Introduction

In the vast universe of football, there exists an eternal debate about who is the best soccer player in the world. This question fuels endless discussions, igniting passions and debates among fans across the globe. From the iconic figures of past eras to the contemporary giants of the modern game, the quest to crown the ultimate footballing deity persists.

Best Soccer Players in the World

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest footballers ever, boasts unparalleled accolades. He has secured eight Ballon d’Or awards and three Best FIFA Men’s Player awards, a testament to his extraordinary talent and consistency. Messi holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in La Liga (474 goals), the Supercopa de España (14 goals), and the UEFA Super Cup (3 goals).

Additionally, he holds the record for the most official recorded assists in football history, with an impressive tally of 357 assists. Messi is a paragon of goal-scoring prowess, with a remarkable total of 821 goals for club and country. Furthermore, he is the sole recipient of five and six European Golden Shoes, an achievement unparalleled in football history. Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has amassed an astounding 43 collective trophies, cementing his legacy as a titan of the sport.

Lionel Messi Career Trophies

• 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona.
•  7 Copa del Rey titles with Barcelona.
•  8 Supercopa de España titles with Barcelona.
•  4 UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona.
•  3 FIFA Club World Cup titles with Barcelona.
•  3 UEFA Super Cup titles with Barcelona.
•  1 Gold Medal with the Argentina national Team
•  1 Copa América title with the Argentina national team (won in 2021).
•  1 FIFA World Cup with the Argentina national Team (won in 2022).
•  8 Ballon Dor’s
•  2 time FIFA World Cup player

The Pele

However, it is widely accepted that he scored over 1,000 goals in official matches. This includes goals scored for Santos FC, the Brazilian national team, and later in his career for the New York Cosmos. Pelé’s remarkable achievements, regarding trophies and goals, solidify his legacy as one of the most prolific and successful footballers ever.

Pele Trophies Cabinet

Pelé won a total of 25 major trophies throughout his career, including:

• 3 FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970) with the Brazilian national team.
•  6 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles with Santos FC.
•  2 Copa Libertadores titles with Santos FC.
•  2 Intercontinental Cups with Santos FC.
•  Numerous state championships with Santos FC and New York Cosmos.

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona scored hundreds of goals for club and country throughout his career. While the exact tally can vary due to differences in record-keeping, Maradona’s impact on the game and his ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments remains legendary.

Diego Maradona Trophies

Maradona won a total of 9 major trophies during his career, including:

• FIFA World Cup: 1 (1986) – With the Argentina national team.
•  Serie A: 2 (1986-87, 1989-90) – With Napoli.
•  Coppa Italia: 1 (1986-87) – With Napoli.
•  UEFA Cup: 1 (1988-89) – With Napoli.
•  Coppa del Rey: 1 (1983) – With Barcelona.
•  Supercoppa Italiana: 1 (1990) – With Napoli.
•  Argentine Primera División: 1 (1981) – With Boca Juniors.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo scored a record-breaking total of 877 senior career goals for club and country, showcasing his exceptional goal-scoring ability and consistency on the field. He is regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time, with numerous memorable goals, including stunning free kicks, powerful headers, and clinical finishes. Ronaldo is one of the few recorded players to have made over 1,200 professional career appearances, highlighting his durability, longevity, and commitment to the game.

Ronaldo Trophies

Cristiano Ronaldo has won 34 senior trophies throughout his illustrious career. Here’s a list of his significant trophies:

• UEFA European Championship: 1 (2016) – With Portugal.
•  UEFA Champions League: 5 (2007–08, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18) – 4 with Real Madrid, 1 with Manchester United.
•  Premier League: 3 (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09) – All with Manchester United.
•  La Liga: 2 (2011–12, 2016–17) – Both with Real Madrid.
•  Serie A: 2 (2018–19, 2019–20) – Both with Juventus.
•  FA Cup: 1 (2003–04) – With Manchester United.
•  Copa del Rey: 2 (2010–11, 2013–14) – Both with Real Madrid.
•  Supercopa de España: 2 (2012, 2017) – Both with Real Madrid.
•  Supercoppa Italiana: 1 (2018) – With Juventus.
•  UEFA Super Cup: 4 (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019) – 3 with Real Madrid, 1 with Manchester United.
•  FIFA Club World Cup: 4 (2008, 2014, 2017, 2018) – 1 with Manchester United, 3 with Real Madrid.

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff scored approximately 332 goals in his professional club career. This figure includes his goal-scoring contributions for clubs such as Ajax, Barcelona, and Feyenoord. Additionally, he scored 33 goals for the Dutch national team during his international career. While these numbers may vary slightly depending on different sources and interpretations, Cruyff’s goal-scoring prowess and impact on the game are widely recognized and celebrated.

Cruyff Trophies

As a Player:

• Eredivisie (Dutch League) Titles: 98 with Ajax (1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85)
•  1 with Feyenoord (1983–84)
•  KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup) Titles: 65 with Ajax (1966–67, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1982–83)
•  1 with Feyenoord (1983–84)
•  UEFA European Cup (Champions League): 3All with Ajax (1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73)
•  Intercontinental Cup: 1With Ajax (1972)
•  La Liga (Spanish League) Titles: 1With Barcelona (1973–74)
•  Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 1 with Barcelona (1977–78)

As a Coach:

• Eredivisie (Dutch League) Titles: 4All with Ajax (1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90)
•  KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup) Titles: 1With Ajax (1985–86)
•  European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1With Barcelona (1988–89)
•  La Liga (Spanish League) Titles: 4All with Barcelona (1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94)
•  Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 1 with Barcelona (1989–90)

Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane, the iconic French midfielder, scored approximately 126 goals throughout his professional club career. These goals were primarily scored during his time with clubs such as AS Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid. Zidane was renowned for his elegant playing style, exceptional dribbling ability, and knack for scoring crucial goals in important matches.

Zidane Trophies Cabinet

As a Player:

1. FIFA World Cup: 1 (1998) – With the French national team.
2.  UEFA European Championship: 1 (2000) – With the French national team.
3.  UEFA Champions League: 1 (2001-2002) – With Real Madrid.
4.  La Liga: 1 (2002-2003) – With Real Madrid.
5.  Serie A: 2 (1996-1997, 1997-1998) – With Juventus.
6.  Intercontinental Cup: 2 (1996, 2002) – With Juventus and Real Madrid.
7.  UEFA Super Cup: 1 (2002) – With Real Madrid.
8.  FIFA World Player of the Year: 1 (1998).

As a Coach:

1. UEFA Champions League: 3 (2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018).
2.  La Liga: 2 (2016-2017, 2019-2020) – Both with Real Madrid.
3.  FIFA Club World Cup: 2 (2016, 2017) – With Real Madrid.
4.  UEFA Super Cup: 2 (2016, 2017) – With Real Madrid.
5.  Supercopa de España: 2 (2017, 2019) – With Real Madrid.

David Beckham

David Beckham scored approximately 146 goals in his club career, showcasing his versatility and precision. He provided numerous assists with his pinpoint crosses and incisive passing, contributing significantly to his team’s success and solidifying his reputation as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

David Beckham Trophies

• Premier League Titles: 6With Manchester United (1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03)
•  FA Cup: 2With Manchester United (1995–96, 1998–99)
•  UEFA Champions League: 1With Manchester United (1998–99)
•  La Liga Title: 1With Real Madrid (2006–07)
•  MLS Cup: 2With LA Galaxy (2011, 2012)
•  Ligue 1 Title: 1With Paris Saint-Germain (2012–13)
•  FA Community Shield: 4With Manchester United (1996, 1997, 2003)
•  Intercontinental Cup: 1With Manchester United (1999)
•  FIFA Club World Cup: 1With Manchester United (2008)
•  FA Youth Cup: 1With Manchester United (1991–92)
•  UEFA Super Cup: 1 with Real Madrid (2002)
•  Copa del Rey: 1With Real Madrid (2013–14)

Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazário, the Brazilian football phenomenon, amassed an impressive tally of approximately 414 goals in his professional club career. This figure includes his goal-scoring exploits for clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians, among others. Ronaldo scored 62 goals for the Brazilian national team during his illustrious international career.

Nazario Trophies

• FIFA World Cup: 2With the Brazilian national team (1994, 2002).
•  Copa America: 2With the Brazilian national team (1997, 1999).
•  UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1 With Barcelona (1996-1997).
•  Copa do Brasil: 1With Cruzeiro (1993).
•  La Liga Title: 1With Barcelona (1996-1997).
•  KNVB Cup: 1With PSV Eindhoven (1995-1996).
•  Campeonato Paulista: 2With Corinthians (2009, 2013).

Ronaldinho

Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldinho scored approximately 289 goals for various clubs and the Brazilian national team. These goals showcased his exceptional ability to dribble past defenders, precise finishing, and knack for scoring spectacular goals from long-range or set-piece situations. Ronaldinho’s goals contributed significantly to the success of clubs such as Barcelona, AC Milan, and Flamengo, as well as to the achievements of the Brazilian national team.

Ronaldinho Trophies

• FIFA World Cup: 1With the Brazilian national team (2002).
•  UEFA Champions League: 1With Barcelona (2005-2006).
•  La Liga Title: 2With Barcelona (2004-2005, 2005-2006).
•  Serie A Title: 1With AC Milan (2010-2011).
•  Copa Libertadores: 1With Atlético Mineiro (2013).
•  Copa América: 1 With the Brazilian national team (1999).
•  FIFA Confederations Cup: 1With the Brazilian national team (2005).
•  FIFA World Player of the Year: 2Individual accolades recognizing his outstanding performances on the field (2004, 2005).

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappé, the electrifying French forward, has established himself as one of world football’s most prolific and dynamic talents. With a remarkable tally of 317 goals and 129 assists in 426 career appearances for both club and country, Mbappé’s impact on the game is undeniable. His blistering pace, clinical finishing, and exceptional vision have made him a formidable goal-scoring threat and a key creator.

Kylian Mbappe Trophies

• Ligue 1 Titles: Mbappé has won multiple Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) since joining the club in 2017.
•  Coupe de France: Mbappé has also lifted the Coupe de France with PSG, contributing to the club’s domestic cup success.
•  Coupe de la Ligue: Mbappé has been part of PSG’s victories in the Coupe de la Ligue, adding to his trophy cabinet in domestic competitions.
•  Trophée des Champions: Mbappé has won the Trophée des Champions, the French football season’s curtain-raiser, multiple times with PSG.
•  FIFA World Cup: With the French national team, Mbappé won the FIFA World Cup in 2018. He played a crucial role in France’s triumph, showcasing his immense talent on the world stage.

Erling Haland

As of February 10, 2024, Erling Haaland has netted 234 senior-level goals, with 207 goals for his clubs and 27 for the Norwegian national team. His prolific scoring ability has solidified his reputation as one of the most lethal strikers in the world.

Erling Haaland has left an indelible mark on the Premier League with his record-breaking achievements. He became the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals, achieving this feat in just 48 games, surpassing Andy Cole’s record by an impressive 17 games. Furthermore, Haaland shattered Kevin Phillips’ long-standing goal record in the first Premier League season. He reached his 31st goal against Leicester City on April 15, 2023, establishing himself as a dominant force in English football.

Haland Trophies

1. UEFA Best Player in Europe: 1x (2023)
2.  Footballer of the Year: 6x
3.  Top Goal Scorer: 6x
4.  TM-Player of the Season: 2x
5.  Player of the Year: 1x
6.  Champions League Winner: 1x
7.  English Champion: 1x
8.  UEFA Super Cup Winner: 1x
9.  English FA Cup Winner: 1x
10.  German Cup Winner: 1x
11.  Austrian Champion: 1x
12.  Austrian Cup Winner: 1x

Conclusion

In the ever evolving landscape of Soccer, the quest to anoint the best known footballer remains a perpetual pursuit. Whether it’s Messi’s artistic mastery, Pele’s timeless brilliance, Maradona’s mythical aura, or Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of perfection, the debate will continue to rage on. Yet, the true beauty of football lies not in determining a singular victor but in celebrating the diverse tapestry of talent that enriches the game. So, as we bask in the glory of this beautiful game, let us revel in the brilliance of its brightest stars, united in our shared love for the sport.