Legendary Footballers: The World’s Greatest Footballers of All Time

When it comes to legendary footballers, of course, the best footballers ever come to mind. If you were to prepare a list of the most legendary footballers of all time, who have been engraved in our minds with their beautiful and gentlemanly plays on the field and the goals they scored, which names would be on your list? Football has a long history, dating back to the 1800s. On this date, we have prepared an enormous list of old football players, new successful players, former legendary footballers, legendary forwards, unforgettable goalkeepers!


1) Diego Maradona

legendary football players

Height: 1.67

Position: Midfielder – Number 10

Foot: Left Foot

One of the first people that comes to mind when it comes to legendary football players is the Argentine football player Diego Maradona. Shining star in 1976, with the football he played until 1997, he established a throne in the hearts of everyone who is interested in football from seven to seventy. Diego Maradona, who is a legend with his approach and stance on current events as well as his success in football, started his football life in the Estrella Roja team. Argentinos, Boca Juniors and Napoli are among the teams that the player, who is appreciated day by day with his talent, left a mark. Maradona is considered by some to be the best football player of all time.


2) Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Pelé

legendary football players

Height: 1.76

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

At the age of 17, he made his name among the legendary football players at a very young age with his game in the World Cup. Proclaimed as a National Treasure, Pelé is described as the “Uncrowned King” of the football world. Pelé, who left football in 1977, took part in 1363 league games in total. The Uncrowned King Pelé, who is especially remembered with the football he played for the Santos team, appeared in front of the Turkish audience in the Fenerbahçe-Santos match played in Turkey in 1973. Pele is also considered by some to be the best football player in history.


3) Ronaldo de Assis Moreira – Ronaldinho

legendary football players

Height: 1.79

Position: Wing – Number One

Foot: Right Foot

Another name that tops the list of football legends is Ronaldinho. A large part of Ronaldinho’s football adventure, which fascinated football lovers with the football he played in Barcelona and in the national team matches, passed in European teams. The player, who contributed to his success in Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Milan teams, was entitled to receive the FIFA World Player of the Year Award 2 times.


4) Zinedine Zidane

legendary football players

Height: 1.85

Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield

Leg: Double Leg

Zidane, who started working as the coach of Real Madrid in 2016, won the Champions League 3 years in a row. Returning to the team after a short break, Zidane left Real Madrid in 2021. He was named FIFA Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003. Zidane Bordeaux, who wrote his name in golden letters among the legendary football players, left his mark on the Juventus and Real Madrid teams. Zidane is also a name that can be counted among the best football players in the world.


5) Marcel Marco van Basten

legendary football players

Height: 1.86

Position: Centre-Forward

Foot: Right Foot

Dutch football player Marco van Basten has been engraved in our minds especially with the game he played for Ajax and Milan in the 1980s. Considered one of the best strikers ever, Basten scored 277 goals throughout his career. After playing his last game at the age of 28, he continued his football adventure by coaching Ajax and the Netherlands national team.


6) Arthur Antunes Coimbra – Zico

futbolcu

Height: 1.72

Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield

Foot: Right Foot

As we all know, Zico is one of the most successful footballers that comes to mind when it comes to legendary football players. Although he is one of the most unique football players in football history, Zico, known as “White Pele”, continued to be a legend as a coach after ending his football career.


7) David Beckham

legendary football players

Height: 1.82

Position: Midfielder

Foot: Right Foot

David Beckham, another name on the list of legendary football players, is currently the president of Inter Miami CF. He is the first English player to win a league title in each of England, Spain, United States and France leagues. Ending his 20-year career in 2013, Beckham played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain.


8) Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima

legendary football players

Height: 1.83

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

A whole generation emulated Ronaldo and had his hair done like him. The third-highest goal scorer for the Brazilian national team, Ronaldo played in 98 matches for the national team, scoring a total of 62 goals. In addition to being a good striker, he made a throne in the hearts, especially with the visual feast he made with the ball. PSV, Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the teams that he left his mark on during his football career.


9) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

legendary football players

Height: 1.95

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

One of the best strikers in history. Ibrahimovic started his career at the end of the 1990s and took a step forward with the national team jersey he wore in 2001. Then in 2010 he was promoted to the captain of the national team. Ibrahimovic, who climbed the career ladder one by one, was transferred to Barcelona as the second most expensive player in history. In addition, he made his mark among the legendary footballers who won the most trophies with 32 trophies throughout his career.


10) George Weah

legendary football players

Height: 1.84

Position: Forward – Center Forward

George Weah, who made his name among the legendary football players with the football he played between 1985 and 2003, entered politics after his football career. He became president of Liberia in 2018. In his football career, he became the top scorer of the UEFA Champions League with the goals he scored in the 1994-95 season. Weah, who received the African Player of the Century Award, played for the Liberia national team in 60 matches.


11) Michel Platini

legendary football players

Height: 1.77

Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield

Receiving the Player of the Year Award in Europe for 3 consecutive years, Platini was one of the best football players during his time playing football. After his career as a football player ended, Platini, who was a coach and president of UEFA, has always existed in football. 20 by IFFHS. 7th best of the century. He was chosen as a football player and put his name on the list of legendary football players.


12) Dennis Bergkamp

legendary football players

Height: 1.88

Position: Forward – Back Striker

Foot: Right Foot

He made his mark among the star football players with his tactical knowledge and extraordinary passes. He was the star player of the team in the season when they were undefeated champions, which can be considered the most amazing period of Arsenal. Even though his career is over, he is a legendary football player who still makes a name for himself with his goals against the laws of physics.


13) Luis Figo

legendary football players

Height: 1.80

Position: Forward – Right Winger

Foot: Right Foot

One of the legendary football players who broke the transfer record during the period he played, when he transferred from Barcelona to Real Madrid, he caused a great turmoil in the football world. As he was very good on the right wing, he stoned many players with his game in different positions. Figo, one of the players whose success does not remain without an award, was selected as the European Footballer of the Year by UEFA in 2000, and was awarded the Footballer of the Year Award by FIFA in 2001.


14) Rio Gavin Ferdinand

legendary football players

Height: 1.89

Position: Defender – Centre-Back

Foot: Right Foot

He played for the England national team in 1998, 2002 and 2006. He has appeared on the field with the national team jersey a total of 66 times so far. He started his football career playing for West Ham United. He has the title of most expensive defender.


15) Ricardo Kaka

legendary football players

Height: 1.86

Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield

Leg: Double Leg

Kaka, one of the legendary Brazilian football players, became the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League in the 2007 season. He was also named the best striker that season. At the age of 20, he won the championship with the national team jersey he wore at the 2002 World Cup. In his football adventure, he won 1 World Cup, 1 Champions League, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Serie A, 1 Italian Super Cup, 1 La Liga Championship and 1 Ballon d’Or.


16) Andres Iniesta

legendary football players

Height: 1.71

Position: Midfielder – Central Midfielder

Leg: Double Leg

He is one of the most successful players in Barcelona after Ronaldinho. Iniesta, who can reflect his analytical intelligence very well in the game he plays, has established a throne in the hearts of football lovers with his goals. Despite playing in the midfield, Iniesta, who also scored game-ending goals, was also famous for breaking the opponent’s defense resistance.


17) Zoran Simovic

futbolcu

Height: 1.86

Position: Goalkeeper

The legendary goalkeeper of Galatasaray, Zoran Simovic, is one of the football players who have his name written in gold letters among the legendary football players. Born in 1954, Yugoslav national team player Simovic started his football career at SZ Napredak. He was one of the favorite goalkeepers when he played. Thanks to the balls he saved, Galatasaray became the league champion after 14 years.


18) Roberto Baggio

legendary football players

Height: 1.74

Position: Forward – Back Striker

Foot: Right Foot

Roberto Baggio, the legendary football player of the generation who was a child in the 1990s, set a throne in the hearts of a generation by exhibiting the example of the team alone in the 1994 World Cup. He made the game even more exciting with his attacks. Moreover, when faced with goalkeepers, he would make his goals unique with his tackles.


19) Dino Zoff

futbolcu

Height: 1.82

Position: Goalkeeper

Dino Zoff, who holds the title of goalkeeper, the oldest World Cup Champion in the world, achieved an unbreakable success by not conceding a goal for 1193 minutes in international matches. As a result of his success, he wore the Italian national team uniform 112 times. After his football career ended, he took on the coaching role of many teams, including the Italian national team.


20) Eusebio

futbolcu

Height: 1.77

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Foot: Right Foot

The Portuguese football player of Mozambique origin wrote his name in history with the most beautiful and successful goals he scored. He did his best for the Portugal team, for which he played for the national team in the 1966 World Cup. With the influence of Eusebio, the Portuguese team 3. it happened. He was nicknamed the “black panther” for his fast and accurate shooting. Eusebio, whose success did not go without awards, was 20th in a survey conducted by IFFHS. 9th among the best football players of the century. ordinary entry.


21) Ferenc Puskas

puskas ferenc

Height: 1.72

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Foot: Left Foot

In the Spanish league, he scored a total of 511 goals, a success that is difficult to break. Although he looks short and overweight, his excellent use of his left foot has made him a legend. He was the unforgettable player of the Real Madrid team.


22) Metin Oktay

text oktay

Height: 1.77

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

He is perhaps the most legendary player of the Galatasaray team and Turkish leagues ever. The great goals signed by Metin Oktay, who deserved the nickname “The Uncrowned King”, are still in the memory of many football fans. Oktay, who also plays football in Serie A, became a coach after he stopped playing football. He was a highly appreciated football player not only for his football but also for his social life.


23) Lionel Messi

messi

Height: 1.69

Position: Forward – Right Winger

Foot: Left Foot

Lionel Messi, who is one of the most talked about football players recently, started his football career at Newell’s Old Boys. His family moved to Barcelona for Messi’s football career. Playing for Barcelona for the first time in the 2004-2005 season, Messi became the youngest player to score a goal in La Liga. His football success was awarded dozens of awards. He left Barcelona in 2021, his team, which he first appeared with in 2004 and called home.


24) Thierry Henry

futbolcu

Height: 1.88

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

Successful football player Henry started his professional career in 1994. Thanks to the wonderful images he displayed with the ball, he started to climb the career ladder one by one, first to Juventus and then to the France national team. He scored a total of 226 goals in the Premier League. Of course, this success did not go without an award and he was deemed worthy of many important awards throughout his career.


25) Gianluigi Buffon

futbolcu

Height: 1.92

Position: Goalkeeper

Foot: Right Foot

When it comes to the legendary goalkeeper of Parma and Juventus, there is only one name that comes to mind: Gigi Buffon. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Goalkeeper awards by UEFA for defending his goal in Juventus. In 2005, his shoulder was dislocated as a result of a position he faced Kaka. Even though his injury took him off the field, his comeback was better. Juventus had to sell their star players due to difficulties. However, Buffon did not agree to leave his team and continued to play in the relegated team. Thanks to this move, Juventus jumped first with their successful goalkeeper.


26) Samuel Eto’o

futbolcu

Height: 1.80

Position: Forward – Center Forward

Leg: Double Leg

Eto, one of the best strikers of all time and one of the legendary African footballers, started his professional football career playing for the Real Madrid B team. He became the top scorer of La Liga by scoring a total of 26 goals in the 2005-2006 season when he played in Eto Barcelona, which started to climb the career ladder one by one.


27) Xavier Hernández Creus – Xavi

futbolcu

Height: 1.69

Position: Midfielder – Central Midfielder

Foot: Right Foot

Among the legendary footballers, Xavi won the World Cup once and the UEFA Champions League 4 times during his football career. Xavi started training in Barcelona when he was just 11 years old. He added success to his success with the goals he scored in the matches he played for the national team.


28) Lefter Küçükandonyadis

futbolcu

Height: 1.69

Position: Forward

Leg: Double Leg

Lefter, one of the most legendary players of the Fenerbahçe team, was born in 1925 in Büyükada. He was brought up by court order so that he could play professional football. After his football career ended, he continued his football adventure as a coach. He worked as a coach in many teams in Greece, South Africa and Turkey.


29) Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreirafutbolcu

Height: 1.86

Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield

Foot: Left Foot

One of the indispensable names of the legendary football players list is Rivaldo. During his football career, he played for the national team 72 times and brought the ball to the nets 34 times. In 1999, he achieved the title of the best football player of the year in the world and in Europe.


30) Paolo Maldini

futbolcu

Height: 1.86

Position: Defender – Left-Back

Leg: Double Leg

He is one of Milan’s most successful players. He spent his entire career in Milan. He played for Milan in 877 matches. He also played for the national team 126 times. He did not allow the players who came across with his defense to pass.


31) Lothar Matthaus

futbolcu

Height: 1.74

Position: Midfielder – Defense

Foot: Right Foot

The successful name Matthaus, who has done great things both in the midfield and in the defense, started his football career in FC Herzogenaurach. He spent the bright days of his career in the Bayern Munich team. He won the championship 3 seasons in a row. He played for the national team when he was just 19 years old. He completed his football career in 2000.

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