Who is the FIFA greatest player of all time? A Deep Dive

In the history of football, there are very few sports events that can compare with FIFA’s global appeal and influence. From small grass fields in remote villages to splendid stadiums in big cities, football has become an indispensable part of the lives of millions of people. However, among the countless talented players who have walked on the field, some have left a significant mark and are considered the greatest legends of all time. These players are not only technically excellent but also captivate fans with their competitive spirit and the historical moments they create. This article from Kingsoccertips will take you to discover the top 10 FIFA greatest player of all time, players who have left an indelible mark in history.

Top 10 FIFA greatest player of all time today

Who is the greatest FIFA player of all time?

1. Pele – FIFA greatest player of all time

Former Brazilian professional footballer Pelé began his career at the club Bauru in 1953 as a striker. He is hailed as an icon and the most versatile player in the world. In addition, Pelé is also one of the players who scored many goals in FIFA World Cup history.

In 1999, the International Olympic Committee named Pelé the Athlete of the Century. Pelé is also one of the few players with a Guinness World Record. Additionally, he is also one of the most successful retired football players with a prominent presence in global media and the sports world.

Among the many awards he has received are the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, the Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur, and the title of South American Footballer of the Year. In 1279 matches, Pelé scored 1363 goals, solidifying his place among the FIFA greatest players of all time.

2. Lionel Messi – Argentine professional soccer player

Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi began his career in 1992 at Grandoli. He has won seven Ballon d’Or awards and six Golden Shoes. With a current annual net salary of $41 million from PSG, Messi remains the highest-paid football player of all time.

Messi is considered one of the greatest players in football history. The Ballon d’Or Dream Team over the past 10 years has always included him. He proved his talent and effectiveness in Argentina’s victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Messi spent his entire career at Barcelona from the beginning until August 2021, making a global splash when he joined French club PSG on August 11, 2021. In total, Messi won 35 major titles for Barcelona, including four UEFA Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Rey titles, and 10 La Liga titles. These are significant achievements for him and his team. Today, he remains one of the FIFA greatest player of all time.

3. Diego Maradona – The best striker in the world

Diego Maradona is an Argentine professional football player and coach, considered one of the FIFA greatest players of all time top 10. Maradona’s presence on the field always infuses a lot of energy into his teammates. He was one of the best strikers the world has ever seen.

Maradona is also known as the “Master of Free Kicks”. However, he is also famous for being one of the most controversial athletes of all time. His infamous “Hand of God” goal became one of the biggest sports scandals.

He began his playing career in 1976 at Argentinos Juniors, where he played for five seasons. He then moved to Boca Juniors for a single season and led the club to victory in the Argentine football championship. Next, he joined Barcelona and continuously won titles such as the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España. Maradona was famous for his vision, passing ability, ball control, and excellent dribbling ability. These skills helped him achieve 3rd place in the list of the 10 greatest football players of all time.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo – FIFA’s top class player

Known as “CR7”, Cristiano Ronaldo is widely recognized as an unstoppable player. A striker for the Saudi football team Al Nassr and captain of the Portuguese national team, he began his career at Andorinha in 1992 as a youth. Currently, he tops the list of highest-paid athletes this year. Cristiano Ronaldo is often compared to FIFA greatest players of all time due to his incredible achievements and ongoing influence in the sport.

Ronaldo is a dedicated player and always believes in hard work. The best thing about him is his work ethic and discipline. Dubbed the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of football, CR7 has won five Ballon d’Or awards and four European Golden Shoes.

He has also won 34 major awards throughout his career, including five FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, two PFA Player of the Year awards, and three Pichichi Trophies. CR7 has participated in more than 1100 matches and scored more than 780 goals for clubs and national teams. With this achievement, he deserves 4th place in the FIFA Greatest Players of All Time list. Besides, he is also one of the most popular football players of all time.

5. Zinedine Zidane – The greatest football player of all time

Zinedine Zidane, also known as Zizou, is a former French professional football player. In 1989, he made his professional debut at Cannes. Needless to say, Zizou is the FIFA greatest player of all time.

He helped Bordeaux win two trophies – the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Cup. After playing for Bordeaux for four seasons, he moved to Juventus in 1996 and led the club to win several titles, including Serie A twice, the Supercoppa Italiana three times, and the UEFA Champions League once.

During his football career, he played for Juventus, then for Real Madrid and the French national team. Zidane has excelled throughout his career, winning many honors, including the Onze d’Or, the UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament, and Serie A Player of the Year.

6. Johan Cruyff – FIFA greatest player of all time

Striker and attacking midfielder Johan Cruyff is a Dutch professional footballer and coach. He began his career in 1964 at Ajax, where he played for 7 consecutive seasons. Cruyff won eight Eredivisie titles, three European Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup as a player at Ajax. Having won the Ballon d’Or three times, he is one of the greatest football players ever.

After leaving Ajax, Cruyff moved to Barcelona, where he coached and helped the team win four La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Champions League. He also made an important contribution to the Dutch team’s performance in the 1974 FIFA World Cup final and received the Ballon d’Or for his overall performance that year. Cruyff is still considered one of the most influential figures in FIFA World Cup history, leaving a deep impression on football fans.

Cruyff’s creative playing style and versatility made him an icon in football. His remarkable achievements helped him secure a place among FIFA greatest players of all time.

7. Alfredo Di Stefano – Player who won many FIFA titles

Alfredo Di Stefano, a Spanish-Argentine professional footballer and coach, started his journey in 1943 at River Plate. He is widely known as Saeta Rubia (The Player with Blonde Hair), thanks to his extraordinary skills and excellent tactics that helped him score goals and achieve success. Di Stefano’s impressive career has solidified his position as the FIFA greatest player of all time.

In the early stages of his career, Di Stefano helped River Plate win two consecutive Argentine Primera Division titles and the Copa Aldao. However, his greatest success came when he moved to Spain, where he became one of La Liga’s all-time top scorers.

Alfredo Di Stefano is also known for many individual honors such as the Ballon d’Or, World Soccer Magazine Award, and UEFA President’s Award. He is one of the players who led Real Madrid to win 8 La Liga titles and 5 European Cups. Alfredo Di Stefano’s colorful and successful journey has made him one of the legends of football, and he is considered one of the 7 greatest football players of all time. He also won the European Footballer of the Year award twice, in 1957 and 1959.

8. Franz Beckenbauer – Player with leadership ability on the field

Franz Beckenbauer, a German professional footballer and one of the most successful coaches, is known as one of the most promising athletes globally. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner began his career in 1951 at SC München.

Beckenbauer is famous for his elegant style, dominance, and leadership on the field. Nicknamed ‘The Emperor’, he started as a midfielder before later switching to center-back. Franz Beckenbauer is one of only three people to win the World Cup both as a player and a coach. In addition to international honors such as winning the European Championship and World Cup, he also won many European Cup titles with his club.

Emperor Beckenbauer is a symbol of insight and flexibility. His name was honored in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Dream Team and the 2020 Ballon d’Or Dream Team, and he was listed in the FIFA 100 list—a list of the 100 greatest living players ever published.

9. Gerd Muller – FIFA greatest player of all time

Gerd Müller is one of the world’s greatest football players, having built his name through constant hard work. One of the Bundesliga’s all-time top-scoring strikers, Gerd began his career in 1958 at 1. FC Nürnberg before moving to Bayern Munich. His brief stint in Fort Lauderdale is less well-known.

Gerd Müller has written history with many major titles such as the Ballon d’Or, the European Footballer of the Year, and the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. He scored 1,251 goals in 1,000 matches and was known for his prolific goal-scoring record.

In the West German team, Gerd Müller contributed to winning two FIFA World Cup titles and one UEFA European Championship. Gerd Müller’s enthusiasm and success gave him the honor of ranking ninth on the list of FIFA world greatest player of all time.

10. Eusebio – Player who left a strong mark in FIFA history

Eusebio was a Portuguese-Mozambican footballer, considered one of the greatest players of all time. With 745 matches and 733 goals, he made a strong mark in football history with this incredible achievement. Eusebio is famous for his speed, technique, and excellent physical strength.

Known as “The King”, Eusebio made history with his hard work and enthusiasm. He moved to Benfica in 1961, where he led the team to win many titles such as Primeira Liga, Taca de Portugal, and European Cup. During difficult times, Eusebio was always reliable and a key player for his team. His professional career began much earlier, but in 1971, he helped Maxaquene Club win many awards and trophies.

Throughout his career, he played for many clubs and won many major awards, including the Golden Ball, World Soccer Award, and European Golden Shoe. These great achievements have earned Eusebio a place among the best football players of all time, securing the 10th position on this prestigious list.

Conclusion

Above are the top 10 FIFA greatest player of all time that we want to share with you. The greatest FIFA players of all time are not only legendary figures on the field but also great symbols of global football, each of them left a profound mark on the history of sports. They are not only excellent players but also individuals who have brought to the world beautiful moments, extraordinary skills, and unprecedented achievements. The titles, awards, and honors not only represent their careers but also demonstrate their great influence on football and society. With what they have contributed, these players deserve the title “greatest of all time” and will forever be remembered in the hearts of football fans around the world!