Top 10 Most Famous Football (Soccer) Players of all time

Football is one of the most popular games in the world. Football players have significantly influenced the game, and as a result, football fans are wild about them. Soccer players with talent and skill have a sizable fan base.

With their skills and talents, these football players have exhibited true sportsmanship, earning them widespread acclaim and a devoted fan base.

Let us tell you about some of the most illustrious and well-known football players ever. Don’t forget to consider who might be in the top spot among all players throughout all generations and who has established their name on the top list.

So here is the list of the Top 10 Most Famous Football (Soccer) Players of all time

#10 Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé

Alfredo Di Stefano was a coach and a professional footballer who was Argentine-born. He is nicely regarded for his achievements with Real Madrid. Though he never played in the World Cup, he played with three different national teams scoring 6 goals for Argentina during his career.

A street near Real Madrid’s training complex was named after Alfredo for the 64th anniversary of his debut, in September 2017.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Argentina	302	1

#9 Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a former German footballer. He is a twice-named European Footballer of the Year. He has also appeared 103 times for West Germany and played in 2 European Championships and 3 FIFA World Cups.

Beckenbauer scored 14 goals for West Germany and was a member of World Cup squads.

Franz’s popularity was such during his career that he was included as a character in Monty Python’s sketch “The philosopher’s Football Match”. He also appeared as the manager of a Galaxy XI of football players around the globe. He was additionally featured in EA Sport`s FIFA online game series.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Germany	72	76

#8 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaucho is a retired brazil football player. At the age of 20, Ronaldinho moved to France in 2003. In 1998, he made his debut for Gremio. He won his first FIFA World Player of the year in his second season with Barcelona as Barcelona won the La Liga title in 2004-05

Ronaldinho has earned 97 caps and has scored 33 goals in his international career with brazil and also represented his country in two FIFA World Cups. He is regarded as the most skillful player and one of his generation’s greatest players.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Brazil	230	187

#7 Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima also known as Ronaldo or Ronaldo Nazario is a Brazilian football player and also a business owner.

In his playing career, Ronaldo was one of the most marketable sportsmen in the world. He has received many accolades for his achievement and he dedicated his third Player of the year in the FIFA World cup to the medical team which helped him recover.

His co-players also stated that “ We have not seen anyone play the game with such precision, ability and that too at an outstanding speed”.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Brazil	357	94

#6 Zinedine Zidane

Zidane known as Zinedine Yazid Zidane popularly nicked and named Zizou. He was a soccer team manager and also a former midfielder. 

He also coached the club named Real Madrid and is considered to be a successful coach in the world. In 1998 Zidane not only participated in FIFA World Cup but also won scoring twice in the final and he is also capped 108 times by France. Later, Zidane also appeared to play consistently for the Real Madrid Veterans team.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
France	152	149

#5 Hendrik Johannes Cruijff

Hendrik Johan Cruyff internationally known by the name Johan Cruyff was a team manager and Dutch soccer player. He won Ballon d’Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. 

Cruyff always had his moral aspect he believed that it is not just about winning, but about winning with the right style/way. Johannes Cruyff’s favorite hobbies included the sport golf and he loves to collect cars. 

Controversy and Cruyff came hand in hand. He was well known for his uncompromising attitude and vocal criticism. And yes, he is considered to be one of the most famous football players.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Netherlands	296	167

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo aka Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese who captains the Portugal team. He is regarded as one the most famous and greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has received Ballon D`Or awards in 5 instances and European Golden Shoes in 4 instances.

At the age of 18, Ronaldo made his debut internationally for Portugal in 2003. The Portuguese Football Federation named Ronaldo the first-class Portuguese participant of all time. Ronaldo the world’s most famous athlete was ranked as the highest-paid athlete in 2016 and 2017 by Forbes.

He is also the first soccer player and third sportsman to make $ 1 billion in his career.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Portugal	815	270

#3 Lionel Messi

Messi was born in Argentina but he moved to Spain at the age of 13 to establish his career in soccer. Messi was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five consecutive years back to back between 2009 to 2014. Messi was also on the list of time’s 100 most influential people in the world. 

He has become the first footballer and first team sport athlete to win the award of Laureus World Sportsman of the year.

He has made around $1 billion in career earnings. He also became the youngest player in the UEFA Champions League to make 100 appearances in a 1-1 away draw to Roma.

Before the age of 20, Messi established himself among the world’s best players. He now has a huge fan following across the globe.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Argentina	773	352

#2 Diego Maradona 

Diego Maradona has represented the country Argentina. He was also the player and manager. This skilled player was given the nickname “El Pibe de Oro” meaning The Golden Boy. 

He was known to be one of the greatest players of his time. He then went on to a coaching career. Maradona played for five clubs in his career and has played four FIFA World Cups. He was said to be the biggest sports star of his time who also had endorsements with many companies like Coca-cola and Puma.

He was also featured as a legendary player in soccer video games. He was a leader taking responsibility for his team and was there in both highs and lows in his career.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Argentina	293	226

#1 Pele(Edson Arantes Do Nascimento)

Pele who is also known as Black Pearl is simply legendary in football. He is taken into consideration to be the finest of all time. He was known for his huge fame and success among the greatest and most popular sports players of the 20th century.

Pele also known as Edson Arantes Do Nascimento is a Brazilian soccer player. He has many titles to his name. He became named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.

In his International career, he has won the FIFA World Cup thrice and has made it to the Guinness record with his goals. In his time, Pele’ was the highest-paid athlete in the world.

Nation	Career Goals	Career Assists
Brazil	1279	231

Read More: Top 10 richest football players in the world according to Forbes

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