The Game of Football has produced over the many years players who became legends of the game for their extraordinary skills in their position, their personality, their achievements whether in goals, saves, defense or saves and will forever be remembered and revered in the Football world.
We introduce the top 10 (according to International Business Times. Do you agree with their ranking? Would you like to send us your own ranking? (CONTACT US) Have they left out some player that you think belong on this list? We would like to hear from you!
Before we do this we want to tip our hand. When it is all said and done there is the one and only one who in our book reigns supreme over the Football world and it the one and only PELE’. So much so that we produced a documentary on the life and times of the “Black Pearl”. In 2017 I sent a letter to Pele’ on the occasion of his 77th birthday and dedicated the documentary to his legacy.
To my inspirational hero – Pele’
Since I was huddled around a radio listening to a live broadcast of the 1958 World Cup Final. I have followed you for almost 60 years. Not only did I admire your football prowess like so many millions but even more so your personality and character. You have become my inspirational hero and guided my professional and personal life. Football largely due to you, has become my life passion. Recently almost 60 years later I retired and dedicated my time to my life-long passion – Football.
In advance of your upcoming 77th birthday I compiled a video (33 minutes) about your life and times which I narrated myself. I would like to dedicate this film to you on your upcoming birthday. It will be a fulfilment of a life dream knowing that you received and watched the film and even more so if you liked it. You can watch it here. From one of your oldest admirers:
Watch the documentary here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2wSpBMXXFjhyp9QkMZFYdHmutBM_jkt/view?usp=sharing
HERE ARE THE TOP 10 FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME!
Garincha, Brazil
December 31, 2019
10
His nickname in Brazil, “The Joy of the People,” tells much about what Garrincha offered on the pitch. Born with both legs that bent to one side, the boy from Rio, whose demons ultimately caught up with him, befuddled defenders with the kind of dribbling and ability to change direction never before witnessed. While Pele is the Brazilian known around the globe, many in his home country have more love for Garrincha. When Pele was injured, it was Garrincha who inspired Brazil to their second World Cup triumph in 1962.
Ference Puskas, Hungary
December 31, 2019
9
The Galloping Major was a part of two of the greatest teams of all time. The most integral part of the “Magical Magyars” Hungary side of the early 1950s, Puskas and his teammates appeared certaint to lift the 1954 World Cup, but somehow lost in the final to Germany after Puskas had put them ahead and was then controversially denied an equalizer in the dying stages. Thankfully, his brilliant career did taste glory at club level, having won three European Cups with Real Madrid, including in 1960 when he scored four in the famous 7-3 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Alfredo Di Stefano, Argentina, Columbia and Spain
December 31, 2019
8
In marking his sad passing this week, Real Madrid had no qualms about declaring Di Stefano “the best player of all time” in a headline on their website. It is not hard to see why. Born in Argentina, but having also turned out at international level for Colombia and Spain, Di Stefano played a key role in the history of European soccer, having famously come close to joining Barcelona before moving to arch rivals Real Madrid, and becoming an integral figure in the Spanish side winning the
first five European Cups.
Christiano Ronaldo, Portugal
December 31, 2019
7
CR7 comes in at No. 7 and for good reason. He has shown little sign that he won’t continue to be the brightest of stars on a Real Madrid squad filled with world-class players. Once criticized for lacking end product, he has developed into the world’s most effective player, a testament to his relentless desire for self-improvement, which can also be seen in his phenomenal athleticism.
Franz Beckenbauer, Germany
December 31, 2019
6
For decades every defender with any remote ability on the ball has earned comparisons to Beckenbauer, but none have matched the graceful brilliance with which the man nicknamed Der Kaiser strode forward with the ball and initiated attacks during the 1960s and ’70s. The scorer of an impressive five goals in World Cups, Beckenbauer finally lifted the trophy as captain in 1974 after suffering painful defeat in the 1966 final.
Zinadine Zidan, France
December 31, 2019
5
Scored two goals with his head to lead France to victory in the 1998 World Cup final, but it was with his feet that Zidane brilliantly cut teams to shreds. He was a maestro with the ball, weaving passes with perfect weight to his teammates. A clutch performer, Zidane almost single-handedly inspired France to the World Cup final in 2006. It came four years after he scored one of the all-time great goals in a European Cup final to win the trophy with Real Madrid.
The most recognizable member of the great Dutch team of the 1970s that revolutionized the game with their Total Football, Cruyff was the total footballer. While nominally a center-forward, the Amsterdam-native was ahead of his time in dropping deep to the befuddlement of his opponents. Sadly, fell agonizingly short of winning the World Cup, but won three straight European Cups with Ajax.
Diego Maradona, Argentina
December 31, 2019
3
Maradona played in an era when defenders were allowed to get away with brutalizing their more skilled opponents, and yet he was still majestic. A hero for leading Italian club Napoli to their first and still only two Serie A titles, his greatest achievement came when he inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 1986, scoring mesmeric goals in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
December 31, 2019
2
In dropping deep to the befuddlement of his opponents. Sadly, fell agonizingly short of winning the World Cup, but won three straight European Cups with AjaThe key member of the greatest club team in history as Barcelona have dominated Europe, Messi can change a game in an instant with unfathomable close control while gliding forward at lightning speed. The Argentinian has answered doubts about his ability to perform for his country and could now complete his legacy by leading them to World Cup glory.
Pele, Brazil
December 31, 2019
1
Book ended his career at the top level with World Cup wins, first as a brilliant 17-year-old in 1958 and then 12 years later as part of one of the greatest teams to ever grace the competition. In between he picked up another winner’s medal in 1962, although was injured during the tournament. The all-time top scorer for Brazil, Pele fired in a total of 1,281 goals during a glittering career.