We take a look back at the most iconic footballers in history. Through ingenuity, creativity, skill and passion, each of them has distinguished themselves to be above all others and at the very peak of the sport.
This list does not include currently active players, who will be better judged once their careers are concluded.
10. George Best
The controversial George Best kicks off our list. Despite a career plagued by drinking problems, his talent was unparalleled. Famed for his dribbling, he won the 1968 European Cup, along with two League Titles at Manchester United. As an attacking midfielder he scored 205 goals in 579 games, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1968.
9. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane always seemed to shine in the most important of games. As a central midfielder, he scored 159 goals in 789 games. With France, he won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. His strengths in ball control and passing made him one of the all-time greats in the midfield, winning 3 League Titles and one European Cup at Juventus and Real Madrid.
8. Alredo Di Stefano
Di Stefano is the first forward featured on our list. With 511 goals in his 702 games, he was a consistent goalscorer for Real Madrid. With his club, he won an impressive 5 European Cups, scoring in every single one of the Finals. Despite never featuring in a
World Cup, he did win a Copa America for Argentina.
7. Ferenc Puskas
Renowned as one of the most precise strikers ever, Puskas combined an unparalleled finishing prowess with on-field intelligence. The inventor of new skills like the drag-back, Puskas scored an incredible 700 goals in 705 appearances during his career. He won 3 European Cups and 5 league titles and led Hungary to the final of the 1954 World Cup.
6. Franz Beckenbauer
Despite being a defensive midfielder, Beckenbauer scored 111 goals in 776 appearances for Germany and Bayern Munich. Exerting influence at every point of the pitch, he dictated the game beautifully. He won the 1974 World Cup, the 1972 European Championships, as well as 3 European Cups and 8 league titles.
5. Michel Platini
An attacking midfielder who scored 353 goals in 652 games, Platini was an excellent passer and free-kick taker. He almost single-handedly led France to victory in the 1984 European Championships, scoring 9 goals in the process. He also won the European Cup with Juventus, along with 3 league titles in his club career.
4. Zico
Often missing from these sorts of lists, Zico is still one of the best the game has ever seen. With 527 goals in 769 games, he created opportunities on the field with a deft touch and unique skill. With 4 league titles and a Copa Libertadores to his name, he is famed for making the 1980s Liverpool squad look like amateurs in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup.
3. Johann Cruyff
The epitome of Total Football. Cruyff combined sublime grace and clinical ability. He was a prolific goalscorer with 410 goals in 710 appearances. With 3 European Cups and 10 league titles under his belt, he is remembered as one of the all-time greats despite never earning an international medal.
2. Pele
Often ranked as the number 1 player of all-time, Pele was a goal-scoring machine. He scored an unbelievable 1282 goals in 1366 recorded games. His power, strength and pace made it seem like he scored goals for fun. His contributions saw Brazil win the 1858, 1962 and 1970 World Cup. He also won 2 Copa Libertadores and 5 league titles.
1. Diego Maradona
Many see Maradona as the greatest football has ever seen. His dribbling ability is unsurpassed. His goalscoring was unique and clinical. From the attacking midfield, he scored 345 goals in 680 games. With a far more difficult career than Pele, he still won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina along with 3 league titles and 1 UEFA Cup with Napoli.
These historic greats will always be remembered for their skill, and it's an inevitability that the likes of Messi and Ronaldo will be added to the list soon enough.
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