1 Pele (Brazil) Pele (born 23 October 1940), was listed in Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. The driving force behind 3 world cup wins for Brazil, and with over 1280 goals in 1363 games, Pele is a shoe-in for the top spot.

2 Diego Maradona (Argentina) The pint-sized Argentinian (born 30 October 1960) is oft-remembered for the controversial 'hand of god' goal in Mexico 86. The incident eclipsed the goal that followed - which happens to be probably one of his greatest of all time.
3 Zinedine Zidane (France) 'Zizou' needs little introduction. FIFA World player of the year three times, Zidane is pure class. Even managing to keep his cool and still score after puking mid-way through a penalty kick!
4 Johan Cruyff (Holland) Voted European Player of the Century, and a major proponent of "Total Football.", Cruyff played 48 internationals, scoring 33 goals.

5 George Best (Northern Ireland) Perhaps the greatest British footballer of all-time.
6 Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay) Noted for his grace and fluid abilities on the ball, these qualities would later influence the style of Zidane, who has stated that Francescoli was his favorite player as a young boy and even named one of his sons after him.
7 Sir Bobby Charlton (England) England's all-time top goal scorer and the powerhouse behind their World Cup winning side in 66.

8 Michel Platini (France) One of the greatest passers of the ball the game has seen, the Frenchman is also notble for his fantastic finishing abilities.
9 Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina) The 'Blond Arrow' helped Real Madrid to five successive European Cup victories in the 50's.
10 Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) One of the greatest midfielders the game has seen, and has twice won the much coveted European footballer of the year award.

Greatest Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Denmark) Helping Manchester United to the treble in 1999 and Denmark to the Euros in 92, there is no doubt in my mind that Schmeichel was far better at goalkeeping than football punditry P.S. Arsenal fans look away now!

Great list and thank you for the huge video clips for each player. I'll have to sit and savour them sometime I have a decent hour to kill.

I would suggest for people replying here, that if they feel some certain player was greater than another, or if they have a new player to recommend, please argue your case and/or provide a video clip for reference. That would make for a far better read and discussion than just writing that you disagree but not explaining why

I have one that I would like to add.... Although I'm not fond of Milan at all,I think Maldini should be placed asone one of the all time bests....


Or Eric Cantona, he was simply incredible....

I don't think you can compare former players like pele with zidane.... Or even actual players like messi. There was a huge developement within football. The game became much faster and the most important thing: defending really did improve. It became more physical and there are lots more tacklings and body contacts. Also the training approved - football became a full time job! I don't think pele could have scored the goals he did against an actual world class defence. I personally think, actual players would beat former players with ease. Different opinions? Nonetheless pele was a great players, as all the other listed players were. They were the dominating players in their decades - but I can't make friends with listings like "greatest of all times"...

Hooray for george best, he's my favorite player of all time

Great list

Amazing goalie!

First of all awesome list! Kevin Keegan and Dalgish might have a word to say....

I really think that Pele was is and will always be over rated. Okay he scored a lot of goals, but skill wise? C'mon even george best had more skill than him! He might have won some world cups but he was surounded with stars whereas Maradona won the world cup with an average team. I am not saying he was rubbish, but only that I don't think he was the best ever.

Maybe because I love technical players that my point of view is different. For me Maradona, best, zidane, dalgish, zola, keegan now messi are just out of this world.

1. Pele
2. Maradona
3. Cruyftt
4. Beckenbauer
5. Zidane
6. Best
7. Platini
8. Di Stefano
9. Charlton
10. Schemichel

Schemichel c'mmon, their have been so many better goal keepers than him. Clemence, shilton, Grobbelaar etc...

Maradona was best in his time I think like in the 86 world cup. I think He was the best footballer ever in that tournament, His form was not as consistent as pele who was at his best nearly his whole carrer. The list is prety good I think. Eusebio and Ferenc Pukas unluky not to be in their

I think not to cause confusion or argument you should change the title to "Top 10 Football Legend of All Time" seeing as they were good for their time but like Stscorer said football has come along way since the day of Pele, Maradona and Best. They were the best of their time but not of history, just like one can argue ronaldo or messi are the best now but in 20 years people will say the samething, that football has evolved

Maradona Good  Pele Better  George Best

Like someone has mentioned above a list like this is always very contentious. For the record I wouldn't incluce Bobby Charlton in a list of the top 10 greatest footballers ever, I'd replace him with his 1966 England team captain Bobby Moore.

The goalkeeper spot needs looking at too. Schmeichel is a strange choice. Probably looking at the likes of Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin or Dino Zoff.

Good call that someome made with Puskas, he is definitely one of the greatest players ever

I agree with STscorer that the game has evolved but what about Ronaldo? Great player at Real Madrid and for Brazil, playing both 'Oldies' football and the modern game. He deserves a spot somewhere on this list!