Top 20 Greatest Footballers of All Time Featuring Messi & Ronaldo

Ranking the Top 20 Football Legends

Putting together a list of the top 20 greatest footballers ever is a tough task. No matter how it’s done, someone will disagree. Still, it’s worth highlighting the incredible talents that have shaped football history.

From record goal scorers like Cristiano Ronaldo, to World Cup heroes such as Lionel Messi, and innovators who changed how football is played like Johan Cruyff, this list celebrates those unforgettable names. Here are numbers 20 through 11.

20. Roberto Baggio – Known for missing a penalty in the 1994 World Cup final, Baggio was an extraordinary talent of his era. His five goals in that World Cup knockout stage and the riots sparked when Fiorentina sold him to Juventus show his impact.
19. Zico – The Brazilian dazzled during the 1970s and 1980s for Flamengo and Brazil. Famous for his 1982 World Cup performance and nearly 400 club goals, he also delivered brilliant assists in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup final.
18. Andres Iniesta – One of five players to score a World Cup-winning goal in extra time, Iniesta’s sublime playmaking helped Spain and Barcelona win multiple Champions Leagues and international trophies. He made Lionel Messi shine.
17. Marco van Basten – Despite a career cut short by ankle injuries, Van Basten's remarkable scoring ability earned him three Ballons d’Or and memorable moments like his volley in the European Championship final.
16. Bobby Charlton – The driving force behind England’s 1966 World Cup win, Charlton set scoring records at Manchester United and paved the way for England’s great goalscoring midfielders.
15. Eusebio – Benfica’s legend scored 473 goals in 440 games, a feat unmatched by the club since. His goal-scoring prowess remains a benchmark for excellence.
14. Garrincha – Praised by Pele as one of the best ever, Garrincha embodied Brazil’s flair and inspired the ‘ole’ chant with his dazzling dribbles and match-winning performances.
13. George Best – The UK's most naturally gifted footballer, Best dazzled with Manchester United, winning the European Cup and a Ballon d’Or during his peak in the 1967/68 season.
12. Ferenc Puskas – A goal machine with 670 club goals and 84 international strikes, Puskas won three European Cups and introduced the famous 'drag-back' move, influencing generations of strikers.
11. Gerd Muller – Known for scoring in crucial moments, Muller won a World Cup and three European Cups, consistently delivering when it mattered most for Germany.

The Elite Top 10 Footballers

10. Michel Platini – Three Ballons d’Or and nine goals in five games at Euro 1984 highlight Platini’s dominance in the 1980s, making him one of the finest midfield scorers of all time.
9. Alfredo Di Stefano – Five consecutive European Cups and two Ballons d’Or define Di Stefano’s legacy as a Real Madrid legend who played selflessly for the team.
8. Johan Cruyff – The architect of 'Total Football,' Cruyff revolutionized the game with his versatility and intelligence, winning three European Cups and inspiring football legends to come.
7. Zinedine Zidane – Remembered for moments like his 1998 World Cup final goals and 2001 Champions League volley, Zidane blended grace with intensity, creating unforgettable memories.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo – A 21st-century icon, Ronaldo holds records for international goals (146), Champions League goals (140), and has scored in six World Cups, cementing his place among the greats.
5. Ronaldo Nazario – Before knee injuries slowed him, Ronaldo was a perfect striker combining pace, power, and flair. Even after setbacks, he shone with World Cup goals and a Ballon d’Or win.
4. Franz Beckenbauer – Nicknamed 'Der Kaiser,' Beckenbauer led Bayern Munich and West Germany to dominance, winning three European Cups, a World Cup, and two Ballons d’Or as a defender.
3. Pele – Scoring over 1,200 goals, Pele transformed football globally, winning three World Cups and becoming a pioneering global sports ambassador.
2. Diego Maradona – Defined by the 1986 World Cup game against England with the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century,' Maradona remains one of football’s most complex and legendary figures.
1. Lionel Messi – After leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory, Messi silenced doubts about being the greatest ever. His record number of Ballons d’Or, club and international successes, and dazzling goals make his CV unmatched.