Top 10 Best Footballers of all time

Top 10 Best Soccer Players of all time

The world of soccer is filled with incredible talent, with some players transcending the sport to become global icons. The “best of all time” list is often debated, but certain legends are consistently recognized for their skill, consistency, and impact on the game. 

Below is a detailed look at the top 10 best soccer players of all time, highlighting their career achievements, trophies, and endorsements.

1. Pelé (Brazil)

Career Achievements: Pelé is widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time, largely due to his skill, vision, and unmatched success at the international level. He scored over 1,280 goals in official matches and was the first player to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970), a feat that remains unmatched.

Trophies: 

     – 3× FIFA World Cup Winner (1958, 1962, 1970)

     – 2× Copa Libertadores

     – 10× Campeonato Paulista

     – Over 1,000 professional goals.

Endorsements: Pelé had endorsement deals with various brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Volkswagen throughout his career. His global influence helped make him a household name, and his post-retirement deals still keep him in the public eye.

2. Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Career Achievements: Known for his brilliance and controversial moments, Maradona is best remembered for leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England in the quarterfinals. His dribbling, vision, and leadership set him apart.

Trophies:

     – 1× FIFA World Cup Winner (1986)

     – 2× Copa del Rey (Barcelona)

     – 2× Serie A (Napoli)

     – 1× UEFA Cup (Napoli)

Endorsements: Maradona’s endorsement career was varied, including deals with Coca-Cola, Daimler-Benz, and a contract with Converse. His charismatic personality helped attract numerous brands despite his on-field controversies.

3. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Career Achievements: Messi is often compared to Pelé and Maradona due to his incredible consistency and record-breaking feats. He has scored over 700 career goals and is regarded as one of the most technically gifted players ever. Messi has spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona and is known for his dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability.

Trophies

     – 7× Ballon d’Or

     – 4× UEFA Champions League

     – 10× La Liga titles

     – 1× Copa América (2021)

     – 3× FIFA Club World Cup

Endorsements: Messi’s endorsement deals are immense, with Adidas being his main sponsor. His lifetime deal with Adidas is said to be worth around $1 billion. He also endorses brands like Pepsi, Gillette, Huawei, and Mastercard. Messi’s global appeal makes him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Career Achievements: Ronaldo is one of the most successful and marketable players of all time. Known for his speed, finishing, and work ethic, he has played for clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. Ronaldo’s consistency at the highest level has earned him five Ballon d’Or awards.

Trophies:

     – 5× Ballon d’Or

     – 5× UEFA Champions League

     – 3× Premier League titles

     – 2× La Liga titles

     – UEFA Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019 with Portugal.

Endorsements: Ronaldo has lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Clear, Herbalife, and TAG Heuer. His lifetime deal with Nike is estimated to be worth over $1 billion, and his personal brand has expanded into fashion and lifestyle, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

5. Zinedine Zidane (France)

Career Achievements: Zidane was known for his elegance on the ball, vision, and leadership. He played for Juventus, Real Madrid, and Bordeaux and is widely regarded as one of the most skillful midfielders in soccer history. Zidane led France to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 UEFA European Championship.

Trophies:

     – 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)

     – 1× UEFA Euro Championship (2000)

     – 1× UEFA Champions League (Real Madrid)

     – 2× La Liga titles (Real Madrid)

     – 1× Ballon d’Or

Endorsements: Zidane’s endorsement portfolio includes deals with Adidas, Louis Vuitton, and Pepsi. After retiring, Zidane continued to endorse luxury brands, maintaining his global appeal.

6. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)

Career Achievements: Cruyff is best known for pioneering the style of play known as Total Football and for his role in the development of modern soccer tactics. He played for Ajax and Barcelona, winning numerous domestic and international titles, including leading the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final.

Trophies:

     – 3× Ballon d’Or (1971, 1973, 1974)

     – 1× European Cup (Ajax)

     – 9× Eredivisie titles (Ajax)

     – 4× La Liga titles (Barcelona as a coach)

Endorsements: Cruyff’s commercial ventures included deals with Adidas. He remains an influential figure in the sport, both as a player and a coach, shaping the way the game is played today.

7. Michel Platini (France)

Career Achievements: Platini was known for his passing, vision, and leadership, dominating midfield during the 1980s. He played for AS Nancy, Juventus, and the French national team, winning three consecutive Ballon d’Ors in the 1980s.

Trophies:

     – 1× UEFA European Championship (1984)

     – 3× Ballon d’Or (1983, 1984, 1985)

     – 2× Serie A titles (Juventus)

     – 1× UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (Juventus)

Endorsements: Although his post-retirement career was marred by controversies in UEFA, Platini had endorsement deals with brands like Adidas during his playing days.

8. Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima (Brazil)

Career Achievements: Known as “O Fenômeno,” Ronaldo was one of the most explosive and technically gifted strikers in soccer history. Despite injury setbacks, he won two FIFA World Cups and became the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or at just 21 years old.

Trophies:

     – 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)

     – 1× Copa América (1997, 1999)

     – 2× Ballon d’Or (1997, 2002)

     – 1× UEFA Cup (PSV Eindhoven)

Endorsements: Ronaldo had deals with Nike, Prada, and Coca-Cola, capitalizing on his marketability and his status as a global soccer icon.

9. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Career Achievements: One of the greatest defenders and the only player to win the FIFA World Cup both as a player (1974) and as a coach (1990). Beckenbauer is regarded as a tactical genius, and his influence on the game is profound.

Trophies:

     – 1× FIFA World Cup (1974, as a player)

     – 3× European Cup (Bayern Munich)

     – 2× Ballon d’Or (1972, 1976)

Endorsements: Beckenbauer’s post-playing career continued to include endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, with whom he had a long-standing relationship.

10. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Spain)

Career Achievements: Di Stefano was an incredibly versatile player known for his leadership and all-around skill. He played for River Plate, Millonarios, and Real Madrid, becoming a legend at the Spanish club, where he won five consecutive European Cups.

Trophies:

     – 5× European Cup (Real Madrid)

     – 8× La Liga titles (Real Madrid)

     – 2× South American Footballer of the Year

Endorsements: While Di Stefano did not have as many endorsements during his playing career, his legacy at Real Madrid kept him in the spotlight for decades.