90Soccer’s ultimate research study in quest of the sport’s GOAT (19th century – present)
It is one of the most frequent questions in the modern times of soccer: Who is the best ever? Opinions vary, arguments are plenty and the conversation will go on and on, as long as the sport itself exists. A definite answer with one winner that can satisfy all soccer fans -or the most- cannot be given or established. And we seem to forget (sometimes deliberately) two crucial, major, fundamental parameters…
The first one is the different eras. Comparing players from the 1930s, 1950s, when the ball was three times heavier and training seemed primitive lacking any technological support, to players from the 1990s and 2000s is not just a tough task, but utterly unfair. Not to mention that the defenders’ play in the 1960s, 1950s and even earlier was cruel, ruthless and it was pretty much allowed without the player receiving a reprimand from the referee (yellow and red cards were intoduced in 1970).
The second parameter is the numerous countries and places all over the world with their own soccer cultures which makes impossible for all fans to agree on the matter despite the globalization that brought them close through the internet, television and social media. In Ireland many older fans still consider George Best as the best ever, while in Hungary Ferenc Puskas is worshipped as God, same for Diego Maradona in Napoli and South of Italy.
In Brazil at first it was Arthur Friedenreich who was dubbed as the King of soccer and his fame rose beyond the borders, as the first international soccer star, but the emergence of Pele pushed him in oblivion. And despite the fact that Pele was crowned as the new “King” in the 1960s and widely considered as the GOAT, many older Brazilian fans would still argue that Garrincha was better!
In recent years media outlets and journalists tend to forget the pre-war era and frequently include only 1950s-and-onwards players in their all-time greats’ lists. However, the sport did not start in 1950 or after the WW II. Soccer became officially professional in Britain as early as of the end of the 19th century, and countries such as Italy, Spain followed in the 1920s, while Brazil and Argentina joined professionalism in the 1930s. Austria, Czechoslovakia and Hungary already had very organized leagues since the late 1910s, and were considered almost professional and the original American Soccer League (1921-1933) was the first professional in U.S. soccer. Thus, the third or fourth decade of the 20th featured a whole new generation of players who would actually make a living out of soccer and were fully trained on a daily basis. Some of the best examples of the first professional era during the 1930s in world soccer were that generation’s best: Sarosi, Meazza, Leonidas, Moreno, Sindelar, and Matthews.
It’s rather impossible to compare players from different eras, i.e. Beckenbauer vs. Zidane is an unanswerable question. But, there were a few players who consistently dominated a whole decade: Alex James, Di Stefano, Pele, Cruyff, Maradona and Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (in chronological order). Thus, we can attempt to determine this and narrow down the field: who dominated their respective eras more?
The criteria for the research were:
- Players who are or were considered as the best ever at any time before or after retirement
- At least seven endorsements by soccer personalities who referred to them as ”the greatest of all time” – not just one of the best and not just recently, but throughout history
- Players who were condisered the greatest of their generation
- Attention from press and media and their impact on soccer
- Performances for club and national team, including youth years, technical abilities, leadership skills and individual accolades
Therefore, who are the greatest players to ever walk the earth?
Below are 15 players considered as the greatest of all time, and numerous endorsers who named them as No1 in history (Pele, Maradona and Messi seem to have the most recorded). The oldest player on the list was born in 1862 and the youngest in 1987. Note that the order is alphabetical.
#1. Best (Northern Ireland)
- Name: George Best
- Born: 22 May 1946, died 25 November 2005
- Position: Winger, Attacking Midfielder
- Jersey numbers: #3, #4, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11
- Youth career: Cregagh Boys Club, Manchester United
- Pro career (1963-1984): Manchester United, Dunstable Town, Stockport County, Cork Celtic, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hibernian, San Jose Earthquakes, AFC Bournemouth, Brisbane Lions, Tobermore United
- National team: Northern Ireland
”Pele was good, Maradona was better, but Best was the best!” This is a quote often used in Ireland. To older Irish fans there was no better player than wizard George Best. A highly skillful dribbler, considered as one of the most naturally talented players ever. Best was known for his combined pace, skill, balance, feints, goalscoring and the ability to get past defenders. He was considered by several pundits to be one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport. Even Pele once said that Best was the one player that was better than him.
Best, famed for his drinking habits and womanizing lifestyle could never be taken for granted in any aspect of life and more particularly soccer. Like Moreno or Garrincha. His pro career was 21-year long and turbulent, including tons of clubs he played for all over the world.
He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968, came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century vote and he was on the six-man shortlist for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Century. Alcohol was his addiction, a lethal one which led to his death in 2005, aged 59.
Endorsers: Gordon Banks (1997), Gordon Taylor (1997), Greg Dyke, Harry Redknapp, Jimmy Greaves, Tommy Docherty, Simon Barnes, Pele, Matt Busby, Tony Dellbird (expert – alongside Maradona, Pele), Luis Olaso, Mike Summerbee, Simon Jordan
#2. Crabtree (England)
- Name: Jimmy Crabtree
- Born: 23 December 1871, died 18 June 1908
- Position: Full-back, Half-back
- Jersey number: – (no squad numbers before 1911)
- Senior career (1889-1904): Burnley, Rossendale, Heywood Central, Burnley, Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle
- National team: England
British soccer reached its peak during Pre-World War I period, when the level in the homeland of soccer was superior to the rest of the world. Many great players were produced, and some of them were highly respected even decades after their retirement, to the point that they got “the best player of all time” title. During that era, the player who impressed the public the most was Jimmy Crabtree.
Crabtree (alongside his great rival Ernest Needham) was considered the finest left half-back (or wing-half) ever played during this time. But not just that: for many, he was also the greatest player of all time. In 1930, Howard Spencer said that ‘’James Crabtree was the greatest footballer I have ever seen; incomparably the greatest all-round man’’. In 1950, 84-year-old Mr. Edward Case mentioned Jimmy Crabtree as “the greatest player who ever played the game”.
The Daily Record, in October 1896 wrote that Jimmy Crabtree was the greatest player ever. In 1924 English trainer Joe Grierson stated that ‘’Jimmy Crabtree was a player and a half. Nothing will over efface from my mind his wonderful play. He was the greatest player of my time or any time’’. Crabtree enjoyed a marvelous career becoming an Aston Villa idol and the club’s captain, but he was forced to retire due an injury at 33.
Four years later he passed away in a drink-related death. Just 37 years old. For years after his retirement and death people would refer to him as the greatest player of all time, even in the 1950s.
Endorsers: Billy Meredith, Tom McLintock (1901), Howard Spencer (1930), Sir. Charles Clegg (1932), Edward Case (1950), The Daily Record (October 1896), C. B. Sutcliffe (1911), Simon Dee (1940), Joe Grierson (1924), Louis T. Kelly (1936), – W. Unite Jones (1932), William Pickford (1906), William MacGregor (1902), Charle Buchan (1953), Frank Buckley (1954)
#3. Cruyff (Holland)
- Name: Johan Cruyff
- Born: 25 April 1947, died 24 March 2016
- Position: Centre-Forward, Attacking Midfielder
- Jersey numbers: #8, #9, #10, #11, #14
- Youth career: Ajax
- Pro career (1964-1984): Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante, Ajax, Feyenoord
- National team: Holland
The ‘’flying’’ Dutchman is regarded as one of the greatest players in history. He won the Ballon d’Or three times and revolutionised soccer both as a player and coach. Cruyff who dazzled with his artistry and epitomised the all-out attack ‘’Total Football’’ system. Due to the way he played the game, he is still referred to as “the total footballer”. Under Rinus Michels in Ajax and Netherlands, Cruyff was a creative playmaker with a gift for timing passes. Nominally, he played centre-forward in this system and was a prolific goalscorer, but dropped deep or moved to the wing to confuse his markers.
Cruyff took Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup losing to hosts West Germany (of Gerd Muller and Beckenbauer), but he decided to go on holiday with his girlfriend in 1978 instead of travelling to Argentina for the World Cup! A player with a unique and incomparable finesse in his play, Cruyff made the jersey number ‘14’’ famous all over the world.
He won three European Cups as a player with Ajax Amsterdam, and the Ballon d’Or award in 1971 (with Ajax) and 1973 and 1974 (with Barcelona). He was voted second player of the 20th century by IFFHS in 1999 and named best ever by Bleacher Report in 2011. After retiring, he won everything with Barcelona as a coach. His impact and influence on the sport was unmatched.
Endorsers: Bruno Pezzey (1979), Paolo Rossi (1979), Pierre Litbarski (1987), Grzegorz Lato (2016), Michel Platini (1979), Bleacher Report (2011), Tinashe Chipako (journalist), Dan Ripley (2022)
#4. Di Stefano (Argentina)
- Name: Alfredo Di Stefano
- Born: 4 July 1926, died 7 July 2014
- Position: Centre-Forward, Midfielder
- Jersey numbers: #9, #16
- Youth career: Unión Progresista, River Plate
- Pro Career (1945-1966): River Plate, Huracán, Millonarios, Barcelona (unofficial matches), Real Madrid, Espanyol
- National teams: Argentina, Colombia, Spain
According to South American soccer expert Tim Vickey there has never been a player more influential than Alfredo Di Stefano. The ‘blond arrow’’ was the last great product of the golden age of Argentine soccer in the 1940s, when he starred for River Plate. After the big players’ strike in 1948 he was snapped up by Colombia’s newly-launched league, and helped the professional game get off the ground there, as the star of the great Millonarios side. In 1953, at the age of 27, he went to Real Madrid and changed the course of history. Somehow he did not have the chance to play in a World Cup, but he won the 1947 Copa America and he was the only player to be awarded the Super Ballon d’Or in 1995.
Di Stefano was described as ‘’general’ on field dictating his team’s game and also as a ‘’superman’’ with his “total football”. He scored in 5 European Cup finals with Real Madrid. He won 8 top scorer awards in the three countries he played. Di Stéfano was a powerful, quick, skillful, and prolific goalscorer, with great stamina, tactical versatility, creativity, and vision, who could play almost anywhere on the pitch. He retired in 1966, aged 40.
After his death, the most successful club of all time, Real Madrid with a statement released referred to him as the best player in history. Same as Cruyff, Charlton, Maradona and others did. He was the one who carried and led them to five European Cups. Before Di Stefano, Real was not even the best team in its own city.
Endorsers: Johan Cruyff, Francisco Gento, Santiago Bernabeu, Pelé, Florentino Perez, Diego Maradona, Enzo Bearzot, Helenio Herrera, Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, Arsenio Erico, Claudio Carsughi (2003), Jose Santamaria, Pachin, Jean Pierre Papin, Antonio Ruiz, Dennis Law, Raymond Kopa (1956), Severiano Guiburu, Arrigo Sacchi, Félix Mourinho, Hilario Marrero, Juanito (1982), Julio Iglesias (1982), Tom Finney (1960), Angel Maria Villar (AFA President), Kazimierz Górski (1975), Just Fontaine, Paul Van Himst, Gerd Muller, Manuel Meana, Helmut Schön (1973), Fernando Vazquez, Carlos Bilardo, Luis Suarez Miramontes, Isidro Langara (1982), Tim Vickery (2009), Jorge Ordas (2016), Bruno Longhi, Saadiq Kamali (journalist), Keir Radnedge, Eric Batty (1981) and others
#5. James (Scotland)
- Name: Alex James
- Born: 14 September 1901, died 1 June 1953
- Position: Inside Forward
- Jersey numbers: #8, #10
- Youth career: Bellshill Athletic, Ashfield
- Pro career (1922-1939): Raith Rovers, Preston North End, Arsenal, Drumcondra
- National team: Scotland
Arsenal’s Scottish legend was famed for his high level of soccer intelligence, outstanding ball control and supreme passing. He was considered by many as the best player they had ever seen. James played as an inside forward (mainly inside left), a deep-lying creative midfielder providing a link between defence and attack. He was part of Herbert Chapman’s Arsenal that used the pioneering ‘’WM formation’’ and led the Gunners to 4 English championships (three as their captain). During with eight-year tenure at Arsenal, the club reached 5 finals, all won but one: the 1932 FA Cup final against Newcastle with James absent due to injury.
His baggy shorts due to rheumatism became his trademark. English magazine World Sports in 1955 declared him the greatest player of all time, same as ”The Times”, Italian World Cup winner Vittorio Pozzo, English left back Eddie Hapgood and Austrian legendary coach Hugo Meisl. They certainly knew what they were talking about.
According to historians James dominated the 1930s decade in England, like Maradona did in the 1980s. It is impressive that even in the 1950s he would still be mentioned as ‘’the greatest player to ever lace a football boot’’.
Endorsers: Alex Gibson (1932), Bob Wall, Cliff Bastin, Charle Buchan (1953), Eddie Hapgood (1945), Fredrick Wall (1935), George Allison, Herbert Chapman, Hugo Meisl (1935), Jeno Konrad (1934), Vittorio Pozzo, Maurice Pefferkom, A. C. Pole (1965 – he ranked Di Stefano as second best), G. S. Prevost (1955), The Times, World Sports (1955)
#6. Maradona (Argentina)
- Name: Diego Armando Maradona
- Born: 30 October 1960, died 25 November 2020
- Position: Attacking midfielder, Centre-Forward, Second Striker
- Jersey numbers: #10, #16
- Youth career: Estrella Roja, Argentinos Juniors
- Pro career (1975-1997): Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys, Boca Juniors
- National team: Argentina
In 1993 El Grafico elected Maradona as the best Argentinian player ever with 84% of the votes, ahead of Moreno and the 2000 FIFA’s internet poll elected him as the greatest player of the 20th Century. ‘’El Pibe d’Oro’’ started from a poor neighborhoud in Buenos Aires, rival to his best friend Gregorio ”Goyo” Carrizo, and lived a life like a miracle: he won everything in soccer and was worshipped in Napoli, Argentina and all over the world.
A “classic number 10”, Maradona was a traditional playmaker who usually played in a free role, either as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards, or as a second striker in a front–two. He was renowned for his dribbling ability, vision, close ball control, passing and creativity, and was considered to have been one of the most skilful players in the sport. An absoulte juggler with the ball.
He had a compact physique, and with his strong legs, low center of gravity, and resulting balance, he could withstand physical pressure well while running with the ball, despite his small stature. Maradona seems undefeatable. His acceleration, quick feet, and agility, combined with his dribbling skills and close control at speed, allowed him to change direction quickly, making him difficult for opponents to defend against.
He was 5 times top scorer in the Argentine league, won both the senior and the youth World Cup being also the MVP (Golden Ball award). First at ”Japan 1979” and then at ”Mexico 1986”. “The hand of God” and ”the Goal of the Century” all summed it up to Maradona’s undisputed dominance in world soccer.
Maradona was even named the ‘’Best Athlete in History’’ by Corriere dello Sport in 2012. And a unique record that a few (great) players have accomplished? He captained almost every side he played for: Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Napoli, Newell’s Old Boys, Sevilla, Argentina and Youth Argentina.
His rivalry with Pelé about the GOAT title will always be remembered. Despite the heated words exchanged between them there was a deep respect. After Diego’s death Pelé said that one day they would play socer together in the skies, while Maradona put Pelé on top of his list of the Top 100 greatest ever in 2000 (excluding himself from the list).
Endorsers: Eric Cantona (2020), Paul Merson (2020), Stan Collymore (2020), Gianfranco Zola, Ruud Gullit (2017), Ole Gunnar Solskjær (2020), Mauricio Pochettino, Desmond Kane (2016), Marcus Foley (2016), Rafa Benitez, Romerito (1984), Harald Cerny (1993), Áureo Ameno (2002), François Colin (2004), John Barnes (2006), Zbigniew Boniek (2006), Giuseppe Bergomi (2018), Roberto Baggio, Antonio Camacho (2014),James Lawton (2014), Glenn Hoddle, Mattia Fontana (2016), Chris Cutmore (2022), ForFourTwo (2017), Globe Soccer (2012) and many others
#7. Matthews
- Name: Sir Stanley Matthews
- Born: 1 February 1915, died 23 February 2000
- Jersey number: #7
- Position: Outside Right Forward
- Youth career: Stoke City
- Pro career (1932-1965): Stoke City, Blackpool, Toronto City, Stoke City, Toronto City
- National team: England
The only player to have been knighted while still playing soccer, as well as being the first winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1956. The most impressive is that he won the flashy award at the age of 41!
Sir Stanley Matthews was the Leo Messi of his day. He was twice voted English Footballer of the Year, played 54 times for England while his fame spread to the whole world. “The Wizard of Dribble” played for mediocre clubs during his career. He was known for his loyalty.
Matthews was never booked or sent off throughout his entire career, and teammate Jimmy Armfield noted that Matthews would never retaliate to the many extremely physical challenges opponents would often make to try and take him out of the game. Franz Beckenbauer said that the speed and skills Matthews possessed meant that “almost no one in the game could stop him”. John Charles noted that “he was the best crosser I’ve ever seen – and he had to contend with the old heavy ball”. Despite his great talents, he rarely tackled opponents and was not adept at heading the ball or using his left foot.
He was considered as the best ever by many fans and players. “The Magician” was worshipped by soccer lovers and retired in 1965 at the age of 50! As a top flight player. How many professional players could do that nowadays?
Endorsers: Bill Brown (1977), Bob Crampsey, Dettmar Cramwe (1993), Jules Rimet (1954), Raymond Braine, A. Dougall (1965), J. Thomas (1955-Buchan and James 2nd), F. Bruce (1955), Eric Brook, F. Dale (1955)
#8. Messi (Argentina)
- Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
- Born: 24 June 1987
- Position: Attacking midfielder, Winger, Centre-Forward
- Jersey numbers: #10, #18, #19, #30
- Youth career: Grandoli, Newell’s Old Boys, Barcelona
- Pro career (2004-present): Barcelona C, Barcelona B, Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami
- National team: Argentina
A small Argentinian wizard who has mesmerized millions of fans with his unrivalled dribbling and scoring ability. For many he has risen above Pelé, a well-established GOAT since the 1960s. Messi has dominated Spain’s La Liga with his goal-plus-assist numbers (1.15 per match) being preposterous, unlike anything the modern game has ever seen. And he’s done all of this, with grace and ingenuity. His brilliance is unequaled. His skills are supernatural.
Messi is widely regarded as one of the two best players of his generation, alongside Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and is also considered one of the greatest ever. A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world’s best players before the age of 20, and he managed to win everything (including the World Cup) in the following 15 years. Apart from his goalscoring prowess, Messi is considered to have made more than 400 assists during his career, an unprecedented record (alongside Puskas) in the history of soccer.
Plenty of players, coaches consider him as the sport’s greatest. 2026 World Cup is coming in one year and who knows? He may be there going for gold once again.
Endorsers: Tommy Docherty (2014), Arsene Wenger (2012), Mircea Lucescu, Berndt Schuster, Hans Krankl, Jose Luis Chilavert, Pep Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov, Antonio Cassano, Jamie Carragher (2022), Alan Smith (2020), Chris Wheatly (2016), Dan Quarell (2016), Rodrigo De Paul (2022), Fabrizio Romano, Graeme Souness (2020), Igor Zelenitsyn (2016), Oliver Holt (2024), Alex Chick (2016), Max Winters (2022), Radio Times (2025), ForFourTwo (2022), Sports Illustrated (2024), GiveMeSport (2025), Marca (2024), The Mirror (2023), Sholy Nations Sports (2025) and many others
#9. Moreno (Argentina)
- Name: Jose Manuel Moreno
- Position: Inside Forward
- Jersey number: #10
- Youth career: River Plate
- Pro career (1935-1961): River Plate, España, River Plate, Universidad Católica, Boca Juniors, Universidad Católica, Defensor, Ferrocarril Oeste, Independiente Medellín
- National team: Argentina
According to the newspapers of the 1930s and 40s, ‘’bad boy’’ Moreno revolutionized the game, while those who saw him play have claimed he was better than Pelé, Diego Maradona and Alfredo Di Stefano. Moreno, a complete player, an inside forward, was prominent member of the River Plate squad known as La Máquina (“The Machine”) that dominated Argentine soccer between 1941 and 1947 by playing ‘’Total Football’’ in a 2-3-5 system. He was known as a player of great technique, formidable heading ability, great vision, and lethal in the penalty area, but his reputation was equally enormous for drinking, smoking, dancing and womanizing. He would rarely train or play sober, but still managed to win first division league titles in four countries (Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia).
By the late 1970s he was accredited by Argentinian journalists as the greatest Argentinian player ever and had been also voted as Argentina national team’s greatest player ever in a poll in the 1960s. In 1966 he was elected as the best to ever play in the Argentinian league, above Pedernera and Arsenio Erico. In 1980 there was another voting by Argentinian journalists to elect the best Argentinian athletes in history and the top 5 nominations for soccer were Moreno, Sastre, Pedernera, Di Stefano and Maradona. The winner was Jose Manuel Moreno, again.
In 1993, José Moreno was voted as the greatest foreigner to ever play in the Chilean soccer, by the Chilean magazine “Minuto 90”, despite playing there for one year. But it was just enough for him to charm the crowds and lead Universidad Catolica to the title in 1949.
‘’El Charro’’ retired with Independiente Medellín in 1957, aged 41, but he came out of retirement at the age of 44 to play again for the Colombian side. It has been reported that overall he scored 850 goals in 950 games, including unofficial matches.
Endorsers: Angel Zubieta, Felipe Zetter (1985), Jose Iraragorri, Julio Martinez (1977), Roberto Porta (1987), Walter Gómez, Jaime Herrera (journalist), Marcelo Weinberger (journalist), Ivan Wielikosielek (journalist)
#10. Orth (Hungary)
- Name: György Orth
- Born: 30 April 1901, died 11 January 1962
- Position: Attacking Midfielder, Forward, Left-back
- Jersey numbers: #4, #11
- Youth career: Vasas
- Pro career (1915-1933): Vasas, Pisa, MTK, First Vienna, Marseille, Budai 11, Bocskai
- National team: Hungary
Undoubtedly one of the best players of his generation in the 1910s and 1920s and according to many experts the most complete, versatile, and greatest of all time. Orth, fuent in five languages, was an attacking midfielder and forward renowned for his technique and pace winning the Hungarian league 8 times and the domestic top scorer award three. He also featured in 2 winning Hungarian Cup finals and played in the 1924 Olympics, won by almighty Uruguay of José Leandro Andrade and Hector Scarone. Interesting fact was that he started his career at left-back before moving further forward and ended up playing for Hungary in five different positions including –temporarily- as a goalkeeper.
Those who saw Orth play often said that he possessed technical abilities that were nothing short of Pelé’s or Maradona’s. Legendary English manager Jimmy Hogan, a pioneer of the game coached him at MTK Budapest and was one of the many who considered him as the best player they had ever see. He stated that Orth was ‘’an extraordinary talent, the most intelligence, complete and versatile player ever’’.
György Molnár said about Orth in 1968: ‘’Florian Albert’s technical skills. Charlton’s combination skills. Eusebio’s explosiveness, shooting skills. Orth is all in one, the greatest”. Sandor Barcs, also named Orth as the greatest of all time, above Pelé, Di Stefano, and Maradona. Peco Bauwens, a former referee and West German Federation’s president said that he was ‘’the greatest, the true king of all time’’.
Hungary’s hero Gyorgy Sarosi also wrote in a Hungarian newspaper about Orth: “He knew everything about football. He combined Di Stefano’s work ethic, Luis Suareaz’s breakthrough power, Kopa’s ingenuity, Didi’s tactical sense, Haynes’ momentum, Pele’s dribbling skills and long-range bombing power, Sivori’s versatility, Garrincha’s unrecognizable presence”.
Endorsers: Ahmed Salem (1924), Fritz Gscweidl, Fritz Mayer (1960), Jean Eskenazi, Jimmy Hogan, Peco Bauwens (German Federation president), Nils Karlsson, Alfred Brull (MTK president), Bela Szepes (1984), Laszlo Vadnay (1973), József Zsanko (1985), Sandor Rona (1982), Gabor Kleber, György Molnár (1968), Sandor Barcs, Gyorgy Sarosi and others
#11. Pelé (Brazil)
- Name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pelé
- Born: 23 October 1940, died 29 December 2022
- Jersey number: #10
- Position: Forward, Attacking Midfielder, Inside Left
- Youth career: Bauru
- Pro career (1956-1977): Santos, New York Cosmos
- National team: Brazil
The King of the sport. Pelé terrorized countless defenders in Brazil, USA and as well in Europe travelling with Santos and the Brazil national team. The Brazilian inside-left was a ‘’virtuoso’’ and a prolific goal getter who scored in unprecedented ways capturing the fans’ imagination every time he’d touch the ball. Scorer of more than a thousand career goals.
Receiver of dozens of ”Player of 20th century” awards given out by various magazines in 1999 and 2000, Pelé was known for connecting the phrase “The Beautiful Game” with soccer. Undoubtedly a prolific goalscorer, he was famed for his ability to anticipate his opponents’ movements and finish off chances with an accurate and powerful shot with either foot. On top of that, Pelé was also a talented goalkeeper and a hard-working and complete player with exceptional vision and intelligence, who was recognized for his precise passing and the ability to provide teammates with assists.
The Brazilian master has been considered as the GOAT since the 1960s and he is the only player in history to win 3 World Cups. His first was in 1958, already a regular for his country’s national team at the age of just 17. Soccer personalities who lived long enough to watch modern stars (Beckenbauer, Basile, Di Stefano, Rivera, Scolari, Gerd Muller, Sir Ferguson) did not change their mind on the GOAT debate considering him as the greatest of all.
Endorsers: Jeff Powell (2022), Alfio Basile, Zico, Osvaldo Ardilles, Claudio Caniggia, Franz Beckenbauer, Manfred Kaltz (1979), Magico Gonzalez (1982), António Simões, Kevin Keegan, Juan Ramon Veron, Vincent Kompany, Sir Alex Ferguson, Daniel Passarella (1982), Alfredo Di Stefano, Gerd Muller, Gianni Rivera, Giuseppe Meazza (1973), Tostao, Felipe Zetter (1985), Jairzinho, Omar Larrosa, Bobby Moore, Hugo Gatti, Tite, Costa Pereira, Felipe Zetter (1985), Jamie Redknapp (2020), Joe Ridge (2022), Jurgen Klopp, Romario, Felipe Scolari, Nils Liedholm (1984), Marcelo Leme de Arruda (2009), Laurent Vergne (2016), Florian Bogner (2016), Isidro Langara (1982), Daily Mail (2009), The Independent (2018) and many others
#12. Ronaldo (Brazil)
- Name: Ronaldo Luis Nazario
- Born: 18 September 1976
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Jersey numbers: #9, #10, #17, #20
- Youth career: Social Ramos, Sao Cristovao
- Pro career (1993-2011): Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Corinthians
- National team: Brazil
By 1997, aged 21, he had already been dubbed as ‘’the new Pelé’’. As Mardona once said ‘’if it was not for his injuries, the world would have forgotten about me and Pele’’. Ronaldo (or Ronaldinho) played as a multi-functional striker who brought a new dimension to the position, and has been an influence for a generation of strikers that followed. He is considered by many as the ultimate centre-forward and the best in history.
His decision to swap Barcelona for Inter in the summer of 1997 after an all-conquering season proved to be a wrong move for his career. And his shocking injury against Lazio in April 2000 meant that the world would never see again the player who captivated the crowds between 1994 and 1998. With the exception of the 2002 World Cup where he carried Brazil to glory.
‘’Fenomeno’’ was a prolific goalscorer, and despite being more of an individualistic attacker, he was also capable of providing assists for his teammates, due to his vision, passing and crossing ability. He was an extremely powerful, fast, and technical player, with excellent movement, as well as being a composed and clinical finisher one of the most skillful dribblers in the game.
A lifelong Flamengo fan, he spent 5 seasons of his career in the Brazilian leagues playing for Cruzeiro, and Corinthians. However he never played fpr the club with the most fans in the world: in July 1998 Inter rejected Flamengo’s offer and in December 2007 negotiations with AC Milan fell through.
Endorsers: Massimo Moratti, Alexis Sanchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Karim Benzema, Jose Mourinho, Robert Prosinecki, Luis Fabiano, Álvaro Negredo, Lilian Thuram, Alessandro Costacurta, Frank de Boer, Miroslav Kloze, Rivaldo, Ivan Salgado, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ruben Amorim, Paolo Cannavaro, Luis Enrique (2017), Massimo Allegri, Gigi Simoni and others
#13. Ronaldo (Portugal)
- Name: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Born: 5 February 1985
- Position: Winger, Centre-Forward
- Jersey numbers: #7, #9, #16, #17, #28
- Youth career: Andorinha, Nacional Madeira, Sporting Lisboa
- Pro career (2002-present): Sporting Lisboa B, Sporting Lisboa, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, Al Nassr
- National team: Portugal
Ten years ago a few would consider him as the GOAT. The Portuguese hero who started out as a flashy winger and emerged as a lethal center forward has earned the right to be considered as the best ever by many nowadays. Ronaldo’s scored more knockout-stage goals than any other player, ever, in Champions League, the world’s most competitive soccer competition, and left countless elite defenders helpless in four different leagues.
Tactically, Ronaldo has undergone several evolutions throughout his career: from a traditional winger on the right side of midfield, where he regularly looked to deliver crosses into the penalty area to a target man or secondary forward. He thrived in all positions.
Ronaldo is the highest earner in the history of the sport and the one scored the most penalties and most goals with the opposite foot. he has also been known to use the flip-flap while dribbling and can boast a staggering 217 international caps and 135 goals for Portugal.
One of the strongest and highly trained players ever, he recently hit 40, but he is not done yet as he looks set to reach his target of 1,000 career goals.
Endorsers: Piers Morgan (2022), Jorge Mendes, Gary Neville, Ruud Gullit, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Alejandro Garnacho, Rolando Aarons, Marcelo, Connor Wickman, Joao Felix, Marcelino Elena, Henry Brushnell, Krzysztof Piatek (2018), Fabio Paratici, Endrick, Luka Jovic, Carlos Queiroz, Nuno Espirito, Advaya Singh (journalist), John Molinaro (2018), Nani, Zinedine Zidane (2017), Adam Shergold (2022), Marco Heta, Colin Mafham, Jack Otway, Jason Cundy, Kevin Baxter and others
#14. Ronaldinho (Brazil)
- Name: Ronaldinho Gaúcho
- Born: 21 March 1980
- Position: Attacking Midfielder, Winger
- Jersey: #7, #10, #11, #49, #80
- Youth career: Gremio
- Pro career (1997-2015): Gremio, PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro, Fluminense
- National team: Brazil
Real Madrid’s worst nightmare in the mid 2000s. The only player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d’Or. By just 8 years old, he could juggle the ball 1,000 times without letting it hit the ground. His days were spent playing ‘futebol de salão’ (futsal) and soccer on the beach, environments which honed his supreme control and touch.
In 1993, Ronaldinho made headlines for the first time. At just 13 years old, he astonished everyone in a youth futsal match, by scoring all 23 goals in his team’s 23-0 victory! He quickly gained the nickname Ronaldinho because he was often the youngest and smallest on the pitch. Promotion to Gremio’s senior team, call-up to the Brazil national team and mega transfers to PSG and Barcelona followed.
Ronaldinho is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has also won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards as a Barcelona player. He remains a soccer icon renowned for his smile on the pitch, his spellbinding skills, and joyful creativity. It is worth noting that despite his tremendous success in Europe, Ronaldinho played 10 seasons in the Brazilian leagues during his career, retiring with Fluminense jersey in 2015, aged 35. A rare feat for Brazilian superstars of his generation who mostly played in Europe.
Endorsers: Silvio Berlusconi, Virgil van Dijk (2019), Deco, Nani, Pedro Henrique Konzen, Luis García, Sergio Ramos, Kevin Prince Boateng, Willian, Lorenzo Ebecilio
#15. Zidane (France)
- Name: Zinedine Zidane
- Born: June 23, 1972
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Jersey: #5, #7, #10, #21
- Youth career: AS Foresta, US Saint-Henri, SO Septèmes-les-Vallons, Cannes
- Pro career (1987-2006): Cannes, Girondins Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid
- National team: France
Probably the most iconic muslim player ever existed. Son of Algerian immigrants he started his journey in soccer from the streets of Marseille. 1995/96 was his breakthrough season with Girondins Bordeaux after winning the Intertoto Cup and reaching the final of the UEFA Cup against Matthaus and Klinsmann’s Bayern Munich. Five years in Juventus, a winning World Cup with 2 goals in the Final and a world record breaking transfer to Real Madrid followed.
In the 2002 Champions League final ‘’Zizou’’ scored the most iconic goal in the history of the competition (against Bayer Leverkusen) and four years later he singlehandedly took France to the World Cup final. His last ever game. Against Materazzi’s Italy and his infamous sending off for headbutting the Italian defender in the chest.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane was renowned for his elegance, vision, passing, ball control and playmaking abilities, a true leader on the field. Above all, soccer is not just about stats.
By the age of 30 not many would consider him as the best ever. But his playing years at Real Madrid (2001-2006) were pure magic. His ”galactico” teammate, David Beckham, strongly believes that ”Zizou” is the greatest of all time.
Zidane retired at 34, but he could have definitely lingered for longer.
Endorsers: David Beckham, Jude Bellingham, Sarah Winterburn (2017), Robin Fraser (2010), Jules Delay, Eden Hazard, Aimé Jacquet
Editor’s pick: Di Stefano
If it was for pure talent, skills, technical and goalscoring abilities it would probably between Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho and also Messi (with Pele slighly higher up). In terms of the best athlete, it got to be between Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, soccer as every sport is about winning. In this case, the Argentinian ”general” would be the greatest player of all time. Part of River Plate’s ”La Maquina”, Di Stefano learned ”total football” and starred for two great South American sides before coming to Europe playing for River Plate and Millonarios. Four years in Argentina with River and Huracan and four in Colombia, making Millonarios champions straight away, for the first time in its history. In his first season with Real Madrid he helped the club to win its first league title in 20 years! As about his mission with Real Espanyol> That was different: to save them from relagation. And with Di Stefano present, the Catalan club escaped twice in two seasons. Winner, once more. The right time had come for him to retire.
If there was a player similar to Di Stefano’s playing style that was Zidane. But without Alfredo’s goalscoring prowess. As Bobby Charlton once said that Di Stefano had set up his own command centre at the heart of the game. He was controlling his team’s game, present in midfield, attack, and even in defence. Di Stefano was everywhere. A player who could inspire his teammates, with the winning mentality running through his veins. And as Maradona stated in 2000 and again one year before his death, in 2019, Di Stefano was superior to everynone, including himself.
