Over the course of the history of the world’s most popular sport, there have been numerous updates to the lists of the greatest soccer players ever. And right now, the sport is being played by two of the best players to ever do it, as well as one player who could top this list in ten years. These players will likely bring about even more improvements in the near future.
Here are the top 10 soccer players in history who played “o jogo bonito” (the “beautiful game”).
10. Gianluigi Buffon – 2017 Best FIFA Goalkeeper
Over the course of the history of the world’s most popular sport, there have been numerous updates to the lists of the greatest soccer players ever. And right now, the sport is being played by two of the best players to ever do it, as well as one player who could top this list in ten years. These players will likely bring about even more improvements in the near future.
Here are the top 10 soccer players in history who played “o jogo bonito” (the “beautiful game”).
9. Zinedine Zidane – 3 FIFA world player of the year awards
After winning the FIFA World Cup in France in 1998, Zinedine Zidane rose to legendary status in the country’s soccer community. But in addition to breaking the nation’s title drought, he also broke a unique record by winning three FIFA world player of the year awards and being named player of the year in three of the top five leagues on the planet. Additionally, he performed well in the biggest games. His status as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup championship games serves as evidence.
8. Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d’Ors
Prior to Zinedine Zidane’s arrival, Michel Platini held the title of finest player in French football history for a very long period. In the 1980s, he won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row (the world’s most valuable player award in sports), and he also received the French player of the century award. He is also a member of the Italian football hall of fame, not to be outdone. He is without a doubt one of the greatest soccer players ever.
7. Ronaldo Nazario – 3 FIFA world player of the year awards
Based solely on talent, Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario is among the best soccer players to ever play the game. In addition to three FIFA World Player of the Year titles, he received two Ballon d’Or awards. He was the athlete that introduced a new generation of sports enthusiasts to Brazil as a soccer superpower and inspired his people with superhuman abilities. But a career that might have been the greatest of all time was cut short by knee issues.
6. Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d’Ors
Not just in his own Netherlands, but throughout the entire sport, Johan Cruyff has attained iconic status. His playing style and sporting philosophy were groundbreaking in the 1970s and had a lasting impact on managers and coaches long after he had retired. He is a remarkable player who earned three Ballon d’Ors while blazing a trail through the game and has a feint move named after him, the “Cruyff Turn.”
5. Kylian Mbappe – 2018 Ballon d’Or
Even though Kylian Mbappe is only 23 years old, he is presently considered to be the finest player in the world and is soon approaching becoming the greatest player France has ever produced. He was a teenager when he assisted his nation in winning the World Cup in 2018, and he has since proven that was just the beginning by helping them advance to the finals once more in 2022.
Mbappe’s failure to win the Cup for a second consecutive year was undoubtedly not his fault. The Frenchman, who scored all three of his nation’s goals in their defeat to Argentina, was the greatest player on the field. By the time the team for the 2026 World Cup arrives, Kylian Mbappe might be at the top of this list.
4. Diego Maradona – FIFA goal of the century
Diego Maradona holds a distinction no one else does: FIFA Goal of the Century. However, he may not have a trophy case stuffed with Ballon d’Or or FIFA player of the year awards. He is recognized all over the world for his amazing abilities and is the most revered athlete in Argentina for practically single-handedly leading his country to a world cup victory. Maradona has always had a bit of a retro anti-hero celebrity vibe because to his bad-boy nature.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d’Ors
Soccer’s version of Lebron James is Cristiano Ronaldo. a freak athlete with extraordinary abilities. The fact that he holds the records for the most goals and assists in the illustrious Champions League and has earned an amazing five Ballon d’Or honors (second all-time) is evidence of his excellence. He is such a legendary character that even sports fans who haven’t seen him play have heard of him. He’s 37 years old, just like James, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He is one of the greatest soccer players of all time because of this.
2. Pele – FIFA player of the century
One of the most well-known soccer players in history is Pele. In addition to having the most goals in Brazilian soccer history, which is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself, he also holds the record for the most goals ever scored on Earth (1279). In addition, he has given his nation four cup victories and has recorded the most assists in FIFA World Cup history. Although he was chosen as the FIFA Player of the Century, being included in TIME’s list of the 100 Most Important People of the Twentieth Century may speak volumes about him. Pele was a unique sports legend.
1. Lionel Messi – 6 Ballon d’Ors
It would seem impossible for any Argentine player to reach the caliber necessary to compete against someone like Maradona, yet Lionel Messi has accomplished that feat during his storied career. He set an all-time record for goals scored for the storied Barcelona FC, won a record six Ballon d’Or awards, and will be remembered as the finest player of his generation.
Messi is a once-in-a-lifetime talent who has flourished in a period when sportsmen are trained to their absolute best and made to look like freaks of nature. His one unmet objective is winning the World Cup.
His long quest came to an end in 2022 when he assisted Argentina in capturing their third Cup trophy while playing in the biggest match of his life and scoring twice. He is at the top of our list of the greatest soccer players ever because of this.
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