1. Diego Armando Maradona (1976-1997)
Born: October 30, 1962
Enjoying Place: Supporting Striker, Attacking Mid-fielder
Golf equipment: Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Previous Boys
Diego Maradona received the 1986 World Cup nearly single-handedly and took Argentina to the ultimate 4 years later. He additionally took unfancied Napoli to its solely two Italian titles. Maradona was controversially voted greatest participant of all time in an web ballot held by FIFA. Nobody can deny the truth that Maradona was the most effective ever dribbler of the ball. He proved as a lot, when he scored what was arguably the best ever World Cup objective in 1986 (Awarded : “GOAL OF THE CENTURY” by FIFA in 2002). Maradona picked up the ball on the midway line and promptly proceeded to go away half the England workforce for useless earlier than slotting the ball into the web. That recreation was additionally the one wherein he scored his notorious ‘Hand of God’ objective. He repeatedly refused to confess brazenly to dealing with the ball. Within the nineties his profession hit a downward trajectory.
In Rosario metropolis, Argentina, followers organized the “Church of Maradona.” Maradona’s 43rd birthday in 2003 marked the beginning of the 12 months 43 D.D. – “Después de Diego” or After Diego – for its founding 200 members. Tens of hundreds extra have develop into members through the church’s official website.
2. Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) (1956-1977)
Born: October 23, 1940
Enjoying Place: Ahead
Golf equipment: Santos, New York Cosmos
Within the eyes of many, if in truth not most, soccer followers Edson Arantes do Nascimento is the best footballer ever, and there’s a lot to be stated for that opinion. There may be actually no denying his pedigree. Pelé, as a result of that is who we’re speaking about, has received three world cups with Brazil and scored greater than 500 league targets.
Pelé made his debut within the Brazilian league on the age of 16, and promptly went on to develop into the league’s prime scorer, scoring 36 targets in 29 matches. The following season was each bit as spectacular because the teenager produced 58 targets in 38 matches. His overwhelming debut earned Pelé a spot in Brazil’s 1958 World Cup squad, the place he and his team-mates ended up lifting the trophy. Pelé scored two targets within the closing, because the world sat up and took discover. At age 17 Pele was, and is to this very day, the youngest ever World Cup winner.
His affect on the 1962 and 1966 tournaments was negligible because of accidents, however on the 1970 Wold Cup Pelé as soon as once more shone resplendidly. Enjoying in what many take into account to be the best ever soccer workforce, Pelé was universally acknowledged because the world’s greatest participant. His deft contact, dribbling expertise and super scoring capability, would see him notching up greater than 500 league targets. In 1975 Pelé joined the North American Soccer League, the place he grew to become a goodwill ambassador for soccer. It is a function Pelé has been enjoying ever since.
three. Johan Cruyff (Johan Hendrikus Cruijff) (1964-1984)
Born: 25 April 1947
Enjoying Place: Attacking Mid-fielder, Ahead
Golf equipment : Ajax, FC Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante, Feyenoord
An outstanding dribbler of the ball, George Finest undoubtedly probably the most naturally gifted British participant of his technology. A mix of lightning tempo, good stability, and skill to provide targets with each toes, meant Finest was a handful for even the most effective of defenders.
Serving to Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968 was his biggest achievement. That 12 months Finest was voted European Participant of the 12 months. However within the years to observe Finest the participant would more and more be eclipsed by Finest the rock and roll superstar, as issues with playing, womanising and alcoholism overshadowed El Beatle’s achievements on the sector.
In 1974 George Finest left Manchester United, successfully ending his profession on the highest degree on the age of 27. The Belfast Boy would play on for almost ten extra years at numerous lesser golf equipment, exhibiting occasional indicators of his former greatness.
four. Ferenc Puskas (1944-1966)
Ferenc Puskás (1927) was the excellent participant of the marvelous Hungarian nationwide workforce of the early 1950s. In 1952 they’d received Olympic Gold in Helsinki and the “Magical Magyars” arrived on the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland undefeated in 4 years. Their most resounding victory up to now had been achieved the earlier 12 months once they had been the primary non-british workforce to defeat England at Wembley. In one of many nice upsets of soccer historical past, Hungary had been pipped on the put up by Germany, with Puskas enjoying regardless of an harm picked up early on within the match. Puskas fled Hungary within the wake of the Soviet invasion of 1956 and went on to play for Actual Madrid nicely into his 30’s. At Madrid he teamed up with the likes of Di Stefano and Gento to win quite a few trophies.
5. Franz Beckenbauer (1964-1984)
This record of prime 10 biggest ever soccer gamers is closely biased in direction of forwards, as all these type of lists are typically. We make no apologies for that as it’s these gamers that carry pleasure to the crowds all around the world with their targets and artistry. Nonetheless, this record wouldn’t be full with out Franz Beckenbauer (1945). Nicknamed ‘der Kaiser’, Beckenbauer was the mainstay of Bayern Munich’s triple European Cup successful workforce of the mid Seventies. He additionally captained his nation to the 1974 World Cup, held in Germany. A sublime sweeper, Beckenbauer was recognized for his excellent method and tactical perception. As a supervisor, he steered the German nationwide facet in direction of their 1990 World Cup win in Italy.
6. Eusebio (1958-1978)
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (1942) received 10 Portuguese league titles, plus the 1962 European Cup with Benfica, scoring two targets within the closing. He just about single-handedly took Portugal to 3rd place within the 1966 World Cup, scoring 9 targets. Eusebio’s logos had been his pace (he was the under-19 Portuguese champion of 400, 200 and 100 metre races), fast dribble and a strong and correct right-footed strike. Eusébio scored an unbelievable 727 targets in 715 matches sporting the Benfica jersey, and till not too long ago was the all-time main scorer for Portugal, with 41 targets in 64 matches.
7. George Finest (1963-1984)
An outstanding dribbler of the ball, George Finest (1946) was undoubtedly probably the most naturally gifted British participant of his technology. A mix of lightning tempo, good stability, and skill to provide targets with each toes, meant Finest was a handful for even the most effective of defenders. Serving to Man U win the European Cup in 1968 was his biggest achievement. That 12 months Finest was voted European Participant of the 12 months. However within the years to observe Finest the participant would more and more be eclipsed by Finest the rock and roll superstar, as issues with playing, womanising and alcoholism overshadowed his achievements on the sector. In 1974 Finest left Manchester United, successfully ending his profession on the highest degree (though he would play on till 1984).
eight. Michel Platini (1973-1987)
3 times European Footballer of the 12 months, Michel Platini (1955) led France to 2 World Cup semi-finals and the 1984 European Championship title. Platini began at French membership Nancy-Lorraine earlier than transferring on to Saint-Etienne, the place he received the league title in 1981. In 1982 he moved to Italian membership Juventus. One of many biggest passers of the ball within the historical past of the sport, Platini was additionally a grasp of the free kick, a talent which he perfected utilizing a row of dummies throughout coaching. Regardless of nominally being a midfielder, Platini displayed a outstanding goalscoring prowess. He scored 68 targets in 147 league video games for Juventus, and was topped prime scorer of the Serie A at least thrice.
9. Alfredo di Stefano (1943-1966)
Two-time ข่าว ฟุตบอลยุโรป, Alfredo Di Stéfano (1926) led Actual Madrid to 5 consecutive European Cups. Extremely versatile, many consider he’s the most effective all-around participant in historical past. Di Stéfano was a strong ahead blessed with stamina, tactical versatility, and above all imaginative and prescient that allowed him to behave because the conductor to Actual’s symphony of attacking soccer. Di Stéfano received quite a few home league and cup titles with Actual, however like George Finest, he by no means graced a World Cup. He moved to Espanyol in 1964 and performed there till hanging up his boots on the age of 40.
10. Zinedine Zidane (1988-2006)
Whether or not Zinedine Zidane (1972) or Michel Platini is the best ever French participant is up for dialogue. That Zidane belongs on this record of actually nice gamers absolutely is not. The excellent participant of his technology, he led France to World Cup glory in 1998 and to the European Championship in 2000. He was an outstanding passer of the ball before everything, an excellent playmaker that fed his forwards with nice passes. However Zidane may produce targets himself as nicely, most notably the successful targets within the 1998 World Cup Closing and the 2002 Champion’s League Closing. Zidane was named European Footballer of the 12 months in 1998, and FIFA World Footballer of the 12 months in 1998, 2000, and 2003.