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Here’s the List of Greatest Soccer Players to Have Ever Lived

There is no dearth of exceptional football players, with many talented professionals joining the milieu every year. Still, only a few can be called the greatest in the sport. What are the names that come to mind when we speak of football? Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, for sure!  

Royal Carribean & Inter Miami CF Launch Event With Lionel Messi
Royal Carribean & Inter Miami CF Launch Event With Lionel Messi / Megan Briggs/GettyImages

History has shown a few others with the same intense power play on the field as the two, who have accomplished incredible feats for their teams during their careers as professional footballers. These stalwarts have broken and created records as if it were child's play and have set high standards for the rest.

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has become synonymous with the sport he has dominated for nearly two decades and is still firmly at it. The majority of his illustrious career has been spent with the elite FC Barcelona, and history shows the numerous times his exceptional skills have led his team to victory. As long as he is around, you'll find him at the top of all the lists of football greats. 

Every season, Messi keeps breaking at least one of his own records, setting a new benchmark for others to emulate like he did in 2022, making 20 assists in one league, two more than his previous record. The Argentinian star has earned a record six Ballon d'Or during his career, making him an unstoppable force in football. 

2. Pele

Even those not keen on sports have heard of Pele, the football legend who inspired the sport's association with the phrase "The Beautiful Game." To date, he remains an inspiration for generations of budding sportsmen. Unsurprisingly, the stupendous goalscorer holds the record for the most career goals with 1278, which has stayed unbeaten for over four decades.  

Known for his impeccable playing style, Pele has won the World Cup four times and has set a record for most assists in tournament history. Among his many recognitions, a few remain memorable - he was awarded the honor of being one of the 100 most prominent figures of the 20th century by *TIME Magazine*, and he also received the FIFA player of the century for his phenomenal contributions to the sport. 

3. Christiano Ronaldo

Christiano Ronaldo, an athlete with a freakish level of incomparable football skills, hasn't let his age slow him down. He's been on the field for two decades, and every time you see him play, you are left speechless by his agility and incredible footwork. His five Ballon d'Or awards, second only to Lionel Messi's six, speak volumes about his exceptional talent as a football forward. 

The Portuguese footballer has the most headed goals in the sport's history, and it's incredible how as he ages, Ronaldo needs less help from his teammates to score a goal, which is quite an impressive feat. His popularity has spread far and wide and has reached even the non-fans who haven't seen him play. 

4. Diego Maradona

If you are a football fan, you must be aware of the "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, and even if you aren't, you would have heard of Diego Maradona. The legendary footballer who passed away in 2020 had such a phenomenal presence on the field that he put Argentina on the map as one of the most fierce soccer teams in the world. 

Maradona was dubbed a "Free Kick Specialist" for he had an extraordinary eye for a goal and was named "The Golden Boy" for his uncanny skills. A troublemaker on and off the field, he was a sports icon for Brazil. Even after his demise, he continues to be an inspiring sports figure for generations of soccer enthusiasts worldwide. 

5. Johan Cruyff

During his illustrious career spanning two decades, ending in 1984, Johan Cruyff introduced the concept of "Total Football" and changed the landscape of the sport. His expertise and knowledge of the game were unparalleled, even at his initial career stages. As the years passed, his revolutionary sports philosophies shaped how coaches and managers approached the game in modern football. 

Johan inspired the famous dummy dribbling move called the "Cruyff Turn," an evasive tactic used even today. Considered one of the all-time greatest football players to have ever lived, he earned three Ballon d'Or Awards for being a trailblazer. 

The five greatest footballers of all time have many things in common - from their grit and determination to score a goal and excellent teamwork to their fantastic footwork with speed and precision as their strong points. Their outstanding skills remain beyond comparison.