Top 20 Greatest Footballers Ever: Where Messi and Ronaldo Stand

Choosing the 20 best footballers ever is no easy feat. Opinions vary, and disagreements are inevitable. Yet, acknowledging the legends who defined the sport remains worthwhile.

This list highlights players like Cristiano Ronaldo, known for his goal-scoring records; Lionel Messi, who almost single-handedly won the World Cup; and innovators like Johan Cruyff, who transformed how football is played. We narrowed the list down to just 20 names — will you agree with every pick? Probably not, but that's part of the fun.

Players Ranked 20 to 11

20. Roberto Baggio: Despite missing a key penalty in the 1994 World Cup final, Baggio’s talent shone through with five goals in that tournament’s knockout stages. Fiorentina fans even rioted when he transferred to Juventus, showing how cherished he was. A unique player blending roles as a number ten, striker, and magician.
19. Zico: The Brazilian dazzled during the 1970s and 80s, starring for Brazil and Flamengo. His 1982 World Cup performance included four goals and memorable free kicks. Nearly 400 goals for Flamengo and intelligent assists in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup highlight his brilliance.
18. Andres Iniesta: One of five players to score a World Cup-winning goal in extra time, Iniesta delivered the decisive strike in 2010 for Spain. Though less headline-grabbing than Messi at Barcelona, Iniesta was vital in orchestrating play and enabling success including four Champions League titles, one World Cup, and two European Championships.
17. Marco van Basten: Injuries cut his career short, but Van Basten’s remarkable goal-scoring earned him three Ballon d’Or awards and a European Championship. His volley against West Germany remains one of football’s greatest goals. Think of him as an even better Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
16. Bobby Charlton: England’s 1966 World Cup win owes much to Charlton’s grit and scoring prowess. He was top scorer for both England and Manchester United for decades, inspiring future English midfield scorers like Lampard and Gerrard.
15. Eusebio: The Benfica legend scored 473 goals in 440 games, a record no one has matched at the club since. His skill helped Benfica win the European Cup, a feat unmatched for over 50 years.
14. Garrincha: Praised by Pele for his unique skills, Garrincha helped define Brazil’s flair-filled style. A two-time World Cup winner, he starred in 1962 when Pele was injured, inspiring the famous ‘ole’ chant through his entertaining dribbling.
13. George Best: Possibly the UK’s most naturally gifted footballer, Best’s career was marked by immense talent and some personal struggles. His peak came in the 1967/68 season when he won the Ballon d’Or and scored 32 goals, leading Manchester United to the European Cup.
12. Ferenc Puskas: With 670 goals in 659 club games and 84 in 89 internationals, Puskas was a prolific striker. He won three European Cups and led Hungary to the 1954 World Cup final. He innovated with moves like the ‘drag-back’ and was brilliant even when playing overweight later at Real Madrid.
11. Gerd Muller: Known for clutch performances, Muller scored in World Cup finals and crucial matches, winning three European Cups and a World Cup with Germany. His knack for scoring under pressure is legendary.

Top 10 Footballers of All Time

10. Michel Platini: Before becoming UEFA president, Platini was a phenomenal midfielder, dominating Serie A and winning three Ballon d’Ors consecutively. At Euro 1984, he scored nine goals in five games, leading France to their first major title.
9. Alfredo Di Stefano: Despite recent criticism from younger fans, Di Stefano was praised by Johan Cruyff for his team-first play. He won five straight European Cups and two Ballon d’Or awards, earning the ‘Super Ballon d’Or’ as the best player of three decades.
8. Johan Cruyff: The mastermind behind 'Total Football,' Cruyff revolutionized the game in the 1970s. Winning three Ballon d’Ors and European Cups, he influenced football beyond trophies, impacting coaching philosophies and players like Pep Guardiola and Messi.
7. Zinedine Zidane: Zidane’s genius thrilled a generation with moments like his 1998 World Cup final goals and 2001 Champions League volley. Known for both grace and fiery temperament, he remains a beloved maverick figure in football history.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo: A modern legend, Ronaldo’s incredible stats include 146 international goals (most ever), 140 Champions League goals (all-time top scorer), and being the first to score in six World Cups. He holds Real Madrid’s top scoring record with 450 goals in 438 games.
5. Ronaldo Nazario: Before knee injuries, Ronaldo was nearly unstoppable—blending speed, power, and skill. His solo goal against Compostela left his manager amazed. Even after injuries, he won a Ballon d’Or and scored twice in a World Cup final.
4. Franz Beckenbauer: Known as ‘Der Kaiser,’ Beckenbauer captained West Germany and Bayern Munich to multiple titles, including a World Cup and three European Cups. As a libero, he redefined defending and won two Ballon d’Ors, rare for a defender.
3. Pele: Pele changed football forever, bursting onto the scene at 17 during the 1958 World Cup and leading Brazil’s legendary 1970 team. With 1,279 career goals, he became football’s first global superstar and paved the way for icons like Messi and Beckham.
2. Diego Maradona: Maradona’s 1986 World Cup performance, especially the ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Greatest Goal of All Time’ against England, defines his legacy. Controversial yet genius, he remains one of football’s most significant figures.
1. Lionel Messi: Winning the 2022 World Cup silenced doubts about Messi’s place atop football history. Holding a record number of Ballon d’Ors, countless club and international titles, and stunning goals, Messi combines extraordinary talent with unmatched achievements.