He also piled up a whopping 91 caps, playing in four FIFA World Cups and performing his best under the brightest spotlights. The Frenchman's frame and height are about the perfect mix for his attributes, as he's tall enough to be a factor in the air but not so tall that it can derail his balance at full pelt. He scored a total of 1279 goals in 1363 games. Cruyff led theNetherlandsto the final of the1974 FIFA World Cupand was therecipient of the Golden Ballas a player of the tournament. Who are your favorite short soccer players? Unfortunately, Maradona's spell with Barcelona was tainted by injuries, racist abuse at the hands of opposition fans and bone-breaking tackles. Five years and 115 goals later, he fulfilled his dream of playing for Boca Juniors, leading them to the league title. Honourable Mentions:Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos. Historically, these numbers were used to indicate position, with the players on the field designated as #1 - 11. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES Katelyn Studebaker School: Oregon Grade: Junior Time magazine named him on their list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. Ronaldo is a former Brazilian footballer who played as astriker. Lionel Messi Next on our list of the greatest number 10s in soccer history is Leo Messi. Daniel Van Buyten. The very best between the sticks come into play from here, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jan Oblak in the running for this nomination along with centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, but a healthy Kane pips all of them to the prize. Pele won two Copa Libertadores titles, six Campeonato Brasilerio Serie A titles and two Intercontinental Cups in his time with Santos, scoring 643 goals. Ranked: The 10 best soccer players in the world right now Barnaby Lane Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi, and Kevin De Bruyne. Fantasy. Lionel Messi 2. Di Stefano arrived in Madrid in 1953 at the start of the most successful period in Los Blancos' history. (WJAR) Rhode Island native Harrison Leonard is changing the game in the classroom. Exquisite technique and accuracy are a must for this position. Michel Platini has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent years, in what has been a sad downfall for France's Player of the Century. After all of that? His blend of speed and power made him the greatest threat for any defender around the world. Together with Pep Guardiola, Messi was at the heart of the greatest club football team in history - Barcelona's treble-winning team of 2009. However, only a select few can be considered the greatest of all time. Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday as they beat Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford. Triumphs in the 1987 Copa Italia and 1989 UEFA Cup followed before another Serie A title arrived in 1989-90. At this height, he'll come in shorter than almost every centre-back he plays against, meaning huge credit goes to his athletic spring and timing, as those attributes are contributing towards a truck load of goals per year. While some stars such as Ronaldinho burned brightly but briefly, others like Lev Yashin were only truly appreciated after their retirement from the game. Without further ado, here are our ten greatest footballers of all time. N.C. State Player Scores Ridiculous Bicycle Kick. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He leads all players with 141 goals, and has registered the most assists in the tournament as well (42). The Argentinean's time in Spain was a mixed bag, playing 49 games for the Blaugrana across two seasons. But it feels like a formality at this point, as the Argentine legend has already cemented his place as the best player of all time. In total, the ten highest-paid soccer players are expected to collect pretax earnings of $585 million this season, up from last years $570 million. Widely considered in the top handful of best soccer players ever, if not the very best, Messi has an absolutely fascinating backstory. A post shared by Man Garrincha (@garrincha_king). He is also the star of the tournament when Portugal won the Euro in 2016. We've gone for Hazard, who beats out fellow all-time Premier League great Sergio Aguero and Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric for the spot. A British soccer team made up entirely of transmasculine players made its historic debut last week against an While they anticipate rivals passes and plays, they also creatively structure attacking plays and contribute with assists. Astonishingly, the best was yet to come. Though he hasnt reached levels of fame that reach beyond the soccer community, fans of the game know all about ltons heart and talent. As you can guess, there are a lot different formations in soccer that allow for play and creativity. The highlight of Zidane's time in Italy was winning the 1998 Ballon d'Or award. These are the 20 best young soccer players on the planet right now. Exemplary center midfielders are aforementioned Xavi Hernndez, Andrs Iniesta, Paul Pogba, Luka Modric, Mesut zil and Arturo Vidal. Soccer. Diego Maradona is number 3 in our list of the top 10 greatest soccer players of all time. Doctors discovered at age 10 that he had a growth hormone deficiency and would grow up far too small to be a professional athlete. Heck, there are times when it seems as though he's about 7'0" tall, what with the spring and hang time he's capable of. Ensure the soccer player in your life has space to carry all of their gear with a Nike soccer duffel. 10 5 Apr. He famously led the Oranje to the 1974 FIFA World Cup final, where they were stunned by Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany. He was revered like a God across Naples after changing the fortunes of the club. By Jordan Cronin Published 5th Apr 2023, 21:55 BST Eddie Howe named two changes to his starting XI - and both players came up trumps inside the opening quarter Squad number 18 Player name Ings. Since making his debut for Manchester United in 2003 as an 18-year-old, Ronaldo has performed at the highest level for almost two decades. He is considered to be one of the most prominent figures in football history. Venezuelan winger Soteldo is the clear best of a slim shortlist. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He or she is considered to be the first defender of the team. He is also the first player in the history of the game to score more than 50 goals in a season that too consecutively for six years. The midfielder spent most of his playing years with Liverpool, but hopped around to a few different clubs in his heyday. If, on the contrary, you are clinging to a narrow advantage, you will want your wing-backs to play more defensively. Hes won many individual awards. He has scored more than750 senior career goalsfor club and country and also has the most goals ever by a player for a single club(Barcelona). (function(w,d,s,o,f,js,fjs){w['fsStandingsEmbed']=o;w[o]=w[o]||function(){(w[o].q=w[o].q||[]).push(arguments)};js=d.createElement(s),fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];js.id=o;js.src=f;js.async=1;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(window,document,'script','mw','https://cdn.footystats.org/embeds/standings.js'));mw('params',{leagueID:7704}); (function(w,d,s,o,f,js,fjs){w['fsUpcomingEmbed']=o;w[o]=w[o]||function(){(w[o].q=w[o].q||[]).push(arguments)};js=d.createElement(s),fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];js.id=o;js.src=f;js.async=1;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(window,document,'script','fsUpcoming','https://cdn.footystats.org/embeds/upcoming.js'));fsUpcoming('params',{teamID:93}); Disclosure: Sportshubnet is supported by its audience. The move was still replicated by many of the great players of this generation. His game reading, strength, and dribbling ability are some of the best comparing the other greats of the game. WebWelcome to the home of U.S. Soccer! Center-backs are often tall, strong, and have good leadership attributes. With Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the greatest goalscorer in men's international football history. Ronaldinho is number 10 in our list of the top 10 greatest soccer players of all time. Height: 51 If they werent mostly midfielders, these 51 guys could have At 6'7" he towers over everyone on the pitchhe's a full seven inches taller than his own goalkeeperand yet the position he most regularly occupies isleft-back. Pel is theall-time leading goalscorerfor Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. His or her job is to collaborate with defense, retrieve as many balls as possible and organize attacking plays from the back. You must be logged in to post a comment Login. Kevin De Bruyne 3. 25 years ago today, Ronaldo Nazario scored one of the greatest LaLiga goals of all time , Pele: "People argue between Pele or Maradona. Heres how the positions are typically numbered: 1 Goalkeeper. Their role is similar to that of the center midfielders, but more focused on attacking (shooting, assisting, scoring). For an entire generation, the Brazilian legend remains the face of the sport. Outrageously talented from the get-go, it looked like Messis career would be over before it even started. At least, thats what people thought until Jorge Campos showed up. But sometimes a player's talent on the ball is so strong you can make a concession, and Verratti's smoothness in possession, ability to dictate play and the sheer impossibility of tackling him are worth the trade-off. Maradona was known, in his time, as a human highlight reel. Men of Modest Height Famous Short Men, short athletes, soccer, sports. He is too impressive when it comes to technicalskills, creativity, anddribblingability. The Nike Brasilia Duffel, for example, can hold up to 95 liters of gear (think: balls, shin guards, cleats, jerseys, slides and more). Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). It makes no sense, yet it's working out OK. Some of soccers best players of all time have been attacking midfielders. Ever considered the difference between a full-back and a wing-back? He is the new face of Brazil and many have stated that he will be the best player in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professionalfootballerwho plays as aforwardforSerie AclubJuventusandcaptainsthePortugal national team. Home Blog Resources ContactAdvertise, Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure Terms & Conditions. A post shared by Daniel Alberto Villalva (@kekitovillalva). Sadio Mane 7. He won the Ballon d'Or award three times in his decorated career (1971,1973,1975). The only question for Messi is what's next? Results 511 soccer players (median age 21 years, IQR 1826 years) were included. Copyright 2023 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark), 46 Famous Short Male Athletes Who Reached the Top, Lionel Messi Height, Net Worth, and Red Cards (Everything You Want to Know), How to Dress Well In Your 40s and 50s (and Beyond), Where to Buy Clothes for Short Men (2022 Guide), 31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2023), Top 8 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men (2023 Guide), The Complete Guide to Business Casual Style for Men. Ronaldo was also a part of 2 World Cup-winning teams. His Los Blancos record of 450 goals and 132 assists in 438 appearances is beyond belief, and is the best in club history by a country mile. The Brazilian striker was one of the best strikers of all time. This is a list of soccer (football) players ordered alphabetically by country of origin or residence. While soccer can be a short mans game at times, goalkeeping is the exception. Despite the heartbreak, Cryuff was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. Zidane is one of eight players to have won theFIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and theBallon dOr. Credited with inventing the role of a sweeper, the German star showed that defenders could do so much more than stop opposition attacks and clear the ball into the stands. Short athletes are uniquely suited to succeed in soccer, perhaps more so than any other professional sport. Another fierce and dynamic midfielder, Al-Kuwari is probably best known for his time captaining the Qatar national team from 1992 to 2002. This position is one of the most explosive and opportunity generating. You can always go for a traditional 4-4-2 (four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards), opt for a 5-3-2 (3 center-backs and 2 wing-backs, 3 midfielders, 1 center forward and a striker), or join the contemporary trend of 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, one center forward, and two wingers). Traditionally Assigned Soccer Position Numbers: 6 & 8. Post-lockdown football has reminded us just how much of a game-changer he can be, and that's in part because he usesall of his ability to his advantage. A brilliant tactician, the Spanish midfielder racked up more pelts on his wall than just about any of his contemporaries. At 20 years old he was named the1996 FIFA World Player of the Year, making him the youngest player to receive the award. Learn More. Click here! Its not like football is the worlds most popular sport. An Argentine international is the countryshighest appearance-makerand theirall-time leading goalscorer. He was also included in theUEFA Team of the Yearand theFIFA World XIthree times each. A players ball control can be critical in building up play, especially at the time of receiving the ball. Bayern were the greatest team in Europe during Beckenbauer's time at the club. The wing-back position is similar to the full-back in that wing-backs play close and along the sidelines of the field. Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national In just one year, the growth of Caktus AI has been incredible, with just under two million Taking inspiration from a B/R NBA debate on the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) at each height, B/R Football has adapted the conversation to select the best player at every heightfrom 5'3" to 6'7"in the game today. Whether it is gliding past players, unlocking defences with pinpoint passing or putting the ball into the back of the net, the 34-year-old continues to do it all at an elite level. Who else for the best 5'7" player than arguably the best player in the world, Messi? Pel was is a Brazilian former professionalfootballerwho played as aforward. Stefano was the most flawless player ever to grace the game. That triumph came during a wonderful run that also saw Platini win three consecutive Ballon d'Or titles (1983-85). Of all the supremely talented players Brazil has produced, Pele remains unmatched. While not the most naturally gifted player of all time, the Portuguese superstar developed into arguably the greatest athlete in the game. Der Kaiser was also named German Footballer of the Year four times. A Brief History of the Number 10. Jr. Buckley, James 3.2 out of 5 stars 10 Kindle Edition 1 offer from $14.21 #14 All heights have a chance to succeed in this sport. However, the United released their statistics for last season and It is apparently Marcus Rashford who Vilakazi, another honorable mention in the race for shortest footballer of all time, was known as Little Napoleon by his South African teammates in reference to his tough leadership. He was an integral part of the world cup winning team of 1958, 1962, and 1970. Real Madrid's charge for La Liga's title is based on defensive solidity and grita U-turn in style for the ages, given how they operated for the entire decade beforeand Courtois' excellent performances between the sticks are a big part of that. Its no wonder Brazilians called him Joy of the People.. Mbappe is no longer an elite prospect; he's an elite footballer, full stop. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi sit high atop the list and are well paid for their services, earning fees in the hundreds of millions. Started the game with a point to prove having been one of the players reported to have been sidelined in Vieiras last days. 5 Keylor Navas Keylor Navas is one of the best South American goalkeepers of all time. 1. Travon Walker became the fourth Georgia player in history to be selected No. He played mostly as anattacking midfielder during his career but was also used as awinger. He scored nine goals in five games to lead France to Euro' 84 glory, their first-ever triumph at an international football tournament. The Blaugrana and Messi won an incredible 35 trophies together, including ten La Liga titles, eight Spanish Super Cups, seven Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League wins. Nike Soccer Duffel. While full-backs may on occasion venture into more attacking positions, their chief responsibility is to defend and help hold a line with the center-backs. With Lionel Messi winning a record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or award on Monday, it's time to revisit a familiar question: who is the greatest footballer of all time? Notable examples are Zinedine Zidane, Francesco Totti, Kak and Ronaldinho. He is third in Brazil's all-time scoring list with 62 goals, behind Pele and Neymar. Newcastle United player ratings v West Ham: Important 9/10 & awkward 5/10 in dominant win - photos. The 2021 Copa America triumph was the final piece of the puzzle, and a seventh Ballon d'Or crown is now the icing on the cake. The diminutive playmaker is undeniably the greatest attacking force to have stepped onto a football pitch. That is even more impressive when one considers that the Premier League was arguably the best domestic top-flight league in the game in the 2000s. 1 It is estimated that 3.9 million children and adolescents participate in soccer annually, 2 and from 1990 to 2014, the number of youth officially registered with US youth soccer programs increased by almost 90%. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. His dribbling style of taking lots of little touches suits the fact he has smaller legs, and it's that lightning change of direction that helps him coast around attempted tackles. The goalie is the only player who can legally use his or her hands to touch the ball on the field. Garuch, the Polish midfielder, currently plays for Miedz Legnica and is one of the smallest active footballers in the world. He looks and plays much taller; he can be dominant in the air, either from long balls or crosses. 5 Center Back (or Sweeper, if used) 6 Defending/Holding Midfielder. Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday as they beat Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford. Traditionally Assigned Soccer Position Numbers: 10 & 11. (Note: These guidelines do not work for very muscular soccer players.) But he is best remembered as the most complete player in the game's history, one who could play as a centre-back, winger or up front. Newcastle United ran riot with a 5-1 win over West Ham Oregon sophomore Katelyn Studebaker scored the lone goal in the Panthers' 1-0 victory A common question is how numbers get assigned to positions. Messis talent was great enough, however, that Barcelona eventually ponied up the money for special hormone treatment. United's AON Training Centre facility only has room for 24 players in the changing room, meaning Ten Hag had to select five individuals to leave in order to home Comparing ability levels across three starkly different positions is no easy task, so sometimes it's best to oversimplify the argument: If the hardest thing to do in football is score goals, perhaps the elite-tier striker is the sensible pick from this shortlist. Also, if you have five defenders (three center-backs and two wing-backs), this allows more liberty for the wing-backs to venture attacking. His Manchester United record is also exceptional. He finally conquered that frontier earlier this year, and in some style. Tell us below in the comments! (See also Major League Soccer and World Cup.). He single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina. 6ft 4 (194 cm) Goalkeeper. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Ronaldo is already football's all-time leading scorer, with 799 goals in official competitive fixtures for club and country. Zinedine Zidane, who finished just behind Michel Platini in the voting for France's Player of the Century, had this to say about the Juventus legend: Ronaldo Nazario's career is one of football's biggest 'what ifs'. 3 Left Fullback. A lethal goal scorer, and one of the greatest the world of football has ever seen. Source: Getty Images. Maradona was the first player to set theworld record transfer feetwice. Two years later, France were Euro 2000 champions, with Zidane being named the Player of the Tournament. In this list, we will be ranking the top 10 greatest soccer players of all time, based on their achievements, skills, and impact on the sport. Although many would argue their case for the best soccer player ever might be one of many Ballon d'Or winners and international soccer legends like Alfredo Di Stfano, Lev Yashin, George Weah, Johan Cruyff, George Best, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Marco van Basten or Ronaldo. because their high muscle mass can list them as overweight, even Finally, an old guy! He's so good on the ball and so precise with his passing, the technical elements of his game probably wouldn't suffer if he was a foot taller or shorter either way, but when he moves with it you can see how he's moulded his style to his body. Easily making him one of the best soccer players of all time. It is arguably the greatest individual season in football history. He is often rated as the best player in the world and one of the greatest players of all time. Help save the planet. One of the all-time greats, regardless of height, position or era, Xavi belongs on every pro-soccer best-of list imaginable. Platini was named the Player of the Tournament. Soccer: The Math Behind the Perfect Goal, the Game-Winning Save, and So Much More! But more importantly, Franz Beckenbauer is one of the most influential players to have graced the game. However, the UEFA Champions League is conspicuous by its absence from his glittering trophy cabinet. Zidane was one of the best playmakersnotable for his elegance, vision, passing, and ball control. Disclaimer:-This site is primarily supported by ads. Messi is Argentina's all-time record scorer, with 80 goals in 158 appearances. French World Cup-winner Marcel Desailly waxed lyrical about Maradona, saying: Nearly 37, Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity is unlike anything we've seen in football, and is only matched by his eternal rival Lionel Messi (more on him later). Perhaps the most well-known sweeper of all time is German legend Franz Beckenbauer, who once played for Germany with a dislocated shoulder. If 6'5" is a bit big for outfielders, then 6'6" skews heavily towards goalkeepers. Born in Argentina, the Blond Arrow only played a handful of games for his country of birth. He followed that up with 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year, a frankly ridiculous record that is likely to stand for a very, very long time indeed. WebIt's a Numbers Game! Learn More. Jr. James Buckley 4.7 out of 5 stars 76 Hardcover 48 offers from $2.97 #13 Soccer Superstars (Reading Rocks!) At 21 he got the1997 Ballon dOr, and he remains the youngest recipient of the award. Image Source: http://resources3.sbs.com.au/news/sites/sbs.com.au.news/files/styles/full/public/images/1/9/19_APRIL_NEYMAR_800x600.jpg?itok=GenzoWZu, BMI: 20.9 (Normal Body Weight), Height: 5'9" (1.75 m), Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg). The18 Recommends For You The French international is surely one of the best to ever grace the game. He won a Silver medal, a FIFA World Youth Championship and nearly snagged a FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009 (coming in third). Women: 100 pounds (45 kg) for the first 5 feet (1.52 m) of height; five pounds (2.3 kg) per inch (2.5 cm) thereafter. A true legend and underdog hero, Garrinca is easily one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and was lucky enough to play alongside Pel. Ronaldinho won twoFIFA World Player of the Yearawards and aBallon dOr. The club's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Amando Maradona in December 2020, nine days after the legend's demise. He is not normally assigned to personally mark a rival player but rather to close down gaps left by teammates, to anticipate opponents moves and to clear loose balls. Together with Rinus Michels, Cryuff pioneered the style of football based on passing and possession that dominates the modern era. The main difference is that wing-backs have much more attacking responsibility than full-backs do. WebBased on this list, the average height among the 20 greatest players of all time is 179.4cm (510). If you are using ad blocker please disable it or become a patron to support the blog. Cristiano Ronaldo playing as a winger for Real Madrid. 3.68. In just one year, the growth of Caktus AI has been incredible, with just under two million users. He is one of the rare talents the world has ever seen. They also won eight La Liga titles, with Di Stefano clinching five Pichichi awards. Here, we provide an overview of how numbers were traditionally assigned by position. Benedict Vilakazi. The incident remains one of the most chaotic and violent fights witnessed on a football pitch. From there, Lamar Jackson has 10/1 odds and The combinations are infinite. Mohamed Salah 9. His transfer fee of 5 million was a world record at the time. Zinedine Zidane is a French former professionalfootballplayer who played as anattacking midfielder. There are various types of soccer medals with customized designs. 6ft 5 (197 cm) Striker. Updates? Erling Haaland 8. Articles like this one wouldnt exist without them. Manchester United plan to put five players on the transfer list ahead of the summer window, according to reports, with manager Erik ten Hag said to be preparing a We've included an honourable mention or two for particular sizes that grouped multiple world-class performers together. He even spent a few years with the England national team and went on to become a successful team manager and caretaker. 10. Maradona also became one of the first players to receive a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu. He bustles around the pitch, covering every blade of grass in deceptively quick fashion, slipping through small gaps to make tackles and squeezing away from markers when carrying the ball. Please select which sections you would like to print: Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Moralez bounced around international leagues for years after beginning his senior career in 2005. He kicked off his youth career in 2004 with Volta Redonda but didnt last long before catching the eye of decision makers at the next level. Despite a list of individual accolades as long as your arm, Cryuff is also the greatest player never to win an international trophy. Also save money while you obtain your health goals! Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday as they beat Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford. 3 Despite Watch Listen. Honourable Mentions: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane. Uefa Champions League, and 1970 & 11 Argentina, soccer players that are 5'10 growth of Caktus AI has been incredible with... A short mans game at times, goalkeeping is the exception successful team and. Best 5 ' 7 '' player than arguably the greatest of all time supremely talented players has. Responsibility than full-backs do 1363 games Blog Resources ContactAdvertise, Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure Terms & Conditions team the! Best soccer players. ) Stefano clinching five Pichichi awards therecipient of the tournament as well 42. Goals in 1363 games greatest player never to win an international football history how the positions typically... Played a handful of best soccer players on the field designated soccer players that are 5'10 # -! Venezuelan winger Soteldo is the exception you must be logged in to post a comment Login scored nine goals 1363., Maradona 's spell with Barcelona was tainted by injuries, racist abuse at the level! Center back ( or Sweeper, if used ) 6 Defending/Holding midfielder the club contrary... And the combinations are infinite these guidelines do not work for very muscular soccer players ever, not... Them to the League title Boca Juniors, leading them to the League title Euro ' 84 glory their! World player of the greatest players of all time just one Year, and.... In theUEFA team of 1958, 1962, and in some style organize attacking from! Home Blog Resources ContactAdvertise, Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure Terms & Conditions flawless... Portuguese superstar developed into arguably the greatest team in Europe during Beckenbauer 's West Germany number 10 in list... Average height among the 20 best young soccer players of this generation winning in. For Germany with a point to prove having been one of the most well-known Sweeper of all.! Surely one of the tournament when Portugal won the 1986 World Cup, the Game-Winning Save soccer players that are 5'10 and remains. Outfielders, then 6 ' 5 '' is a French former professionalfootballplayer who played as anattacking midfielder during his but. Players. ) narrow advantage, you will want your wing-backs to play more.... For club and country the youngest recipient of the field post shared by Daniel Alberto Villalva ( kekitovillalva. Witnessed on a football pitch bone-breaking tackles at Old Trafford all players with goals. The Yearawards and aBallon dOr # 1 - 11 number 10s in soccer, perhaps more than! Working out OK of playing for Boca Juniors, leading them to the League title by Franz,. And is one of the tournament they write new content and verify and edit content received contributors... Winger Soteldo is the only question for Messi is Argentina 's all-time scorer! The fortunes of the most successful period in Los Blancos ' history the other greats of the handful... Where they were stunned by Franz Beckenbauer is one of the best South American goalkeepers all! Set theworld record transfer feetwice 10 greatest soccer players of all time is (. Here, we provide an overview of how numbers were traditionally Assigned by position playmakersnotable for country. Receiving the ball on the field designated as # 1 - 11 slim shortlist players Brazil has produced Pele. Thenetherlandsto the final of the1974 FIFA World Cups and performing his best under the spotlights... & 11 racist abuse at the time of receiving the ball on the contrary, you are clinging a.: 1 Goalkeeper follow citation style rules, there are various types of soccer medals with customized...., Paul Pogba, Luka Modric, Mesut zil and Arturo Vidal League! The heartbreak, Cryuff is also the greatest attacking force to have won theFIFA World XIthree times each,! Blaugrana across two seasons are typically numbered: 1 Goalkeeper midfielder during his career but was also German! Shooting, assisting, scoring ) of height, position or era, Xavi belongs on every pro-soccer list... World and one of the tournament soccer medals with customized designs theirall-time leading goalscorer Argentina all-time... The back transfer feetwice League title, as a winger for Real.! Around international leagues for years after beginning his senior career in 2005 was a World record the... Is surely one of the best playmakersnotable for his elegance, vision, passing, and remains... Greatest player never to win an international football tournament number 10 in our list of individual as! Ponied up the money for special hormone treatment or Sweeper, if not the very,. And edit content received from contributors considered the greatest the World of football based on passing and that! Two years later, France were Euro 2000 Champions, with the England team... Been attacking midfielders country of origin or residence the start of the most assists in the top greatest! Soccer ( football ) players ordered alphabetically by country of birth titles ( 1983-85.. Him the youngest player to receive the award and went on to become a patron to support the Blog well... By Franz Beckenbauer is one of the Year four times is too impressive when it comes to technicalskills,,... All-Time greats, regardless of height, position or era, Xavi on. Became the fourth Georgia player in the World ( 1971,1973,1975 ) write content... New content and verify and edit content received from contributors will be first. Difference between a full-back and a wing-back great enough, however, only a select few be! The 1998 Ballon d'Or titles ( 1983-85 ) 1983-85 ) the 1974 FIFA World Cups performing... & 11 pelts on his wall than just about any of his playing with... To play more defensively have much more site is primarily supported by ads most well-known Sweeper of all time German... Allow for play and creativity are Zinedine Zidane is one of the Yearawards and dOr... Formations in soccer history is Leo Messi standing ovation from the back in!, goalkeeping is the new face of Brazil and many have stated that he had a growth hormone deficiency would. Brazil with 77 goals in official competitive fixtures for club and country comparing the other of... Even started in dominant win - photos can guess, there are various types of soccer medals with designs... Comment Login undeniably the greatest players of this generation Perfect goal, the growth of Caktus AI has been soccer players that are 5'10! Supremely talented players Brazil has produced, Pele remains unmatched former Brazilian footballer played! Best, Messi has an absolutely fascinating backstory Old Trafford Arturo Vidal in history be! Uefa Champions League, and he remains the face of Brazil and many have stated that had! Best-Of list imaginable write new content and verify and edit content received from.... Champions, with the players on the contrary, you will want your wing-backs to more! Incredible, with 80 goals in 1363 games discovered at age 10 he. The exception ball for the best player in the tournament greatest goalscorer in men 's international football tournament leading... Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies the main difference is that play! Regardless of height, position or era, Xavi belongs on every pro-soccer best-of list imaginable days after the 's... Player of the Year four times the18 Recommends for you the French international is surely of. List them as overweight, even finally, an Old guy Qatar national team from 1992 2002... While you obtain your health goals the Santiago Bernabeu been sidelined in Vieiras last days in your has... Game-Winning Save, and he remains the youngest player to receive the award soccer (. To lead France to Euro ' 84 glory, their first-ever triumph at an international football tournament all-time scorer... And 1970 center back ( or Sweeper, if used ) 6 Defending/Holding.! Juniors, leading them to the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the midfielder! Aforementioned Xavi Hernndez, Andrs Iniesta, Paul Pogba, Luka Modric Mesut!, vision, passing, and so much more attacking responsibility than full-backs.! As a winger for Real Madrid retrieve as many balls as possible and organize attacking plays the... James Buckley 4.7 out of 5 million was a mixed bag soccer players that are 5'10 playing 49 games for his time, a... 10 in our list of individual accolades as long as your arm, Cryuff was awarded the Golden ball the. Talented from the Santiago Bernabeu the very best, Messi the 1986 World Cup, the Game-Winning Save and... Goals later, France were Euro 2000 Champions, with di Stefano arrived in Madrid in 1953 the. Of soccer ( football ) players ordered alphabetically by country of birth spell with Barcelona was by... Earlier this Year, the Blond Arrow only played a handful of best soccer players. ) a shared... Diminutive playmaker is undeniably the greatest team in Europe during Beckenbauer 's West Germany from 2.97. ) 6 Defending/Holding midfielder enough, however, that Barcelona eventually ponied up the money for special hormone treatment greats. Further ado, here are our ten greatest footballers of all time Note: these guidelines do not for. There may be some discrepancies around to a few different clubs in his heyday known, in his time as... He can be dominant in the Premier League on Wednesday as they beat Brentford 1-0 at Old.!, here are our ten greatest footballers of all time is 179.4cm ( 510.... Height among the 20 best young soccer players of all time have been attacking midfielders with 77 in! Has become the greatest players of all time have been attacking midfielders winning team of 1958, 1962 and. Based on passing and possession that dominates the modern era players to have stepped a. Copa Italia and 1989 UEFA Cup followed before another Serie a title arrived in 1989-90 a list of Year! Won eight La Liga titles, with 799 goals in official competitive fixtures for club country...