Greatest football (soccer) players of all time

David Villa is one of the most prolific and iconic forwards in Spanish football, the all-time leading scorer for the Spanish national team and a global legend.

• Spain's top scorer in World Cups

• Don Balón Award for the best Spanish player in La Liga

• Best striker in the history of Spain

Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest football players of all time due to his exceptional dribbling ability, unparalleled vision, and record-breaking goal-scoring prowess. He has won multiple Ballon d'Or awards and led his team to numerous titles, demonstrating a consistency and dominance in the sport throughout his career that few have matched.

• Has 506,569,614 followers

• Is the second most followed personality on Instagram

• Receives a high volume of likes and comments on posts

Lamine Yamal has demonstrated exceptional talent and surprising football maturity for his young age, showcasing technical skills, vision, and game-breaking ability that position him as a prospect with the potential to define an era in football.

• Spanish professional football player

Roberto Carlos is considered one of the best for his revolutionary way of playing as a left-back, combining unmatched physical power with exceptional free-kick technique and stamina that allowed him to cover the entire flank for 90 minutes.

• Roberto Carlos considers him the best player he faced

• Second footballer with the most appearances for the Brazilian team

Zinedine Zidane is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time for his unparalleled elegance, exceptional vision, and supreme technical skill. His moments of brilliance, such as his goal in the 2002 Champions League final, demonstrate his ability to decide the most important matches.

• UNFP Honor Trophy, 2007

• Voted as one of the 5 best footballers in history by the AFS

• One of the greatest footballers of all time

• One of the most successful coaches in terms of number of trophies

Diego Maradona is considered one of the greatest football players of all time due to his unparalleled dribbling ability, exceptional vision, and his capacity to single-handedly change the course of matches. His inspiring leadership and iconic moments, such as the goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, cemented his legacy as an undisputed legend of the sport.

• Unmatched dribbling talent

• Considered the greatest player of all time

• Genius who captivated the football world

Johan Cruyff revolutionized football with his on-field intelligence and vision, embodying the concept of 'total football'. His impact transcended his playing career, profoundly influencing the philosophy and style of play for subsequent generations.

• Won several league titles and one European Cup with FC Barcelona

• Won eleven titles as a coach

• Best FC Barcelona coach of all time

• Revolutionized modern football

Dani Carvajal stands out for his consistency and leadership in Real Madrid's defense, being a key player in multiple Champions League triumphs. His tenacity and ability to perform at the highest level in crucial matches position him as an elite defender.

• Right-back

• Best player of the Champions League final

• Under-21 European Champion

• Under-19 European Champion

Pedro Munitis stands out in this ranking for his impressive ability to break down defenses with his speed and dribbling. His knack for scoring crucial goals and his vision on the pitch solidify him as a memorable player in football history.

• Offering and runs off the ball

• League Champion

• Mythical leader of Real Racing Club de Santander

Joaquín Sánchez stands out in this ranking for his exceptional longevity in professional football, maintaining a high level of performance for over two decades. His ability to adapt to different roles on the field and his consistency throughout his career make him a legendary figure in the sport.

• Betis' history through sporting merit

• Champion with Betis in 2005

• Champion with Valencia in 2008

• Player with the most appearances in the league championship's history

Ferenc Puskás is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time due to his incredible goal-scoring prowess and his ability to score spectacular goals. His legacy spans multiple eras and leagues, demonstrating a consistency and impact that few have matched.

• Voted as one of the 125 greatest living footballers

• Scored 682 goals in 700 official matches

• One of the greatest attackers in history

• Top scorer in La Liga four times

Alfredo Di Stéfano is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, a key figure for Real Madrid in its golden age and revolutionizing the game with his mobility and contribution to the team.

• Leader on and off the field

• Voted the fourth best player of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics

• Considered one of the best players in the history of football by FIFA

• He revolutionized European football

Pelé is considered one of the greatest football players of all time due to his incredible record of three World Cups won with Brazil, an unprecedented achievement. His exceptional skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability made him a global icon and a benchmark in the sport.

• Considered the greatest player in history

• Defeated athletes from more prominent nationalities

• The only player to win three World Cups

• His impact on the sport has been immense

Ricardo Miller stands out in this ranking for his exceptional technical skill and lasting impact on the sport. His game vision and ability to score decisive goals solidify him as a football legend.

Fran García has proven himself a talented and hard-working left-back, solidifying his career at Real Madrid and showing potential to become one of the greatest footballers of all time. His ability to score decisive goals and his impact on the pitch make him a valuable player.

• International with the Spanish national team

• He trained in the Real Madrid youth academy

Andrés Iniesta stands out in this ranking for his exceptional vision and midfield control, being instrumental in achieving multiple major titles. His elegance on the ball and his ability to score decisive goals in crucial moments solidify his legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history.

• Named Best Player in Europe by UEFA in 2012

• Greatest record in the elite

• Important player in the history of football

• He was the key to the treble of the best F.C. Barcelona

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, under Di Stéfano's leadership, became legendary by winning multiple titles, including five European Cups, marking an era of football dominance.

• All-time top scorer with Alfredo Di Stéfano

• It features players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane

Marco van Basten is considered one of the all-time greats for his elegance, vision, and astonishing goal-scoring ability. His career, though cut short by injuries, was marked by memorable performances and a lasting impact on football.

• Voted 10th best European player of the 20th century by the IFFHS

• Considered one of the best players of his generation

• One of the most remembered strikers in history

• One of the best strikers in History

Gerard Piqué stands out in this ranking for his impressive trophy cabinet, which includes multiple league titles, domestic cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles, in addition to a World Cup and a European Championship with the Spanish national team. His leadership in defense, tactical intelligence, and ball-playing ability established him as a fundamental pillar in one of the most successful teams in history.

• He elevated Barcelona to another dimension

• La Liga Breakthrough Player (2009)

• Best Defender in La Liga (2010)

• Included in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI (2010, 2011, 2012, 2016)

Julen Guerrero stood out for his exceptional technical skill, vision of play, and goal-scoring ability, establishing himself as a world-class attacking midfielder. His leadership on the field and his impact in crucial moments place him among the most influential footballers of his generation.

• Best Spanish League Player in 1994

• Player with technical qualities

• Scored 13 goals in 41 matches with the Spanish National Team

• Outstanding talent and vision of play

Luka Modrić ranks among the greatest midfielders of all time due to his exceptional vision, ability to control the game's tempo, and on-field leadership. His longevity at the highest level and his consistent impact in crucial matches, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles and a Ballon d'Or, solidify his place among the legends.

• Won the Golden Foot Award in 2019

• Included in the team of the decade by France Football in 2019

• Won the Ballon d'Or in 2018

• Has won 6 European Cups

Zlatan Ibrahimović stands out in this ranking for his exceptional longevity at the highest level of football and his ability to score spectacular and decisive goals across various top-tier leagues. His charisma and winning mentality, combined with refined technique and an imposing physical presence, have cemented him as an undisputed legend of the sport.

• Goal-scoring brilliance

• Considered one of the best strikers of all time

• Most decorated footballer in his country's history with 32 titles

• Consistent player