The Best 25 Players Of All Time

[teamwork]

The top 25 best players in the world ever. That includes players from today’s game and those from as far back as 6o years ago.
I am basing this on ability, and potential. That means not just what they have achieved in football over their careers, but the ability they have or possessed.

The top 25 players of all time are:

1) Zinedine Zidane – The ultimate playmaker – strength, pace, skill. Could do it all.
2) Diego Maradona – The best Argentinean player of all time.
3) George Best - Had everything you would want from a footballer – expect attitude.
4) Kaka – Can be the best ever, has the potential to do so.
5) Duncan Edwards – We never got to see his full potential but former players say he was the best they had ever seen. Cut down approaching his best.
6) Sir Stanley Matthew’s – Made a style of play not know in Britain, especially when defenders wore steel top caps.
7) Pele – Perhaps the best Brazilian to play in the world cup.
8) Garrincha - One of Brazil’s very finest players, Stanley Matthews said he was the best he ever played.
9) Sir Bobby Charlton – The greatest Centre Midfielder ever? Maybe, had a big part to play in England’s 1966 success and Man Utd European triumph.
10) Alfredo Di Stefano – played in the days of Matthews, Edwards, made a real impact in Europe
11) Johan Cruyff – Was in a different league most times, and perfected the turn that made him famous – the cruyff turn. Not many have a skill named after them.
12) Thierry Henry – Again has everything to his game, I am sure if he was told he had to play right back he could somehow manage it and do it well.
13) Lionel Messi – Like Kaka, has every chance of becoming the greatest player – especially in Argetina.
14) Cristiano Roanldo – so young, but outshining his man utd team mates, and to do that it takes something special. Same as Kaka and Messi. People don’t seem to think that modern players should be in these lists, I ask why? Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo are doing things that those players done – playing I world cups at young ages, making impacts in Europe and their respective leagues. They deserve to be in the list.
15) Marco Van Basten – perhaps a little to low in the list, but I could not see him better than those above him, maybe he is, maybe he isn’t.
16) Michelle Platini – The best number 10 ever probably.
17) Steven Gerrard – Has drive, determination, ability and is a true captain, saved Liverpool so many times and deserves to be in the top 20.
18) Puskas – From a time that people forget, but always touted as one of the best.
19) Romario – one of the best Brazilians but in my eyes, not a Pele or Garrincha.
20) Dennis Bergkamp – Between Van Basten, Cruyff and Bergkamp as the best Dutch player ever. Had a perfect touch, and finishing ability.
21) Eusebio – The Black Panther, was top draw, probably too low for a lot of you, but like I said earlier, I can’t see him today being as good as those above him.
22) Leonidas – Again one of Brazils finest and deserves a spot in the top 25.
23) Zico – Same as Leonidas – some will put him higher than Leo, some below.
24) Jurgen Klinsmann or Gerd Muller – could not decide both class.
25) Paulo Maldini or Bobby Moore – Would not be a complete list if there was not a defender of this stature in it. I can’t decide who was better, different types of player completely, but two great players, great captains, great attitude.

Totti, Batistua, Rooney, Weah, Carlos, Cafu & Luis Figo - have all just missed out. Those are the FEW I believe could have replace almost anyone in that list. But based on pure ability and talent I have those 25 slightly ahead of them. Just my opinion, but you will probably have a different opinion.

[comme]

The top 25 best players in the world ever. That includes players from today’s game and those from as far back as 6o years ago.
I am basing this on ability, and potential. That means not just what they have achieved in football over their careers, but the ability they have or possessed.

The top 25 players of all time are:

1) Zinedine Zidane – The ultimate playmaker – strength, pace, skill. Could do it all.
2) Diego Maradona – The best Argentinean player of all time.
3) George Best - Had everything you would want from a footballer – expect attitude.
4) Kaka – Can be the best ever, has the potential to do so.
5) Duncan Edwards – We never got to see his full potential but former players say he was the best they had ever seen. Cut down approaching his best.
6) Sir Stanley Matthew’s – Made a style of play not know in Britain, especially when defenders wore steel top caps.
7) Pele – Perhaps the best Brazilian to play in the world cup.
8) Garrincha - One of Brazil’s very finest players, Stanley Matthews said he was the best he ever played.
9) Sir Bobby Charlton – The greatest Centre Midfielder ever? Maybe, had a big part to play in England’s 1966 success and Man Utd European triumph.
10) Alfredo Di Stefano – played in the days of Matthews, Edwards, made a real impact in Europe
11) Johan Cruyff – Was in a different league most times, and perfected the turn that made him famous – the cruyff turn. Not many have a skill named after them.
12) Thierry Henry – Again has everything to his game, I am sure if he was told he had to play right back he could somehow manage it and do it well.
13) Lionel Messi – Like Kaka, has every chance of becoming the greatest player – especially in Argetina.
14) Cristiano Roanldo – so young, but outshining his man utd team mates, and to do that it takes something special. Same as Kaka and Messi. People don’t seem to think that modern players should be in these lists, I ask why? Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo are doing things that those players done – playing I world cups at young ages, making impacts in Europe and their respective leagues. They deserve to be in the list.
15) Marco Van Basten – perhaps a little to low in the list, but I could not see him better than those above him, maybe he is, maybe he isn’t.
16) Michelle Platini – The best number 10 ever probably.
17) Steven Gerrard – Has drive, determination, ability and is a true captain, saved Liverpool so many times and deserves to be in the top 20.
18) Puskas – From a time that people forget, but always touted as one of the best.
19) Romario – one of the best Brazilians but in my eyes, not a Pele or Garrincha.
20) Dennis Bergkamp – Between Van Basten, Cruyff and Bergkamp as the best Dutch player ever. Had a perfect touch, and finishing ability.
21) Eusebio – The Black Panther, was top draw, probably too low for a lot of you, but like I said earlier, I can’t see him today being as good as those above him.
22) Leonidas – Again one of Brazils finest and deserves a spot in the top 25.
23) Zico – Same as Leonidas – some will put him higher than Leo, some below.
24) Jurgen Klinsmann or Gerd Muller – could not decide both class.
25) Paulo Maldini or Bobby Moore – Would not be a complete list if there was not a defender of this stature in it. I can’t decide who was better, different types of player completely, but two great players, great captains, great attitude.

Totti, Batistua, Rooney, Weah, Carlos, Cafu & Luis Figo - have all just missed out. Those are the FEW I believe could have replace almost anyone in that list. But based on pure ability and talent I have those 25 slightly ahead of them. Just my opinion, but you will probably have a different opinion.


How can I put this?

What on earth have you been smoking?

[Antonio81]

The top 25 best players in the world ever. That includes players from today’s game and those from as far back as 6o years ago.
I am basing this on ability, and potential. That means not just what they have achieved in football over their careers, but the ability they have or possessed.

The top 25 players of all time are:

1) Zinedine Zidane – The ultimate playmaker – strength, pace, skill. Could do it all.
2) Diego Maradona – The best Argentinean player of all time.
3) George Best - Had everything you would want from a footballer – expect attitude.
4) Kaka – Can be the best ever, has the potential to do so.
5) Duncan Edwards – We never got to see his full potential but former players say he was the best they had ever seen. Cut down approaching his best.
6) Sir Stanley Matthew’s – Made a style of play not know in Britain, especially when defenders wore steel top caps.
7) Pele – Perhaps the best Brazilian to play in the world cup.
8) Garrincha - One of Brazil’s very finest players, Stanley Matthews said he was the best he ever played.
9) Sir Bobby Charlton – The greatest Centre Midfielder ever? Maybe, had a big part to play in England’s 1966 success and Man Utd European triumph.
10) Alfredo Di Stefano – played in the days of Matthews, Edwards, made a real impact in Europe
11) Johan Cruyff – Was in a different league most times, and perfected the turn that made him famous – the cruyff turn. Not many have a skill named after them.
12) Thierry Henry – Again has everything to his game, I am sure if he was told he had to play right back he could somehow manage it and do it well.
13) Lionel Messi – Like Kaka, has every chance of becoming the greatest player – especially in Argetina.
14) Cristiano Roanldo – so young, but outshining his man utd team mates, and to do that it takes something special. Same as Kaka and Messi. People don’t seem to think that modern players should be in these lists, I ask why? Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo are doing things that those players done – playing I world cups at young ages, making impacts in Europe and their respective leagues. They deserve to be in the list.
15) Marco Van Basten – perhaps a little to low in the list, but I could not see him better than those above him, maybe he is, maybe he isn’t.
16) Michelle Platini – The best number 10 ever probably.
17) Steven Gerrard – Has drive, determination, ability and is a true captain, saved Liverpool so many times and deserves to be in the top 20.
18) Puskas – From a time that people forget, but always touted as one of the best.
19) Romario – one of the best Brazilians but in my eyes, not a Pele or Garrincha.
20) Dennis Bergkamp – Between Van Basten, Cruyff and Bergkamp as the best Dutch player ever. Had a perfect touch, and finishing ability.
21) Eusebio – The Black Panther, was top draw, probably too low for a lot of you, but like I said earlier, I can’t see him today being as good as those above him.
22) Leonidas – Again one of Brazils finest and deserves a spot in the top 25.
23) Zico – Same as Leonidas – some will put him higher than Leo, some below.
24) Jurgen Klinsmann or Gerd Muller – could not decide both class.
25) Paulo Maldini or Bobby Moore – Would not be a complete list if there was not a defender of this stature in it. I can’t decide who was better, different types of player completely, but two great players, great captains, great attitude.

Totti, Batistua, Rooney, Weah, Carlos, Cafu & Luis Figo - have all just missed out. Those are the FEW I believe could have replace almost anyone in that list. But based on pure ability and talent I have those 25 slightly ahead of them. Just my opinion, but you will probably have a different opinion.
Um, there was this working-class German defender, son of a Postal worker, who captained West Germany to the World Cup in 1974...also, a speedy favela kid with big teeth from Brazil, who would play in Holland, Spain, Italy, and become the highest World Cup scorer of all time...

[Iaquinta]

How can I put this?

What on earth have you been smoking?
QFT

[Glavisted Big Soccer]

The top 25 best players in the world ever. That includes players from today’s game and those from as far back as 6o years ago.
I am basing this on ability, and potential. That means not just what they have achieved in football over their careers, but the ability they have or possessed.
With the same parameters:

01. Pelé (Brazil)
02. Diego Maradona (Argentina)
03. Johan Cruyff (Holland)
04. Zinedine Zidane (France)
05. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina / Spain)
06. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
07. Michel Platini (France)
08. Ronaldo (Brazil)
09. George Best (Northern Ireland)
10. Eusebio (Portugal)
11. Marco van Basten (Holland)
12. Garrincha (Brazil)
13. Férenc Puskas (Hungary)
14. Bobby Charlton (England)
15. Romario (Brazil)
16. Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
17. Zico (Brazil)
18. Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
19. Thierry Henry (France)
20. Leónidas (Brazil)
21. Roberto Baggio (Italy)
22. Stanley Matthews (England)
23. Kaká (Brazil)
24. Frank Rijkaard (Holland)
25. Didí (Brazil)

[Wolfbeatseagle]

How does everyone come up with their list? I don't mean that in a mocking manner because the game is so different now. I think of how good they would be today because the game is perpetually evolving. You really couldn't compare a player from the 70s with a player from the present day. I really don't think Pele would be as good if he played today as he was in his day. If you see Pele's highlight film, he is overpowering people and beating a lot of them with athleticism and beating others by juggling the ball as the defenders act like they have never seen it before. That wouldn't happen in the present day because of the fact everyone is a pro athlete that only plays football and only worries about football and perhaps women.

Back then, Pele was juggling around Bob the carpenter and semi pro footballer. Everything Pele did then with his skill is standard in today's pro football player.

[teamwork]

I mean i do know what your saying, the fact remains that the likes of pele, Matthews., Edwards, maradona would have been more than capable with today's game, with the new boots, shirts, adn rules to protect them. But i undertand and that is why i have Zidane at the top of the list.

Also could Maradona have scored a goal like Zidane in the Champions league final like he did, he could do everything and was big in skill and stature. Also the reason Gerrard is there is because a world class player drags his team through, and how many times as he dragged Liverpool through now?

[Excape Goat]

How does everyone come up with their list? I don't mean that in a mocking manner because the game is so different now. I think of how good they would be today because the game is perpetually evolving. You really couldn't compare a player from the 70s with a player from the present day. I really don't think Pele would be as good if he played today as he was in his day. If you see Pele's highlight film, he is overpowering people and beating a lot of them with athleticism and beating others by juggling the ball as the defenders act like they have never seen it before. That wouldn't happen in the present day because of the fact everyone is a pro athlete that only plays football and only worries about football and perhaps women.

Back then, Pele was juggling around Bob the carpenter and semi pro footballer. Everything Pele did then with his skill is standard in today's pro football player.

When I judged an all-timer, you have to see how that player performed during the era. If you put Di Stefano to the modern game, he won't make it to La Liga, but he is still among the greatest because of how he dominated his comtempories. Take Jesse Owen, his time in 100 m is slow comparing to modern runners, but he is still among the greatest 100m runner of all-time.

[Antonio81]

How does everyone come up with their list? I don't mean that in a mocking manner because the game is so different now. I think of how good they would be today because the game is perpetually evolving. You really couldn't compare a player from the 70s with a player from the present day. I really don't think Pele would be as good if he played today as he was in his day. If you see Pele's highlight film, he is overpowering people and beating a lot of them with athleticism and beating others by juggling the ball as the defenders act like they have never seen it before. That wouldn't happen in the present day because of the fact everyone is a pro athlete that only plays football and only worries about football and perhaps women.

Back then, Pele was juggling around Bob the carpenter and semi pro footballer. Everything Pele did then with his skill is standard in today's pro football player.I agree with the fact that Pele would struggle to pull off the free-wheeling moves he did back in the 1960, but am not sure that his skills are just the standard today.

There are far less dribblers today than in the days of old(particularly in Northern Europe, where street football seems to have gone out of fashon.) And defenders are far more skilled, the defenses more organized, and the glaring holes you see in the black and white tapes of defenses in the 1950s-60s are gone now.


Also, Pele never played in Europe, and the Brazilian league isn't known for its tough defenses(even less so back then.)

[gmonn]

Also, Pele never played in Europe, and the Brazilian league isn't known for its tough defenses (even less so back then.)

Just to introduce you to the argument, Pele played against European defenses many, many times, and thrashed them. If you search some posters have documented it thoroughly.

[Antonio81]

I know that, Santos did its share of traveling, and Pele was a phenomenom in four World Cups. But he didn't play week-in/week-out in the Serie A or Primera Liga, the way Brazilians regularly do now. When he and Jairzinho and co. showed up in Europe, the Europeans had never seen his moves done before and resorted to fouling him.

Now those moves are universal and all over youtube and ESPN. The defenders are much better prepared.

[Tribune]

I know that, Santos did its share of traveling, and Pele was a phenomenom in four World Cups. But he didn't play week-in/week-out in the Serie A or Primera Liga, the way Brazilians regularly do now. When he and Jairzinho and co. showed up in Europe, the Europeans had never seen his moves done before and resorted to fouling him.

Now those moves are universal and all over youtube and ESPN. The defenders are much better prepared.


You are way off. At the end of 1968, my national team, Romania, was fighting with Portugal for WC qualification. So, before the start of that qualification campaign, at the end of 1968, the NT traveled all the way to Brazil (from Romania) where they played a cluster of aprox 15 games over less than 2 months against brazilian club sides. When Romania came to Mexico in 1970, they were well prepared to face Brazil and they managed to pull out a very tight score, 2 - 3, against one of the best teams in the history of football.
During the same year, 1968, but in the summer, the brazilian NT also traveled to Europe where they played aprox 12 games against european sides. All these was part of the preparation for the upcoming WC. To suggest that the europeans didn't knew what Pele&Co were about is incorrect. It would have simply been irresponsible.

[kingkong1]

I can't agree with the idea of 25 players composed only of forwards, without even one goalie, defenders, or defensive midfielders.

A football team is not made only of forwards!...

Put 11 of those 25 offensive geniuses together to play against a regular selection with great players in their right positions (it doesn't even have to include the above mentioned 11 geniuses), and see if they won't be massacred by the latter...

Just out of curiosity let's try to form a 'team' with those 25:

Pelé (GK)
Bergkamp
Cruyjff
Bobby Charlton
Maldini
Zico
Zidane
Garrincha
Romário
Maradona
Messi

They'd score many goals but would take twice as much! ;)...

So, if we are to choose the 25 best players of all times, we'll have to select them by their respective positions.

Those are my 25:

1st team:

Yashin
Carlos Alberto
Beckenbauer
Domingos da Guia
Nilton Santos
Didi
Di Stéfano
Garrincha
Pelé
Puskas
Cruyjff

Reserves:

Banks
Djalma Santos
Jack Charlton
Bobby Moore
Marinho Chagas
Bobby Charlton
Gérson
Stanley Matthews
Eusébio
Leônidas da Silva
Maradona

Stand by:

George Best
Jairzinho
Tostão


Period.

[Hatter4]

ay ay ay ay, mis amigos, pele is the best he was magico, could kick with both legs, could pull of inredible feats, like that triple sombrero, out of this world, well maradona is otherworldy two, and he is a little more nuevo than pele, o he wouldfare better now...

[Wolfbeatseagle]

Pele was more revolutionary than anything. He introduced the possibility of thinking outside the box and bringing it onto the field. He paved the way for players like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane, etc., but I doubt he would belong on the same field if they were to have played at the same time.

I think Beckenbauer would still have been good in today's game and most of the defenders. However, most of the famous attackers wouldn't have been good with the possible exception of George Best, Cruyff, and Maradona. Most of the highlights I see of those three, it doesn't matter what year they're playing in because they are beating people with outright skill. I do wonder if they would have been able to play with the speed of the game now, it's so much faster which is thanks in part to the pampered fields, equipment, and most of all players.

Zidane has to be in the top three even though he was a glorified forward. My bias shines through on this one, but Figo would be somewhere in my 25.

[-Fifth CharM-]

The top 25 best players in the world ever. That includes players from today’s game and those from as far back as 6o years ago.
I am basing this on ability, and potential. That means not just what they have achieved in football over their careers, but the ability they have or possessed.

The top 25 players of all time are:

1) Zinedine Zidane – The ultimate playmaker – strength, pace, skill. Could do it all.
2) Diego Maradona – The best Argentinean player of all time.
3) George Best - Had everything you would want from a footballer – expect attitude.
4) Kaka – Can be the best ever, has the potential to do so.
5) Duncan Edwards – We never got to see his full potential but former players say he was the best they had ever seen. Cut down approaching his best.
6) Sir Stanley Matthew’s – Made a style of play not know in Britain, especially when defenders wore steel top caps.
7) Pele – Perhaps the best Brazilian to play in the world cup.
8) Garrincha - One of Brazil’s very finest players, Stanley Matthews said he was the best he ever played.
9) Sir Bobby Charlton – The greatest Centre Midfielder ever? Maybe, had a big part to play in England’s 1966 success and Man Utd European triumph.
10) Alfredo Di Stefano – played in the days of Matthews, Edwards, made a real impact in Europe
11) Johan Cruyff – Was in a different league most times, and perfected the turn that made him famous – the cruyff turn. Not many have a skill named after them.
12) Thierry Henry – Again has everything to his game, I am sure if he was told he had to play right back he could somehow manage it and do it well.
13) Lionel Messi – Like Kaka, has every chance of becoming the greatest player – especially in Argetina.
14) Cristiano Roanldo – so young, but outshining his man utd team mates, and to do that it takes something special. Same as Kaka and Messi. People don’t seem to think that modern players should be in these lists, I ask why? Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo are doing things that those players done – playing I world cups at young ages, making impacts in Europe and their respective leagues. They deserve to be in the list.
15) Marco Van Basten – perhaps a little to low in the list, but I could not see him better than those above him, maybe he is, maybe he isn’t.
16) Michelle Platini – The best number 10 ever probably.
17) Steven Gerrard – Has drive, determination, ability and is a true captain, saved Liverpool so many times and deserves to be in the top 20.
18) Puskas – From a time that people forget, but always touted as one of the best.
19) Romario – one of the best Brazilians but in my eyes, not a Pele or Garrincha.
20) Dennis Bergkamp – Between Van Basten, Cruyff and Bergkamp as the best Dutch player ever. Had a perfect touch, and finishing ability.
21) Eusebio – The Black Panther, was top draw, probably too low for a lot of you, but like I said earlier, I can’t see him today being as good as those above him.
22) Leonidas – Again one of Brazils finest and deserves a spot in the top 25.
23) Zico – Same as Leonidas – some will put him higher than Leo, some below.
24) Jurgen Klinsmann or Gerd Muller – could not decide both class.
25) Paulo Maldini or Bobby Moore – Would not be a complete list if there was not a defender of this stature in it. I can’t decide who was better, different types of player completely, but two great players, great captains, great attitude.

Totti, Batistua, Rooney, Weah, Carlos, Cafu & Luis Figo - have all just missed out. Those are the FEW I believe could have replace almost anyone in that list. But based on pure ability and talent I have those 25 slightly ahead of them. Just my opinion, but you will probably have a different opinion.



Thierry Henry , Dennis Bergkamp, Steven Gerrard , Cristiano Roanldo, Lionel Messi and Kaka are players that don´t belong in the Top 25 of all time.

How on earth can you not have Ronaldo in there? ..

[DonJuego]

Goalkeeper? Dino Zoff? Gordan Banks?

[teamwork]

This is bugging me, i can deal with people saying certain players should be higher, but to say Bergkamp, Gerrard, Ronaldo, messi adn kaka should not be there. If they would have played in the 60's, 70's there would be no argument. and as for Henry he has been probably the best player of the premier league over the last decade before he left, only maybe to be beaten to that title by Ryan Giggs, he is undoubtedly in my eyes a top 25 - look at the goals he scored, his auoura on the pitch.

[Tribune]

When I judged an all-timer, you have to see how that player performed during the era. If you put Di Stefano to the modern game, he won't make it to La Liga, but he is still among the greatest because of how he dominated his comtempories. Take Jesse Owen, his time in 100 m is slow comparing to modern runners, but he is still among the greatest 100m runner of all-time.

He would not be slow at all. If Jesse Owens had competed in the british grand prix from 2006, his 10.2 s timing would have assured him an honorable fifth place.
He would not have been the last man in the race and definetely would not have been "slow" comparing to modern runners.

[gmonn]

Pele was more revolutionary than anything. He introduced the possibility of thinking outside the box and bringing it onto the field. He paved the way for players like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane, etc., but I doubt he would belong on the same field if they were to have played at the same time.

I think Beckenbauer would still have been good in today's game and most of the defenders. However, most of the famous attackers wouldn't have been good with the possible exception of George Best, Cruyff, and Maradona. Most of the highlights I see of those three, it doesn't matter what year they're playing in because they are beating people with outright skill.

Pele didn't have outright skill? Not as good as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane? Try Ronaldo's explosiveness and finishing, with Ronaldinho's touch, vision, and audacity, Zidane's grace and athleticism, and more consistency from game to game and over a long career than any of them. I've still never seen a dribbler do what you can see Pele doing in highlights. He was more of an aerial threat than Ronaldo, more two footed than Ronaldinho (not to mention fitter than Ronaldinho is now when Pele was in his mid-30s), and, well, I'm not sure Zidane belongs in this comparison, he was no Pele.