The Top 250 Players of All-Time: 50-41
In February 2013 up in the attic bedroom of our student house, Gareth Thomas, Ben Jones and Ollie Jackson after another prolonged football debate decided it was time we did something about the question, 'Who is the best player in the World?'. Housemate Liam suggested setting out to find the greatest 50 players of all time, this swiftly grew to 100, 150 and 200 before we settled on 250. Our original website www.top250.webs.com is still there to answer the debate but we furthered our work to blogging about the beautiful game starting up www.thefootballhistoryboys.blogspot.com.
Missed the last installment? Here it is!
50. Javier ZANETTI
POSITION: Defender/Midfielder;
NATION: Argentina (145/5);
CLUB(s): Talleres, Banfield (Both ARG) Inter (ITA);
CLUB(s): Talleres, Banfield (Both ARG) Inter (ITA);
CLUB HONOURS: 5x Serie A, 4x Coppa Italia, 4x Supercoppa Italiana, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x FIFA Club World Cup;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x Olympic Silver Medal
“To me Zanetti represents the joy of living, the joy of making football your job every morning. He is the smile, the life force, the passion for training, the good cheer for everyone who works with him.”
“To me Zanetti represents the joy of living, the joy of making football your job every morning. He is the smile, the life force, the passion for training, the good cheer for everyone who works with him.”
Jose Mourinho
"Another modern player to make the TFHB Top 250, and has beaten Kaka, Gerrard and Lampard into making the final 50 names of the countdown. To still be playing at the highest level at 40 years old is something only a select few players can claim to have done. "Il Trattore" quite simply does not stop, a winner of pretty much every possible domestic honour (including captaining Inter to a treble in 2010), Zanetti will surely be regarded even higher once he retires."
Ben Jones - TFHB
49. Oliver KAHN
POSITION: Goalkeeper;
NATION: Germany (86/0);
CLUB(s): Karlsruher SC II, Karlsruher SC, Bayern Munich (All GER);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Oberliga Baden-Wirttemberg, 1x Verbandsliga Nordbaden, 8x Bundesliga, 6x DFB-Pokal, 6x DFB-Ligapokal, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x Intercontinental Cup;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x UEFA European Championship, 1x FIFA World Cup Runner Up
"Oliver Kahn is an absolute colossus between the sticks for both Bayern Munich and Germany and probably the best keeper when confronted with a one-on-one situation with an opposition player.
The blond-haired, fiery No. 1 won everything there is to win in the club game while in Bavaria. The highlight of his career coming when his penalty-saving heroics in the shootout of the 2001 Champions League final against Valencia helped win Bayern their first European Cup for 25 years.
Meanwhile, his performances in goal for Die Mannschaft at the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea/Japan virtually dragged his country single handedly to the final, where they lost to Brazil. Although Kahn made history when he became the first and only keeper to be named player of the tournament when he won the Golden Ball."
"Oliver Kahn is an absolute colossus between the sticks for both Bayern Munich and Germany and probably the best keeper when confronted with a one-on-one situation with an opposition player.
The blond-haired, fiery No. 1 won everything there is to win in the club game while in Bavaria. The highlight of his career coming when his penalty-saving heroics in the shootout of the 2001 Champions League final against Valencia helped win Bayern their first European Cup for 25 years.
Meanwhile, his performances in goal for Die Mannschaft at the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea/Japan virtually dragged his country single handedly to the final, where they lost to Brazil. Although Kahn made history when he became the first and only keeper to be named player of the tournament when he won the Golden Ball."
Richard Morgan - Bleacher Report
POSITION: Striker;
"Raúl González Blanco has a couple of decent tags to his name: All time top scorer in the Champions league, all time top scorer at Real Madrid, third top goal scorer in La Liga and second top scorer of the Spanish national side. Not a bad career is it? So when we talk about top strikers, why is Raúl not the first name that pops into your head? He’s quite simply one of the best, if not the best striker in past decade; arguably in the history of football."
SportsKeeda
POSITION: Defender;
48. RAUL
POSITION: Striker;
NATION: Spain (102/44);
CLUB(s): Real Madrid (ESP), Schalke 04 (GER), Al-Sadd (QAT)
CLUB(s): Real Madrid (ESP), Schalke 04 (GER), Al-Sadd (QAT)
CLUB HONOURS: 6x La Liga, 4x Supercopa Espana, 3x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 2x FIFA Club World Cup, 1x DFB-Pokal, 1x DFL-Supercup, 1x Qatar Stars League;
"Raúl is one of the best of Europe. He is Real Madrid's spirit. He is like Matthäus for us: indispensable, and with a bad haircut"
"Raúl is one of the best of Europe. He is Real Madrid's spirit. He is like Matthäus for us: indispensable, and with a bad haircut"
Franz Beckenbauer, 2000
"I think he is the greatest player to have ever played the game. He walks on the turf and astounds. It is utterly amazing."
Luis Figo
"I think he is the greatest player to have ever played the game. He walks on the turf and astounds. It is utterly amazing."
Luis Figo
SportsKeeda
47. Roberto CARLOS
POSITION: Defender;
NATION: Brazil (125/11);
CLUB(s): União São João (BRA), Palmeiras (BRA), Internazionale (ITA), Real Madrid (SPA), Fenerbahce (TUR), Corinthians (BRA), Anzhi (RUS);
CLUB HONOURS: 2x Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 2x Campeonato Paulista, 1x Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 4x La Liga, 3x Supercopa de Espana, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Turkish Super Cup;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup, 2x Copa America, 1x FIFA Confederations Cup
"Roberto Carlos took attacking full-back play to a new level. His marauding runs down the left-flank often followed by a thunderous shot have thrilled football fans for two decades, and continue to do so.
In his club career he has won the Brazilian league twice, La Liga four times, and the Champions League three times. He helped Brazil to the ultimately unsuccessful final of the 1998 World Cup, and the more successful final in 2002. In all, he played 125 times for Brazil.
Perhaps his most famous moment came against France when he hit a free-kick which was seemingly going a long way wide before it unfathomably swerved and ended up in the French net. It remains the most remarkable free-kick I've ever seen."
"Roberto Carlos took attacking full-back play to a new level. His marauding runs down the left-flank often followed by a thunderous shot have thrilled football fans for two decades, and continue to do so.
In his club career he has won the Brazilian league twice, La Liga four times, and the Champions League three times. He helped Brazil to the ultimately unsuccessful final of the 1998 World Cup, and the more successful final in 2002. In all, he played 125 times for Brazil.
Perhaps his most famous moment came against France when he hit a free-kick which was seemingly going a long way wide before it unfathomably swerved and ended up in the French net. It remains the most remarkable free-kick I've ever seen."
Barney Corkhill - Bleacher Report
POSITION: Defender;
"Cafu is widely regarded as one of the best right backs of all time. He was also part of the Milan side that won the Champions League in 2003, but the defender has several more impressive moments than that throughout his career. Cafu captained Brazil to World Cup glory on two occasions, in 1994 and 2002, and is their record caps holder with an enormous 142 to his name. He played for a host of clubs in his homeland and also had a successful spell with another Serie A side, Roma, but retired in 2008 as a modern great and the benchmark many aspire to."
46. CAFU
NATION: Brazil (142/5)
CLUB(s): São Paulo (BRA), Zaragoza (SPA), Palmeiras (BRA), Roma (ITA), Milan (ITA);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 3x Campeonato Paulista, 2x Copa Libertadores, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 1x Supercopa Sudamericana, 2x Recopa Sudamericana, 1x Copa CONMEBOL, 1x UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 2x Serie A, 2x Supercoppa Italiana, 2x UEFA Supercup, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x FIFA World Club Cup;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 2x FIFA World Cup, 2x Copa America, 1x FIFA Confederations Cup
"The greatest today is a very difficult question. For me, the greatest is still Cafu,"
Dani Alves
"The greatest today is a very difficult question. For me, the greatest is still Cafu,"
Dani Alves
Squawka
POSITION: Outside Right;
"For me this man probably had the greatest name of any player ever, certainly in Britain. I don't think anyone since had a name so synonymous with football in England."
Gordon Banks
1950 World Cup: The Miracle On Grass
POSITION: Forward;
POSITION: Defender / Midfielder;
POSITION: Forward;
POSITION: Striker;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup - Runners Up
"Over seven seasons Gianfranco Zola captivated Chelsea supporters to the extent that he was twice made Player of the Year and in 2003 was voted as the club's greatest ever player, receiving 60% of the votes in a poll on Chelsea's official website. He helped win four trophies and scored the winner in the 1998 European Cup Winners' Cup Final just seconds after coming on as substitute. In all Franco, scored 80 goals in 312 games, with many of them being spectacular efforts.
Goals that will live long in the memory include the mid-air back flick against Norwich City, an effort against Manchester United that left opposition goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel motionless and a brilliant turn and shot in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final win over Wimbledon.
Above all, Franco always played football as if he enjoyed it and was almost universally popular amongst opposition fans."
Chelsea FC
45. Sir Stanley MATTHEWS
POSITION: Outside Right;
NATION: England (54/11);
CLUB(s): Stoke City, Blackpool (Both ENG);
CLUB(s): Stoke City, Blackpool (Both ENG);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x FA Cup, 2x Football League Second Division;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 9x British Home Championship
"Sir Stanley Matthews - the first professional footballer to be knighted - was the most renowned player of modern times. Known as 'The Wizard of Dribble', Sir Stan's professional career covered some 33 years. When he retired in 1965, aged 50, he had made nearly 700 League appearances for Stoke City and Blackpool. He was also capped for England 84 times, including two appearances for Great Britain. A thin, frail-looking man, Sir Stan had a marvellous sense of balance and timing. His sudden bursts of speed over 20 yards or so was one of the wonders of the game, and earned him his nickname of "The Wizard of Dribble". His passing was extraordinarily accurate, and he was not so much a scorer as a creator of goals for others. His sportsmanship was exemplary and he was never booked in his career. He was often referred to as "the first gentleman of soccer". It was said Matthews' presence in a team could add 10,000 to away gates."
"Sir Stanley Matthews - the first professional footballer to be knighted - was the most renowned player of modern times. Known as 'The Wizard of Dribble', Sir Stan's professional career covered some 33 years. When he retired in 1965, aged 50, he had made nearly 700 League appearances for Stoke City and Blackpool. He was also capped for England 84 times, including two appearances for Great Britain. A thin, frail-looking man, Sir Stan had a marvellous sense of balance and timing. His sudden bursts of speed over 20 yards or so was one of the wonders of the game, and earned him his nickname of "The Wizard of Dribble". His passing was extraordinarily accurate, and he was not so much a scorer as a creator of goals for others. His sportsmanship was exemplary and he was never booked in his career. He was often referred to as "the first gentleman of soccer". It was said Matthews' presence in a team could add 10,000 to away gates."
BBC
Gordon Banks
1950 World Cup: The Miracle On Grass
44. Roberto BAGGIO
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: Italy (56/27);
CLUB(s): Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Internazionale, Brescia (All ITA);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Serie C, 2x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x UEFA Intertoto Cup;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup Runner Up
"Roberto Baggio was the best player I ever played against; he made football look very easy."
Matt Le Tissier
"Few players have contributed as much to the Italian and world game as Roberto Baggio. Sublimely gifted and fiercely driven with it, Il Divino Codino (The Divine Ponytail) enjoyed an exceptional career on both the domestic and international stage, a career he came agonisingly close to capping with the ultimate prize."
FIFA
"Baggio is a beloved figure in Italy who had magical feet and vision, linking up with teammates and creating moments of sheer brilliance."
Matteo Bonetti - Bleacher Report
"Roberto Baggio was the best player I ever played against; he made football look very easy."
Matt Le Tissier
"Few players have contributed as much to the Italian and world game as Roberto Baggio. Sublimely gifted and fiercely driven with it, Il Divino Codino (The Divine Ponytail) enjoyed an exceptional career on both the domestic and international stage, a career he came agonisingly close to capping with the ultimate prize."
FIFA
"Baggio is a beloved figure in Italy who had magical feet and vision, linking up with teammates and creating moments of sheer brilliance."
Matteo Bonetti - Bleacher Report
43. Lothar MATTHAUS
NATION: Germany (150/23);
CLUB(s): Borussia M'Gladbach (GER), Bayern Munich (GER), Internazionale (ITA), Bayern Munich (GER), MetroStars (USA);
CLUB HONOURS: 7x Bundesliga, 3x DFB-Pokal, 3x DFB-Ligapokal, 1x DFB-Supercup, 4x Fuji Cup, 2x UEFA Cup, 1x Serie A, 2x Supercoppa Italiana;
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup, 1x FIFA World Cup Runners Up, 1x UEFA European Football Championship, 1x U.S. Cup
"Matthaus, always a confident character, refused to be overawed by the big names surrounding him and impressed then-coach Jupp Heynckes from the start. The Bavarian soon became one of the first names on the Foals' team sheet, leading the Lower Rhine club into the UEFA Cup final in his first season, though they were eventually defeated by fellow German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, the energetic playmaker captained his team to the title in spectacular fashion and was subsequently honoured with the German Footballer of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year awards. One year later, he became the first-ever recipient of the FIFA World Player award."
FIFA
"Matthaus, always a confident character, refused to be overawed by the big names surrounding him and impressed then-coach Jupp Heynckes from the start. The Bavarian soon became one of the first names on the Foals' team sheet, leading the Lower Rhine club into the UEFA Cup final in his first season, though they were eventually defeated by fellow German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, the energetic playmaker captained his team to the title in spectacular fashion and was subsequently honoured with the German Footballer of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year awards. One year later, he became the first-ever recipient of the FIFA World Player award."
FIFA
42. Francesco TOTTI
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: Italy (58/9);
CLUB(s): Roma (ITA);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Serie A, 2x Coppa Italia, 2x Supercoppa Italiana
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup
"Totti is the best player in the world. He has just been a little unlucky in the past."
"Totti is the best player in the world. He has just been a little unlucky in the past."
Pele
"Totti is the world's number one. He is a great player and he will keep on showing that. He represents Italian soccer and the Italian fans will have fun with him."
"Totti is the world's number one. He is a great player and he will keep on showing that. He represents Italian soccer and the Italian fans will have fun with him."
Diego Maradona
"Totti is a fantastic player. I am proud to play in a team with a player like him who is the symbol of Roma and that means a lot to the fans of this club. The modern game has changed a lot, but I think it is critical to a club with a player who is much like Totti at Roma or Maldini at Milan. Money is important in football, but there are other things more important value for an entity."
Pep Guardiola
"Totti is a fantastic player. I am proud to play in a team with a player like him who is the symbol of Roma and that means a lot to the fans of this club. The modern game has changed a lot, but I think it is critical to a club with a player who is much like Totti at Roma or Maldini at Milan. Money is important in football, but there are other things more important value for an entity."
Pep Guardiola
41. Gianfranco ZOLA
POSITION: Striker;
NATION: Italy (35/10);
CLUB(s): Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma (All ITA), Chelsea (ENG), Cagliari (ITA);
CLUB(s): Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma (All ITA), Chelsea (ENG), Cagliari (ITA);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Serie A, 1x Serie C2, 1x Supercoppa Italiana, 1x UEFA Cup, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 1x UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 2x FA Cup, 1x League Cup, 1x FA Charity Shield ;
Goals that will live long in the memory include the mid-air back flick against Norwich City, an effort against Manchester United that left opposition goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel motionless and a brilliant turn and shot in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final win over Wimbledon.
Above all, Franco always played football as if he enjoyed it and was almost universally popular amongst opposition fans."
Chelsea FC
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