Although nations of the world have played sports resembling soccer for all ages, the modern form of the game is credited to England in 1863. This was when they founded the Football Association to oversee the sport’s activities locally. Nine years later, it went international. We will see today the all-time greats this sport has created.
You’ll be amazed if you watch from the sidelines when soccer fans argue about who their favorite player is. You can quickly notice the spirit, vigor, and enthusiasm this sport has generated in billions of fans worldwide. Many all-time greats have existed in this game, the majority of them in the last 60 years. This article brings them to the limelight and gives you a reason to appreciate their sporting prowess.
Grab a bucket of popcorn and read to the end. Remember to stay updated with the latest matches from the Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, and so on.
Soccer’s All-Time Greats: Champions that have graced the Game
Below is a list of players we feel should be included in soccer’s all-time greatest list. Now slow your roll; this list was compiled entirely based on merit and deep research into the players ad their achievements. The soccer stats used to grade them are all verifiable.
To fully enjoy this, you must drop all biases and look at them objectively. Remember, this is not a ranking but a list. So, in no specific order, let’s dig in:
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Zinedine Zidane:
Zinedine Zidane, also known as “Zizou,” was an exceptional soccer player who ruled the late 20th century. The French player started playing soccer at 14 and played professionally for 17 years beginning in 1989.
He led the France National Team for 10 years and won many trophies, and he is one of the nine players in history to have won a World Cup, the Champions League, and a Ballon d’Or. At club level, he played for several top teams, including Juventus and Real Madrid, and has over 150 career goals. He retired in 2006.
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Diego Maradona:
Some soccer schools of thought regard Maradona as one of the greatest players ever to walk the earth’s surface. The reason is not far-fetched because Diego Maradona had incredible dribbling skills that would strike fear into the spine of any team. His otherworldly pass and cross precision earned him a fantastic number of assists during his career.
He scored a whooping over 350 goals during his career. He led Argentina to victory in 1986, scoring five goals and providing five assists. One of his most famous goals was the “Hand of God” goal during the world cup. He retired from soccer in 1997 with 11 trophies to his name.
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Pele:
Pele is notably among the greatest players to have blessed the game with his skills. He wowed the world of soccer for 22 years. He was named FIFA Player of the Century due to his beautiful contribution to the sport in the 20th century.
He has the record for the most goals by any player, 1281 goals, and holds the highest number of assists in FIFA World Cup history. Pele has a record of winning 26 trophies, which includes 3 World Cups (the only player in history to have achieved that.) He retired from professional soccer in October 1977.
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Lionel Messi:
Lionel Andres Messi is a player of unimaginable repute. Words cannot do justice to the wonders this player can perform; his speed, fluidity, and ability to dribble his way through defenders. He started playing soccer in 1995 and debuted in Barcelona in 2004.
He played in Barcelona for 17 years, scoring 672 goals and winning 34 trophies before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021; he currently plays for Inter Miami. He won the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup with his national team Argentina. It is a famous saying that he has completed soccer. In his career, as of June 2023, he had 1038 goals, 358 assists, and 7 Ballon d’Or.
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Cristiano Ronaldo:
Here we have another extremely exceptional player; the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo. If sheer hard work were a person, it would be Ronaldo, popularly known as CR7. His work ethic, exclusive soccer skills, and unmatched goal-scoring abilities have made him one of the most successful players ever.
Ronaldo has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in his run as a player and is currently at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He has won 5 Ballon d’Ors, has 32 senior trophies, and has amassed over 1100 career goals and over 800 club goals. Cristiano is an awe-inspiring player who serves as a mentor to many players and non-players at large. You can quickly check out his recent activities by following soccer live streams.
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Ronaldinho Gaucho:
Ronaldo Moreira, or Gucho, was a legendary player, as no one ever came close to him in soccer skills. He performed many incredible fits with soccer during his prime years. This Brazilian legend started playing soccer when he was seven. When he was 13, he scored all 23 goals in a game where his team won 23-0.
He played professionally for Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Barcelona. His major trophies include two La Ligas, the 2002 World Cup, and a Champions League for FC Barcelona in 2006. He also has two FIFA Player of the Year Awards and a Ballon d’Or to his name.
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Michel Platini:
Platini was at some point referred to as the greatest French player until the rise of Zidane. This attacking midfielder was an exquisite player in all rights and had a vast soccer brain, making him an outstanding playmaker.
Michel Platini won three Ballon d’Or in a row, namely in 1983, 1984, and 1985. He scored 312 goals in his club appearances and 41 goals for France. He retired at an astonishingly young age in 1987 and proceeded into coaching.
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Johan Cruyff:
This iconic player from the Netherlands had extreme control over the ball during his days. His beautiful dribbling skills, pace, and strength gave him the nickname El Salvador. He earned this name when he helped FC Barcelona gain back their fame.
His clinical attacks in and outside the box delivered him 401 goals in his 710 appearances throughout his career. Johan Cruyff was able to win three European cups and ten league titles. Although his soccer campaign didn’t yield any international trophy, his contribution to the Dutch team can never be overlooked.
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Gerd Muller:
And we’re back with another soccer star, Gerd Muller. This German striker had an incredible career between the 1960s to 1980s, a very accomplished career, we must say. He was notable for his prolific goal-poaching abilities, which granted him the name “De Bomber.”
In his career, Muller scored 735 goals and completed a remarkable 68 goals in 62 international appearances. This legend won the World Cup in 1974 with the German National team, scoring the tournament’s winning goal. He won the Bundesliga Top Goal Scorer Award seven times with a record of 365 goals in total.
Legends, Born or Created, Make Soccer an Exciting Game
From the list above, you see that soccer has produced a lot of exciting legends over the years. They possess qualities ranging from dribbling skills to great control, exceptional pass accuracy to unmatched goal records, and international awards to a broad fan base.
Most of these players have retired; however, a few are still active, and you can always get the latest news about them on Socapro. The list of soccer’s all-time greats is not exhaustive, and they have, over decades, made soccer one of the most exciting sports in the world.
