1991, 1993) |
| 50 | Patrick Vieira | France | Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan | Premier League (2002, 2004), World Cup (1998) |
Each individual on this list has significantly shaped the football game over time. Their achievements, teams, and awards clarify their greatness. As we reflect on their contributions, it becomes clear why these 50 football players of all time are celebrated.
