Soccer Legends, Ranked

Holds the all-time record with 8 Ballon d'Or awards and capped it by winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, topping virtually every modern GOAT ranking.

The only player to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and named FIFA Co-Player of the Century, the benchmark for footballing greatness.

Single-handedly dragged Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and shared FIFA's Player of the 20th Century award via the official public internet poll.

Won 5 Ballon d'Or awards and is football's all-time leading goalscorer (900+ career goals, a Guinness-recognized record), a fixture in every all-time top five.

One of the greatest goalscorers ever, with 84 goals in 85 internationals for Hungary and legendary status at Real Madrid, where he scored four in a European Cup final. The Puskás Award for best goal is named after him.

Two-time World Cup winner (1994, 2002) and two-time Ballon d'Or / three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, widely rated the greatest pure striker ever.

Three-time Ballon d'Or winner and 1974 World Cup Golden Ball, whose 'Total Football' defined an era despite never lifting the trophy.

Two Ballon d'Or awards and the rare distinction of winning the World Cup as both captain (1974) and manager (1990); redefined the sweeper role.

1998 World Cup winner, 1998 Ballon d'Or and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, voted best European player of the past 50 years in a 2004 UEFA Golden Jubilee poll.

Won three consecutive Ballon d'Or awards (1983-1985) and captained France to the 1984 European Championship, finishing as top scorer with 9 goals in the tournament. A supremely elegant playmaker and set-piece master.

The dazzling winger who, alongside Pelé, drove Brazil to the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, being the standout player of the 1962 tournament. His dribbling and body feints made him one of the most entertaining players ever.

One of the most prolific strikers in history, with 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany. He scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup final and held the single-year international scoring record for decades.

Won five straight European Cups with Real Madrid and two Ballon d'Or awards; frequently ranked among the greatest ever despite never playing in a World Cup.

Won the 2002 World Cup, two FIFA World Player awards and the 2005 Ballon d'Or, but a short peak keeps him just outside the all-time top tier.

Five European Cup/Champions League titles and 900+ Milan appearances make him a consensus greatest defender of the modern era, though he never won a Ballon d'Or.

A survivor of the Munich air disaster who became a World Cup winner in 1966 and won the 1966 Ballon d'Or. A key figure in Manchester United's first European Cup triumph and long their all-time leading scorer.

The only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or (1963), revolutionizing the position with commanding sweeping and shot-stopping. The Black Spider is regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in football history.

Won the 1968 Ballon d'Or and European Cup, but is the archetypal famous-but-flawed talent: his career and health were derailed by alcoholism and he never once played in a World Cup.

Brazil's all-time top scorer and a Champions League winner, yet he never won a Ballon d'Or (best finish 3rd) and is widely cited for diving and injury-plagued big-stage flops.