50 Greatest Men’s Football Players: The Ultimate Soccer GOATs

Introduction
Forwards
- Pelé (Brazil)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil)
- Gerd Müller (West Germany)
- Ferenc Puskás (Hungary)
- George Best (Northern Ireland)
- Romário (Brazil)
- Thierry Henry (France)
- George Weah (Liberia)
- Paolo Rossi (Italy)
- Eusébio (Portugal)
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
- Garrincha (Brazil)
- Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina and Spain)
- Miroslav Klose (Germany)
- Jürgen Klinsmann (West Germany)
- Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
- Kylian Mbappé (France)
Midfielders
- Bobby Charlton (England)
- Diego Maradona (Argentina)
- Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
- Zinedine Zidane (France)
- Ronaldinho (Brazil)
- Xavi (Spain)
- Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
- Michel Platini (France)
- Lothar Matthäus (West Germany)
- Sócrates (Brazil)
- Zico (Brazil)
- Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
- David Beckham (England)
- Luka Modrić (Croatia)
Defenders
- Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
- Paolo Maldini (Italy)
- Franco Baresi (Italy)
- Cafu (Brazil)
- Bobby Moore (England)
- Sergio Ramos (Spain)
- Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
- Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
- Alessandro Nesta (Italy)
- Carles Puyol (Spain)
Goalkeepers
- Lev Ivanovich Yashin (Soviet Union)
- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
- Manuel Neuer (Germany)
- Iker Casillas (Spain)
- Gordon Banks (England)
- Dino Zoff (Italy)
- Oliver Kahn (Germany)

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Spain's national soccer team celebrates on stage as a player lifts the World Cup trophy, surrounded by teammates in red uniforms and gold confetti, with fans taking photos below.

Lionel Messi dribbling a soccer ball during a World Cup match.

Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing a light green Portugal national team training top, jogs on a soccer field before a FIFA 2018 qualification match.

Ronaldo of Brazil, wearing a yellow jersey and blue shorts, runs with the ball during a 2006 FIFA World Cup soccer match against Croatia in Berlin.

Black and white photo of German forward Gerd Muller sliding on the pitch to kick the ball during the 1970 FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Morocco at Guanajuato Stadium in Leon, Mexico, while teammate Uwe Seeler and Moroccan player Mohamed Maaroufi watch in the background.

Manchester United great

Romario of Brazil, wearing a yellow jersey and gold medal, holds the FIFA World Cup trophy above his head on the field after the 1994 final in Los Angeles.

FC Barcelona player Thierry Henry in a red team jacket shakes hands with a teammate before a match at Camp Nou stadium.

50 Greatest Men’s Football Players: The Ultimate Soccer GOATs: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

Andrew Pereira
Andrew Pereira is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He covers a variety of topics, with a focus on Indian politics, foreign policy, and global affairs.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Updated to mention Kylian Mbappé becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.	Andrew Pereira	Aug 02, 2026
	Mentioned Lionel Messi becoming the second-highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.	Andrew Pereira	Jul 31, 2026
	Media added.	Tushaar Kuthiala	Jul 06, 2026
	Mentioned Lionel Messi becoming the FIFA World Cup's leading goalscorer.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 22, 2026
	Updated keywords.	Gitanjali Roy	Jun 17, 2026
	Updated to note that Lionel Messi became the World Cup's leading goalscorer.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 16, 2026
	Added cross-reference.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 15, 2026
	Updated title and keywords.	Gitanjali Roy	Jun 09, 2026
	Media added.	Amy Tikkanen	Jun 04, 2026
	Updated title and keywords.	Gitanjali Roy	Jun 04, 2026
	Corrected display issue.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 03, 2026
	Corrected display issue.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 03, 2026
	New article added.	Andrew Pereira	Jun 02, 2026