Players who have made the sport much more interesting. In our article today, we have decided to name a few of them. We have to remind you that these names are just a few in the ocean of best football players of all time.
Best soccer players of all time
Time to start…
Mane Garrincha
Peak: 1958-62
Who can believe that a boy with an alcoholic dad, a lot of family issues, one leg 6 centimeters shorter than the other one, and also left leg turned outwards and right leg turned inwards can be named as one of the best soccer players in the 20th century?
Well, it’s better for you to change your beliefs as Mane Garrincha has had obviously all these problems and still he is widely regarded as one of the greatest dribblers of all time and also a legendary figure in the sport.
He is the one who played a vital role in Brazil's 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories and became the first player to win Golden Ball, Golden Boot and the World Cup in the same tournament. This is while he was also named in the World Cup All-Star Team of both 1958 World Cup and 1962 World Cup. Moreover, it is interesting to know that Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé.
Franz Beckenbauer
Peak: 1966-76
The 74-year-old legendary footballer, known as “Der Kaiser”, which means the Emperor is considered as one of the greatest players in history and one of the best football defenders. You may know that Beckenbauer started his playing career as a midfielder, but he made his name as a central defender and one of the bests in fact.
It is interesting to know that he is one of three men, along with Mário Zagallo and Didier Deschamps to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager. In fact, he lifted the World Cup trophy as the captain in 1974 and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. In addition, he was the first captain to lift the World Cup, European Championship, and the European Cup during the time of captaincy.
Ferenc Puskas
Peak: 1950-54
The first thing to be remembered by his name is the FIFA Puskás Award but the name in much bigger. The legendary soccer player who is widely known as one of the best players of all time kicked the ball for Budapest Honvéd and Real Madrid, plus Hungary & Spain national teams. He became an Olympic champion in 1952 and led his nation to the final of the 1954 World Cup where he was named the tournament's best player. It is interesting to know that he was also recognized as the top scorer of the 20th century by the IFFHS in 1995.
Zinedine Zidane
Peak: 1997-2002
The current Real Madrid coach has always been one of the most beloved players in the soccer world. The 47-year-old has been marked by his elegance, passing, ball control, and technique and is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zizou has made us many unforgettable moments in football history including his left-foot volley in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final, which is considered as one of the greatest goals in history
Alfredo Di Stefano
Peak: 1956-62
Alfredo Di Stefano is regarded as one of the best footballers of all time and is best known for his achievements specially with Real Madrid. In international scale, he played mostly for Spain after moving to Madrid, but he also played for Argentina and Colombia. He is remembered as a powerful, quick, skillful, and prolific forward, with great stamina, tactical versatility, creativity, and vision, who could also play almost anywhere on the pitch. He JOINED Real Madrid in 1982 and before that kicked the ball for teams like Valencia and River Plate. He is currently the sixth-highest scorer in the history of Spain's top division, and Real Madrid's third-highest league goalscorer of all time, with 216 goals in 282 league matches between 1953 and 1964. For the Real Madrid, he is staying alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Johan Cruyff
Peak: 1971-75
Johan Cruyff is obviously not just known by his style of playing but also is famous for his coaching techniques, books, and business venture. However, he is most remembered by his special type of playing. In fact, Johan was a player to invent his own skill move and also modern football and that is why he is one of the most influential names in football history. A player to be known for his technical ability, speed, acceleration, dribbling, and vision, possessing an awareness of his teammates' positions as an attack unfolded and later a coach to be famous for "Total Football". Total Football is a system where a player who moves out of his position is replaced by another from his team, thus allowing the team to retain their intended organizational structure.
Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy was so strong and admirable that is has influenced managers and players all around the world. Names such as Arrigo Sacchi, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Pep Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Michael Laudrup, Eric Cantona, Peter Bosz, Óscar García Junyent, and Xavi.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Peak: 2012-16
CR7 is the player to win almost every possible honor in football’s world and for sure one of the best players of his generation. Currently, he kicks the ball as a forward for Serie A club Juventus and also captains the Portugal national team. The 34-year-old has won 29 trophies in his career, including five Ballons d'Or and four European Golden Shoes.
Pele
Peak: 1958-64
The 79-year-old is obviously one of the bests & can be referred to as the best forward player of all time. One of the 100 most important people of the 20th century according to TIME. Interestingly in 1999, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games, while in total he has scored 1281 goals in 1363 games. You also need to know that in Brazil he is hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments in football and for his outspoken support of policies that improve the social conditions of the poor.
Lev Yashin
Peak: 1956-64
Famous for his athleticism, positioning, stature, bravery, imposing presence in goal, and acrobatic reflex saves, Lev Yashin was known as "Black Spider" or the "Black Panther".
Today he is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in football history and is one of the most important footballers of all time, as he basically invented goalkeeping.
Diego Maradona
Peak: 1985-90
Maradona is one of the most famous players in the world, greatly regarded as one of the bests of the 20th century and all time. He is known for his vision, passing, ball control, a de range of maneuver and dribbling skills. It is interesting to know that "The Golden Boy" was the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice. The first time was when he transferred to Barcelona for a then world record £5 million, and the second time was when he transferred to Napoli for another record fee £6.9 million.
The 59-year-old started coaching Argentina in November 2008. He was in charge of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before leaving at the end of the tournament. Maradona is currently coach at Argentine sports club, Gimnasia.
Lionel Messi
Peak: 2009-12
And here is the first player on our list. Leo Messi is the best of all time, while he is the best football player in the 21st century with no doubt. The player to win six Ballon d'Or awards, & six European Golden Shoes. Just hearing his name in the squad will make the opponent players nervous and that is why he is considered as the best player in the world and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the article☺
