Top 10 Football Legends of All Time

Football has been around for a long time and is now one of the world’s most popular sports. Its rich history has seen several transformations starting from the rules and tactics of the game, to players’ diet and training regimes. This makes it hard to compare players of different eras. However, there are certain players who have made such an impact on the sport that they can be considered as football legends. They have not only become household names worldwide, but also have shaped and expanded the sport, and have acted as an inspiration to both amateur and professional players.

Here are the top 10 football legends of all time:

Lionel Messi
One of the most prolific goal-scorers in modern times, this legendary Brazilian is a true global icon. He has won five consecutive Ballon d’Ors and has left an extraordinary legacy on the pitch, both as a player and as a businessman. He is a role model for the next generation of players and has transformed the way that people perceive the sport.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A superstar from a young age, this Portuguese forward has been nothing short of incredible since joining Manchester United. He has won five major titles with the club and is regarded as the best player in the history of the game. His off-field activities have been equally impressive, with him building an enormous empire through his various business ventures.

Ronaldo has also won numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d’Or on five occasions and has been voted the best player at the FIFA World Cup on two occasions. Despite not always being the most likeable character off the pitch, it’s impossible to deny his impact on the game of football.

Eusebio

A Mozambique-born football legend who led his adopted country of Portugal to a World Cup semi-final in 1966. He was one of the most complete strikers of his time and had the ability to score from any position on the field. He was a key member of Benfica’s great team of the 1960s, winning the European Cup twice and scoring against Real Madrid in the final.

Marco Van Basten

A complete striker who could play anywhere on the field, this Dutchman was the star of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He revolutionised forward play with his box-to-box mobility and willingness to score from close range. He was the star of Ajax’s golden era, but also enjoyed success with AC Milan, playing alongside Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, and was a key member of the Holland side that won Euro 88.

Football has its fair share of controversies, but the great players always manage to shine through the darkness. Some of them are even able to become icons that inspire us to strive for more in our lives. The Southeastern Conference’s football program features a list of its most outstanding former players, known as the SEC Football Legends. The legends are honored at a dinner the week before the SEC Championship Game and are recognized at halftime of the game.