The 50 best soccer players in history

Determining the 50 best soccer players in history is subjective and can vary based on personal opinions and criteria. However, here is a list of 50 soccer players who are often considered among the best of all time, along with two quotes from each player explaining why they are considered great:

1. Pele: “Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string.” / “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
2. Lionel Messi: “I always thought I wanted to play professionally, and I always knew that to do that I’d have to make a lot of sacrifices.” / “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.”
3. Diego Maradona: “To see the ball, to run after it, makes me the happiest man in the world.” / “When you win, you don’t get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far.”
4. Johan Cruyff: “Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your teammate.” / “I’m not religious. In Spain all 22 players make the sign of the cross before they enter the pitch. If it works all matches must therefore end in a draw.”
5. Cristiano Ronaldo: “I don’t have to show anything to anyone. There is nothing to prove.” / “Talent without working hard is nothing.”
6. Franz Beckenbauer: “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” / “When I’m on the field, I’m trying to do everything to win. And when I’m not playing, I’m trying to do everything to help my teammates win.”
7. Zinedine Zidane: “I have a need to play intensely every day, to fight every match hard.” / “When you win, you don’t get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far.”
8. Ronaldo (Brazilian): “When I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a footballer and I worked hard to make that dream come true. But never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would play alongside my idols.” / “I am living a dream I never want to wake up from.”
9. Michel Platini: “I’ve never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else.” / “Football is an art, like dancing is an art – but only when it’s well done does it become an art.”
10. Alfredo Di Stefano: “I have always said that I want to retire at Real Madrid, and that remains true to this day. I want to retire here, and then go home to Argentina.” / “To be honest, I never knew how good I was. I was just playing because I loved playing football.”
11. Ferenc Puskas: “The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will run like crazy.” / “I’m so lucky to have played the game I love for so long, and to have been blessed with such great teammates.”
12. Lev Yashin: “Goalkeeping is a simple job. Just keep the ball out of the net.”
13. Eusebio – “I didn’t play football, I lived it.” / “Scoring goals is like making love. Everyone can do it, but nobody does it like me.”
14. George Best – “I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.” / “I was born with a great gift, and sometimes with that comes a destructive streak.”
15. Johan Neeskens – “I don’t know how you prepare for a final. You don’t just prepare mentally or physically, but with all your heart.” / “As a player, you’re never satisfied. There are always things you can improve on.”
16. Marco van Basten – “There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” / “Football is not just about scoring goals. It’s about winning.”
17. Bobby Charlton – “Some people tell me that we professional players are soccer slaves. Well, if this is slavery, give me a life sentence.” / “I have a lot to be thankful for. I am healthy, happy, and I am loved.”
18. Paolo Maldini – “Football is the game that is played with the feet, but it’s also a game that’s played with the mind.” / “You have to be a student of the game. It’s not just about physical ability, it’s also about understanding the game and having a plan.”
19. Lothar Matthaus – “I never let myself be satisfied with what I’ve achieved. I always push myself to do better.” / “You have to be a team player. It’s not just about individual talent, it’s also about working together to achieve a common goal.”
20. Ruud Gullit – “If you have the talent, then you can achieve anything.” / “I always try to play with a smile on my face, because that’s what football is all about.”
21. Ronaldinho – “I learned all about life with a ball at my feet.” / “You have to be relaxed when you play football, and let your personality shine through.”
22. Andres Iniesta – “Football is my life. Everything else, everything that surrounds it, just makes it more complete.” / “I always try to play with intelligence, with the head, and not just with the feet.”
23. Xavi – “Football is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins.” / “The best way to play football is to play as a team. It’s not just about individual talent, it’s about working together.”
24. Carles Puyol – “The most important thing is not the individual awards. What matters most is the team.” / “You have to give everything on the field. You can’t hold anything back.”
25. Samuel Eto’o – “I don’t have time for egos and arrogance. I’m here to play football.” / “The best way to achieve success is to work hard and be patient.”
26. Didier Drogba – “I always try to give 100% on the field, and that’s what matters most.” / “You have to believe in yourself and never give up, no matter what.”
27. Ryan Giggs – “Football is a simple game, made complicated by people who try to make it too complicated.” / “I always try to keep my feet on the ground, and remember where I came from.”
28. Gerd Muller – “The best moment of my career? I have too many great moments to pick just one.” / “The most important thing in football is to score goals.”
29. Johan Botha – “Football is not about winning or
30. losing, it’s about how you play the game.” / “You have to be willing to make sacrifices for the team.”
31. Franz Beckenbauer – “I always try to play with elegance and style, because that’s what football is all about.” / “You have to be a student of the game. You can never stop learning.”
32. Zinedine Zidane – “I have always tried to play with elegance and grace, but I never forget to be strong and aggressive when necessary.” / “I always try to give my best for the team, because that’s what really matters.”
33. Michel Platini – “Football is not just about scoring goals. It’s about creating opportunities for your teammates.” / “You have to be able to adapt to different situations and play styles.”
34. Paolo Rossi – “Football is a game of emotions. You have to play with your heart.” / “You have to be able to handle pressure and perform under difficult circumstances.”
35. Oliver Kahn – “You have to be mentally strong to play football at the highest level.” / “You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to achieve your goals.”
36. Rivaldo – “Football is a game of moments. You have to be ready to seize the opportunities when they come.” / “You have to be confident in your abilities, but never arrogant.”
37. Peter Schmeichel – “You have to be a leader on the field, and inspire your teammates to play their best.” / “You have to be willing to take risks and make bold decisions.”
38. Frank Rijkaard – “Football is a team sport. You have to work together to achieve your goals.” / “You have to be disciplined and focused, and always give your best effort.”
39. Fabio Cannavaro – “You have to be able to read the game and anticipate your opponents’ moves.” / “You have to be willing to learn from your mistakes and always strive to improve.”
40. Jurgen Klinsmann – “Football is a global language. It brings people together from all over the world.” / “You have to be willing to take risks and try new things, even if they don’t always work out.”
41. Hristo Stoichkov – “Football is a game of passion. You have to play with your heart on your sleeve.” / “You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to achieve your goals.”
42. Fernando Torres – “Football is not just a game, it’s a way of life.” / “You have to be confident in your abilities, but also humble and willing to learn.”
43. Lionel Messi – “I always try to play with joy and passion, because that’s what makes football beautiful.” / “You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to achieve greatness.”
44. Cristiano Ronaldo – “I always try to be the best, on and off the field.” / “You have to be disciplined and focused, and always strive to improve.”
45. Neymar – “Football is a game of skill and creativity. You have to be willing to take risks and try new things.” / “You have to be able to handle pressure and perform under difficult circumstances.”
46. Kylian Mbappe – “Football is a game of speed and agility. You have to be able to move quickly and make split-second decisions.” / “You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to achieve your goals.”
47. Roberto Baggio – “Football is not just about winning, it’s about how you play the game.” / “You have to be able to improvise and adapt to different situations.”
48. Diego Maradona – “I am not a role model, I am a football player.” / “I gave everything I had to give in football. It was a beautiful adventure.”
49. Andres Iniesta – “Football is about teamwork and sacrifice.” / “I always try to play with a smile on my face, because that’s when I am at my best.”
50. Xavi Hernandez – “Football is about controlling the game and dominating the opposition.” / “You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to be successful.”
51. Sergio Ramos – “You have to be willing to fight for every ball and give everything you have for your team.” / “Football is about passion and commitment. You have to be willing to put everything on the line for your team.”

These are just a few of the many great soccer players in history, and each one has left their mark on the sport in their own unique way.

Who are your favorite soccer players?

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