The 40+ Best European Players of All Time

Ever wondered who the best European players of all time are? Imagine sitting in a bustling stadium, the crowd’s roar is electric, and among the players sprinting across the green, some have the magic in their feet that turns the game into art. 

WhoGoHere are not just talking about good players; we’re talking about the crème de la European crop, the maestros whose very touch can send a nation into rapture. 

Stick around as we lace up and sprint through the annals of European football to bring you the virtuosos of the beautiful game!

Our lists are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback synthesized in many ways. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.

Our List of The 40+ Best European Players of All Time.

1. Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane – Known for his elegance on the ball, Zidane’s career includes winning the 1998 World Cup with France, multiple Champions League titles, and numerous individual awards. His career is marked by significant appearances and memorable goals for both club and country.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo – A prolific scorer, Ronaldo’s career includes numerous appearances and goals, winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards, Champions League titles, and league championships with different clubs, alongside a successful international career with Portugal.

3. Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer – ‘Der Kaiser’, Beckenbauer redefined the role of a sweeper with his elegance and tactical intelligence. His career includes World Cup victories and multiple European Cups with Bayern Munich, marked by numerous appearances and significant influence on the field.

4. Luka Modric

Luka Modric – The Croatian maestro, known for his exceptional midfield play, has made countless appearances for Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. His accolades include a Ballon d’Or and numerous league and Champions League titles.

5. Johann Cruijff

Johann Cruijff – A symbol of ‘Total Football’, Cruyff’s career includes numerous appearances, goals, and assists. He won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and led the Netherlands to a World Cup final, leaving a lasting legacy in the game.

6. Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon – One of the greatest goalkeepers, Buffon’s career includes a record number of appearances, numerous league titles with Juventus, and a World Cup victory with Italy.

7. Eusebio

Eusebio – The Portuguese legend was known for his incredible scoring ability, with numerous appearances and goals, leading Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup and winning the Golden Boot.

8. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta – A midfield genius, Iniesta’s career includes numerous appearances for Barcelona and Spain, winning multiple league titles, Champions Leagues, a World Cup, and the European Championships.

9. Xavi

Xavi – A midfield maestro, Xavi’s career includes countless appearances for Barcelona and Spain, winning numerous league titles, Champions Leagues, a World Cup, and European Championships.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović – Known for his incredible physicality and technique, Ibrahimović has made numerous appearances and scored countless goals for clubs across Europe, along with a successful international career with Sweden.

11. Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff – A French forward known for his speed and finishing, Henry’s career includes numerous appearances and goals for clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona, and he was a key player in France’s 1998 World Cup victory.

12. Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry was a French forward known for his speed and finishing, His career includes numerous appearances and goals for clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona, and he was a key player in France’s 1998 World Cup victory.

13. David Beckham

David Beckham – A global icon, Beckham’s career includes numerous appearances, goals, and assists for clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid, along with captaining England in multiple World Cups.

14. Lev Yashin

Lev Yashin – Known as the ‘Black Spider’, Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or, with numerous appearances for Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet Union.

15. Gerd Muller

Gerd Muller – ‘Der Bomber’ was known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, with numerous appearances and a record number of goals for Bayern Munich and Germany, including a World Cup victory.

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16. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is England’s and Manchester United’s record scorer. His career includes numerous appearances and goals, winning multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League.

17. Francesco Totti

Francesco Totti – A one-club man, Totti’s career at Roma includes countless appearances and goals, known for his creativity and leadership. Also Check “most common soccer formations”

18. Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio was an Italian forward known for his skill and grace. His career includes numerous appearances and goals for multiple clubs and a key role in Italy’s 1994 World Cup run.

19. Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol – A symbol of leadership and tenacity, Puyol’s career includes numerous appearances for Barcelona and Spain, winning multiple league titles, Champions Leagues, a World Cup, and European Championships.

20. Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas – A legendary goalkeeper, Casillas’ career includes countless appearances for Real Madrid and Spain, winning numerous titles including World Cups and Champions Leagues.

21. Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard – one of the best central midfielders ever, Gerrard’s career includes numerous appearances and goals for Liverpool and England, known for his leadership and for scoring crucial goals.

22. Raul

Raul – A Spanish forward, Raul’s career includes numerous appearances and goals for Real Madrid, holding records for appearances and goals before being surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo.

23. Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben was known for his speed and cutting inside. His career includes numerous appearances and goals for clubs like Bayern Munich and Chelsea, winning multiple league titles and a Champions League.

24. Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski – A prolific goal scorer, Lewandowski’s career includes successful stints at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, with numerous appearances, an impressive goal tally, Bundesliga titles, and a Champions League win.

25. Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel – A formidable goalkeeper, Schmeichel’s career includes numerous appearances for clubs like Manchester United, winning multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League.

26. Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer – A modern goalkeeping icon, Neuer’s career includes numerous appearances for Bayern Munich and Germany, revolutionizing the goalkeeper position and winning numerous titles including a World Cup.

27. Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp – Known for his technique and composure, Bergkamp’s career includes numerous appearances and goals for Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal, winning several titles.

28. Luis Figo

Luis Figo – A Portuguese winger known for his skill and crossing ability, Figo’s career includes numerous appearances and goals for clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, along with winning a Ballon d’Or.

29. Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo – A midfield maestro, Pirlo’s career includes countless appearances for clubs like AC Milan and Juventus, and Italy, known for his vision and passing, winning numerous titles including World Cups and Champions Leagues.

30. Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos – A dominant defender and leader, Ramos has numerous appearances, goals, and titles with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, including World Cups, European Championships, and Champions Leagues.

Other European Best Players of Our List

• 31. George Best
• 32. Philipp Lahm
• 33. Marco van Basten
• 34. Michel Platini
• 35. Ferenc Puskas
• 36. Frenec Puskás
• 37. Paolo Maldini
• 38. Lev Yashin
• 39. Dino Zoff
• 40. Bobby Moore
• 41. Roberto Baggio
• 42. Lothar Mathaüs
• 43. Franco Baresi
• 44. Gerd Müller
• 45. Alessandro Del Piero

FAQs

Who is the No 1 player of football history?

Lionel Messi is the best soccer player in the world with 42 trophies throughout his career.

Who is the king of football all the time?

Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer, is considered the football god of all time.

Who is the richest footballer in the world?

Brunei’s Prince Faiq Bolkiah tops the list, followed by Messi and Ronaldo. Bolkiah, a winger for Chonburi F.C. in Thailand and the Brunei national team, is also a professional footballer.

Who is the prince of football?

Football icon Pele has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi “the prince” following his sublime performances over the past decade.

Who is the greatest player in Barcelona history?

Messi

Who is best Neymar or Mbappe?

Mbappe has a better goal-scoring record than Neymar, which suggests that he is a more effective goal-scorer statistically speaking.

Who is the godfather of football?

Pelé was born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940. Widely regarded as the best player in the world during his playing career, there has been an ongoing debate about whether he is the greatest of all time.

Who is better Neymar or Dybala?

At their peak, Neymar and Dybala were both equally talented. Neymar may have had a slight edge with respect to goals scored, but he is more well-known due to playing for high-profile clubs and winning more trophies.

Meanwhile, Dybala’s achievements were limited to the domestic level until recently, when he was only a reserve player during the World Cup.

Conclusion

And that’s the final whistle! Our journey across Europe’s football landscape has shown us the dazzling array of talent that’s graced the pitch.

These players are more than just athletes; they’re the beating hearts of their clubs and countries, artists who paint with their feet and composers whose symphonies are played in stadiums.

They’ve made us cheer, cry, and jump in collective elation. So here’s to the soccer stars who have, and continue to, make European football the epic saga we love!