The 50+ Best Soccer Players of All Time in Every Position

Soccer, or football as it’s known in Europe, has seen countless legends leave their mark on the sport. Determining the best soccer players of all time is always subjective, with every fan having their personal favorites, often in line with the clubs and nations they support. As a result, you might find some legendary soccer players mentioned here who are different and higher or lower ranked than those you may have personally selected. 

Nevertheless, those players on this list deserve profound respect for their immense contributions to the beautiful game. Let’s take this chance to look at the best soccer players of all time by position.

Goalkeepers 

Goalkeepers are primarily responsible for keeping the ball from entering the goal on a soccer field. They’re the only players allowed to use their hands, and the best ones don’t have to use them to pick the ball out of the net as often as others. Here are the best goalies to have ever played the game. 

3. Iker Casillas (Spain)

As Real Madrid and Spain’s first-choice keeper for over a decade, Casillas’ cat-like quick reactions and ability to produce spectacular saves resulted in an enviable trophy haul, including three UEFA Champions Leagues (UCL), two UEFA European Championships and a FIFA World Cup. 

2. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) 

Considered by many as the greatest Italian shot-stopper ever, Buffon’s goalkeeping feats are simply breathtaking. He is his country’s most capped player, representing Italy 176 times, and also holds the record for the most clean sheets. He has an incredible 25 domestic trophies in Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1, and lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

1. Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)

Yashin is arguably the Soviet Union’s greatest soccer player of all time and is the first and only goalkeeper to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. He earned the nickname “the Black Spider” for his incredible reflexes and commanding presence in the box. During his career, he kept 270 clean sheets and saved a world-record 150-plus penalties — undoubtedly the best goalkeeper ever. 

Honorable Mentions 

• Manuel Neuer (Germany)
• Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)
• Dino Zoff (Italy)
• Oliver Kahn (Germany)
• Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
• Gordon Banks (England)
• Edwin Van Der Sar (Netherlands)

Central Defenders

You’ve probably heard the famous Sir Alex Ferguson quote, “Attack wins you matches, defense wins you titles.” That’s how crucial central defenders are to the game. As the players who protect the box at set pieces, your central defenders must show aggression, coupled with positioning and tackling expertise, to keep opposing attackers at bay. These are the best soccer players of all time in their essential positions. 

3. Bobby Moore (England)

As team captain, Moore lifted England’s only FIFA World Cup in 1966. This feat alone will forever leave him revered among the nation’s supporters. Still, his 108 international caps and incredible 795 domestic appearances for only two clubs over a stellar 20-year playing career mark him as one of the greatest soccer players of all time in his position.   

2. Franco Baresi (Italy)

Baresi went one better than Bobby Moore domestically, spending his entire 719-game domestic career with AC Milan in Serie A. At only 5 feet 9 inches tall, Baresi used his speed and positioning to get the better of opposing forwards. He did so exceptionally as Italy won the FIFA World Cup in 1982, one of the 81 times this brilliant central defender represented his country.

1. Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)

A truly all-around footballer, “der Kaiser” was the original modern sweeper, covering the rest of the defensive line to deal with any balls coming into the zone. Beckenbauer remains the only defender to win the Ballon d’Or twice, while also claiming the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Who’s the best soccer player ever? From a technical standpoint, Beckenbauer must be close to the summit.

Honorable Mentions

• Daniel Passarella (Argentina)
• Alessandro Nesta (Italy)
• Gaetano Scirea (Italy)
• Sergio Ramos (Spain)
• Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
• Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
• John Terry (England)

Wide Defenders

Wide defenders occupy roles outside the central defenders and are often the outlets to begin attacking moves. Either lying deeper as fullbacks in more defensive formations or as wing-backs playing creative, attacking roles, a wide defender is usually pacy with an exceptional ability to cross the ball. You’ll be hard-pressed to keep up with many of the top wing-backs in world soccer.  

3. Philipp Lahm (Germany)

Lahm was the very definition of versatility in a wide defender. Traditionally, he played at right-back but also played left-back, defensive midfield and right midfield roles. He’s also the only defender never to receive a red card in his entire career — a truly remarkable feat. Lahm led Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup title and represented his country 113 times. 

2. Paolo Maldini (Italy)

Even the biggest skeptics cannot fault Paolo Maldini’s selection among the greatest defenders ever. His tackling was faultless and his reading of the game superb. Fondly referred to as “Il Capitano”, Maldini played left back and center back with aplomb in an AC Milan career that spanned 902 games over 25 years.

1. Roberto Carlos (Brazil)

As a long-standing elite Real Madrid squad member, Roberto Carlos won three UEFA Champions League titles and four Spanish La Liga championships. Renowned for scoring incredible free kicks, his career spanned 985 domestic matches and 125 internationals for Brazil. In all, he scored 127 goals during his long and illustrious career. 

Honorable Mentions

• Cafu (Brazil)
• Dani Alves (Brazil)
• Marcelo (Brazil)
• Lilian Thuram (France)
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
• Giacinto Facchetti (Italy)
• Carlos Alberto (Brazil)

Defensive Midfielders

Defensive midfielders usually position themselves just behind the halfway line to cover the defenders and create offensive movements from deep positions. In many ways, the best defensive midfielders are the team’s generals, dictating the tempo of play. The famous soccer players most renowned in this position are:

3. Sergio Busquets (Spain)

Busquets was instrumental in the successful Barcelona and Spain teams of the 2000s, earning nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns with Barca between 2008/09 and 2022/23. His calm manner and short passing skills were instrumental in helping Spain to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship two years later. 

2. Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands)

In a career spanning 16 seasons, the strong, tenacious and versatile Rijkaard fulfilled a defensive midfield position while also operating as a box-to-box midfielder. His elegance helped the Netherlands to the UEFA European Championship in 1988. Rijkaard has featured as an Ultimate Team ICON player in the EA Sports FIFA game series from FIFA 18 to FIFA 23.

1. Lothar Matthäus (West Germany/Germany)

Matthäus led Germany to the 1990 FIFA World Cup and won the coveted Ballon d’Or the same year. He retired internationally after reaching a record 150 caps, and is the most revered German player since Franz Beckenbauer. Matthäus was the first outfield player to play in five FIFA World Cup tournaments. 

Honorable Mentions

• Patrick Vieira (France)
• Claude Makélélé (France)
• Roy Keane (Republic of Ireland)
• N’Golo Kanté (France)
• Edgar Davids (Netherlands)
• Dunga (Brazil)
• Didier Deschamps (France)

Central Midfielders

These midfielders either play as the link between defense and attack, or in more attacking roles supporting the forwards. Some of the best attacking midfielders play as shadow forwards in formations with a single striker or none at all. The best to ever grace either or both midfield roles are: 

3. Andrés Iniesta (Spain)

Iniesta started playing as a defensive midfielder, but his balance, poise and ball control saw him evolve into one of the best attacking midfielders in history. A member of the immaculate Barcelona side with Busquets, four UEFA Champions Leagues and nine La Liga crowns was no less than what Iniesta deserved, along with 76 Spanish international caps.  

2. Xavi Hernández (Spain)

Xavi played as the deep-lying playmaker in a Barcelona and Spanish midfield triumvirate with Busquets and Iniesta. That all three made this list testifies to how good they were. Outstanding vision, pinpoint passing and peerless vision saw Xavi earn 82 Spanish caps at a time when their style of play was out of this world. If Xavi could have scored more, he might have reached the top spot as a central midfielder.

1. Zinedine Zidane (France)

If you’ve seen Zidane in action on the soccer field, your jaw has likely dropped at some of the magical things he did with a football. He won the 1998 Ballon d’Or at his prime after helping France to the FIFA World Cup trophy the same year. In general, “Zizou” is legendary for his skill and the goals he scored. Who is the best soccer player in history? At the time, Zidane could well have carried that accolade.

Honorable Mentions

• Luka Modrić (Croatia)
• Michel Platini (France)
• Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
• Bobby Charlton (England)
• Steven Gerrard (England)
• Zico (Brazil)
• Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)

Wingers 

Hugging the flanks on the left or right sides, wingers are primary creators on the soccer pitch. You’ll often see them assisting teammates while also bagging many goals themselves. The best soccer players of all time in these positions include: 

3. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Potentially in line for this year’s Ballon d’Or, you might, like many, regard Mo Salah as the best soccer player in the World right now. If he played for a top nation, he would likely have achieved more international success than he has. Domestically, however, he’s won everything with his club, Liverpool, including this season’s EPL title. Salah is everything you want in a winger with an impressive 244 goals and many assists in his 400 appearances for the club.

2. Garrincha (Brazil)

Much like Salah for Egypt, Garrincha was a pocket dynamo for Brazil between 1955 and 1966. He played 50 times and is possibly the best dribbler of a soccer ball of all time. Garrincha combined well to supply assists for Pelé, and Brazil never lost a match with both on the playing surface. As a two-time FIFA World Cup winner, the 5 feet 7 inch winger is among the greatest wingers ever.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 

Even people who don’t watch soccer know Cristiano Ronaldo. He exploded on the global stage playing as a right winger at Manchester United, and, although he’s moved into a more forward role since, he remains the best on the winger list. Despite now playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo still holds the UCL scoring record, having netted 140 goals during his time at United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Honorable Mentions

• Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
• Ronaldinho (Brazil)
• Ryan Giggs (Wales)
• Gareth Bale (Wales) 
• Neymar (Brazil) 
• Stanley Matthews (England) 
• Paco Gento (Spain)
• Jairzinho (Brazil)

Forwards

The forward position comprises those leading the attack, including the strikers and the central attacking creators. The best players in history in these roles include:

3. Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) 

In his heyday, there was no better striker than Ronaldo. He was a proper number 9 — ruthless in front of goal, able to dribble past defenders and always in position to receive a pass. Unfortunately, a spate of injuries overshadowed his illustrious career, including the debilitating torn ACL ligament that sidelined him for months in 2000. 

2. Pelé (Brazil)

Has there ever been a famous soccer player as well-revered as Edson Arantes do Nascimento? Pelé burst onto the international soccer scene as a 16-year-old with Brazil, winning the 1958 FIFA World Cup two years later. He would go on to win another two, displaying skills and goal-scoring abilities never seen before — in 92 internationals, he scored 77 goals. He played for his Brazilian club, Santos, for his entire career until leaving for a stint at the New York Cosmos before his retirement.  

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi is a household name in any list of world-class footballers. He is everything you could want from a forward — dribbling, vision, goalscoring sense, speed and more. Messi is among the most decorated footballers of all time, having won almost every trophy available in the beautiful game, including the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and four UCL titles. In his career, now in its twilight years at Inter Miami in the MLS, Messi has scored 759 goals in 941 games.

Honorable Mentions 

• Thierry Henry (France)
• Diego Maradona (Argentina)
• Gerd Muller (West Germany)
• Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
• Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina, Colombia and Spain)
• Eusébio (Portugal)
• Ferenc Puskás (Hungary)
• Marco Van Basten (Netherlands)

The Best Soccer Players of All Time

As the world’s most popular sport, soccer continues to produce an amazing array of talented players on their way to achieving legendary status. As a fan, it’s important to remember how incredible these players are and how they each contribute to the history of this spectacular game. However, Part of the fun is debating their achievements and contributions when deciding who you’d vote as your best soccer player of all time.  

Has the “best of” bug got you yet? Then check out our lists of the greatest athletes of all time, the best NFL teams of all time, the 20 fastest MLB players and the best soccer clubs in the world this year.

Originally posted Mar 11, 2024 – Updated June 4, 2025