The 2026 ranking

100 Best Footballers of All Time: The 2026 Ranking

Q: Are footballers and soccer players the same thing?

Yes. "Footballers" is the standard term in British English, while American English says "soccer players" - so lists like this one are also searched as "best soccer players of all time". Same sport, same players, same ranking.

The greatest ever, scored and ranked: from Pelé and Maradona to Messi and Ronaldo. Scores, records, methodology and sources.

Last reviewed: 4 September 2026 Data cutoff: 1 September 2026 Reviewed by Simeon Kirilov By the LigaToday data team

Explore the ranking

1
Pelé Brazil
Score98.6
2
Lionel Messi Argentina
Score98.4
3
Diego Maradona Argentina
Score97.0

Photo credits

100 footballers

The 100 best footballers of all time with scores and profile links
#	Player	Nation, position, era	Score	Top achievement	Profile
1	Pelé	Brazil Forward 1956-1977	98.6	3x World Cup The only player in history with three World Cup wins: 1958, 1962 and 1970, the first at just 17. Clubs: Santos, New York Cosmos Honours: 3x World Cup, 2x Copa Libertadores, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 6x Brazilian champion Category scores: Honours 99.0 · Peak 99.0 · Longevity 97.0 · Influence 99.0	View profile
2	Lionel Messi	Argentina Forward 2004-Present	98.4	8x Ballon d'Or A record eight Ballons d'Or and 850+ career goals, crowned by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Clubs: Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami Honours: 8x Ballon d'Or, 1x World Cup, 4x Champions League, 2x Copa América Ballon d’Or: 8 Category scores: Honours 99.0 · Peak 99.0 · Longevity 97.5 · Influence 97.0	View profile
3	Diego Maradona	Argentina Midfielder 1976-1997	97.0	1x World Cup Scored the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century in the same 1986 quarter-final against England, four minutes apart. Clubs: Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Serie A, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x Copa del Rey Category scores: Honours 97.0 · Peak 100.0 · Longevity 92.0 · Influence 99.0	View profile
4	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal Forward 2002-Present	96.4	5x Ballon d'Or The first man to reach 900 career goals and international football's record scorer with 145+ for Portugal. Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr Honours: 5x Ballon d'Or, 5x Champions League, 1x European Championship, 3x Premier League Ballon d’Or: 5 Category scores: Honours 96.0 · Peak 96.0 · Longevity 100.0 · Influence 93.0	View profile
5	Johan Cruyff	Netherlands Forward 1964-1984	95.3	3x Ballon d'Or Captained Ajax to three straight European Cups and gave the game the Cruyff turn, unveiled at the 1974 World Cup. Clubs: Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord Honours: 3x Ballon d'Or, 3x European Cup, 9x Eredivisie, 1x La Liga Ballon d’Or: 3 Category scores: Honours 93.0 · Peak 98.0 · Longevity 93.0 · Influence 100.0	View profile
6	Franz Beckenbauer	Germany Defender 1964-1983	95.0	1x World Cup Invented the modern libero and won the World Cup as captain in 1974 and as manager in 1990. Clubs: Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos, Hamburger SV Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x European Championship, 3x European Cup, 2x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 2 Category scores: Honours 96.0 · Peak 94.0 · Longevity 93.0 · Influence 97.0	View profile
7	Zinedine Zidane	France Midfielder 1989-2006	94.5	1x World Cup Two headed goals in the 1998 World Cup final and the volley in the 2002 Champions League final, three goals for eternity. Clubs: Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x European Championship, 1x Champions League, 1x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 95.0 · Peak 97.0 · Longevity 90.0 · Influence 95.0	View profile
8	Alfredo Di Stéfano	Argentina/Spain Forward 1945-1966	94.2	5x European Cup Scored in five consecutive European Cup finals from 1956 to 1960, all of them won by Real Madrid. Clubs: River Plate, Millonarios, Real Madrid Honours: 5x European Cup, 8x La Liga, 2x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 2 Category scores: Honours 95.0 · Peak 96.0 · Longevity 92.0 · Influence 92.0	View profile
9	Ronaldo Nazário	Brazil Forward 1993-2011	93.0	2x World Cup Came back from two career-threatening knee injuries to score eight goals and win the 2002 World Cup. Clubs: Cruzeiro, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid Honours: 2x World Cup, 2x Ballon d'Or, 2x Copa América, 1x UEFA Cup Ballon d’Or: 2 Category scores: Honours 92.0 · Peak 99.0 · Longevity 86.0 · Influence 95.0	View profile
10	Ferenc Puskás	Hungary Forward 1943-1966	92.4	1x Olympic gold 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary and four in a single European Cup final, the 7-3 win over Eintracht in 1960. Clubs: Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid Honours: 1x Olympic gold, 3x European Cup, 5x La Liga, 5x Hungarian league Category scores: Honours 92.0 · Peak 98.0 · Longevity 88.0 · Influence 90.0	View profile
11	Michel Platini	France Midfielder 1972-1987	92.2	1x European Championship His nine goals at Euro 1984 remain the record for a single European Championship. Clubs: Nancy, Saint-Étienne, Juventus Honours: 1x European Championship, 3x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Cup, 2x Serie A Ballon d’Or: 3 Category scores: Honours 88.9 · Peak 96.8 · Longevity 91.9 · Influence 93.7	View profile
12	Garrincha	Brazil Forward 1953-1972	91.8	2x World Cup Brazil never lost a match in which he and Pelé played together. Clubs: Botafogo, Corinthians Honours: 2x World Cup, 3x Campeonato Carioca Category scores: Honours 89.3 · Peak 96.5 · Longevity 89.3 · Influence 94.1	View profile
13	Eusébio	Portugal Forward 1957-1979	91.5	1x Ballon d'Or 473 goals in 440 competitive games for Benfica and top scorer of the 1966 World Cup with nine. Clubs: Benfica Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Cup, 11x Portuguese league, 2x European Golden Boot Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 87.5 · Peak 95.6 · Longevity 94.1 · Influence 91.8	View profile
14	Marco van Basten	Netherlands Forward 1981-1995	91.2	3x Ballon d'Or Scored an impossible volley in the Euro 88 final, then had his career ended by injury at just 28. Clubs: Ajax, AC Milan Honours: 3x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Championship, 2x European Cup, 3x Serie A Ballon d’Or: 3 Category scores: Honours 87.5 · Peak 95.9 · Longevity 89.5 · Influence 95.2	View profile
15	Gerd Müller	Germany Forward 1964-1981	90.8	1x World Cup 365 Bundesliga goals in 427 games, a strike rate no one in Germany has come close to matching. Clubs: Bayern Munich, Fort Lauderdale Strikers Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x European Championship, 3x European Cup, 1x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 88.4 · Peak 93.1 · Longevity 88.1 · Influence 97.1	View profile
16	Paolo Maldini	Italy Defender 1985-2009	90.5	5x Champions League 902 appearances for Milan across 25 seasons, every single one for the same club. Clubs: AC Milan Honours: 5x Champions League, 7x Serie A, 5x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Coppa Italia Category scores: Honours 86.3 · Peak 95.5 · Longevity 91.0 · Influence 92.9	View profile
17	Lev Yashin	USSR Goalkeeper 1950-1970	90.3	1x Ballon d'Or The only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or, in 1963, credited with around 150 saved penalties. Clubs: Dynamo Moscow Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Championship, 1x Olympic gold, 5x Soviet league Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 88.4 · Peak 94.4 · Longevity 87.7 · Influence 91.7	View profile
18	Ronaldinho	Brazil Midfielder 1998-2015	89.9	1x World Cup In November 2005 the Bernabéu rose to applaud him after a Clásico masterclass for Barcelona. Clubs: Grêmio, PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x Champions League, 1x Copa Libertadores Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 85.1 · Peak 95.0 · Longevity 91.1 · Influence 92.8	View profile
19	George Best	Northern Ireland Forward 1963-1983	89.7	1x Ballon d'Or Scored six goals in one FA Cup tie in 1970 and won the European Cup and Ballon d'Or at 22. Clubs: Manchester United, Fulham Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Cup, 2x First Division Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 82.1 · Peak 95.0 · Longevity 93.3 · Influence 96.2	View profile
20	Zico	Brazil Midfielder 1971-1994	89.4	1x Copa Libertadores 508 goals for Flamengo and more than 100 career goals direct from free kicks. Clubs: Flamengo, Udinese, Kashima Antlers Honours: 1x Copa Libertadores, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 3x Brazilian champion Category scores: Honours 86.6 · Peak 91.6 · Longevity 89.6 · Influence 92.7	View profile
21	Bobby Charlton	England Midfielder 1956-1976	89.1	1x World Cup Survived the 1958 Munich air disaster, then won the 1966 World Cup and the 1968 European Cup as the heart of the rebuilt Manchester United. Clubs: Manchester United, Preston North End Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x European Cup, 3x First Division, 1x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 85.6 · Peak 93.8 · Longevity 89.8 · Influence 89.7	View profile
22	Franco Baresi	Italy Defender 1977-1997	88.8	1x World Cup Played the 1994 World Cup final just 25 days after knee surgery; Milan retired his number 6 shirt. Clubs: AC Milan Honours: 1x World Cup, 3x European Cup, 6x Serie A Category scores: Honours 88.8 · Peak 90.6 · Longevity 86.2 · Influence 89.3	View profile
23	Romário	Brazil Forward 1985-2008	88.5	1x World Cup Scored five goals at the 1994 World Cup on Brazil's way to the title, then celebrated his personal count of 1000 career goals in 2007. Clubs: Vasco da Gama, PSV, Barcelona, Flamengo Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Copa América, 1x La Liga, 1994 FIFA World Player Category scores: Honours 85.5 · Peak 92.7 · Longevity 87.9 · Influence 90.6	View profile
24	Roberto Baggio	Italy Forward 1982-2004	88.3	1x Ballon d'Or The only Italian to score at three World Cups, yet remembered for one missed penalty in the 1994 final. Clubs: Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Brescia Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 2x Serie A, 1x UEFA Cup Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 87.4 · Peak 90.7 · Longevity 85.5 · Influence 90.3	View profile
25	Thierry Henry	France Forward 1994-2014	88.0	1x World Cup Arsenal's record scorer with 228 goals, a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and an unbeaten Invincibles champion in 2004. Clubs: Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Euro, 2x Premier League, 1x Champions League Category scores: Honours 85.6 · Peak 90.1 · Longevity 86.8 · Influence 92.4	View profile
26	Xavi	Spain Midfielder 1998-2019	87.7	1x World Cup Made 767 appearances for Barcelona and started all three finals of Spain's 2008-2012 run of two Euros and a World Cup. Clubs: Barcelona, Al Sadd Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Euro, 8x La Liga, 4x Champions League Category scores: Honours 81.9 · Peak 92.2 · Longevity 91.4 · Influence 90.8	View profile
27	Andrés Iniesta	Spain Midfielder 2002-2024	87.5	1x World Cup His goal in the 116th minute against the Netherlands won Spain their first World Cup in 2010. Clubs: Barcelona, Vissel Kobe Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Euro, 9x La Liga, 4x Champions League Category scores: Honours 83.5 · Peak 92.5 · Longevity 87.9 · Influence 89.0	View profile
28	Lothar Matthäus	Germany Midfielder 1979-2000	87.2	1x World Cup Played a record five World Cups and 25 World Cup matches, a mark that stood until 2022. Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Euro, 7x Bundesliga, 1x Ballon d'Or Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 83.8 · Peak 89.1 · Longevity 90.5 · Influence 88.8	View profile
29	Kylian Mbappé	France Forward 2015-Present	86.9	1x World Cup Scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final, the first in a final since 1966, and left PSG as their record scorer with 256 goals. Clubs: Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid Honours: 1x World Cup, 7x Ligue 1, 1x Nations League Category scores: Honours 90.7 · Peak 89.6 · Longevity 75.3 · Influence 88.0	View profile
30	George Weah	Liberia Forward 1985-2003	86.7	1x Ballon d'Or The only African winner of the Ballon d'Or, and President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. Clubs: Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 2x Serie A, 1x Ligue 1, African Player of the Century Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 81.4 · Peak 89.7 · Longevity 90.1 · Influence 91.2	View profile
31	Luka Modrić	Croatia Midfielder 2003-Present	86.4	1x Ballon d'Or Ended the ten-year Messi and Ronaldo hold on the Ballon d'Or in 2018, then joined Milan at 39 after six Champions League titles with Real Madrid. Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, AC Milan Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 6x Champions League, 4x La Liga, 2018 World Cup Golden Ball Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 84.1 · Peak 89.6 · Longevity 85.9 · Influence 87.8	View profile
32	Andrea Pirlo	Italy Midfielder 1995-2017	86.2	1x World Cup Named man of the match three times at the 2006 World Cup, then reinvented the regista role at Juventus after leaving Milan on a free. Clubs: AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Champions League, 6x Serie A Category scores: Honours 82.6 · Peak 88.0 · Longevity 89.1 · Influence 88.7	View profile
33	Kaká	Brazil Midfielder 2001-2017	85.9	1x Ballon d'Or The last Ballon d'Or winner before the Messi and Ronaldo era: after his 2007 award the pair shared the next ten between them. Clubs: São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x World Cup, 1x Champions League, 1x Serie A Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 81.9 · Peak 91.3 · Longevity 85.9 · Influence 87.6	View profile
34	Rivaldo	Brazil Forward 1989-2015	85.6	1x Ballon d'Or His last-minute overhead kick against Valencia in 2001 completed a hat-trick and sent Barcelona into the Champions League. Clubs: Palmeiras, Deportivo La Coruña, Barcelona, AC Milan Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x World Cup, 1x Copa América, 2x La Liga Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 81.2 · Peak 88.4 · Longevity 86.9 · Influence 91.1	View profile
35	Neymar	Brazil Forward 2009-Present	85.4	1x Champions League Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79+ goals, past Pelé's 77, and still the world's most expensive player at 222 million euros. Clubs: Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Hilal Honours: 1x Champions League, 2x La Liga, 1x Copa Libertadores, 1x Olympic gold Category scores: Honours 83.0 · Peak 88.6 · Longevity 82.6 · Influence 90.0	View profile
36	Dennis Bergkamp	Netherlands Forward 1986-2006	85.1	3x Premier League His spin-and-finish against Newcastle in 2002 was voted the Premier League's greatest goal; a fear of flying earned him the nickname the non-flying Dutchman. Clubs: Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal Honours: 3x Premier League, 4x FA Cup, 2x UEFA Cup Category scores: Honours 82.0 · Peak 86.9 · Longevity 85.9 · Influence 89.4	View profile
37	Ruud Gullit	Netherlands Midfielder 1979-1998	84.9	1x Ballon d'Or Dedicated his 1987 Ballon d'Or to the then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela and captained the Netherlands to Euro 88, their only major title. Clubs: PSV, AC Milan, Sampdoria, Chelsea Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x Euro, 2x European Cup, 3x Serie A Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 81.0 · Peak 89.7 · Longevity 85.4 · Influence 86.5	View profile
38	Gianluigi Buffon	Italy Goalkeeper 1995-2023	84.6	1x World Cup Holds the Serie A appearance record with 657 and Italy's caps record with 176; conceded just twice winning the 2006 World Cup, an own goal and a penalty. Clubs: Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain Honours: 1x World Cup, 10x Serie A, 1x UEFA Cup Category scores: Honours 81.6 · Peak 87.9 · Longevity 84.5 · Influence 87.3	View profile
39	Iker Casillas	Spain Goalkeeper 1999-2020	84.3	1x World Cup Captained Spain to two Euros and a World Cup in a row, with clean sheets in all three finals. Clubs: Real Madrid, Porto Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Euro, 3x Champions League, 5x La Liga Category scores: Honours 80.6 · Peak 88.6 · Longevity 83.4 · Influence 88.5	View profile
40	Sócrates	Brazil Midfielder 1974-1989	84.1	3x Campeonato Paulista A qualified medical doctor who led the Corinthians Democracy movement, with players voting on club decisions during Brazil's dictatorship. Clubs: Botafogo-SP, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo Honours: 3x Campeonato Paulista, 1983 South American Footballer of the Year Category scores: Honours 80.6 · Peak 88.7 · Longevity 86.6 · Influence 82.4	View profile
41	Robert Lewandowski	Poland Forward 2005-Present	83.9	10x Bundesliga Five goals in nine minutes off the bench against Wolfsburg in 2015 earned four Guinness World Records in a single substitute appearance. Clubs: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Chicago Fire Honours: 10x Bundesliga, 1x Champions League, 3x La Liga, 2x FIFA Best Category scores: Honours 80.5 · Peak 88.7 · Longevity 84.4 · Influence 84.1	View profile
42	Luis Suárez	Uruguay Forward 2005-Present	83.6	5x La Liga Uruguay's record scorer with 69 goals; his 40-goal 2015-16 La Liga season broke the Messi and Ronaldo duopoly on the Pichichi. Clubs: Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Inter Miami Honours: 5x La Liga, 1x Champions League, 1x Copa América, 2x European Golden Shoe Category scores: Honours 79.0 · Peak 86.2 · Longevity 87.4 · Influence 86.5	View profile
43	Karim Benzema	France Forward 2004-Present	83.3	5x Champions League Won the 2022 Ballon d'Or at 34, the oldest winner since Stanley Matthews, after a 44-goal season that carried Real Madrid to a double. Clubs: Lyon, Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal Honours: 5x Champions League, 4x La Liga, 4x Ligue 1, 1x UEFA Nations League Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 77.8 · Peak 85.2 · Longevity 87.1 · Influence 90.0	View profile
44	Mohamed Salah	Egypt Forward 2010-Present	83.1	2x Premier League His 29 goals and 18 assists in 2024-25 set a record 47 goal involvements for a 38-game Premier League season. Clubs: Basel, Roma, Liverpool Honours: 2x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 4x PL Golden Boot, 1x Club World Cup Category scores: Honours 80.0 · Peak 86.9 · Longevity 83.1 · Influence 85.1	View profile
45	Kevin De Bruyne	Belgium Midfielder 2008-Present	82.9	6x Premier League His 20 assists in 2019-20 equalled Thierry Henry's Premier League record for a single season. Clubs: Genk, Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Napoli Honours: 6x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 5x League Cup, 2x PFA Player of the Year Category scores: Honours 79.3 · Peak 85.4 · Longevity 84.9 · Influence 85.4	View profile
46	Erling Haaland	Norway Forward 2016-Present	82.6	2x Premier League Scored 52 goals in his debut Manchester City season, including a record 36 in the Premier League, and won the treble at 22. Clubs: RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City Honours: 2x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 1x Club World Cup, 3x PL Golden Boot Category scores: Honours 82.9 · Peak 88.1 · Longevity 73.9 · Influence 84.4	View profile
47	Zlatan Ibrahimović	Sweden Forward 1999-2023	82.4	12x league titles in four countries His 30-yard bicycle kick against England in 2012 won the Puskás Award; his professional goals span four different decades. Clubs: Ajax, Inter, PSG, Milan Honours: 12x league titles in four countries, 1x Europa League, 1x Puskás Award Category scores: Honours 78.8 · Peak 86.0 · Longevity 84.0 · Influence 83.7	View profile
48	Didier Drogba	Ivory Coast Forward 1998-2018	82.1	4x Premier League Scored in four FA Cup finals and won them all, then settled the 2012 Champions League final with the winning penalty, his last kick for Chelsea. Clubs: Marseille, Chelsea, Galatasaray Honours: 4x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 4x FA Cup, 2x African Footballer of the Year Category scores: Honours 77.2 · Peak 87.2 · Longevity 83.7 · Influence 84.8	View profile
49	Samuel Eto'o	Cameroon Forward 1997-2019	81.9	3x Champions League The only player to win back-to-back continental trebles, with Barcelona in 2009 and Inter in 2010. Clubs: Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Honours: 3x Champions League, 2x Africa Cup of Nations, 1x Olympic gold, 4x African Footballer of the Year Category scores: Honours 77.8 · Peak 86.7 · Longevity 82.7 · Influence 83.5	View profile
50	Wayne Rooney	England Forward 2002-2021	81.6	5x Premier League Manchester United's all-time record scorer with 253 goals, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's 249. Clubs: Everton, Manchester United, DC United Honours: 5x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 1x Club World Cup, 1x Europa League Category scores: Honours 77.9 · Peak 83.1 · Longevity 84.9 · Influence 84.7	View profile
51	Raúl	Spain Forward 1994-2015	81.4	3x Champions League Retired as the Champions League's record scorer of his era with 71 goals and was never shown a red card in over 1,000 matches. Clubs: Real Madrid, Schalke 04 Honours: 3x Champions League, 6x La Liga, 2x Intercontinental Cup Category scores: Honours 80.2 · Peak 85.6 · Longevity 79.5 · Influence 80.0	View profile
52	Luís Figo	Portugal Midfielder 1989-2009	81.2	1x Champions League His world-record 2000 move from Barcelona to Real Madrid brought him the Ballon d'Or and a pig's head hurled at him at Camp Nou. Clubs: Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Honours: 1x Champions League, 4x La Liga, 4x Serie A, 1x FIFA World Player Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 79.4 · Peak 84.3 · Longevity 78.8 · Influence 83.8	View profile
53	David Beckham	England Midfielder 1992-2013	80.9	6x Premier League The first English player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the United States and France. Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, PSG Honours: 6x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 1x La Liga, 2x MLS Cup Category scores: Honours 76.0 · Peak 85.2 · Longevity 83.1 · Influence 84.0	View profile
54	Steven Gerrard	England Midfielder 1998-2016	80.7	1x Champions League The only player to score in the finals of the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League. Clubs: Liverpool, LA Galaxy Honours: 1x Champions League, 1x UEFA Cup, 2x FA Cup, 3x League Cup Category scores: Honours 77.2 · Peak 82.6 · Longevity 82.9 · Influence 83.8	View profile
55	Frank Lampard	England Midfielder 1995-2016	80.4	3x Premier League The highest-scoring midfielder in Premier League history with 177 goals and Chelsea's all-time record scorer with 211. Clubs: West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City Honours: 3x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 1x Europa League, 4x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 79.2 · Peak 82.9 · Longevity 80.1 · Influence 80.0	View profile
56	Paul Scholes	England Midfielder 1993-2013	80.2	11x Premier League Zidane and Xavi both called him the best midfielder of his generation; he won 25 trophies without ever leaving Manchester United. Clubs: Manchester United Honours: 11x Premier League, 2x Champions League, 3x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 75.7 · Peak 85.0 · Longevity 81.1 · Influence 83.0	View profile
57	Ryan Giggs	Wales Midfielder 1990-2014	79.9	13x Premier League Made a club-record 963 Manchester United appearances and scored in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons. Clubs: Manchester United Honours: 13x Premier League, 2x Champions League, 4x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 77.2 · Peak 82.6 · Longevity 82.8 · Influence 78.9	View profile
58	Roy Keane	Ireland Midfielder 1989-2006	79.7	7x Premier League Booked and suspended for the final, he still dragged United back from 2-0 down against Juventus in the 1999 Champions League semi-final. Clubs: Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Celtic Honours: 7x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 4x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 76.2 · Peak 84.4 · Longevity 78.9 · Influence 82.2	View profile
59	Patrick Vieira	France Midfielder 1993-2011	79.4	1x World Cup Captained Arsenal's unbeaten Invincibles in 2003-04 and won the 2005 FA Cup with the final penalty, the last kick of his Arsenal career. Clubs: Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Euro, 3x Premier League, 4x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 77.0 · Peak 83.9 · Longevity 79.1 · Influence 79.0	View profile
60	Clarence Seedorf	Netherlands Midfielder 1992-2014	79.2	4x Champions League The only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs: Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan. Clubs: Ajax, Real Madrid, Milan Honours: 4x Champions League, 2x Serie A, 2x Eredivisie, 1x La Liga Category scores: Honours 77.9 · Peak 83.0 · Longevity 78.7 · Influence 77.3	View profile
61	Cafu	Brazil Defender 1989-2008	79.0	2x World Cup The only player to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals (1994, 1998, 2002), winning two of them. Clubs: Sao Paulo, Roma, Milan Honours: 2x World Cup, 2x Copa America, 1x Champions League, 2x Serie A Category scores: Honours 79.4 · Peak 81.5 · Longevity 76.5 · Influence 77.0	View profile
62	Roberto Carlos	Brazil Defender 1991-2015	78.8	1x World Cup His 35-metre banana free kick against France in 1997 swerved so violently that physicists published papers explaining it. Clubs: Palmeiras, Inter, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Honours: 1x World Cup, 3x Champions League, 4x La Liga, 2x Copa America Category scores: Honours 77.8 · Peak 81.8 · Longevity 78.3 · Influence 76.8	View profile
63	Dani Alves	Brazil Defender 2001-2023	78.5	3x Champions League With more than 40 major trophies, he is the most decorated footballer in the history of the game. Clubs: Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG Honours: 3x Champions League, 6x La Liga, 2x Copa America, 1x Olympic gold Category scores: Honours 74.8 · Peak 82.5 · Longevity 77.6 · Influence 83.1	View profile
64	Philipp Lahm	Germany Defender 2002-2017	78.3	1x World Cup Pep Guardiola called him the most intelligent player he ever coached; he lifted the 2014 World Cup as captain and left international football at 30. Clubs: Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Champions League, 8x Bundesliga, 6x DFB-Pokal Category scores: Honours 76.4 · Peak 80.0 · Longevity 76.9 · Influence 82.2	View profile
65	Sergio Ramos	Spain Defender 2004-Present	78.0	1x World Cup His 93rd-minute header in the 2014 Champions League final rescued Real Madrid and delivered the long-awaited La Decima. Clubs: Sevilla, Real Madrid, PSG, Monterrey Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Euro, 4x Champions League, 5x La Liga Category scores: Honours 77.9 · Peak 80.8 · Longevity 75.8 · Influence 76.7	View profile
66	Carles Puyol	Spain Defender 1999-2014	77.8	1x World Cup His towering header against Germany sent Spain to the 2010 World Cup final; all 593 of his club appearances came for Barcelona. Clubs: Barcelona Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Euro, 3x Champions League, 6x La Liga Category scores: Honours 74.1 · Peak 82.1 · Longevity 76.4 · Influence 82.3	View profile
67	Fabio Cannavaro	Italy Defender 1992-2011	77.6	1x World Cup Lifted the 2006 World Cup in his 100th match for Italy, then became the last defender to win the Ballon d'Or. Clubs: Napoli, Parma, Juventus, Real Madrid Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Ballon d'Or, 2x La Liga, 1x UEFA Cup Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 72.8 · Peak 81.4 · Longevity 80.7 · Influence 79.7	View profile
68	Alessandro Nesta	Italy Defender 1993-2014	77.3	1x World Cup Voted Serie A Defender of the Year four times, the benchmark centre-back of his generation. Clubs: Lazio, Milan Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Champions League, 3x Serie A Category scores: Honours 74.1 · Peak 82.0 · Longevity 78.3 · Influence 76.9	View profile
69	Bobby Moore	England Defender 1958-1978	77.1	1x World Cup After their duel at the 1970 World Cup, Pele called him the greatest defender he had ever played against. Clubs: West Ham United, Fulham Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x FA Cup, 1x Cup Winners' Cup Category scores: Honours 76.9 · Peak 79.1 · Longevity 74.8 · Influence 77.3	View profile
70	Carlos Alberto Torres	Brazil Defender 1963-1982	76.9	1x World Cup (captain 1970) His thunderous strike to finish Brazil's team move in the 1970 final is still hailed as the greatest team goal in World Cup history. Clubs: Santos, Fluminense, New York Cosmos Honours: 1x World Cup (captain 1970), 4x NASL championship Category scores: Honours 75.6 · Peak 80.3 · Longevity 75.8 · Influence 75.9	View profile
71	Oliver Kahn	Germany Goalkeeper 1987-2008	76.6	1x Champions League The only goalkeeper ever to win the World Cup Golden Ball, named best player of the 2002 tournament. Clubs: Karlsruher SC, Bayern Munich Honours: 1x Champions League, 8x Bundesliga, 1x UEFA Cup, 2002 WC Golden Ball Category scores: Honours 76.1 · Peak 78.7 · Longevity 75.2 · Influence 76.4	View profile
72	Manuel Neuer	Germany Goalkeeper 2006-Present	76.4	1x World Cup Finished third in the 2014 Ballon d'Or vote after redefining the sweeper-keeper role at that summer's World Cup. Clubs: Schalke 04, Bayern Munich Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Champions League, 12+ Bundesliga Category scores: Honours 73.3 · Peak 81.7 · Longevity 74.6 · Influence 78.2	View profile
73	Peter Schmeichel	Denmark Goalkeeper 1981-2003	76.2	1x Euro Captained Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League final, his last game for the club, to complete the Treble. Clubs: Brondby, Manchester United, Manchester City Honours: 1x Euro, 1x Champions League, 5x Premier League Category scores: Honours 72.2 · Peak 79.9 · Longevity 79.4 · Influence 76.1	View profile
74	Dino Zoff	Italy Goalkeeper 1961-1983	75.9	1x World Cup At 40 years and 133 days he captained Italy to the 1982 title and remains the oldest World Cup winner in history. Clubs: Napoli, Juventus Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Euro, 6x Serie A, 1x UEFA Cup Category scores: Honours 72.6 · Peak 78.6 · Longevity 79.0 · Influence 76.3	View profile
75	Gheorghe Hagi	Romania Midfielder 1982-2001	75.7	1x UEFA Cup 'The Maradona of the Carpathians' lobbed Colombia's goalkeeper from near the halfway line at the 1994 World Cup. Clubs: Steaua Bucharest, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Galatasaray Honours: 1x UEFA Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 4x Turkish league, 3x Romanian league Category scores: Honours 72.8 · Peak 79.6 · Longevity 77.1 · Influence 75.2	View profile
76	Hristo Stoichkov	Bulgaria Forward 1982-2003	75.5	1x Ballon d'Or Fired Bulgaria to fourth place at the 1994 World Cup with six goals, sharing the Golden Boot, and claimed that year's Ballon d'Or. Clubs: CSKA Sofia, Barcelona, Parma Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Cup, 4x La Liga, 1994 WC Golden Boot Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 69.9 · Peak 78.5 · Longevity 78.7 · Influence 81.0	View profile
77	Pavel Nedved	Czech Republic Midfielder 1991-2009	75.2	1x Ballon d'Or Scored in the last ever Cup Winners' Cup final in 1999, then became the first Czech Ballon d'Or winner since Josef Masopust in 1962. Clubs: Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 3x Serie A, 1x Cup Winners' Cup Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 70.4 · Peak 79.9 · Longevity 76.1 · Influence 79.3	View profile
78	Andriy Shevchenko	Ukraine Forward 1994-2012	75.0	1x Ballon d'Or His 175 goals make him Milan's second-highest scorer ever, and he converted the decisive penalty in the 2003 Champions League final. Clubs: Dynamo Kyiv, Milan, Chelsea Honours: 1x Ballon d'Or, 1x Champions League, 1x Serie A, 5x Ukrainian league Ballon d’Or: 1 Category scores: Honours 71.2 · Peak 78.6 · Longevity 77.3 · Influence 76.2	View profile
79	Michael Laudrup	Denmark Midfielder 1981-1998	74.8	1x European Cup Won five consecutive La Liga titles from 1991 to 1995, four with Barcelona and then one with Real Madrid. Clubs: Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid Honours: 1x European Cup, 5x La Liga, 1x Serie A Category scores: Honours 70.1 · Peak 79.4 · Longevity 77.5 · Influence 75.9	View profile
80	Eric Cantona	France Forward 1983-1997	74.5	4x Premier League Five English league titles in six seasons, one with Leeds and four with Manchester United, before retiring abruptly at 30. Clubs: Auxerre, Marseille, Leeds United, Manchester United Honours: 4x Premier League, 1x English First Division, 2x FA Cup Category scores: Honours 69.0 · Peak 79.4 · Longevity 76.0 · Influence 79.3	View profile
81	Francesco Totti	Italy Forward 1992-2017	74.3	1x World Cup One club, 25 seasons, 785 games: his 250 Serie A goals for Roma are the most any player has scored for a single Italian club. Clubs: Roma Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Serie A, 2x Coppa Italia, European Golden Shoe 2007 Category scores: Honours 67.4 · Peak 79.8 · Longevity 77.5 · Influence 79.3	View profile
82	Alessandro Del Piero	Italy Forward 1991-2014	74.1	1x World Cup Juventus' record scorer with 290 goals, he refused to leave after Calciopoli and top-scored Serie B to take the club straight back up. Clubs: Padova, Juventus, Sydney FC Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Champions League, 6x Serie A Category scores: Honours 73.1 · Peak 75.6 · Longevity 74.5 · Influence 73.7	View profile
83	Gabriel Batistuta	Argentina Forward 1988-2005	73.9	2x Copa América The only player in history with a hat-trick at two different World Cups, in 1994 and 1998. Clubs: Boca Juniors, Fiorentina, Roma Honours: 2x Copa América, 1x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia Category scores: Honours 70.7 · Peak 76.9 · Longevity 74.2 · Influence 76.7	View profile
84	Hugo Sánchez	Mexico Forward 1976-1997	73.6	5x La Liga Every one of his 38 league goals in 1989-90 was a first-touch finish; he shared that season's European Golden Shoe with Hristo Stoichkov. Clubs: UNAM Pumas, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid Honours: 5x La Liga, 1x UEFA Cup, 5x Pichichi, European Golden Shoe 1990 Category scores: Honours 72.1 · Peak 76.0 · Longevity 71.2 · Influence 77.0	View profile
85	Kenny Dalglish	Scotland Forward 1969-1990	73.4	3x European Cup The first player to score 100 league goals in both Scotland and England, with three European Cups at Liverpool along the way. Clubs: Celtic, Liverpool Honours: 3x European Cup, 6x English titles, 4x Scottish titles Category scores: Honours 68.9 · Peak 77.5 · Longevity 75.3 · Influence 76.1	View profile
86	Kevin Keegan	England Forward 1968-1984	73.2	2x Ballon d'Or The only English player to win the Ballon d'Or twice, back to back in 1978 and 1979 while at Hamburg. Clubs: Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton, Newcastle United Honours: 2x Ballon d'Or, 1x European Cup, 3x First Division, 2x UEFA Cup Ballon d’Or: 2 Category scores: Honours 69.9 · Peak 74.9 · Longevity 75.9 · Influence 75.3	View profile
87	Karl-Heinz Rummenigge	Germany Forward 1974-1989	72.9	1x European Championship Won back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 1980 and 1981 and captained West Germany in two straight World Cup finals. Clubs: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Servette Honours: 1x European Championship, 2x European Cup, 2x Ballon d'Or, 2x Bundesliga Ballon d’Or: 2 Category scores: Honours 68.7 · Peak 76.2 · Longevity 72.4 · Influence 79.5	View profile
88	Miroslav Klose	Germany Forward 1998-2016	72.7	1x World Cup No one has scored more World Cup goals: 16 across four tournaments, and he lifted the trophy in his last one. Clubs: Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Bundesliga, World Cup Golden Boot 2006 Category scores: Honours 67.9 · Peak 76.0 · Longevity 75.1 · Influence 77.0	View profile
89	Toni Kroos	Germany Midfielder 2007-2024	72.5	1x World Cup Played his final club match in the 2024 Champions League final and won it, a sixth title that matched Paco Gento's record. Clubs: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Honours: 1x World Cup, 6x Champions League, 4x La Liga, 3x Bundesliga Category scores: Honours 70.0 · Peak 77.3 · Longevity 72.0 · Influence 71.8	View profile
90	Arjen Robben	Netherlands Forward 2000-2021	72.2	1x Champions League Missed a decisive penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, then scored the 89th-minute winner in the 2013 final. Clubs: PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich Honours: 1x Champions League, 8x Bundesliga, 2x Premier League, 1x La Liga Category scores: Honours 71.1 · Peak 74.7 · Longevity 71.8 · Influence 71.8	View profile
91	Antoine Griezmann	France Forward 2009-Present	72.0	1x World Cup Scored in the 2018 World Cup final and has passed 200 goals as Atlético Madrid's all-time record scorer. Clubs: Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona Honours: 1x World Cup, 1x Nations League, 1x Europa League, 1x Copa del Rey Category scores: Honours 67.0 · Peak 75.6 · Longevity 74.3 · Influence 76.5	View profile
92	Sergio Agüero	Argentina Forward 2003-2021	71.8	5x Premier League His 93:20 strike against QPR in 2012 won Manchester City a first league title in 44 years with virtually the last kick of the season. Clubs: Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona Honours: 5x Premier League, 1x Copa América, 1x Europa League Category scores: Honours 67.4 · Peak 76.4 · Longevity 73.1 · Influence 74.1	View profile
93	Ángel Di María	Argentina Forward 2005-Present	71.6	1x World Cup Scored in four finals Argentina won: the 2008 Olympics, the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup final. Clubs: Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG Honours: 1x World Cup, 2x Copa América, 1x Champions League, Olympic gold 2008 Category scores: Honours 69.3 · Peak 74.2 · Longevity 69.6 · Influence 76.0	View profile
94	Yaya Touré	Ivory Coast Midfielder 2001-2019	71.3	1x Champions League African Footballer of the Year four times in a row (2011-2014), a run no other player has matched. Clubs: Monaco, Barcelona, Manchester City Honours: 1x Champions League, 3x Premier League, 1x AFCON, 4x African Player of the Year Category scores: Honours 68.7 · Peak 73.3 · Longevity 73.2 · Influence 72.6	View profile
95	Sadio Mané	Senegal Forward 2011-Present	71.1	1x Champions League Still holds the fastest Premier League hat-trick: 2 minutes 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015. Clubs: Southampton, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Al-Nassr Honours: 1x Champions League, 1x Premier League, 1x AFCON, 2x African Player of the Year Category scores: Honours 66.3 · Peak 76.4 · Longevity 75.1 · Influence 69.9	View profile
96	Son Heung-min	South Korea Forward 2010-Present	70.9	1x Europa League The first Asian winner of the Premier League Golden Boot, in 2022, with all 23 goals coming from open play, none from the spot. Clubs: Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur, LAFC Honours: 1x Europa League, PL Golden Boot 2022, Puskás Award 2020, Asian Games gold 2018 Category scores: Honours 68.4 · Peak 76.4 · Longevity 69.8 · Influence 69.9	View profile
97	Harry Kane	England Forward 2011-Present	70.7	2x Bundesliga England's record scorer with 85 goals waited until 2025 for a first trophy, then added back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Bayern. Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich Honours: 2x Bundesliga, 3x PL Golden Boot, World Cup Golden Boot 2018, European Golden Shoe 2026 Category scores: Honours 69.0 · Peak 74.6 · Longevity 68.2 · Influence 71.9	View profile
98	Just Fontaine	France Forward 1950-1962	70.4	4x French champion His 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup, scored in just six games, remain the record for a single tournament nearly 70 years on. Clubs: USM Casablanca, Nice, Stade de Reims Honours: 4x French champion, World Cup Golden Boot 1958 Category scores: Honours 68.5 · Peak 75.9 · Longevity 68.3 · Influence 69.4	View profile
99	Vinícius Júnior	Brazil Forward 2017-Present	70.2	2x Champions League Scored the only goal of the 2022 Champions League final at 21, then netted again in the 2024 final win over Dortmund. Clubs: Flamengo, Real Madrid Honours: 2x Champions League, 3x La Liga, FIFA The Best 2024 Category scores: Honours 74.0 · Peak 72.9 · Longevity 57.3 · Influence 72.9	View profile
100	Jude Bellingham	England Midfielder 2019-Present	70.0	1x Champions League His seven goals at the 2026 World Cup are the most ever by an England player at a single major tournament. Clubs: Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid Honours: 1x Champions League, 1x La Liga, Kopa Trophy 2023, World Cup Bronze Boot 2026 Category scores: Honours 73.8 · Peak 72.3 · Longevity 59.2 · Influence 70.5	View profile

LigaToday ranks Pelé as the greatest men’s footballer of all time, followed by Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo. Our 2026 ranking scores 100 players on major honours, peak performance, longevity and influence, with statistics current to 1 September 2026. In US English, this is our ranking of the best soccer players of all time.

footballers100countries34Ballon d’Or wins between them52still playing20

Download the full dataset: ranking CSV with category scores for all 100 players.

The greatest footballers by era

Comparing players across eras is the hardest part of any all-time list: match calendars, media coverage and even the rules have changed completely. Grouping the ranking by peak decade shows who defined each period on its own terms.

The best footballers by position

Goalkeepers

Lev Yashin (#17) · Gianluigi Buffon (#38) · Iker Casillas (#39) · Oliver Kahn (#71) · Manuel Neuer (#72)

Defenders

Franz Beckenbauer (#6) · Paolo Maldini (#16) · Franco Baresi (#22) · Cafu (#61) · Roberto Carlos (#62)

Midfielders

Diego Maradona (#3) · Zinedine Zidane (#7) · Michel Platini (#11) · Ronaldinho (#18) · Zico (#20)

Forwards

Pelé (#1) · Lionel Messi (#2) · Cristiano Ronaldo (#4) · Johan Cruyff (#5) · Alfredo Di Stéfano (#8)

Positions reflect where each player made his name; several would headline more than one list.

The records behind the ranking

Most Ballon d'Or wins

Player	Wins	Years
Lionel Messi	8	2009-2023
Cristiano Ronaldo	5	2008-2017
Michel Platini	3	1983-1985
Johan Cruyff	3	1971-1974
Marco van Basten	3	1988-1992
Ronaldo Nazário	2	1997, 2002
Franz Beckenbauer	2	1972, 1976
Alfredo Di Stéfano	2	1957, 1959
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge	2	1980, 1981
Kevin Keegan	2	1978, 1979

Source: France Football award records, 1956 to 2025.

Most men's international goals

Player	Goals	Country
Cristiano Ronaldo	146	Portugal (men's record, still active)
Lionel Messi	125	Argentina (retired internationally after WC 2026)
Ali Daei	108	Iran
Sunil Chhetri	95	India (retired 2025)
Romelu Lukaku	90+	Belgium
Ferenc Puskás	84	Hungary

Source: FIFA and national association records, as of 1 September 2026.

World Cup all-time top scorers (through 2022)

Player	Goals	Tournaments
Miroslav Klose	16	4 (2002-2014)
Ronaldo Nazário	15	3 (1998-2006)
Gerd Müller	14	2 (1970, 1974)
Just Fontaine	13	1 (1958, single-edition record)
Lionel Messi	13	5 (2006-2022)
Pelé	12	4 (1958-1970)

Source: FIFA World Cup official statistics, tournaments through 2022.

Most career goals

Player	Goals	Note
Cristiano Ronaldo	~975	official, club and country; passed 900 in Sept 2024, closing on 1,000
Lionel Messi	850+	official, club and country
Josef Bican	~805	the historical benchmark (RSSSF)
Pelé	767	official; 1,283 including friendlies
Romário	~772	official count; he claims 1,000 with youth games

Sources: RSSSF and IFFHS historical counts; club and federation records for active players.

Most senior trophies

Player	Trophies	Note
Lionel Messi	45+	the most decorated footballer ever
Dani Alves	43	record holder before Messi
Andrés Iniesta	38	every major club and national trophy
Maxwell	37	the quiet serial winner
Toni Kroos	34	six Champions League titles

Source: official club and federation honours lists.

World Cup 2026: leading scorers

Player	Country	Goals	Assists
Kylian Mbappé	France	10	4
Lionel Messi	Argentina	8	4
Jude Bellingham	England	7	0
Erling Haaland	Norway	7	0
Ousmane Dembélé	France	6	2
Harry Kane	England	6	0

Source: the LigaToday match database. Full tournament coverage on our World Cup 2026 hub.

How LigaToday ranked the greatest footballers

Scoring categories and weights

Every player receives an editorial score out of 100, built from four weighted categories. The same weights apply to all 100 players, the totals in the tables above are the exact weighted sums of the category scores, and the full per-player breakdown is in the downloadable CSV.

Category	Weight	What it measures
Major honours	40%	World Cups, continental titles, leagues, individual awards
Peak performance	25%	How completely he dominated his position at his best
Longevity	20%	Seasons sustained at the elite level
Influence	15%	How the game itself changed because of him

How different eras were compared

Players are judged against their own era first: dominance over contemporaries counts for more than raw totals inflated by modern match calendars. Award eligibility is normalised too; the Ballon d’Or excluded non-European players until 1995, which is why Pelé, Maradona and Garrincha never won one and are not penalised for it.

How positions were normalised

Goalkeepers and defenders are scored on what their role demands: clean sheets, duels won, titles anchored, not goals they were never asked to score. That is how Yashin, Maldini and Beckenbauer sit alongside the great forwards.

Data sources and cutoff date

Statistics come from official competition records (FIFA, UEFA, national associations), the RSSSF and IFFHS historical archives, and the LigaToday match database for everything from 2026. All figures are current to 1 September 2026. Where historical counting methods differ, career goal totals above all, we show the competing figures rather than pick a flattering one.

Tie-breakers and editorial review

When two players score level, the higher rank goes to the stronger peak, then to World Cup impact. Every entry was fact-checked against primary sources before publication and the ranking is reviewed by a named editor.

Limitations of the ranking

This is an editorial model, not a laboratory measurement. Category scores involve judgement, pre-1960s data is thinner than modern data, and a different set of defensible weights would produce a different order. We publish the weights, the scores and the sources precisely so you can disagree with us rigorously. The ranking covers men’s senior football only.

Who is the greatest footballer of all time?

Pelé leads our ranking because no other career combines three World Cup wins, more than 750 official goals and a decade as the sport’s global reference point. Messi runs him closest on peak level and total honours, Maradona owns the single greatest tournament ever played, and Ronaldo’s goal record and longevity keep him within touching distance. A model that weighted peak years more heavily would promote Messi or Maradona to first place; ours rewards sustained, honour-backed greatness. The full methodology explains every weight and tie-breaker.

The next generation: future entries on this list

Ten active footballers most likely to climb into the top 100 over the next decade – every name links to a live profile with current form.

Lamine Yamal (Spain) – European champion and Ballon d'Or contender before turning 19
Jude Bellingham (England) – Already at #100 on the all-time list; the ceiling is the top 20
Kylian Mbappé (France) – World Cup 2026 top scorer; a World Cup winner at 19 in 2018
Erling Haaland (Norway) – Fastest player to 50 Premier League goals, by a distance
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) – Champions League finals have become his personal stage
Jamal Musiala (Germany) – Bayern's most gifted dribbler since Robben
Florian Wirtz (Germany) – The playmaker Germany built its rebuild around
Bukayo Saka (England) – Arsenal's talisman, a starter since the age of 17
Cole Palmer (England) – Ice-cold from the spot and from nowhere at Chelsea
Pedri (Spain) – Barcelona's midfield metronome, an heir to Xavi and Iniesta

Bulgarian legends

Hristo Stoichkov (#76 above) remains Bulgaria’s only Ballon d’Or winner (1994) and joint top scorer of the 1994 World Cup, where Bulgaria finished fourth. The wider story of Bulgarian football, from Georgi Asparuhov to Kiril Despodov, lives on our football player pages.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the greatest footballer of all time?

Pelé tops our ranking: the only footballer with three World Cup wins (1958, 1962, 1970), scoring in two finals and finishing with more than 750 official goals. Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona complete the podium, and the Messi-or-Pelé argument now largely comes down to how you weigh eras.

Who are the top 5 footballers of all time?

Pelé, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Johan Cruyff, in that order, according to LigaToday’s 2026 ranking of 100 players scored on honours, peak, longevity and influence.

Who has won the most Ballon d'Or awards?

Lionel Messi, with 8 (2009-2023). Cristiano Ronaldo has 5. No other footballer has more than 3: Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten each won it three times.

Who has scored the most goals in football history?

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the official record: the first man past 900 career goals for club and country, a mark he reached in September 2024 and keeps extending. Among historical counts, Josef Bican’s roughly 805 official goals stood as the benchmark for decades; Pelé’s total is 767 in official matches, or 1,283 including friendlies.

Messi or Ronaldo: who ranks higher?

Messi, at #2 against Ronaldo’s #4. Eight Ballon d’Or awards to five, a World Cup to crown 2022, and the higher peak. Ronaldo answers with the all-time goal record, five Champions League titles and unmatched longevity: he was still leading the line at the 2026 World Cup at 41.

Who are the best footballers in the world right now in 2026?

Kylian Mbappé leads the current generation and top-scored at the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals; Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Lamine Yamal complete the front rank. Follow all of them in our player database.

Who is the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time?

Hristo Stoichkov (#76 on this list): the 1994 Ballon d’Or, joint Golden Boot at the 1994 World Cup with 6 goals, and a European Cup with Barcelona’s Dream Team. Dimitar Berbatov, a Premier League Golden Boot winner, is the strongest challenger since.

Are footballers and soccer players the same thing?

Yes. „Footballers“ is the standard term in British English, while American English says „soccer players“ – so lists like this one are also searched as „best soccer players of all time“. Same sport, same players, same ranking.

How many footballers does LigaToday track?

66,000+ current footballers from 680+ leagues across 74 countries, with profiles, season statistics and live form – see the player database.

Sources, corrections and update history

Primary sources: FIFA and UEFA official competition records; national association archives; club honours lists; the RSSSF and IFFHS historical databases; the LigaToday match database for 2026 data, including the World Cup 2026 scorers table above. The full ranking with category scores is available as a downloadable CSV.

Corrections: spotted a factual error? Tell us via the contact page and we will check it against primary sources and correct the record here.

Update history:

4 September 2026: ranking explorer and responsive section navigation added.
2 September 2026: scoring model published with per-player scores; page restructured; era section and CSV added.
1 September 2026: all 100 players linked to full profiles; deaths of Franco Baresi and Kevin Keegan (July 2026) reflected.
25 August 2026: first published.

Data: official competition records plus the LigaToday match database. Explore every current player in our football player database, follow the top scorers race or see today’s AI predictions.

Player photo credits (106)

Pelé: File:Pele con brasil (cropped).jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Lionel Messi : File:Leo Messi Argentina v Egypt 7 July 2026-1.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Diego Maradona: File:Argentina celebrando copa (cropped).jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Cristiano Ronaldo: File:Cristiano Ronaldo Croatia v Portugal 2 July 2026-075 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Johan Cruyff: File:Johan Cruyff in trainingspak Nederlands Elftal , kop.jpg · Nationaal Archief · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Franz Beckenbauer: File:Franz Beckenbauer (1975).jpg · Panini Group · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Zinedine Zidane: File:Zinedine Zidane by Tasnim 03.jpg · Tasnim News Agency · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Alfredo Di Stéfano: File:Di stefano argentina (cropped).jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Ronaldo Nazário: File:051119SMcC0014.jpg · Web Summit · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Ferenc Puskás: File:Puskas (1971).tif · Unknown · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Michel Platini: File:Michel Platini 3.jpg · Sławek · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Garrincha: File:Manoel Francisco dos Santos-Garrincha.jpg · El Gráfico, n° 2233 · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Eusébio: File:Eusebio en 1973.jpg · Panini · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Marco van Basten: File:Marco van Basten (ca 2006).jpg · http://www.postproduktie.nl · CC-BY-2.5 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Gerd Müller: File:Gerd Müller c1973 (cropped).jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Paolo Maldini: File:Paolo Maldini press conference in Tehran (cropped).jpg · Tasnim News Agency · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Lev Yashin: File:Lev Yashin 1966.jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Ronaldinho: File:Sports Festival 2025 – 4 (cropped).jpg · Nuță Lucian · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
George Best: File:George Best (1976).jpg · Hans Peters for Anefo · CC0-1.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Zico: File:Zico 2012.jpg · Doha Stadium Plus · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Bobby Charlton: File:Bobby Charlton en 1966 160.jpg · Panini · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Franco Baresi: File:Franco baresi panini card 1979.jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Romário: File:Senadores da 57ª Legislatura (52689451805).jpg · Agência Senado from Brasilia, Brazil · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Roberto Baggio: File:روبرتو باجو (cropped).jpg · AbolfaZl0990 · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Thierry Henry: File:Thierry Henry (51649035951) (cropped).jpg · Web Summit · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Xavi: File:Xavi 13981129001173637176666027076571.jpg · Fars Media Corporation · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Andrés Iniesta: File:Andrés Iniesta Argentina v Spain 19 July 2026-034 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Lothar Matthäus: File:2019 Lothar Matthäus.jpg · Steffen Prößdorf · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Kylian Mbappé : File:Kylian Mbappe France v Senegal 16 June 2026-391 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
George Weah: File:George Weah in 2019 (cropped) mod-2.jpg · File:George Weah in 2019 (cropped).jpg: U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia derivative work: Boros.i · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Luka Modrić: File:Luka Modric Croatia v Portugal 2 July 2026-055.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Andrea Pirlo: File:20150616 – Portugal – Italie – Genève – Andrea Pirlo (cropped).jpg · Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Kaká: File:Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Kaká) 01.jpg · José Cruz/ABr (cropped by tales.ebner) · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Rivaldo: File:Rivaldo bunyodkor 2010.jpg · w:User:Nursultan12 · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Neymar : File:Neymar Junior Brazil V Morocco 13 June 2026-40.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Dennis Bergkamp: File:Dennis Bergkamp 2014 (cropped).jpg · Kieran Clarke · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Ruud Gullit: File:25th Laureus World Sports Awards – Ruud Gullit – 240422 131911 (cropped).jpg · Barcex · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Gianluigi Buffon: File:Gianluigi Buffon (31784615942) (cropped).jpg · Doha Stadium Plus Qatar from Doha, Qatar · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Iker Casillas: File:Iker Casillas 2.jpg · Зайцев Антон · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Sócrates: File:Socrates87660.jpg · Foto U. Dettmar/ABr. · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Robert Lewandowski: File:Robert Lewandowski 2018, JAP-POL (cropped).jpg · Светлана Бекетова · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Luis Suárez: File:Luis Suárez NE Revolution Inter Miami 7.9.25-053 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Karim Benzema: File:Karim Benzema Pick.jpg · Zack · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Mohamed Salah: File:Mohamed Salah Argentina v Egypt 7 July 2026-163 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Kevin De Bruyne: File:Kevin De Bruyne USMNT v Belgium Mar 28 2026-64 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Erling Haaland: File:Erling Haaland France v Norway 26 June 26-008.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
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Samuel Eto’o: File:Sammuel Eto'o Fils 02.jpg · BACHELOR45 · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Wayne Rooney: File:Wayne-Rooney-2015-10-21.jpg · Дмитрий Голубович · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Raúl: File:Raul Gonzalez 2012 2.jpg · Doha Stadium Plus Qatar · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Luís Figo: File:L. Figo 2017 (cropped).jpg · Biser Todorov · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
David Beckham: File:David Beckham UNICEF (cropped).jpg · Soccer Aid for Unicef · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Steven Gerrard: File:Steven Gerrard 2018.jpg · Эдгар Брещанов · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Frank Lampard: File:Frank Lampard 2019.jpg · Fars Media Corporation · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Paul Scholes: File:P Scholes.jpg · James Adams · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Ryan Giggs: File:Ryan Giggs in 2008.jpg · James Adams · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Roy Keane: File:Roy keane 2014.jpg · Irish Defence Forces from Ireland · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Patrick Vieira: File:Patrick Vieira NYCFC.JPG · Simon Heseltine · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Clarence Seedorf: File:Clarence Seedorf 2021.jpg · Кирилл Венедиктов · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Cafu: File:Cafu – 26.02.2026 – Cerimônia de apresentação das taças da Copa do Mundo de 2026.jpg · Lula Oficial · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Roberto Carlos: File:LS3 1288 (53332367864) (cropped).jpg · Web Summit · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Dani Alves: File:07 07 2019 Final da Copa América 2019 (48226649586) (cropped).jpg · Palácio do Planalto from Brasilia, Brasil · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Philipp Lahm: File:Philipp Lahm auf der Berlinale 2024, Ausschnitt.jpg · Elena Ternovaja · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Sergio Ramos: File:Sergio Ramos Interview 2021 (cropped).jpg · Real Madrid · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Carles Puyol: File:Premios Goya 2020 – Carles Pujol.jpg · Pedro J Pacheco · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Fabio Cannavaro: File:Fabio Cannavaro – 2024 (cropped).jpg · Mech867 · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Alessandro Nesta: File:Alessandro Nesta as Miami FC Manager.jpg · Joerudi · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Bobby Moore: File:Bobby moore elgrafico 1970.jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Carlos Alberto Torres: File:Carlos alberto cosmos.jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Oliver Kahn: File:2022-07-30 Fußball, Männer, DFL-Supercup, RB Leipzig – FC Bayern München 1DX 3179 by Stepro.jpg · Steffen Prößdorf · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Manuel Neuer: File:Manuel Neuer Ecuador v Germany 25 June 2026-148.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Peter Schmeichel: File:Peter Schmeichel 2012-01-25 001.jpg · Carlsberg · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Dino Zoff: File:Dino Zoff – 1972 – Juventus FC (cropped).jpg · Original: Unknown authorUnknown author / Derivative work: Heiko Gerber · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Gheorghe Hagi: File:Lansarea candidaturii Gabrielei Szabo pentru Camera Deputatilor, Voluntari – 04.05 (48) (14270956179) (cropped).jpg · Partidul Social Democrat from Romania · CC-BY-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Hristo Stoichkov: File:Stoichkov in 2016.jpg · Biser Todorov · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Pavel Nedvěd: File:Pavel Nedvěd.jpg · Pavel Lebeda · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Andriy Shevchenko: File:Андрій Шевченко 2024 (cropped).png · Mms.gov.ua · CC-BY-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Michael Laudrup: File:Michael-Laudrup-Nov2008 (cropped).jpg · Alexe Politov · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Eric Cantona: File:Eric Cantona Cannes 2009.jpg · Georges Biard · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Francesco Totti: File:Francesco Totti Vicario (crop).jpg · Photojournalist Roberto Vicario derivative work: Clarus The Dogcow (talk) · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Alessandro Del Piero: File:Alessandro Del Piero, New York NY 2015.jpg · Retouched by Blackcat · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Gabriel Batistuta: File:Gabriel batistuta.jpg · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Hugo Sánchez: File:Hugo Sánchez 1988 (cropped).jpg · Rob Bogaerts for Anefo · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Kenny Dalglish: File:Kenny Dalglish 2009 Singapore.jpg · Saw from Singapore · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Kevin Keegan: File:Kevin keegan panini card (cropped).jpg · Unknown author · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: File:2015-02-06 Rummenigge 0400.JPG · Michael Lucan · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Miroslav Klose: File:2016209185719 2016-07-27 Champions for Charity – Sven – 1D X – 0149 – DV3P4742 mod.jpg · Sven Mandel · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Toni Kroos: File:Toni Kroos Real Madrid 2021.jpg · https://www.youtube.com/@realmadrid · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Arjen Robben: File:Arjen Robben 2013.jpg · Дмитрий Садовников · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Antoine Griezmann: File:Antoine Griezmann (51100409504) (cropped).jpg · Biser Todorov (User:Biso) from Sofia, Bulgaria · CC-BY-SA-2.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Sergio Agüero: File:Agüero in 2018.jpg · Кирилл Венедиктов · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Ángel Di María : File:NIG-ARG (5).jpg · Кирилл Венедиктов · CC-BY-SA-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Yaya Touré: File:Yaya Touré (cropped).jpg · Puma · CC-BY-3.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Sadio Mané: File:Sadio Mane France v Senegal 16 June 2026-450.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Heung-min Son: File:BFA 2023 -2 Heung-Min Son (cropped).jpg · Ujishadow · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Harry Kane : File:Harry Kane England v Ghana 23 June 2026-219 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Just Fontaine: File:Just Fontaine en 1958.jpg · Panini · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Vinicius Junior: File:Vinícius Júnior Brazil V Morocco 13 June 2026-207 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Jude Bellingham: File:Jude Bellingham England v Ghana 23 June 2026-061 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Lamine Yamal: File:Lamine Yamal Argentina v Spain 19 July 2026-214 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Jamal Musiala: File:Jamal Musiala Ecuador v Germany 25 June 2026-174 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Florian Wirtz: File:Florian Wirtz Ecuador v Germany 25 June 2026-181 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Bukayo Saka: File:Bukayo Saka England v Ghana 23 June 2026-057 (cropped).jpg · Bryan Berlin · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.
Cole Palmer: File:Cole Palmer 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final.jpg · The White House · Public domain (reviewed) · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time.
Pedri: File:Pedri France v Spain 7.24.26-245.jpg · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits · CC-BY-SA-4.0 · Web-optimized resize; original composition retained; circular CSS mask at render time. ShareAlike terms apply to adapted versions.

100 Best Footballers of All Time: The 2026 Ranking

Top 100 footballers ranking

The greatest footballers by era

The 1950s and 1960s

The 1970s and 1980s

The 1990s and 2000s

The 2010s and 2020s

The best footballers by position

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

The records behind the ranking

Most Ballon d'Or wins

Most men's international goals

World Cup all-time top scorers (through 2022)

Most career goals

Most senior trophies

World Cup 2026: leading scorers

How LigaToday ranked the greatest footballers

Scoring categories and weights

How different eras were compared

How positions were normalised

Data sources and cutoff date

Tie-breakers and editorial review

Limitations of the ranking

Who is the greatest footballer of all time?

The next generation: future entries on this list

Bulgarian legends

Frequently asked questions

Sources, corrections and update history