Top 10 Greatest Footballer of all Time (Ranked)

Football has witnessed some of the greatest footballer of all time, embracing the centre stage at the highest level ever since the origin of the sport. While some players were able to slowly rise to international fame, others looked imminent to be future superstars from the initial stages of their careers. It doesn’t sit right to compare modern game greats with the early 20th century legends to make this sport so famous and competitive, with their skills and technicality.

But we all love to compare and analyse who is the greatest footballer of all time​? For that, we have created a list of the greatest football player of all time during their peak. Let’s take a look at the legends who have set the benchmark so high that some greats struggled to even get near it. From their goal-scoring finesse to midfield magic to robust defending, we’ve got it all covered. Still wondering who is leading on our list: Portuguese Icon Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or Pele and Maradona?

How We Ranked the Top 10 Greatest Footballers of all Time?

Well, you may certainly disagree with some of the picks or the position the player is placed at, but think logically, is there really a correct answer to the question that we've all been arguing about for ages? Perhaps not, but these ranking factors should justify the rankings.

• Impact and Influence: The primary ranking factor considered while compiling the list of the greatest footballer of all time is their impact and influence. This can differ from position to position, as goals, assists, and clean sheets each carry equal weight.
• Career Stats: The second factor for ranking the top 10 greatest footballers of all time is statistics and metrics. How well these players performed during their career peak, how well they scored during clutch games, or their key tackles during knockout stages, or cleansheets during rivalry games.
• Individual Awards: The third parameter considered was their individual accolades won throughout their playing career. If ranking individually, then using individual honours becomes mandatory for ranking the top 10 greatest footballers.

List of Top 10 Greatest Footballers of All Time

Who is the Greatest Footballer of All Time​?

Making the game a global spectacle for fans around the world, these players managed to stitch their names in the hearts of their followers. Here we take a closer look at the top 10 greatest football players of all time. These players boast an immense global fan following and stardom due to their legendary careers.

10. David Beckham - England

The Man United icon David Beckham is lauded as one of the greatest English footballers ever to play at the highest level of the sport. Beckham is considered a legend by the hierarchy of the English club Manchester United. The superstar midfielder was known for his dynamic and versatile gameplay. Some of his free-kicks hold an iconic stature in football’s greatest moments ever. He is among the players with the most free-kick goals in the history of the game.

David's set-piece skills and passing mastery were unmatched, from delivering pinpoint crosses to accurate corners. He has played for the biggest clubs across the globe for clubs including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, AC Milan and LA Galaxy. He was extremely popular off-field, known as a fashion icon. Hence, the Englishman is celebrated as one of the greatest footballer of all time.

9. Ronaldo Nazario - Brazil

Nicknamed “The phenomenal footballer”, Ronaldo Nazario was one of the most consistent players for Brazil on the international stage. He ranks amongst the greatest Brazilian players of all time, having played for some of the biggest clubs in world football, like FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. Playing prominently as a striker in his career, his finishing skills in front of the goal were second to none. The 47-year-old always proved to be a menace to the defenders of his generation, terrorising the opposition with his quick feet, skills and pace.

Even today, fans acknowledge his class in front of the goal after a decade since his retirement in 2011. It’s next to impossible for any other striker to replicate his greatness. Nazario was a complete striker who could dribble, shoot, pass and create chances in attack. The youngest Ballon d'Or winner helped Brazil to become the world champions twice, in 1994 and 2002, respectively. He has bagged over 500 goals for both club and country throughout his career.

8. Ronaldinho Gaucho - Brazil

Up next on the list of the greatest footballer of all time, we have another Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho Gaucho. One of the most influential footballers of his time – he also won two World Cups with Brazil alongside Ronaldo. He was a treat to watch on the field, blessed with magical feet, skills, pace, finishing and most importantly, his stellar dribbling. The peak of his career arrived during his time at Catalan giants Barcelona, leading to UEFA Champions League and multiple domestic silverware.

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner was a versatile player and was capable of playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger, depending on the needs of his team. And, he was known for his joyful nature and off-field lifestyle. Besides his spell with Blaugrana, he also played for the Italian Serie A club AC Milan. Regarded as one of the top 10 greatest football player of all time for style and flair that sets him apart from other notable names on this list.

7. Franz Beckenbauer - Germany

One of the all-time greats who has made an everlasting impact on the sport, the German icon Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed der Kaiser, is undoubtedly the greatest German player of all time. Beckenbauer is among the nine players to have lifted the coveted FIFA World Cup and the European Champions Cup with his country, and the prestigious Ballon d’Or award as a player. He pioneered the role of sweeper in football, even though he was a defender; he was exceptionally skilled in ball playing and dribbling.

The four-time German footballer of the year was remarkable not only on the international level, but he also had a tremendous club career with Bayern Munich. Under his leadership, the Bavarians claimed numerous domestic glories, including five Bundesliga championships, four DFB Pokal, three UEFA Champions League triumphs and an Intercontinental Cup.

6. Zinedine Zidane - France

Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest midfielders to grace the sport, and he is one of the most celebrated French players as well. The Former Real Madrid and France icon secures his place in the list of the top 10 best footballer of all time due to his legendary career. Known for his sensational dribbling, playmaking, finishing, passing and ability to interlink the play at crucial junctures of a match. While playing as number 10 for most of his career.

In his career, Zidane bagged 156 goals and 171 assists in his career for both club and country. His elegance and knowledge of the game have remained quite supreme over the years and further aided him in transforming himself into one of the biggest managers in the world of football. As a player, the French icon won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the European Championship with his country, while securing 108 caps for the French national team. He has played for clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid.

5. Johan Cruyff - Netherlands

The Dutch phenomenon was one of its kind, known for his impeccable dribbling, pace, skills and creativity, has revolutionised the sport. Johan Cruyff was hailed as one of the best dribblers in football history, having shown his magic with Ajax and Barcelona and established himself as a legend of the game and also won three Ballon d’Or awards as a player with Ajax and Barcelona, respectively. Cryuff’s influence on the game is remarkable, especially his playing style and skills, which are remembered for a lifetime.

The Barcelona icon is celebrated as the greatest Dutch footballer of all time, being one of the most illustrated footballers that the Netherlands has ever produced. The forward enjoyed a trophy-laden career, winning nine league titles and three UEFA Champions League titles. Over the course of his career, Cryuff has made more than 600 club appearances while netting 345 goals and making 242 assists. At the international level, he played 48 times.

4. Diego Maradona - Argentina

The Argentine icon Diego Maradona is regarded as a legendary figure in football. The attacking midfielder is admired for his skills, game intelligence, severe ability on the ball, and his time with Serie A club Napoli in Naples, Italy. He is hailed as a hero in Naples following his feat with the Italian club, as they have officially retired the number ten jersey forever in his honour and dedicated their home stadium to him, naming it Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

The attacker was listed as one of the joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Twentieth Century. The veteran player played a total of about 91 matches for the La Albiceleste on the international stage and managed to net a respectable tally of 34 goals for his country, and also led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup triumph. Along with Barcelona and Napoli, he also played for Seville and Boca Juniors for a brief spell.

3. Pele - Brazil

The legendary Brazilian star Pelé is regarded as a global icon and legend when it comes to the sport of football. Despite after all these years, the forward is still considered one of the most talented and gifted players ever to play at the highest level. Pele was known for his goal-scoring prowess, dribbling, passing, vision and flair. Pele remains one of the most celebrated and successful sports personalities of the twentieth century.

His influence in popularising the game of football in the 1960s and 70's was significant as he rose to become a global sports personality. Pele had achieved three World Cup feats with Brazil, and his career made an everlasting impact on the world, thus securing a third spot in the top 10 greatest footballer of all time. Thanks to his brilliant dribbling and prolific goal scoring, he has netted a ton of goals, making him one of the top goal scorers in world football.

2. Lionel Messi - Argentina

Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Argentina's finest Lionel Messi is second on our list. The former Barcelona superstar is undoubtedly the most mesmerising player to play on the field. Being is considered to be one of Cristiano Ronaldo's closest rivals. The iconic number 10 rose through the ranks of Barcelona and made his name in world football. His game awareness and knowledge of football propel his on-pitch intelligence, playmaking and scoring spree.

Notably, the Argentine international has formed countless records in football with both club and country. Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, assist provider, and appearance maker – the greatest Barcelona player ever. He currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami at the club level, having joined them back in 2023 from PSG. Lionel has won every possible trophy in football, domestic titles in Spain & France, Champions League, World Cup, Ballon d'Or award, European Golden Shoe and Copa America, etc.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

In the first place, we have picked Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the most celebrated footballers of all time. The Portuguese superstar rose to fame after his initial spell at Manchester United. Since then, Ronaldo has only grown bigger and bigger in terms of his stature in world football. He has been a consistent performer at both club and country levels in the last 15 years or so. In just nine years of spell, Cristiano is the greatest Real Madrid player of all time. The Al Nassr star is still going strong with his goal-scoring spree at the age of 40.

He is the most decorated attacker in world football with the most goals to his name for both club and country. He has broken numerous records as an individual being, the highest goal for Portugal and Real Madrid. His trophy collection includes: Premier League titles, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, Euro and more. A club legend for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus – the five-time Ballon d'Or winner tops our list of the top 10 greatest footballers of all time.