What makes a great footballer? Is it speed, agility, strength, or simply the ability to make goals?

Many factors go into making a top footballer, and opinions on whom the greatest of all time may vary.

But in this article, we take a look at 10 of the greatest footballers of all time, as voted by fans and experts alike. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just getting into the sport, we've got you covered with everything you need to know about these incredible players. So read on to find out more about the greatest footballers of all time!

#10 Michel Platini (France) - three-time Ballon d'Or winner

When it comes to the greatest footballers of all time, there are a lot of names that come to mind. But if we're talking about pure talent, nobody can touch Michel Platini. He was a master of the dribble, and he had an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. He was also one of the most consistent players in history, which is no small feat.

You might remember him from his days playing for Juventus and France. He was a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.

#9 Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) - two-time Ballon d'Or winner

There's no doubt that Ronaldo nicknamed "The Phenomenon", was one of the most talented players to ever step on a football pitch. He was a master of ball control and had an amazing ability to score goals, even in the tightest of spaces. He was also incredibly fast, which made him a nightmare for defenders.

Ronaldo started his career at Cruzeiro in Brazil, and it wasn't long before he caught the attention of some of Europe's top clubs. In 1996, he signed for Spanish giants Barcelona for a then-world record transfer fee, and at 21 years old, he was named the 1996 FIFA World Player of the Year, making him the youngest recipient of the award.

In 1997, Ronaldo moved to the Italian side Inter Milan, where he won two league titles and one Champions League title. He then moved to Real Madrid in 2002

In his career, Ronaldo clinched two Ballon d'Or titles (1997 and 2002), three FIFA World Player of the Year titles, the Golden Ball at the 1998 World Cup, the Golden Boot at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 1996-97 European Golden Boot, Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1998 and two Pichichi trophies.

#8 Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain) - two-time Ballon d'Or winner

You might not have heard of Alfredo Di Stefano, but he's one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was born in Argentina, but he played for Spain. He played for River Plate (Argentina), Huracán (Argentina), Millonarios (Colombia), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain), and Espanyol (Spain), and he was one of the most successful players in Europe.

He is best known for his achievements with Real Madrid, where he was instrumental in the club's domination of the European Cup and La Liga during the 1950s. - IMDb

He was known for his speed and agility on the field, and he was also a very skillful player. He twice won the Ballon d'Or and collected the European Cup five times with Real Madrid. And he was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame in 2011.

#7 Zinedine Zidane (France) - 1998 Ballon d'Or winner

So, you're probably wondering who the greatest footballer of all time is. Well, there's no easy answer to that question, but we'd be remiss not to include Zinedine Zidane on our list.

Zidane was one of the most graceful players to ever grace the field. He had a killer instinct and an innate ability to make the impossible look easy. He was also one of the most versatile players, able to play any position on the field.

But it was his passion for the game that set him apart from the rest. You could see it in his eyes when he stepped onto the pitch—he lived and breathed football. And his fans loved him for it.

Zidane is a true icon and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport.

He played for Cannes (1989–1992), Bordeaux (1992–1996), Juventus (1996–2001), Real Madrid (2001–2006), and France National Team and his excellence in football earned him three FIFA World Player of the Year and one Ballon d'Or.

#6 Franz Beckenbauer (Germany - two-time Ballon d'Or winner

You may not know this, but Franz Beckenbauer is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was known for his exceptional skills on the ball, as well as his strategic thinking while on the field.

He captained the West Germany team that won the World Cup in 1974, and he later became the coach of the German national team that won the world cup in 1990. He was also voted European Footballer of the Year in 1972 and 1976. Pretty impressive, right?

#5 Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) - three-time Ballon d'Or winner

You might not know this, but Johan Cruyff is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was a midfielder who played for the Netherlands national team, and he was known for his amazing skills on the ball.

As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. One of Cruyff's most famous moves was the "Cruyff turn", which is a move that still baffles defenders to this day. He was also a proponent of the football philosophy known as "Total Football", which is a style of play that relies on players being able to switch positions easily.

Cruyff is a true pioneer when it comes to football, and his influence can be seen in the game today. If you're a fan of football, then you need to check out his biography—it's a must-read for any die-hard fan.

#4 Pelé (Brazil) - three-time FIFA World Cup winner

Pelé is considered the greatest footballer of all time. He's a three-time World Cup champion and was named FIFA Player of the Century.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and labeled "the greatest" by FIFA, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century. Wikipedia

He's considered by many to be the best ever, and there's no doubt that he's one of the most influential players in history. He was known for his speed, his agility, and his incredible footwork.

Pele burst onto the scene in the 1950s and quickly rose to become one of the most famous footballers in the world. He won three World Cups with Brazil and scored an incredible 1,281 goals in his career. Not bad, right?

But what makes Pelé so special? Well, for starters, he was able to score an incredible 1,279 goals in 1,363 games (including friendlies) which is recognized as a Guinness World Record. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. At the club level, he is Santos' all-time top goalscorer with 643 goals from 659 games. He was also known for his exceptional dribbling skills and his deadly accurate shooting.

Pelé is a true legend and has inspired players all over the world. If you want to learn more about him, be sure to check out his biography—it's a must-read for any football fan.

#3 Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Diego Armando Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. He's a legend in his home country of Argentina, and his skills on the pitch are the stuff of myth.

What makes Maradona so special? Well, for starters, he had an amazing ability to control the ball. He could dribble past defenders like they weren't even there, and he was deadly accurate with his shots. But what really set him apart was his passion and intensity. He gave 110% every time he played, and his teammates responded to that energy.

Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his career. 

Maradona was also known for his antics off the pitch. He was never one to shy away from a controversy, and he always managed to make headlines. But that's what made him so fascinating—he was never afraid to be himself, no matter what people said about him.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - five-time Ballon d'Or winner

You can't have a discussion about the greatest footballers of all time without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo. He's a living legend, and there's no one quite like him.

Ronaldo has set new standards for what it means to be a top footballer. He's constantly evolving, always working to improve his game. He's the kind of player who never gives up, and that's what sets him apart from the rest.

He's also a prolific goalscorer, with an impressive record to show for it. Over the course of his career, he's scored more than 700 club goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, having taken his tally to 117 with his first Portugal goals of 2022. UEFA

He is also the all-time UEFA Champions League top scorer with 140 goals.

That's an amazing achievement, and it's one that will take a while to be beaten.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) - seven-time Ballon d'Or winner

There have been so many great players over the years, it's a tough question to answer. But if we're talking about the best of the best, then Lionel Messi has to be at the top of the list.

Messi is a maestro on the football field, able to control a game like no one else. He's blessed with amazing agility and dribbling skills, and his finishing is second to none. He's also proven himself to be a durable player, able to withstand injuries that would sideline other players.

Simply put, Messi is a genius when it comes to playing football. He's scored some incredible goals over the years, and there's no doubt that he'll go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

Conclusion

So, who are the greatest footballers of all time? There's no definitive answer to that question, but there are certainly some players who stand out from the rest.

Most fans would agree that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best footballers in history, and they've both achieved amazing things in their careers. But there are other players who deserve recognition, too.

Whether you're a fan of Messi, Ronaldo, or another player entirely, there's no denying that football is a fascinating sport. Thanks for reading!