#TFHB100 Players of All-Time: 90-81
To mark our 4th birthday we have decided once more develop a list of the greatest players of all-time. In our infancy, we attempted to countdown the top 250 players through a public vote. However, over the past year a new poll was created gaining a far greater number of votes from almost 50 countries around the world! Alongside the public vote is a judging panel made up of:
90. Luis FIGO
D.O.B: 04.11.72
Place in #TFHB250: 34
Nation: Portugal
Club(s): Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Internazionale
League Apps (Goals): 577 (93)
International: 127 (32)
Honours: Taca de Portugal; La Liga x4; Copa Del Rey x2; Supercopa de Espana x3; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup; UEFA Champions League; UEFA Super Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup; Serie A x4; Coppa Italia; Supercoppa Italiana
Individual: Ballon d'Or 2000; FIFA Player of the Year 2001; FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2006
Real Madrid Website: "Figo was peerless at dribbling and taking on opponents, and his perfect assists were a luxury for all of the forwards who played with him. He was a leader on the pitch who helped Real Madrid to win honours and further their legendary status."
89. Johan NEESKENS
D.O.B: 15.09.51
Place in #TFHB250: 81
Nation: Netherlands
Club(s): RCH, Ajax, Barcelona, New York Cosmos, Groningen, Minnesota Strikers, Fort Lauderdale Sun, Kansas City Comets, Lowenbrau, Baar, Zug
League Apps (Goals): 457 (136) (At least)
International: 49 (17)
Honours: Eredivisie x2; KNVB Cup x2; European Cup x3; UEFA Super Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup; Copa Del Rey
Individual: FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1974; FIFA 100
Football Oranje: "With his long sideburns Neeskens may have looked more like a rock-star than a footballer, but the midfielder was undoubtedly a genius, and one of the crucial players in the invention of total football... Neeskens made the Dutch team tick during the 1974 World Cup, with his ferocious tackling unsettling opponents, and giving the likes of Cruyff the space to work his magic. The Ajax star had an endless amount of energy, making a tackle at one end before darting forward to join an attack. A real box-to-box midfielder."
88. John BARNES
D.O.B: 07.11.63
Place in #TFHB250: 88
Nation: England
Club(s): Watford, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic
League Apps (Goals): 586 (155)
International: 79 (11)
Honours: Football League First Division x2; FA Cup x2; Football League Cup; FA Charity Shield x3
Individual: Football Writers' Player of the Year 1988, 1990; PFA Players' Player of the Year 1988
Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson: "He was one of those players that just excited you every time he got the ball. He had the ability to pick out a pass, a great first touch and could obviously dribble. There was something Brazilian in the way he played the game, like a downhill skier, the way he glided in and out of defenders."
87. Gheorghe HAGI
D.O.B: 05.02.65
Place in #TFHB250: 87
Nation: Romania
Club(s): Farul Constanta, Sportul Studentesc, Steaua Bucaresti, Real Madrid, Brescia, Barcelona, Galatasaray
League Apps (Goals): 516 (237)
International: 125 (35)
Honours: Romanian League x3; Romanian Cup x2; European Super Cup; Supercopa de Espana x2; Anglo-Italian Cup; Turkish Super League x4; Turkish Cup x2; Turkish Super Cup x2; UEFA Cup; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1994
Adam Shergold, Daily Mail: "The beauty of Hagi was his unpredictability. Comfortable on both feet, his play could seldom be read by opponents. He had a wide array of skills and tricks, a terrifying burst of speed, good vision and a blistering shot both in open play and from set-plays. Watch a montage of his finest goals and you soon realise that Hagi didn't believe neither in distance nor in the laws of physics."
86. Peter SHILTON
D.O.B: 18.09.49
Place in #TFHB250: 82
Nation: England
Club(s): Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, West Ham United, Leyton Orient
League Apps (Goals): 1005 (1)
International: 125 (0)
Honours: Football League Second Division; FA Charity Shield x2; Football League First Division; Football League Cup; European Cup x2; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: PFA Players' Player of the Year 1978
The FA: "One of the game’s greatest goalkeepers, Shilton’s ability was matched by his longevity – he played 1,390 times for eleven clubs during his career, finally calling it a day well into his late forties... ‘Shilts’ was a brilliant shot-stopper who bossed his area and was renowned for his dedication to training. In his 125 games between the sticks, England won 66 times, conceded only 80 goals, and he kept a record 65 clean sheets."
- @Benny_J and @GJ_Thomas from @TFHBs
- @Art_of_Football
- @MyFootballToday
- @GoaldenTimes
- @Dispenssoccer
- @BeautifulGame15
90. Luis FIGO
D.O.B: 04.11.72Place in #TFHB250: 34
Nation: Portugal
Club(s): Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Internazionale
League Apps (Goals): 577 (93)
International: 127 (32)
Honours: Taca de Portugal; La Liga x4; Copa Del Rey x2; Supercopa de Espana x3; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup; UEFA Champions League; UEFA Super Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup; Serie A x4; Coppa Italia; Supercoppa Italiana
Individual: Ballon d'Or 2000; FIFA Player of the Year 2001; FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2006
Real Madrid Website: "Figo was peerless at dribbling and taking on opponents, and his perfect assists were a luxury for all of the forwards who played with him. He was a leader on the pitch who helped Real Madrid to win honours and further their legendary status."
89. Johan NEESKENS
D.O.B: 15.09.51
Place in #TFHB250: 81
Nation: Netherlands
Club(s): RCH, Ajax, Barcelona, New York Cosmos, Groningen, Minnesota Strikers, Fort Lauderdale Sun, Kansas City Comets, Lowenbrau, Baar, Zug
League Apps (Goals): 457 (136) (At least)
International: 49 (17)
Honours: Eredivisie x2; KNVB Cup x2; European Cup x3; UEFA Super Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup; Copa Del Rey
Individual: FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1974; FIFA 100
Football Oranje: "With his long sideburns Neeskens may have looked more like a rock-star than a footballer, but the midfielder was undoubtedly a genius, and one of the crucial players in the invention of total football... Neeskens made the Dutch team tick during the 1974 World Cup, with his ferocious tackling unsettling opponents, and giving the likes of Cruyff the space to work his magic. The Ajax star had an endless amount of energy, making a tackle at one end before darting forward to join an attack. A real box-to-box midfielder."
88. John BARNES
D.O.B: 07.11.63
Place in #TFHB250: 88
Nation: England
Club(s): Watford, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic
League Apps (Goals): 586 (155)
International: 79 (11)
Honours: Football League First Division x2; FA Cup x2; Football League Cup; FA Charity Shield x3
Individual: Football Writers' Player of the Year 1988, 1990; PFA Players' Player of the Year 1988
Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson: "He was one of those players that just excited you every time he got the ball. He had the ability to pick out a pass, a great first touch and could obviously dribble. There was something Brazilian in the way he played the game, like a downhill skier, the way he glided in and out of defenders."
D.O.B: 05.02.65
Place in #TFHB250: 87
Nation: Romania
Club(s): Farul Constanta, Sportul Studentesc, Steaua Bucaresti, Real Madrid, Brescia, Barcelona, Galatasaray
League Apps (Goals): 516 (237)
International: 125 (35)
Honours: Romanian League x3; Romanian Cup x2; European Super Cup; Supercopa de Espana x2; Anglo-Italian Cup; Turkish Super League x4; Turkish Cup x2; Turkish Super Cup x2; UEFA Cup; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1994
Adam Shergold, Daily Mail: "The beauty of Hagi was his unpredictability. Comfortable on both feet, his play could seldom be read by opponents. He had a wide array of skills and tricks, a terrifying burst of speed, good vision and a blistering shot both in open play and from set-plays. Watch a montage of his finest goals and you soon realise that Hagi didn't believe neither in distance nor in the laws of physics."
86. Peter SHILTON
D.O.B: 18.09.49
Place in #TFHB250: 82
Nation: England
Club(s): Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, West Ham United, Leyton Orient
League Apps (Goals): 1005 (1)
International: 125 (0)
Honours: Football League Second Division; FA Charity Shield x2; Football League First Division; Football League Cup; European Cup x2; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: PFA Players' Player of the Year 1978
The FA: "One of the game’s greatest goalkeepers, Shilton’s ability was matched by his longevity – he played 1,390 times for eleven clubs during his career, finally calling it a day well into his late forties... ‘Shilts’ was a brilliant shot-stopper who bossed his area and was renowned for his dedication to training. In his 125 games between the sticks, England won 66 times, conceded only 80 goals, and he kept a record 65 clean sheets."
85. Francesco TOTTI
D.O.B: 27.09.76
Place in #TFHB250: 42
Nation: Italy
Club: Roma
League Apps (Goals): 610 (250) (And counting!)
International: 58 (9)
Honours: Serie A; Coppa Italia x2; Supercoppa Italiana x2; FIFA World Cup 2006
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2006
Omar Saleem, The Guardian: "His genius lies in his three unrivalled skills: the ability to create something from nothing off either foot, his supreme, deadly finishing – which has brought him 250 Serie A goals – and his confidence. His feet are natural – touching a ball and striking it perfectly with ease is second nature – but his mind is what separates him from the rest. He thinks ahead. He’s the enigma who has carried his hometown club for over two decades and won a World Cup along the way."
84. Clarence SEEDORF
D.O.B: 01.04.76
Place in #TFHB250: 72
Nation: Netherlands
Club(s): Ajax, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Milan, Botafogo
League Apps (Goals): 640 (99)
International: 87 (11)
Honours: Eredivisie x2; KNVB Cup; Johan-Cruyff Shield x2; UEFA Champions League x4; La Liga; Supercopa de Espana; Intercontinental Cup; Serie A x2; Coppa Italia; Supercoppa Italiana x2; UEFA Super Cup x2; FIFA Club World Cup; Campeonato Carioca
Individual: FIFA 100
Clarence Seedorf himself: "After winning the Champions League three times, I think I can allow myself to say that I'm not afraid of anyone.” (He won four eventually of course)
83. Oleg BLOKHIN
D.O.B: 05.11.52
Place in #TFHB250: 219
Nation: Soviet Union
Club(s): Dynamo Kyiv, Vorwarts Steyr, Aris Limassol
League Apps (Goals): 495 (225)
International: 112 (42)
Honours: Soviet Higher League x8; Soviet Cup x5; USSR Super Cup x3; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup x2; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: Ballon d'Or 1975; Soviet Footballer of the Year 1973, 1974, 1975
SaluteSoccer.com "Oleg Blokhin is a legendary footballer who is regarded as Soviet Union's best footballer of all time. In terms of statistics, Oleg Blokhin is also the best in the history of Dynamo Kyiv. With a record 266 goals in 582 appearances, Blokhin is the player with the highest number of goals and appearances for the club."
D.O.B: 27.09.76Place in #TFHB250: 42
Nation: Italy
Club: Roma
League Apps (Goals): 610 (250) (And counting!)
International: 58 (9)
Honours: Serie A; Coppa Italia x2; Supercoppa Italiana x2; FIFA World Cup 2006
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2006
Omar Saleem, The Guardian: "His genius lies in his three unrivalled skills: the ability to create something from nothing off either foot, his supreme, deadly finishing – which has brought him 250 Serie A goals – and his confidence. His feet are natural – touching a ball and striking it perfectly with ease is second nature – but his mind is what separates him from the rest. He thinks ahead. He’s the enigma who has carried his hometown club for over two decades and won a World Cup along the way."
84. Clarence SEEDORF
D.O.B: 01.04.76
Place in #TFHB250: 72
Nation: Netherlands
Club(s): Ajax, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Milan, Botafogo
League Apps (Goals): 640 (99)
International: 87 (11)
Honours: Eredivisie x2; KNVB Cup; Johan-Cruyff Shield x2; UEFA Champions League x4; La Liga; Supercopa de Espana; Intercontinental Cup; Serie A x2; Coppa Italia; Supercoppa Italiana x2; UEFA Super Cup x2; FIFA Club World Cup; Campeonato Carioca
Individual: FIFA 100
Clarence Seedorf himself: "After winning the Champions League three times, I think I can allow myself to say that I'm not afraid of anyone.” (He won four eventually of course)
D.O.B: 05.11.52Place in #TFHB250: 219
Nation: Soviet Union
Club(s): Dynamo Kyiv, Vorwarts Steyr, Aris Limassol
League Apps (Goals): 495 (225)
International: 112 (42)
Honours: Soviet Higher League x8; Soviet Cup x5; USSR Super Cup x3; UEFA Cup Winners' Cup x2; UEFA Super Cup
Individual: Ballon d'Or 1975; Soviet Footballer of the Year 1973, 1974, 1975
SaluteSoccer.com "Oleg Blokhin is a legendary footballer who is regarded as Soviet Union's best footballer of all time. In terms of statistics, Oleg Blokhin is also the best in the history of Dynamo Kyiv. With a record 266 goals in 582 appearances, Blokhin is the player with the highest number of goals and appearances for the club."
82. Giacinto FACCHETTI
D.O.B: 18.07.42
Place in #TFHB250: 38
Nation: Italy
Club(s): Internazionale
League Apps (Goals): 476 (59)
International: 94 (3)
Honours: Serie A x4; Coppa Italia; European Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup x2; UEFA Euro 1968
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA Presidential Award 2006; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1970
Former Inter Milan teammate Sandro Mazzola: "He was the greatest figure, on the field and off it.”
D.O.B: 18.07.42Place in #TFHB250: 38
Nation: Italy
Club(s): Internazionale
League Apps (Goals): 476 (59)
International: 94 (3)
Honours: Serie A x4; Coppa Italia; European Cup x2; Intercontinental Cup x2; UEFA Euro 1968
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA Presidential Award 2006; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 1970
Former Inter Milan teammate Sandro Mazzola: "He was the greatest figure, on the field and off it.”
81. Jurgen KLINSMANN
D.O.B: 30.07.64
Place in #TFHB250: 75
Nation: West Germany & Germany
Club(s): Stuttgarter Kickers, VFB Stuttgart, Internazionale, AS Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Sampdoria, Orange County Blue Star
League Apps (Goals): 514 (232)
International: 26 (7) - West Germany, 82 (40) - Germany
Honours: Supercoppa Italiana; UEFA Cup x2; Bundesliga; US Cup; Olympic Bronze Medal 1988; UEFA European Championship 1996; FIFA World Cup 1990
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Time Team 1990
Planet World Cup: "Klinsmann was a continental player, who could easily adapt to new cultures. He played top level football in England, Italy, Germany and France... In 1990, he won the World Cup with West Germany in Italy. He played five of the games on his homeground in Milan, which made the triumph even more special. Klinsmann was established as one of the greatest strikers in world football."
Keep track of the list so far:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Keep tuned in to find out the next 10 in the #TFHB100 shortlist! Check out our judges' websites!!
D.O.B: 30.07.64
Place in #TFHB250: 75
Nation: West Germany & Germany
Club(s): Stuttgarter Kickers, VFB Stuttgart, Internazionale, AS Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Sampdoria, Orange County Blue Star
League Apps (Goals): 514 (232)
International: 26 (7) - West Germany, 82 (40) - Germany
Honours: Supercoppa Italiana; UEFA Cup x2; Bundesliga; US Cup; Olympic Bronze Medal 1988; UEFA European Championship 1996; FIFA World Cup 1990
Individual: FIFA 100; FIFA World Cup All-Time Team 1990
Planet World Cup: "Klinsmann was a continental player, who could easily adapt to new cultures. He played top level football in England, Italy, Germany and France... In 1990, he won the World Cup with West Germany in Italy. He played five of the games on his homeground in Milan, which made the triumph even more special. Klinsmann was established as one of the greatest strikers in world football."
Keep track of the list so far:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Keep tuned in to find out the next 10 in the #TFHB100 shortlist! Check out our judges' websites!!
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