# Who is the greatest football player of all time?

> From pre-war pioneers and black-and-white legends to the superstars of the modern game, this ranking pits football's most celebrated talents against each other across the generations — attacking geniuses, dribbling magicians, midfield maestros and all-conquering winners. There's no neutral answer here, so cast your vote and settle the eternal argument.

*By YPB Team · Published June 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-greatest-football-player-of-all-time*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Lionel Messi**
   Argentine maestro, all-time top Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion.
2. **Cristiano Ronaldo**
   Portuguese goal machine and record international scorer across four leagues.
3. **Pelé**
   Brazilian icon and three-time World Cup winner, football's first global superstar.
4. **Diego Maradona**
   Argentine genius who almost single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup.
5. **Johan Cruyff**
   Dutch visionary of Total Football and a three-time Ballon d'Or winner.
6. **Zinedine Zidane**
   Elegant French playmaker, 1998 World Cup winner and Champions League hero.
7. **Ronaldo Nazário**
   Brazil's 'O Fenômeno', a devastating striker and 2002 World Cup winner.
8. **Franz Beckenbauer**
   German libero who redefined defending and lifted the World Cup as player and manager.
9. **Alfredo Di Stéfano**
   Complete forward who powered Real Madrid's early European dominance.
10. **Ronaldinho**
   Brazilian magician whose joyful skill defined an era at Barcelona.
11. **Michel Platini**
   French playmaker and three-time Ballon d'Or winner, Euro 1984's star.
12. **George Best**
   Mercurial Northern Irish winger and Manchester United great.
13. **Garrincha**
   Brazilian dribbling wizard and joy of the 1962 World Cup.

Tags: sports, soccer, football, world cup, footballers