List of Every Best Soccer Player From Each Country (All-Time)
Soccer, or football as it is commonly known in many countries, is the most popular sport in the world. With a massive following, soccer has produced many legendary players who have made an impact in the game. In this article, we will look at the all-time best soccer player from each country and rank them according to their achievements, accolades, and overall impact on the sport.
List of Best Soccer Players from Each Country
From Belgium to Brazil, this list includes every best soccer player from each country.
35. Belgium – Eden Hazard
- Born: January 7, 1991
- Clubs: Lille, Chelsea, Real Madrid
- Team: Belgium National Team
- Position(s): Forward, Midfielder
Eden Hazard is a Belgian soccer player who is known for his dribbling ability and his success with Chelsea and Real Madrid. He was born in La Louvière in 1991 and began his career with Lille. Hazard has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Premier League Player of the Season award and FIFA FIFPro World XI.
34. United States – Landon Donovan
- Born: March 4, 1982
- Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, Bayern Munich
- Team: United States men’s national soccer team
- Position(s): Forward, midfielder
When it comes to soccer, the United States may not be the first country that comes to mind. However, the country has produced some great players over the years. One of the best soccer players to come out of the United States is Landon Donovan.
Landon Donovan is considered one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. He is the all-time leading scorer for the United States men’s national soccer team and has won numerous awards and titles throughout his career. He is known for his speed, skill, and ability to score goals.
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33. Ghana – Abedi Pele
- Born: November 5, 1964
- Clubs: Marseille, Lille, Torino, 1860 Munich, Al Ain
- Team: Ghana National Team
- Position(s): Attacking Midfielder
Abedi Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest African soccer players of all time. Born in Kopeyia, Ghana, Pele had a successful club career that included stints at Marseille, Lille, and Torino. He also had a successful international career, leading Ghana to their first African Cup of Nations championship in 1982 and serving as captain of the team that reached the quarterfinals of the 1992 Olympics.
Pele’s skill, vision, and creativity on the field made him one of the most exciting players to watch.
32. South Korea – Park Ji-sung
- Born: February 25, 1981
- Clubs: Myongji University, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers
- Team: South Korea national football team
- Position(s): Midfielder
Park Ji-sung is a retired South Korean soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Asian players of all time. He played for several clubs throughout his career, but his most successful stint was with Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. Park was also a key player for the South Korea National Team, representing his country in three World Cups.
31. Cameroon – Samuel Eto’o
- Born: March 10, 1981
- Clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Everton
- Team: Cameroon National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Samuel Eto’o is widely regarded as one of the greatest African soccer players of all time. Born in Nkon, Cameroon, Eto’o had a storied club career that included stints at some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan. He also had a successful international career, leading Cameroon to two African Cup of Nations championships and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Eto’o’s speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability made him a dominant force on the field.
30. Greece – Giorgos Karagounis
- Born: March 6, 1977
- Clubs: Benfica, Fulham, Inter Milan, Panathinaikos
- Team: Greece National Team
- Position(s): Midfielder
Giorgos Karagounis is a former Greek footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for top clubs such as Inter Milan and Benfica, and was also an instrumental player for the Greek national team.
Karagounis was a creative midfielder who could both score and create goals, and was known for his technical ability and work ethic on the field. He helped lead Greece to their first-ever major international trophy, winning the European Championship in 2004.
29. Iran – Ali Daei
- Born: March 21, 1969
- Clubs: Bayern Munich, Hertha Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld, Al-Sadd
- Team: Iran National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Ali Daei is a former Iranian footballer who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as one of the best Asian footballers of all time, and is the all-time top scorer in international football with 109 goals.
Daei played for top clubs such as Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin, and was known for his aerial ability, strength, and clinical finishing. He also played a crucial role in Iran’s historic run to the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup, scoring three goals in the tournament.
28. Egypt – Mohamed Salah
- Born: June 15, 1992
- Clubs: Liverpool, Chelsea, Basel, Fiorentina, Roma
- Team: Egypt National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian footballer who currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League. He is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the world, and has won numerous individual awards and titles with his club teams.
Salah is known for his pace, dribbling skills, and finishing ability, and has been a prolific goal scorer throughout his career. He has also been a key player for the Egypt national team, helping them reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017.
27. Bulgaria – Hristo Stoichkov
- Born: February 8, 1966
- Clubs: Barcelona, CSKA Sofia, Parma, Chicago Fire, DC United
- Team: Bulgaria National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Hristo Stoichkov is a former Bulgarian footballer who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as one of the best Bulgarian players of all time, and was known for his incredible technical ability, dribbling skills, and finishing ability.
Stoichkov played for top clubs such as Barcelona and Parma, and helped lead Barcelona to their first-ever European Cup in 1992. He also played a crucial role in Bulgaria’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup, scoring six goals in the tournament.
26. Norway – Ole Gunnar Solskjær
- Born: February 26, 1973
- Clubs: Molde, Manchester United
- Team: Norway national team
- Position(s): Forward
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is one of the most beloved Norwegian soccer players of all time. He was a lethal striker who had a remarkable ability to score important goals. Solskjær spent most of his career at Manchester United, where he won numerous trophies, including the Champions League.
He was also a key player for the Norwegian national team, scoring 23 goals in 67 appearances. Solskjær retired in 2007 and is now the manager of Manchester United.
25. Japan – Hidetoshi Nakata
- Born: January 22, 1977
- Clubs: Perugia, AS Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers
- Team: Japan national team
- Position(s): Midfielder
Hidetoshi Nakata is widely considered the greatest Japanese soccer player of all time. He was a gifted midfielder who had an excellent eye for goal, and his technique was second to none.
Nakata made his professional debut at the age of 18 and quickly established himself as a star in Japan’s J. League. He then moved to Europe, where he played for several top clubs, including Perugia, AS Roma, and Parma.
Nakata was also a key player for the Japanese national team, helping them reach the knockout stages of the 2002 World Cup. He retired in 2006 and is now a cultural ambassador for Japan.
24. Ukraine – Andriy Shevchenko
- Born: 29 September 1976
- Clubs: Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea, Dynamo Kyiv
- Team: Ukraine National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Andriy Shevchenko is known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and technical skills on the ball. He began his professional career with Dynamo Kyiv before moving on to AC Milan, where he won numerous domestic and international titles, including the UEFA Champions League.
Shevchenko later played for Chelsea before returning to Dynamo Kyiv. He also played for the Ukraine National Team, helping lead them to the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup.
Shevchenko retired from professional soccer in 2012 and currently serves as the head coach of the Ukraine National Team.
23. Hungary – Ferenc Puskás
- Born: 2 April 1927
- Clubs: Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, CD Los Angeles
- Team: Hungary National Team, Spain National Team
- Position(s): Forward
Ferenc Puskás, also known as the “Galloping Major,” was a Hungarian forward who played for Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, and CD Los Angeles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
Puskás won numerous domestic and international titles throughout his career, including three European Cups with Real Madrid. He also helped lead the Hungary National Team to the 1952 Olympic gold medal and the 1954 World Cup final.
Puskás retired from professional soccer in 1966 and went on to coach several teams, including the Hungary National Team.
22. Czech Republic – Petr Cech
- Born: 20 May 1982
- Clubs: Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, Rennes, Chelsea, Arsenal
- Team: Czech Republic National Team
- Position(s): Goalkeeper
Petr Cech is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of soccer. He is known for his exceptional reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, and command of his area. Cech began his professional career with Chmel Blšany in 1999 before moving on to Sparta Prague. He later played for Rennes, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
During his time with Chelsea, Cech won numerous trophies, including four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a UEFA Champions League title. He also holds the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history.
Cech retired from professional soccer in 2019 and currently serves as a technical and performance advisor for Chelsea.
Related: List of 10 Best Goalkeepers Under 6 Foot Tall of All-Time
21. Wales – Ryan Giggs
- Born: 29 November 1973
- Clubs: Manchester United
- Team: Wales
- Position(s): Winger, Midfielder
Ryan Giggs is widely regarded as one of the greatest Welsh soccer players of all time. He spent his entire club career at Manchester United, where he won multiple domestic and international titles.
Giggs was known for his incredible skill, pace, and ability to score important goals in big matches. He also represented Wales at the international level, earning over 60 caps and captaining his country on several occasions.
20. Scotland – Kenny Dalglish
- Born: 4 March 1951
- Clubs: Celtic, Liverpool
- Team: Scotland
- Position(s): Forward, Midfielder
Kenny Dalglish is widely regarded as a national hero in his home country. He was known for his versatility, skill, and ability to score crucial goals in important matches.
Dalglish spent the majority of his career playing for Celtic and Liverpool, he won numerous domestic and international honors. He also represented Scotland at multiple major international tournaments, including the World Cup and the European Championship.
19. Russia – Lev Yashin
- Born: 22 October 1929
- Clubs: Dynamo Moscow
- Team: Soviet Union
- Position(s): Goalkeeper
Lev Yashin, also known as “The Black Spider“, is widely considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of soccer. He spent his entire club career at Dynamo Moscow, where he won numerous domestic titles and international honors.
Yashin was known for his incredible reflexes, agility, and bravery on the field, and he is credited with revolutionizing the role of the goalkeeper in modern soccer. He represented the Soviet Union at multiple World Cups and was named the best goalkeeper at the 1963 European Championship.
18. Chile – Alexis Sanchez
- Born: 19 December 1988
- Clubs: Cobreloa, Udinese, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan
- Team: Chile
- Position(s): Forward, Winger
Alexis Sanchez is regarded as one of the greatest Chilean soccer players of all time. He is known for his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability, which have made him a valuable player for every team he has played for. Sanchez has won multiple domestic titles in Italy, Spain, and England, as well as the Copa America with the Chilean national team. He has also been awarded the Chilean Footballer of the Year award four times, cementing his status as a national hero.
17. Switzerland – Xherdan Shaqiri
- Born: 10 October 1991
- Clubs: Basel, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon
- Team: Switzerland
- Position(s): Winger, Attacking midfielder
Xherdan Shaqiri is widely regarded as one of Switzerland’s greatest players of all time. He is known for his technical abilities, pace, and skill on the ball, which have earned him a reputation as a dangerous attacking threat. Shaqiri has won numerous domestic titles in Switzerland and Germany, as well as the Champions League with Bayern Munich. He has also been an integral part of the Swiss national team, representing his country at multiple major international tournaments, including the World Cup and the European Championship.
16. Poland – Robert Lewandowski
- Born: August 21, 1988
- Clubs: Lech Poznan, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich
- Team: Poland
- Position(s): Forward
Robert Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. He has won numerous trophies with his club team, Bayern Munich, including seven Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles. Lewandowski has also been a key player for the Polish national team, scoring 69 goals in 122 appearances. He is known for his incredible scoring ability, his physicality, and his work rate.
15. Mexico – Hugo Sanchez
- Born: July 11, 1958
- Clubs: UNAM Pumas, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid
- Team: Mexico
- Position(s): Forward
Hugo Sanchez is considered one of the greatest Mexican soccer players of all time. He was known for his incredible scoring ability, and he won five consecutive Pichichi trophies as the top scorer in La Liga while playing for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Sanchez also represented Mexico at the international level, where he scored 29 goals in 58 appearances. He had a successful club career, playing for teams such as UNAM Pumas, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid.
14. Denmark – Michael Laudrup
- Born: June 15, 1964
- Clubs: Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid
- Team: Denmark
- Position(s): Midfielder
Michael Laudrup is considered one of the greatest Danish soccer players of all time. He was known for his incredible vision and his ability to create goals for his teammates. Laudrup had a successful club career, playing for teams such as Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. He won numerous trophies with these teams, including five La Liga titles, a European Cup, and a UEFA Cup. He also represented Denmark at the international level, where he was named the Danish Player of the Year a record four times.
13. Columbia – Carlos Valderrama
- Born: September 2, 1961
- Clubs: Montpellier, Real Valladolid, Atletico Junior
- Team: Colombia
- Position(s): Midfielder
Carlos Valderrama is considered one of the greatest Colombian soccer players of all time. He was known for his incredible passing ability and his distinctive hairstyle. Valderrama played for the Colombian national team for over a decade and was an instrumental part of the team that reached the Round of 16 in the 1990 World Cup. He also had a successful club career, playing for teams such as Montpellier, Real Valladolid, and Atletico Junior.
12. Sweden – Zlatan Ibrahimović
- Born: October 3, 1981
- Clubs: Malmo FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, AC Milan
- Team: Sweden national team
- Position(s): Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a Swedish soccer player who is known for his scoring ability and his success with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. He was born in Malmö in 1981 and began his career with Malmö FF. Ibrahimović has won numerous titles throughout his career, including 11 league titles with six different clubs.
11. Croatia – Luka Modric
- Born: September 9, 1985
- Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid
- Team: Croatia
- Position(s): Midfielder
Luka Modric is a Croatian soccer player who is known for his technical ability and his success with Real Madrid. He was born in Zadar in 1985 and began his career with Dinamo Zagreb. Modric has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Ballon d’Or in 2018.
10. Uruguay – Diego Forlán
- Born: May 19, 1979
- Clubs: Independiente, Manchester United, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Internacional, Penarol
- Team: Uruguay national team
- Position(s): Forward
Diego Forlán is a former Uruguayan soccer player who is known for his goal-scoring ability and his success with Atletico Madrid. He was born in Montevideo in 1979 and began his career with Independiente. Forlán won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup.
9. Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo
- Born: February 5, 1985
- Clubs: Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
- Team: Portugal
- Position(s): Forward, Winger
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times and has led Real Madrid to multiple Champions League titles. Ronaldo has also been a key player for the Portuguese national team, leading the team to their first major international trophy, the European Championship in 2016.
8. Spain – Xavi
- Born: January 25, 1980
- Clubs: Barcelona, Al Sadd
- Team: Spain
- Position(s): Midfielder
Xavi is a former Spanish soccer player who is known for his technical ability and his role in Barcelona’s dominant teams of the 2000s. He was born in Terrassa, Spain, in 1980 and spent most of his career with Barcelona. Xavi won numerous titles with the club, including four Champions League titles and eight La Liga titles.
7. Netherlands – Johan Cruyff
- Born: April 25, 1947
- Clubs: Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante, Feyenoord
- Team: Netherlands national team
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
Johan Cruyff is a former Dutch soccer player and coach who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born in Amsterdam in 1947 and began his career with Ajax. Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards and led the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 1974.
6. Italy – Paolo Maldini
- Born: June 26, 1968
- Club: AC Milan
- Team: Italy
- Position(s): Left-back, Center-back
Paolo Maldini is a former Italian soccer player who is considered one of the best defenders of all time. He was born in Milan in 1968 and spent his entire career with AC Milan. Maldini won five Champions League titles with Milan and played in seven European Cup/Champions League finals.
5. France – Zinedine Zidane
- Born: June 23, 1972
- Clubs: Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid
- Team: France national team
- Position(s): Midfielder, attacking midfielder
Zinedine Zidane is a former French soccer player who is considered one of the best midfielders of all time. He was born in Marseille in 1972 and began his career with Cannes. Zidane won the World Cup with France in 1998 and scored two goals in the final.
4. England – Bobby Charlton
- Born: October 11, 1937
- Club: Manchester United
- Team: England
- Position(s): Midfielder
Bobby Charlton is a former English soccer player who is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born in Ashington in 1937 and spent most of his career with Manchester United. Charlton helped lead England to victory in the 1966 World Cup.
3. Germany – Franz Beckenbauer
- Born: September 11, 1945
- Clubs: Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos, Hamburg
- Team: West Germany national team
- Position(s): Sweeper, central defender
Franz Beckenbauer is a German soccer legend who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. He was known for his versatility and his ability to play in multiple positions on the field. Beckenbauer also won multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and was a key player in the German national team’s success in the 1970s.
2. Argentina – Diego Maradona
- Born: October 30, 1960
- Clubs: Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys
- Team: Argentina
- Position(s): Attacking Midfielder, Second Striker
Diego Maradona is a former Argentine soccer player who is considered one of the greatest World Cup players of all time. He was born in Buenos Aires in 1960 and began his career with Argentinos Juniors. Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and is famous for his “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinals against England.
1. Brazil – Pelé
- Born: October 23, 1940
- Clubs: Santos, New York Cosmos
- Team: Brazil national team
- Position(s): Forward
Pelé, also hailed as the King of Football, is a Brazilian soccer legend who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals. Pelé’s skill, speed, and goal-scoring ability made him a fan favorite around the world.
Criteria for Ranking
Ranking the best soccer players by each country is not an easy task. It requires a lot of research and analysis of each player’s achievements and impact. To rank these players, we considered the following factors:
- International achievements: This includes World Cup wins, continental championships and individual awards won at international tournaments.
- Club achievements: This includes league titles, domestic cups, continental cups, and individual awards won at club level.
- Individual Awards: This includes individual awards won such as the Ballon d’Or, FIFA Player of the Year, and UEFA Player of the Year.
- Impact in the Sport: This includes the player’s overall impact on the sport, such as their influence on the game, their style of play, and their contribution to the development of the sport.
So, that concludes our ranking list of the best soccer player from each country. If you think we overlook any name in this list, kindly let us know the best soccer player from your country in the comment section below.
Also, don’t forget to visit ASC Football for more interesting information about football players and exclusive content about how to play soccer!
The post List of Every Best Soccer Player From Each Country (All-Time) appeared first on ASC Soccer Coaching and Training.
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