Top Ten: Greatest footballers of all time

The list of the top ten football players of all time will always be a subject of much discussion and differing opinion.

Fans and pundits alike have a different criteria for who makes their list, and they will prefer one era in football to another. 

10.GARRINCHA

At number ten on my list is a player that was told he would never play football due to being born with bowed legs, but this didn’t stop one of the best ever Brazilians representing his country and winning the World Cup in 1958 and 1962. Garrincha remembered as arguably the best dribbler of all time went in to the 1962 world cup with Brazil’s talisman Pele injured and took upon himself to lead them to victory.

9.GEORGE BEST 

Arguably the greatest player to ever come out of Britain, the Northern Irish man was best known for his ability to be able to beat any defender in the world then come back and beat them again. His glory years came at Manchester United when he was pivotal in helping them win their first ever European cup in 1968 which saw him also pick up the Ballon d’Or that year.

8.MICHEL PLATINI 

Current Uefa President Platini might not be popular when it comes to running a governing body, but his footballing ability was without question. The Frenchman was one the greatest passers and free kick takers to have blessed the beautiful game. He led France to victory in Euro 1984 and also won European player of the year three times consecutively in 1983,1984 and 1985.

7.JOHAN CRUYFF

Cruyff was the exponent of the philosophy ‘Total Football’ which is now used with great success at Barcelona where he played and managed. he integrated this philosophy throughout the club during that time. The Dutchman Played football as if he was orchestrating a great Opera which brought recognition in him being crowned European footballer of the year in 1971, 1973 and 1974.

6.FRANZ BECKENBAUER

One of the most decorated footballers of all time with three European Cups one World Cup and one European Championship to name a few the German was seen as one of most technically gifted players of all time. Beckenbauer played in front of the back four or center half and would elegantly control a game from wherever he was of the pitch and this brought great success to Bayern Munich and Germany alike.

5. RONALDO (Brazilian)

Probably the best number nine of all time, Ronaldo still holds the record as top World Cup goalscorer with fifteen to his name he’s been to three finals winning two he’s also won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1997 and 2002. The Brazilian was well known for being one of the most explosive strikers to have ever played he would fly past entire defences and have the finishing to match his skill.

 4.ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Zidane was the midfielder for the big occasions scoring two goals against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final to win it for France for the first time. He also scored one of the greatest volleys ever seen in Champions League history in another final for Real Madrid to see them to glory against Bayer Leverkusen. The Frenchman was likened to the famous Bolshoi ballet when he played, gracefully entertaining his many admirers he also won the European Championships in 2000 and was crowned with the  Ballon d’Or once.

3.PELE

Three World Cup winning medals say’s it all for the greatest ever Brazilian player to have graced football he spent his entire club career in America scoring 1,281 career goals in 1,363 games. Pele wasn’t the biggest striker but what he didn’t have in height and size he  made up in the fact that he had no obvious weakness in his game this combined with a goal ratio that would match any, makes him one of the best players of all time.

2.LIONEL MESSI 

The only player on the list to still be playing and at twenty five that says a lot about the little Argentinian magician who has been prolific since day one for Barcelona – already scoring over 270 goals. Messi has deservedly won the last three Ballon d’Ors and also won three Champions League titles – scoring in two of the finals. I think its a case of when and not if he brings success to Argentina. Surely after that he will be crowned the greatest ever.

1.DIEGO MARADONA

At number one is a player who was widely thought of winning major trophies for average sides single-handed. He was as destructive as he was great, but undoubtedly he was a great leader with spell bounding skill. Maradona brought the World Cup home for Argentina in 1986 showcasing his attributes – unbelievable pace,power and dribbling ability which he used to provide and score goals. The Argentinian also lead Napoli to their one and only Seria A title in 1987 and also winning the Uefa cup with them in 1989 and in my opinion crowning him as the best player ever.

If you enjoyed this list, why not read my TOP TEN BRITISH AND IRISH PLAYERS OF ALL TIME