![\"Gerd](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mueller_170773-1.jpg\")
An absolute legend who did it for both club and country, Gerd M\u00fcller is, undoubtedly, one of the best German players of all time.<\/p>\n
M\u00fcller was a goal machine, scoring 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches, a record that still stands today.<\/p>\n
At the international level with West Germany, his rate was even better, scoring 68 goals in 62 international matches, a rate of over a goal per game.<\/p>\n
M\u00fcller won just about everything you could win as a footballer, both individually and with his club and country.<\/p>\n
Individually, he won the 1970 Ballon d’Or while finishing in the top-three on three other occasions.<\/p>\n
That same year, he won the World Cup Golden Boot and would, immediately afterwards, win the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup.<\/p>\n
With Bayern Munich, M\u00fcller won 13 major trophies including three European Cups (now known as the Champions League) while being the Bundesliga\u2019s top scorer an incredible seven times.<\/p>\n
9. Alfredo Di Stefano<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Alfredo](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/FXETaGfXgAEO7D2-1.jpg\")
Image: Real Madrid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Argentinian nicknamed “Saeta Rubia” (“Blond Arrow”) was the main piece during Real Madrid\u2019s complete domination of both Spain and Europe in the 50s and 60s.<\/p>\n
Di Stefano did something that will probably never be done ever again: scoring in five consecutive European Cup finals, helping Real Madrid win all five titles.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s most remembered for his hat-trick in Madrid\u2019s 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup final in front of over 127,000 people in Glasgow, a match considered by many as one of the greatest matches ever played.<\/p>\n
After starting his career with River Plate (Argentina) and Millonarios (Colombia), Di Stefano moved to Spain and featured at Real Madrid for 11 years, winning an incredible eight La Liga titles.<\/p>\n
Di Stefano won the Ballon d’Or twice and is the only player ever to be awarded the Super Ballon d’Or. The award was given to Di Stefano for being chosen as the best football player of the previous three decades.<\/p>\n
The award may finally be given out again in 2029 and is only eligible for multiple-time Ballon d\u2019Or winners since 1989 (Messi, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Van Basten).<\/p>\n
8. Franz Beckenbauer<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Franz](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/beckenbauer_ima_1974-1.jpg\")
Image: Bayern Munich<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBeckenbauer is arguably the greatest defender who ever lived.<\/p>\n
The German is the only defensive player who is on this list and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s nearly impossible for a defender to win the Ballon d\u2019Or and Beckenbauer did it on two occasions, winning in 1972 and 1976 while finishing in the top-three on three other occasions.<\/p>\n
At the club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer was a catalyst in winning four Bundesliga titles and a hat-trick of consecutive European Cups between 1974 and 1976.<\/p>\n
With West Germany, he won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.<\/p>\n
Beckenbauer\u2019s greatness continued on the sidelines as well, managing West Germany to the World Cup title in 1990 after finishing third in the competition in 1986.<\/p>\n
Following his World Cup triumph, he left for club football and immediately won a Ligue 1 title with Marseille in his only year at the club.<\/p>\n
After a three-year hiatus, he was picked up by Bayern half-way through the season and led them to the Bundesliga title.<\/p>\n
In his final act, he returned to Munich at the tail-end of the 1996 season and guided the club to the UEFA Cup title.<\/p>\n
7. Zinedine Zidane<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Zinedine](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/https___archive-images.prod_.global.a201836.reutersmedia.net_2016_01_04_2016-01-04T210502Z_20647_PBEAHUMDREJ_RTRMADP_0_ZIDANE.jpg\")
Image: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nZidane was one of the most beautiful footballers to watch on a pitch and is arguably the greatest midfielder of all-time.<\/p>\n
He had a certain style and grace about him and was always one to show up in the biggest of moments, for better or worse.<\/p>\n
Though he may have left the game in heartbreaking fashion with an unceremonious red card in the 2006 World Cup final, his famous headbutt has not overshadowed his legacy both as a player and a manager.<\/p>\n
The one-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner\u2019s list on individual honors is seemingly endless and rightfully so.<\/p>\n
Though he was far from a regular scorer, Zidane was still able to score in two World Cup finals, including twice in their 1998 win over Brazil.<\/p>\n
If that couldn\u2019t be topped, Zidane won the 2002 Champions League final with Real Madrid, putting in a Man of the Match performance while scoring one of the best goals in the history of world football.<\/p>\n
As an unproven manager, Zidane took over a dangerous Real Madrid side and took them to the peak of football.<\/p>\n
In addition to his two La Liga titles in 2017 and 20, Madrid won an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 during the peak of the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry.<\/p>\n
In modern football, sheer dominance at the top is incredibly hard to come by and may not happen for several decades to come.<\/p>\n
6. Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Ronaldo](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-05-231948.png\")
Image: Kai Pfaffenbach\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you didn\u2019t have a love affair or, at the very least, a strong love for Ronaldo and those Brazilian teams in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don\u2019t appreciate the game.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re from Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo won everywhere he played and is probably the only player who ever played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid who doesn\u2019t strike up conflict over his club loyalty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best true number nine who ever played, Ronaldo never stopped scoring until his final days as a player.<\/p>\n
A two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner, a two-time World Cup champion, and a two-time Copa America winner, Ronaldo did everything both at the club level and, most importantly, representing his nation.<\/p>\n
Though he somehow never won the Champions League, Ronaldo is forever iconic and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
The hero of a nation is now the owner of Real Valladolid and Brazilian giants Cruzeiro.<\/p>\n
\nRelated Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Johan](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/D3zK-2IWsAAVnnu-1.jpg\")
Image: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Pele\"](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CgAGVmOt5oeAREc0AAQDo3nbF2A909-1.jpg\")
Image: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\nPele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Cristiano](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/messageImage_1686052725269-1.jpg\")
Image: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Diego](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1986-World-Cup-scaled-1.jpg\")
Image: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-12-002142-1.jpg\")
Image: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMessi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
The Argentinian nicknamed “Saeta Rubia” (“Blond Arrow”) was the main piece during Real Madrid\u2019s complete domination of both Spain and Europe in the 50s and 60s.<\/p>\n
Di Stefano did something that will probably never be done ever again: scoring in five consecutive European Cup finals, helping Real Madrid win all five titles.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s most remembered for his hat-trick in Madrid\u2019s 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup final in front of over 127,000 people in Glasgow, a match considered by many as one of the greatest matches ever played.<\/p>\n
After starting his career with River Plate (Argentina) and Millonarios (Colombia), Di Stefano moved to Spain and featured at Real Madrid for 11 years, winning an incredible eight La Liga titles.<\/p>\n
Di Stefano won the Ballon d’Or twice and is the only player ever to be awarded the Super Ballon d’Or. The award was given to Di Stefano for being chosen as the best football player of the previous three decades.<\/p>\n
The award may finally be given out again in 2029 and is only eligible for multiple-time Ballon d\u2019Or winners since 1989 (Messi, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Van Basten).<\/p>\n
8. Franz Beckenbauer<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Bayern Munich<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBeckenbauer is arguably the greatest defender who ever lived.<\/p>\n
The German is the only defensive player who is on this list and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s nearly impossible for a defender to win the Ballon d\u2019Or and Beckenbauer did it on two occasions, winning in 1972 and 1976 while finishing in the top-three on three other occasions.<\/p>\n
At the club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer was a catalyst in winning four Bundesliga titles and a hat-trick of consecutive European Cups between 1974 and 1976.<\/p>\n
With West Germany, he won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.<\/p>\n
Beckenbauer\u2019s greatness continued on the sidelines as well, managing West Germany to the World Cup title in 1990 after finishing third in the competition in 1986.<\/p>\n
Following his World Cup triumph, he left for club football and immediately won a Ligue 1 title with Marseille in his only year at the club.<\/p>\n
After a three-year hiatus, he was picked up by Bayern half-way through the season and led them to the Bundesliga title.<\/p>\n
In his final act, he returned to Munich at the tail-end of the 1996 season and guided the club to the UEFA Cup title.<\/p>\n
7. Zinedine Zidane<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nZidane was one of the most beautiful footballers to watch on a pitch and is arguably the greatest midfielder of all-time.<\/p>\n
He had a certain style and grace about him and was always one to show up in the biggest of moments, for better or worse.<\/p>\n
Though he may have left the game in heartbreaking fashion with an unceremonious red card in the 2006 World Cup final, his famous headbutt has not overshadowed his legacy both as a player and a manager.<\/p>\n
The one-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner\u2019s list on individual honors is seemingly endless and rightfully so.<\/p>\n
Though he was far from a regular scorer, Zidane was still able to score in two World Cup finals, including twice in their 1998 win over Brazil.<\/p>\n
If that couldn\u2019t be topped, Zidane won the 2002 Champions League final with Real Madrid, putting in a Man of the Match performance while scoring one of the best goals in the history of world football.<\/p>\n
As an unproven manager, Zidane took over a dangerous Real Madrid side and took them to the peak of football.<\/p>\n
In addition to his two La Liga titles in 2017 and 20, Madrid won an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 during the peak of the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry.<\/p>\n
In modern football, sheer dominance at the top is incredibly hard to come by and may not happen for several decades to come.<\/p>\n
6. Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Kai Pfaffenbach\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you didn\u2019t have a love affair or, at the very least, a strong love for Ronaldo and those Brazilian teams in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don\u2019t appreciate the game.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re from Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo won everywhere he played and is probably the only player who ever played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid who doesn\u2019t strike up conflict over his club loyalty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best true number nine who ever played, Ronaldo never stopped scoring until his final days as a player.<\/p>\n
A two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner, a two-time World Cup champion, and a two-time Copa America winner, Ronaldo did everything both at the club level and, most importantly, representing his nation.<\/p>\n
Though he somehow never won the Champions League, Ronaldo is forever iconic and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
The hero of a nation is now the owner of Real Valladolid and Brazilian giants Cruzeiro.<\/p>\n
\nRelated Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\nPele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMessi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
Beckenbauer is arguably the greatest defender who ever lived.<\/p>\n
The German is the only defensive player who is on this list and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s nearly impossible for a defender to win the Ballon d\u2019Or and Beckenbauer did it on two occasions, winning in 1972 and 1976 while finishing in the top-three on three other occasions.<\/p>\n
At the club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer was a catalyst in winning four Bundesliga titles and a hat-trick of consecutive European Cups between 1974 and 1976.<\/p>\n
With West Germany, he won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.<\/p>\n
Beckenbauer\u2019s greatness continued on the sidelines as well, managing West Germany to the World Cup title in 1990 after finishing third in the competition in 1986.<\/p>\n
Following his World Cup triumph, he left for club football and immediately won a Ligue 1 title with Marseille in his only year at the club.<\/p>\n
After a three-year hiatus, he was picked up by Bayern half-way through the season and led them to the Bundesliga title.<\/p>\n
In his final act, he returned to Munich at the tail-end of the 1996 season and guided the club to the UEFA Cup title.<\/p>\n
7. Zinedine Zidane<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nZidane was one of the most beautiful footballers to watch on a pitch and is arguably the greatest midfielder of all-time.<\/p>\n
He had a certain style and grace about him and was always one to show up in the biggest of moments, for better or worse.<\/p>\n
Though he may have left the game in heartbreaking fashion with an unceremonious red card in the 2006 World Cup final, his famous headbutt has not overshadowed his legacy both as a player and a manager.<\/p>\n
The one-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner\u2019s list on individual honors is seemingly endless and rightfully so.<\/p>\n
Though he was far from a regular scorer, Zidane was still able to score in two World Cup finals, including twice in their 1998 win over Brazil.<\/p>\n
If that couldn\u2019t be topped, Zidane won the 2002 Champions League final with Real Madrid, putting in a Man of the Match performance while scoring one of the best goals in the history of world football.<\/p>\n
As an unproven manager, Zidane took over a dangerous Real Madrid side and took them to the peak of football.<\/p>\n
In addition to his two La Liga titles in 2017 and 20, Madrid won an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 during the peak of the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry.<\/p>\n
In modern football, sheer dominance at the top is incredibly hard to come by and may not happen for several decades to come.<\/p>\n
6. Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Kai Pfaffenbach\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you didn\u2019t have a love affair or, at the very least, a strong love for Ronaldo and those Brazilian teams in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don\u2019t appreciate the game.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re from Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo won everywhere he played and is probably the only player who ever played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid who doesn\u2019t strike up conflict over his club loyalty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best true number nine who ever played, Ronaldo never stopped scoring until his final days as a player.<\/p>\n
A two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner, a two-time World Cup champion, and a two-time Copa America winner, Ronaldo did everything both at the club level and, most importantly, representing his nation.<\/p>\n
Though he somehow never won the Champions League, Ronaldo is forever iconic and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
The hero of a nation is now the owner of Real Valladolid and Brazilian giants Cruzeiro.<\/p>\n
\nRelated Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\nPele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMessi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
Zidane was one of the most beautiful footballers to watch on a pitch and is arguably the greatest midfielder of all-time.<\/p>\n
He had a certain style and grace about him and was always one to show up in the biggest of moments, for better or worse.<\/p>\n
Though he may have left the game in heartbreaking fashion with an unceremonious red card in the 2006 World Cup final, his famous headbutt has not overshadowed his legacy both as a player and a manager.<\/p>\n
The one-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner\u2019s list on individual honors is seemingly endless and rightfully so.<\/p>\n
Though he was far from a regular scorer, Zidane was still able to score in two World Cup finals, including twice in their 1998 win over Brazil.<\/p>\n
If that couldn\u2019t be topped, Zidane won the 2002 Champions League final with Real Madrid, putting in a Man of the Match performance while scoring one of the best goals in the history of world football.<\/p>\n
As an unproven manager, Zidane took over a dangerous Real Madrid side and took them to the peak of football.<\/p>\n
In addition to his two La Liga titles in 2017 and 20, Madrid won an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 during the peak of the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry.<\/p>\n
In modern football, sheer dominance at the top is incredibly hard to come by and may not happen for several decades to come.<\/p>\n
6. Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Kai Pfaffenbach\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you didn\u2019t have a love affair or, at the very least, a strong love for Ronaldo and those Brazilian teams in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don\u2019t appreciate the game.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re from Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo won everywhere he played and is probably the only player who ever played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid who doesn\u2019t strike up conflict over his club loyalty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best true number nine who ever played, Ronaldo never stopped scoring until his final days as a player.<\/p>\n
A two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner, a two-time World Cup champion, and a two-time Copa America winner, Ronaldo did everything both at the club level and, most importantly, representing his nation.<\/p>\n
Though he somehow never won the Champions League, Ronaldo is forever iconic and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
The hero of a nation is now the owner of Real Valladolid and Brazilian giants Cruzeiro.<\/p>\n
\nRelated Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\nPele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMessi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
If you didn\u2019t have a love affair or, at the very least, a strong love for Ronaldo and those Brazilian teams in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don\u2019t appreciate the game.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re from Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo won everywhere he played and is probably the only player who ever played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid who doesn\u2019t strike up conflict over his club loyalty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best true number nine who ever played, Ronaldo never stopped scoring until his final days as a player.<\/p>\n
A two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner, a two-time World Cup champion, and a two-time Copa America winner, Ronaldo did everything both at the club level and, most importantly, representing his nation.<\/p>\n
Though he somehow never won the Champions League, Ronaldo is forever iconic and is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players of all time.<\/p>\n
The hero of a nation is now the owner of Real Valladolid and Brazilian giants Cruzeiro.<\/p>\n
Related Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\nPele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\nImage: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMessi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
- \n
- <\/i> How to Bet on Soccer<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- <\/i> How to Bet on the Champions League<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
5. Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Image: AFC Ajax<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you have a move named after you, you\u2019ve probably done something to change the game forever.<\/p>\n
Johan Cruyff not only won the Ballon d\u2019Or three times, he\u2019s also widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time due to his application of \u201cTotal Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruyff won 22 major trophies as a player, including three Champions League titles with Ajax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Cruyff and company fell short in the 1974 World Cup final, which would have further solidified his legacy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Cruyff is widely credited with Barcelona\u2019s long-term success, transforming the Spanish giants from one of the better sides in world football to a legendary club.<\/p>\n
Cruyff would go on to win 14 trophies as a manager, including four-straight LaLiga titles and the 1992 European Cup.<\/p>\n
While Cruyff passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, his legacy lives on, having Ajax\u2019s Amsterdam Arena being renamed Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017.<\/p>\n
4. Pele<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Image: Pele Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While many regard Pele as the best soccer player of all time, it\u2019s hard to convince someone like myself that he would do the business in something that embodied the modern game.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Pele holds the Guinness world record for most goals in a career, scoring 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, despite never playing in Europe.<\/p>\n
Many argue whether or not this achievement is legitimate as some games were against literal farmers where Santos would win by double digits.<\/p>\n
Pele was awarded as FIFA\u2019s joint-Player of the Century, along with Diego Maradona.<\/p>\n
While Maradona was the overwhelming winner of the fan vote, Pele earned an insane 73% of the vote from FIFA Magazine readers and the FIFA Grand Jury.<\/p>\n
The seven-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner is credited with growing the game in the United States, as Pele brought instant influence to the country after signing with the New York Cosmos.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that if Pele never left his home club of Santos for New York, that Major League Soccer – and consequently MLS betting sites<\/a> – wouldn\u2019t exist today.<\/p>\n
Pele is also credited with creating what everyone calls \u201cthe beautiful game\u201d, as he was one of the first to ignore regular tactics and developed an incredibly eye-catching style of his own.<\/p>\n
To this day, he is still the only player in the history of the game to ever win three World Cup titles as a player, something that may never happen for another 50 or 100 years.<\/p>\n
3. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Image: Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While Cristiano Ronaldo himself declared Pele the greatest player of all time, few can argue about his impact on the game of soccer.<\/p>\n
Even Real Madrid honorary president and former player, Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano, who\u2019s also on this list, stated that: \u201cThe best player ever? Pel\u00e9. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pel\u00e9 was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi developed a complete duopoly over who was the best player in the world for the better part of two decades.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo himself won five Ballon d\u2019Or titles and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his five Champions League wins.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo\u2019s ability to score over a goal a game for virtually his entire career allowed him to win titles wherever he\u2019s played, winning a total of 29 team titles to date.<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s no doubt that the happiest moment of his career was helping Portugal to their 2016 European Championship title, something that the country would have never thought about before he joined up with the squad.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable players in the world and has amassed a staggering net worth<\/a> through sponsors and endorsements.<\/p>\n
2. Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Image: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While many would put Diego Maradona at the top of this list, he simply didn\u2019t play enough games to warrant being labeled as the greatest soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Despite never winning a Ballon d\u2019Or, many believe he would have won the award multiple times as non-European players were ineligible to win for the majority of his career.<\/p>\n
Until the last decade or so, Maradona and Pele were in a two-way heat over who was the best soccer player of all time.<\/p>\n
Even during the late stages of the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry, many claimed that Maradona was the best ever, only until Messi lifted the World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Maradona scored what\u2019s undoubtedly the greatest goal of all-time, dribbling past four defenders to score against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals en route to lifting the cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA even held a vote ahead of the 2002 World Cup and awarded Maradona the \u201cFIFA World Cup Goal of the Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a crazy-successful career in Argentina with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Maradona became a beloved figure during his brief stay with Barcelona and then with an unexpectedly long career with Napoli.<\/p>\n
In fact, both of his transfers were world-record transfer fees at the time. Nobody has ever claimed that the money wasn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>\n
Maradona won Serie A with the club in 1987 and 1990, two of his five trophies at the club.<\/p>\n
Napoli had never won the league before his arrival and didn\u2019t again until last season.<\/p>\n
They are one of numerous clubs to have retired his number 10 and name their stadium after him.<\/p>\n
1. Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Image: FIFA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Messi, to this day, remains the most popular player in the world and draws a huge crowd wherever he goes.<\/p>\n
- <\/i> MLS Betting Tips Guide<\/a><\/li>\n