Ranked: The Top 50 Best Football Players of All Time

From Zidane to Garrincha, and Pirlo to Breitner, here are the best football players to ever grace our sport.

There have been plenty of exceptional footballers who have graced our beloved sport over the years, so narrowing them down to a top 50 is quite the task.

However, we love a challenge, here at Green Beans,  as as difficult as it was to form this list, it did make us realise just how many crazy talented players we've had the pleasure of seeing through the years. 

So, here is our top 50 list of football players, ranked. Our criteria is simple; To pick the players we feel were the most influential in their particular era, the most memorable, the players who awed us with their talent and their achievements. 

50. Andriy Shevchenko

Ukrainian superstar, Andriy Shevchenko, was one of the most formidable strikers in the world during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The former Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, and Chelsea star was blessed with pace, skill and a great eye for goal in his prime years. Shevchenko is still regarded as one of AC Milan's greatest ever players. 

49. Giuseppe Meazza

Giuseppe "Peppino" Meazza, also known as il Balilla, was one of the greatest Italian players of the classic era. Throughout his career, he played mainly for Inter Milan in the 1930s, scoring an impressive 242 goals in 365 games for the club, and winning three Serie A titles. He also led Italy to two consecutive world cup victories. Meazza is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, as well as being regarded by many in the sport as Italy's greatest ever player.

48. Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo is considered one of the best deep-lying playmakers to ever play the game. Pirlo was renowned for his vision, ball control, technique, creativity, passing, and free kick ability. The playmaking superstar won plenty of silverware with AC Milan, Juventus, and he also helped Italy win the 2006 world cup.

 

47. Paul Breitner

Paul Breitner is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and left-back. Considered one of the best players of his era, Breitner was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, and was named by Pelé one of the top 125 greatest living footballers at a FIFA Awards ceremony in 2004.

46. Rivellino

Roberto Rivellino was one of the stars of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup winning team, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest ever attacking midfield players. Rivellino scored over 100 goals in a glittering career, much of which was spent at Brazilian giants, Corinthians.

 

45. Luka Modric 

Croatian superstar, Luka Modric, is widely considered to be one of the great playmaking midfielders of all time. Modric won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, the same year he helped Croatia reach the world cup final, and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. 

44. Robert Lewandowski

Considered one of the most lethal finishers of all time, Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, has the same sort of scoring rate as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Lewandowski is also Poland's record goal scorer. There have been few better goal scorers in the game. 

43. Roberto Carlos 

Roberto Carlos is widely considered to be one of the true great wing backs in the game. Blessed with pace, strength, and a fierce shot, Carlos was such a dynamic player who could turn defence into attack in an instant. Carlos won the 2002 world cup with Brazil.

42. George Weah

The current president of Liberia, George Weah was once a terrific football player. Winning the World Player of the Year award in 1995, after a stunning season with AC Milan, the powerhouse forward was simply streets ahead of the rest in his prime.

41. Paolo Rossi 

Paolo Rossi was an Italian professional footballer who played as a forward. He led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot as top goal scorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament.

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40. Cafu

Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He captained Brazil to world cup glory in 2002, won the Champions League with AC Milan, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever right backs in the game. 

39. Gheorghe Hagi

Gheorghe "Gică" Hagi was one of the Romanian stars at the 1994 world cup. Hagi played in the Barcelona "Dream Team" and is widely considered to be one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation.

38. Jairzinho

Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho, is a Brazilian former footballer. A quick, skillful, and powerful right winger known for his finishing ability and eye for goal, he was a key member and top scorer of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He is still the only player to score in every match at a world cup tournament. 

37. Michael Laudrup 

Michael Laudrup is a Danish professional football coach and former player. He is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. He had successful spells with Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, to name a few. 

36. Ruud Gullit 

Ruud Gullit was a versatile Dutch footballer and subsequent manager who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s as a defender, midfielder or forward. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His career highlights include silverware with AC Milan and the European Championships with Holland in 1988. 

35. Socrates 

Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, simply known as Sócrates, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder. His medical degree and his political awareness, combined with style and quality of his play, earned him the nickname "Doctor Socrates".

34. Fancisco Gento

Francisco "Paco" Gento López was a Spanish footballer who played as an outside left. He was voted by IFFHS as the greatest Spanish footballer and 30th greatest world footballer of the 20th century. Gento began his career at Racing Santander in 1952 and moved to Real Madrid the following season.

33. Hristo Stoichkov 

Bulgarian footballer Hristo Stoichkov was a prolific forward in his heyday, is regarded as one of the best players of his generation, and is regarded as the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Stoichkov was one of the star players in the 1994 world cup, leading the unfancied Bulgaria to the semi finals. 

32. Kenny Dalglish 

During his career, Kenny Dalglish made 338 appearances for Celtic and 515 for Liverpool, playing as a forward, and earned a record 102 full caps for the Scotland national team, scoring 30 goals, also a joint-record. Dalglish is widely regarded as Scotland's and Liverpool's greatest ever player. 

31. Lev Yashin 

Lev Yashin, nicknamed the "Black Spider" or the "Black Panther", was a Soviet professional footballer regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the sport. He was known for his athleticism, positioning, stature, bravery, imposing presence in goal, and acrobatic reflex saves.

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30. Lothar Matthaus

Lothar Matthäus is widely considered to be Germany's greatest ever midfield enforcer. After captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup where he lifted the World Cup trophy, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or. He also had huge amounts of success with Bayern Munich. 

29. Carlos Alberto 

Carlos Alberto "Capita" Torres, also known as "O Capitão do Tri", was a Brazilian football player and manager who played as an attacking right-sided full-back or wing-back. A technically gifted defender with good ball skills and defensive capabilities, he is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time. He was also the scorer of the greatest ever "team goal" at a world cup, netting Brazil's fourth goal in their 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final. 

28. Marco van Basten 

AC Milan and Netherlands great, Marco van Basten, is widely seen as one of the best centre forwards in the history of the game. The Dutch superstar scored one of the best volleys of all time at the 1988 Euros final. Its technique has never been matched. 

 

27. Rivaldo

Rivaldo was one of the key figures of Brazil's world cup winning side in 2002. His five goals in that tournament helped Brazil steamroller their way to victory. Rivaldo was also hugely influential at Barcelona, where at times, he would carry them with his skills and worldly goals. His hatrick against Valencia remains the greatest of all time. He also won the World Player of the Year award in 1999.

26. Bobby Moore

Bobby Moore most notably played for West Ham United, captaining the club for more than ten years, and was the captain of the England national team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Moore is widely regarded by his peers as one of the greatest defenders of all time. 

25. Sándor Péter Kocsis

Sándor Péter Kocsis was a Hungarian footballer who played for Ferencváros TC, Budapest Honvéd, Young Fellows Zürich, FC Barcelona and Hungary as a striker. During the 1950s, along with Ferenc Puskás, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik and Nándor Hidegkuti, he was a member of the Mighty Magyars.

24. Roberto Baggio

Italian superstar, Roberto Baggio, mainly played as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder, although he was capable of playing in several offensive positions. He is widely regarded as Italy's greatest ever attacking talent. Baggio almost singlehandedly dragged Italy to the 1994 world cup final, with his goals and man of the match displays. 

23. Zico 

Brazilian attacking midfielder, Zico, is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever players to never lift a world cup. The star of that formidable 1982 Brazil side, Zico had everything, from skill and pace, to a keen eye for goal... he could literally do it all. 

22. Romario 

Former Barcelona forward, Romario, had a stellar career, with the main highlight being the world cup in 1994. Romario's goals helped Brazil clinch the trophy, and cement his place as one of the true greats of the game. The Brazilian poacher is the seventh-highest goal scorer in the history of football, with 780 goals in 1000 official games.

21. Andres Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta is considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Iniesta has spent most of his career at Barcelona, where he served as the captain for three seasons, winning the Champions League four times, and also scoring the winning goal for Spain in the world cup final of 2010. 

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20. Garrincha 

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, nicknamed Mané Garrincha, best known as simply Garrincha, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and by some, the greatest dribbler ever.

19. Eusebio 

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, nicknamed the "Black Panther", the "Black Pearl" or "O Rei", was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time as well as Benfica's best player ever. 

18. Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi mainly played as a sweeper or as a central defender, and spent his entire 20-year career with Serie A club AC Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons. Baresi is widely considered to be one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game. His records during the 80s and 90s, with Milan and Italy, demonstrate just how good he really was. 

 

17. Xavi

Xavier Hernández Creus, known as Xavi, is a former Spanish player who is widely considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Xavi was renowned for his passing, vision, ball retention, and positioning. He won four Champions League titles with Barcelona, and a world cup with Spain. 

16. Gerd Muller 

Gerhard "Gerd" Müller was a German professional footballer. A striker renowned for his clinical finishing, especially in and around the six-yard box, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the sport. The small but stocky forward revolutionised goal scoring, winning the European Cup with Bayern Munich, and the world cup with West Germany.

15. Cristiano Ronaldo 

Widely regarded by fans and critics as Portugal's greatest ever player, Cristiano Ronaldo is one for breaking records. His prolific goal scoring has helped him win five Champions Leagues (four with Real Madrid and one with Manchester United), and a European Championships trophy with Portugal. Ronaldo has netted the most international goals in the history of the game, and is one of the leading goal scorers to ever play the sport. 

14. Ronaldinho

Brazilian ace, Ronaldinho, didn't have the longest and most consistent career, but when he was on, he really was unstoppable. From his 2002 world cup winning campaign with Brazil, to his 2006 Champions League win with Barcelona, there was no one better than Ronaldinho during that four year period - not even close. Winner of two World Player of the Year awards, the Brazilian superstar dazzled the planet, producing some of the most incredible football of which we've never seen since... and all with a smile on his face.   

13. Paolo Maldini 

Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former professional footballer who played primarily as a left back and centre back for AC Milan and the Italy national team. He is widely regarded as the greatest defender of all time. As the Milan and Italy captain for many years he was nicknamed "Il Capitano". 

12. Michel Platini 

Michel Platini is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. His career highlight was his Euros win with France in 1984, scoring nine of the team's 14 goals in that tournament. 

11. George Best

George Best was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United. A highly skilful dribbler, Best is regarded as one of the greatest natural talents that the game has ever seen. 

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10. Bobby Charlton 

Sir Robert Charlton CBE played either as a midfielder or a forward. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, he was a member of the England team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the year he also won the Ballon d'Or. He finished second in the Ballon d'Or in 1967 and 1968. The Manchester United legend also scored an impressive 249 for his club, and 49 goals for England. 

9. Lionel Messi 

Widely regarded by fans and critics as one of the greatest ever players, Lionel Messi is also one for breaking records. His prolific goal scoring has helped him win four Champions Leagues with Barcelona, and a Copa America trophy with Argentina. Messi also has the best ever goals to games ratio of any player to ever play the sport.

8. Franz Beckenbauer 

In his playing career, Franz Beckenbauer, was nicknamed "Der Kaiser" because of his elegant style, dominance and leadership on the field, and also as his first name "Franz" is reminiscent of the Austrian emperors. Beckenbauer revolutionised the sport by creating the sweeper position, helping West Germany win the 1974 world cup. 

7. Ronaldo

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo or Ronaldo Nazário, was one of the greatest strikers to ever play the game. Ronaldo is even regarded by many fans as the greatest ever forward. His skill, pace, strength and eye for gaol made him the complete striker, and if it wasn't for a serious knee injury during the peak of his career, who knows how much more he'd have gone onto achieve. Still, a world cup winner, scoring eight goals at the 2002 finals, isn't too shabby.

6. Alfredo Di Stefano 

Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé was an Argentine-born professional footballer and coach who played as a forward. Di Stéfano is commonly seen as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He had huge success with that great Real Madrid team of the 1950s/1960s, winning five European Cups (scoring in every final), and scoring 216 league goals in 282 games. 

5. Zinedine Zidane 

Zinedine Zidane, popularly known as "Zizou", is a French professional football manager and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. He most recently coached Spanish club Real Madrid and is one of the most successful coaches in the world, as well as being one of the greatest ever players.

Zidane had success with Juventus and Real Madrid (scoring that stunning winner in the 2001 Champions League final), along with huge success with France (world cup winner in 1998, and Euro 2000 winner). Few have grabbed an international tournament by the scruff of the neck like Zidane did at Euro 2000 - it was one of the true great performances by any footballer, of any era. 

4. Ferenc Puskás

Ferenc Puskás is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and the sport's first international superstar. A forward, he scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary and played four international matches for Spain. He also played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's success in the late 1950s and early 1960s, winning three European Cups. 

3. Johan Cruyff 

Hendrik Johannes Cruijff was a Dutch professional football player and manager. As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974. Cruyff was a proponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football explored by Rinus Michels.

Cruyff's elegance, skill, and creativity made him one of the most revolutionary players that the game had ever seen. He is also considered to be one of the most influential figures in modern football.

2. Diego Maradona 

Diego Armando Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona had a hugely successful spell at the unfancied Napoli, helping them win the Serie title in 1987.

In his international career with Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

1. Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled "the greatest" by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century.

Pelé won three world cups with Brazil (1958, 1962, and 1970), scoring a hatrick in his first tournament at the tender age of 17. Over five decades have passed since his peak, but still, the great Pelé has never been matched. He is the greatest footballer that has ever graced the sport.

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