Football is one of the most popular sports worldwide, and it has been honoured with various legends who continuously contribute to celebrating the sport. Although some of the football legends can no longer show their skills, the mark they left will always be in the hearts of their teams and fans.

Are you one of the fans who loves collecting retro football shirts or are you in the process of starting the collection? If it’s the latter, it’s best to get to know the names you usually encounter when talking about football history.

In this article, we’ll get to know ten of the most popular football players of all time.

1. Pelé

Pelé or Edson Arantes do Nascimento was known as one of the greatest football players of all time. Although he passed away in December 2022, his legacy remains in the football industry. He has been an inspiration for many football players worldwide, even in today’s generation.

Pelé was known for the number of scores he contributed to his team, his smooth passing, and his dribbling skills. In addition, he became popular as he was the first-ever teenager who scored in the World Cup.

2. Diego Maradona

With his creativity and technical skills, Diego Maradona had a successful football career which is why he was also called The Golden Boy. Although he passed away in November 2020, football fans and enthusiasts will never forget his contribution to the football industry.

One of the most unforgettable football moments with Maradona was when he became the captain of Argentina in the 1989 World Cup which they successfully won. As a result, Maradona became popular not just in Argentina, but in the whole world.

3. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi always secures the spot in every article about popular football players. He’s now playing and the captain for Inter Miami CF since July 2023. Although he’s been with different teams, including FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, he’s consistently showing his passion and skills for the sport.

Messi has been so popular that his name became a pick-up line in a Korean Drama, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016).

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is another name people usually hear when talking about football. He’s currently playing and is the captain of Al-Nassr FC since 2023. Being one of the most influential football players of all time, Ronaldo has broken various records ever since he started playing. Additionally, he’s one of the players with the most scored goals in the history of football.

5. Johan Cruyff

Some of the concepts and titles associated with Johna Cruyff are the “Cruyff Turn” and “Total Football”. Cruyff Turn is a skill to lose an opponent, while Total Football is a concept where a teammate in the outfield can replace a player who moves out of his position to retain the organisational structure.

6. Zinedine Zidane

One of the most memorable performances of Zinedine Zidane was in the 1998 World Cup. Another one was in the 2006 FIFA World Cup where although he showed his passion for the game and exceptional skills, he ended with a red card.

In recent years, Zidane has shared his skills and experience as a manager and coach of various teams.

7. Alfredo Di Stéfano

Alfredo Di Stéfano was regarded as the best player of Real Madrid. He scored a total of 308 goals and eighteen trophies in his entire football career. Additionally, of all his awards, the most exclusive one is the Super Ballon d’Or. According to experts, if there’s a word that can be related to Stéfano, it must be “win”.

8. Michel Platini

Michel Platini is the finest French midfielder during his career. He also won three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards from 1983-1985. His exceptional skills, including his ability to score (more than 200 times in his career), have become an inspiration for many football players. It’s not just in the French football community, but his legacy has been popular worldwide.

Meanwhile, aside from being a player, he also became a UEFA President in 2007. Additionally, he was also a co-organiser of the 1998 World Cup held in France.

9. Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauerwas was one of the most unforgettable central defenders in football history, as he won two Ballon d’Ors, which is an unexpected opportunity for players in the said position. No matter where he went, including the US, Germany, and France, Beckenbauer still won league titles.

In addition, he also became a manager when his team, West Germany, won the 1990 World Cup. He also became the manager of other teams, including Marseille and Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, he passed away early this year, which affected the whole football community.

10. Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário was a Brazilian striker who was well-known for his scoring, techniques, and speed. He’s also won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or twice. Unfortunately, Nazário’s football career didn’t go as smoothly as expected because he obtained a series of injuries, cutting his football career earlier than expected.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article helps you get to know more about the popular names in football history. Whether you’re collecting retro football shirts or a new football fan, this information can significantly help you track the best player of all time.