Who is the Best Football Player in the World? Top 20 Players of All Time

The World’s Best Football Players

Introduction 

Football, the beautiful game, is one of the most popular sports on the planet. It has been played in some form or another for centuries but only in modern times has it truly become a global phenomenon. Football is watched and enjoyed by millions around the world, with players from all corners of the globe competing at an elite level to be crowned ‘The Best Player in The World’. But who currently holds that crown? Who are considered to be among the greatest footballers of all time? This article takes a look at twenty of these legendary players, past and present, to gauge who might be considered as ‘the best player in the world’.

Criteria for Determining the Best Football Player in the World

Technical Skills (Dribbling, Passing, Shooting)

When considering who might be the best football player in the world, some of the most important criteria is technical skill and ability. This includes dribbling, passing, shooting from different ranges and with both feet as well as ball-control and agility. All players listed have mastered these skills to a high degree and are considered amongst the best in this regard.

Tactical Awareness (Positioning, Decision-Making)

Tactical acumen is also highly valued when it comes to evaluating a player’s quality. This includes positioning, decision-making and being able to take into account the bigger picture when it comes to team tactics. All players on the list have been considered as some of the finest tacticians in the history of football.

Physical Attributes (Speed, Strength, Stamina)

Physical attributes are also important, and all the players listed have been noted for their speed, strength and stamina. Being able to combine these physical elements with technical skill and tactical acumen is a hallmark of the best players in the world.

Achievements and Awards (Individual and Team)

Of course, achievements and awards are also considered when making the list. This includes individual and team honors as well as personal awards such as Ballon d’Or or FIFA World Player of The Year. All players listed have won some kind of award for their performance at a club or international level.

Top 10 Best Football Players of All Time

Each of these players has left a unique impact on the game of football. Pelé set the standard for attacking play with his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability. Maradona dazzled fans with his incredible close control and creativity, while also leading Argentina to World Cup glory. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the sport in the 21st century with their incredible individual talents and ability to consistently score goals. Cruyff revolutionized football with his Total Football style of play, while Zidane was a master of the midfield with his incredible vision and control. Beckenbauer was a commanding leader on the pitch, while Ronaldo was a prolific goal-scorer who thrilled fans with his incredible speed and skill. Platini was a creative force in midfield, leading Juventus and France to multiple titles, and Best remains a true icon of the sport despite his personal struggles off the pitch.

Pelé

Considered by many as the greatest player in football history, Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He scored over 1,000 goals in his career, including a hat-trick in the 1970 World Cup final. Pelé was known for his incredible speed, agility, and powerful shot.

Diego Maradona

Maradona is widely regarded as one of the most skillful players to ever grace the football pitch. He led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, scoring the infamous “Hand of God” goal against England and the “Goal of the Century” against Belgium in the same tournament. Maradona was a master dribbler, with incredible close control and a knack for creating chances.

Lionel Messi

The current Barcelona captain and Argentina national team player, Lionel Messi is a 7-time Ballon d’Or winner and widely regarded as one of the best players of all time. He has won numerous domestic and international titles with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles. Messi’s incredible dribbling skills, close control, and goal-scoring ability make him a constant threat on the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He is known for his incredible athleticism, powerful shot, and ability to score from almost any position on the pitch. Ronaldo has also scored a record-breaking 134 goals in the Champions League.

Johan Cruyff

A Dutch legend, Cruyff revolutionized football with his Total Football style of play. He won three Ballon d’Or awards and led Ajax and Barcelona to multiple domestic and international titles. Cruyff’s ability to read the game and dictate play made him a true genius on the pitch.

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane was a master of the midfield, with incredible vision, control, and passing ability. He led France to World Cup glory in 1998, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil. Zidane also won numerous domestic and international titles with Juventus and Real Madrid, including three Champions League titles as a coach.

Franz Beckenbauer

Known as “The Kaiser,” Beckenbauer was a commanding center-back for Bayern Munich and the West Germany national team. He won three European Cups with Bayern and led West Germany to World Cup glory in 1974, scoring in the final against the Netherlands. Beckenbauer was known for his elegance on the ball, tactical awareness, and leadership.

Ronaldo

The Brazilian Ronaldo, or “El Fenomeno,” was a prolific goal-scorer and one of the most exciting players of his generation. He won two World Cups with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, scoring eight goals in the latter tournament. Ronaldo’s incredible speed, skill, and finishing ability made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.

Michel Platini

Platini was a creative midfielder for Juventus and the French national team. He won three Ballon d’Or awards and led Juventus to numerous domestic and international titles. Platini also led France to victory in the 1984 European Championships, scoring nine goals in the tournament.

George Best

Best was a Northern Irish winger who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He won two football league titles and a European Cup with Manchester United, and was known for his incredible dribbling skills and ability to score spectacular goals. Best was also notorious for his off-field antics, which often overshadowed his brilliance on the pitch. Despite his personal struggles, Best remains one of the most talented footballers of all time.

These players have all had their share of memorable moments and achievements on the field. From Pelé’s hat-trick in the 1970 World Cup final to Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal against England, these players have left an indelible mark on football history. Messi and Ronaldo have both broken numerous records with their incredible goal-scoring ability, while Cruyff’s Total Football style of play is still studied and admired by coaches around the world. Zidane’s goals in the 1998 World Cup final and his incredible volley in the 2002 Champions League final are among the most iconic moments in football history. Beckenbauer’s leadership and tactical awareness were crucial to Germany’s World Cup victory in 1974, while Ronaldo’s eight goals in the 2002 World Cup helped lead Brazil to the title. Platini’s nine goals in the 1984 European Championships remain a record to this day, and Best’s incredible dribbling skills and ability to score spectacular goals continue to inspire fans and players alike.

Top 10 Current Best Football Players in the World

Here are brief profiles of 10 football players who are currently considered among the best in the world, along with some of their recent achievements and statistics:

1. Lionel Messi: An Argentine forward who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He has won seven Ballon d’Or awards, more than any other player in history. In the 2020-21 season, he scored 30 goals in 35 appearances for Barcelona and helped Argentina win the Copa America.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo: A Portuguese forward who currently plays for Manchester United. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards and is the all-time top scorer in the Champions League. In the 2020-21 season, he scored 36 goals in 44 appearances for Juventus.
3. Robert Lewandowski: A Polish forward who plays for Bayern Munich. He won the 2020 FIFA Best Men’s Player award and was the top scorer in the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal in the 2020-21 season.
4. Kevin De Bruyne: A Belgian midfielder who plays for Manchester City. He was named the Premier League Player of the Season in the 2020-21 season and helped his team reach the Champions League final.
5. Kylian Mbappe: A French forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He was named the Best Young Player at the 2018 World Cup and has won three Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
6. Neymar: A Brazilian forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He won the Copa America with Brazil in 2019 and has helped PSG win multiple domestic titles.
7. Mohamed Salah: An Egyptian forward who plays for Liverpool. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2020-21 season and has been a key player in Liverpool’s recent successes.
8. Virgil van Dijk: A Dutch defender who plays for Liverpool. He was named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2019 and helped Liverpool win the Premier League and Champions League in the 2019-20 season.
9. Harry Kane: An English forward who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. He won the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker award in the 2020-21 season and was a key player for England at the 2018 World Cup.
10. Jan Oblak: A Slovenian goalkeeper who plays for Atletico Madrid. He has won four Zamora Trophies (awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio) in the last five seasons and has been a key player in Atletico’s recent successes.

Conclusion

These players are currently among the best in the world, and they all have unique skills and qualities that set them apart from their peers. Each of them has achieved remarkable success at both club and international level, proving that they are capable of playing at the highest levels. However, while it is difficult to definitively decide who is the best footballer in the world, these players certainly deserve recognition for their incredible accomplishments.

No matter how one looks at it, there are many great footballers around today and throughout history who have made an immense impact on the sport. From Pele’s trickery in the 1970 World Cup final to Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal against England and Ronaldo’s eight goals in the 2002 World Cup, these moments have all inspired generations of footballers and fans alike. Ultimately, it is impossible to choose a single greatest footballer of all time — but the players on this list can certainly be regarded as some of the best the sport has ever seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently considered the best football player in the world?

At the moment, Lionel Messi is widely considered to be the best football player in the world. He has won seven Ballon d’Or awards and scored 30 goals in 35 appearances for Barcelona during the 2020-21 season.

What makes a football player the “best” in the world?

The best football players in the world possess a combination of physical and technical skills, as well as tactical knowledge. They also have great vision, composure, and decision-making abilities that allow them to make effective decisions on the pitch. Additionally, they often have strong mental toughness and a winning mentality that helps them stay focused and motivated throughout their careers.

Who are some of the top contenders for the title of best football player of all time?

Some of the top contenders for the title of best footballer of all time include Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho. All of these players have achieved remarkable success at both club and international level, making them some of the most iconic footballers in history.

What are some of the most important individual awards that football players can win?

The Ballon d’Or is widely considered to be the most prestigious individual award in football. Other important awards include the Fifa World Player of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker Awards, Zamora Trophy and Pichichi Trophy.

Can a player be considered the best in the world without having won a major international tournament?

Yes, a player can still be considered the best in the world without having won a major international tournament. Many of the greatest players in history never had the chance to compete for international honours and were instead judged on their performances at football club level. Examples include George Best, Alfredo Di Stefano and Michel Platini who are all widely regarded as some of the greatest footballers ever.

How do the best football players in the world compare in terms of their statistics (goals scored, assists, etc.)?

The best football players in the world tend to have impressive goalscoring and assist-making records. For example, Lionel Messi has scored 668 goals and assisted 285 more in 751 appearances for Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 770 goals and provided 222 assists in 974 appearances for various clubs. Additionally, Pele scored a total of 1281 goals throughout his career with Santos and the Brazilian national team, making him one of the highest goalscorers ever.

Is it fair to compare players from different eras when determining who is the best football player of all time?

Yes, it is fair to compare players from different eras when determining who is the best football player of all time. While certain factors such as tactics and technological advancements have changed over time, the fundamentals of the game remain largely unchanged. As such, it is possible to accurately assess a player’s ability relative to their peers in other generations.