Short answer: Pelé tops FootGoal’s editorial ranking of the top 10 football players of all time, ahead of Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Ronaldo. Garrincha, Johan Cruyff, Paolo Maldini, George Best and Ferenc Puskás complete the list. Names and order are an editorial choice; facts are checked against official sources to 1 November 2026.
During its long history, football has seen lots of genius players. But, some of them have created the history of football.
Players who left their footprint on this game, who changed the way football is played, who created the game’s style, making it the most followed and attractive sport in the world!
Today, we are going to look at the TOP 10 football players of all time.
So, who are the World’s Best Football Players of All Time?
Let’s find out the legends together!
This is an editorial ranking: the names and order are FootGoal Editorial’s choice and not an official table. Each profile gives the full name, life dates and playing position, plus honours confirmed by FIFA, UEFA or the Ballon d’Or organisers, with current figures as of 1 November 2026.
10. Ferenc Puskás, Hungary
Full name: Ferenc Purczeld
Life: Apr 1, 1927 – Nov 17, 2006
Playing position: Forward
Honours: Hungary reached the 1954 FIFA World Cup final. FIFA’s Puskás Award for the best goal of the year is named after him.
9. George Best, Northern Ireland
Full name: George Best
Life: May 22, 1946 – Nov 25, 2005
Playing position: Winger, attacking midfielder
8. Paolo Maldini, Italy
Full name: Paolo Cesare Maldini
Date of birth: July 26, 1968
Playing position: Defender
Honours: Five European Cup and Champions League wins with AC Milan (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007); played at four World Cups, reaching the 1994 final with Italy.
7. Johan Cruyff, Netherlands
Full name: Hendrik Johannes Cruijff
Life: Apr 25, 1947 – Mar 24, 2016
Playing position: Forward, attacking midfielder
Honours: Three Ballon d’Or awards (1971, 1973, 1974); captained the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final.
6. Garrincha, Brazil
Full name: Manuel Francisco dos Santos
Life: Oct 28, 1933 – Jan 20, 1983
Playing position: Right winger
Honours: Won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
5. Ronaldo, Brazil
Full name: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
Date of birth: September 18, 1976
Playing position: Striker
Honours: Won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002; 15 World Cup goals in total, including 8 at the 2002 tournament (adidas Golden Boot); Ballon d’Or in 1997 and 2002.
4. Lionel Messi, Argentina
Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth: June 24, 1987
Playing position: Striker
Honours: Eight Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023); 2022 World Cup winner; 126 goals in 208 matches for Argentina (UEFA, 7 October 2026); 8 goals at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina lost the final 1-0 after extra time to Spain (FIFA). Plays for Inter Miami, with a contract through the 2028 MLS season.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: February 5, 1985
Playing position: Striker, winger
Honours: Five Ballon d’Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017); men’s record of 146 international goals in 234 appearances (UEFA, 7 October 2026); won UEFA EURO 2016 with Portugal; 11 World Cup goals and the first player to score at six World Cups; won the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.
2. Diego Maradona, Argentina
Full name: Diego Armando Maradona
Life: 30 October 1960 – Nov 25, 2020
Playing position: Attacking midfielder, second striker
Honours: Won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
1. Pelé, Brazil
Full name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Life: Oct 23, 1940 – Dec 29, 2022
Playing position: Forward, attacking midfielder
Honours: The only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times (1958, 1962, 1970).
Sources
- FIFA World Cup 2026: official match data and player statistics
- UEFA: top international scorers (Ronaldo 146 in 234, Messi 126 in 208, correct as of 7 October 2026)
- UEFA: Portugal at the World Cup 2026 (Ronaldo’s World Cup record, Champions League titles, EURO 2016)
- Ballon d’Or organisers: winners and years for Messi and Ronaldo
- FIFA: Pelé obituary (died 29 December 2022; three World Cups)
- FIFA: Ronaldo and the 2002 World Cup
- UEFA: Paolo Maldini and the Champions League
- UEFA: remembering Johan Cruyff (three Ballon d’Or awards)
- Inter Miami CF: Messi contract through the 2028 season
- AFC: Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title
FAQ
Who is the best football player of all time?
In this editorial ranking it is Pelé, ahead of Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Pelé is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times (1958, 1962, 1970). The order is FootGoal Editorial’s choice, not an official table.
How many Ballon d’Or awards have Messi and Ronaldo won?
Lionel Messi has won eight (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023) and Cristiano Ronaldo five (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), according to the Ballon d’Or organisers.
Who has scored the most international goals?
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, followed by Lionel Messi with 126 in 208 for Argentina. UEFA published the figures in September 2026, correct as of 7 October 2026.
How did Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo do at the 2026 World Cup?
Messi scored 8 goals and Argentina lost the final 1-0 after extra time to Spain on 19 July 2026. Ronaldo scored 3 goals and Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 on 6 July 2026. Source: FIFA official match data.
Who has won the World Cup three times?
Pelé is the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup three times, with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He died on 29 December 2022, aged 82.
