Soccer, also called football, has produced many great players over the years. Some of these players have ascended to true greatness and become legends. Many of these players are capable of pulling off amazing soccer skills. Without further ado, here is our list of the 10 biggest football legends ever.

Football Legends: 10. Andres Iniesta

Some players came into the world in the wrong era to dominate soccer. Some of those had great careers anyway.

Without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta would have won it all. It is a shame he never won a Ballon d’Or.

Iniesta had an immense influence on any team he played for. Nobody could control a game like him. His touch, creativity, ingenuity, and vision were incomparable.

The Spanish megastar became Barcelona’s second-best player ever and Spain’s most important player. He led his country to winning the World Cup once and the Euros twice.

Football Legends: 9. Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s legacy is underrated because of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is certainly an all-time great center-forward. Due to how football is played now, it can be easy to overlook the importance of a truly incredible #9.

Ronaldo is the most recognizable player in an entire era of football.

Ronaldo had a perfect combination of power and pace. He had all the qualities of a great player. Injuries damaged his career, but his legacy is secure.

Football Legends: 8. Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano is the greatest Real Madrid player ever, according to most people. That is hard to believe, but it is true.

Argentina was his birth place, but he represented Spain eventually. However, he only received 31 caps for Spain and scored 23 goals.

He scored 308 goals in 396 games for Real Madrid in 11 years.

7. Franz Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer’s quality and versatility means he has to feature on this list of football legends.

The German started playing as a midfielder. After that, he became a center-back for Bayern Munich and created the modern sweeper role. Beckenbauer was an anomaly among center-backs at the time due to his height and size. He stood five feet, 11 inches tall.

Beckenbauer was incredibly comfortable on the ball. Additionally, he also scored 98 goals in his career. That includes 75 goals in 584 matches for Bayern Munich.

Beckenbauer was ahead of his time.

6. Johan Cruyff

Another revolutionary figure, Johan Cruyff created ‘tiki-taka football’. This was almost 40 years before this style of football helped Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona dominate Europe and Spain. The Spanish national team also played this style of football when they won the Euros twice and the World Cup once from 2008-2014.

Cruyff preached ‘Total Football’ with Dutch giants Ajax. He began his career there and scored 257 times in 329 games. The Dutchman admitted his tactical designs were key to his individual success.

He had freedom to play the way he wanted at FC Barcelona. Cruyff influenced football like few players before or since.

Football Legends: 5. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane was the complete midfielder. The Frenchman had immense technical ability, grace, and elegance. Also, his touch was remarkable.

Zidane was remarkable intelligent on the ball and an all-time great dribbler. He knew how to ensure the ball would reach a teammate or end up in the back of the net.

Zidane won every major trophy at least once. This includes the Champions League, the World Cup, Serie A, La Liga, and the Euros. He deserves his reputation as one of the greatest midfielders ever.

4. Pele

The spirit of Pele lives in all of Brazilian football. Pele might be the best international football player ever.

He scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil and won three World Cups.

Pele’s legacy is interesting to examine. He scored 643 goals in 659 games for Santos in in 18 years with the club. He finished his career with the New York Cosmos.

Also, Pele had devastating pace and deadly finishing, striking fear into the hearts of any defenders who faced him. He deserves his place in the football GOAT conversation.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

It is important to be as impartial as possible to understand Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatness. He has earned his place among the other all-time greats.

Ronaldo has excelled in La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League. Also, he has won the domestic title and domestic cup in all three of these leagues. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo won five Champions League titles, including four with Real Madrid. Internationally, Ronaldo won the 2016 Euros with Portugal.

Ronaldo’s career has revolved around winning. He had an unmatched mentality and determination during his prime. It is fair to say he damaged his legacy by moving to Saudi Arabia, but his greatness remains undeniable.

2. Diego Maradona

Maradona is beloved like few other players in both Argentina and Naples.

The small Argentine forward had incredible technical ability and a low center of gravity that helped him get past defenders. Maradona was a menace for all defenders who faced him. His intensity intimidated opponents and motivated teammates.

Maradona won fewer trophies than one might expect. He won an Argentine league title before moving to Spain and joining Barcelona.

Maradona transformed Napoli when he arrived at the club. In five years with him, Napoli won the UEFA Cup and two Serie A titles. Maradona also led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986.

Maradona’s vision, dribbling, passing, and will to win had an immense effect on both Napoli and Argentinian football. He led them to success with his greatness.

1. Lionel Messi

Messi has scored 816 goals and provided 357 assists in 1,034 games at club and international level. He averages a goal contribution every 73 minutes.

Messi has adapted during his career, but remains as productive as ever.

Also, Messi has extraordinary touch. His passing is the best of all time. Messi can unlock a defense like no one else. Messi has won nearly every major trophy imaginable, including four Champions League titles, twelve league titles, the World Cup, and two Copa America titles. His performances at the 2022 World Cup drew renewed comparisons to Maradona as he led Argentina to their first World Cup title since 1986.

Lionel Messi plays beautiful football and he always has. Now at MLS club Inter Miami, he entertains anyone who watches him play. It is a privilege to watch him play and he has earned his recognition as the best football player of all time.