Alltime football great players

Though the list can go on and on if one wants to mention the great football players that have been produced but I have decided to select the best five.


DIEGO MARADONA

Diego Maradona was a very talented and creative player during his career span (1976-97). He had 91 caps for his country Argentina scoring a total of 34goals. At the club level he played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys.

Maradona played as an attacking midfielder and won 1 world cup, 1 UEFA cup, 1 Italian cup, 3 domestic titles (1 Argentina, 2 Italy). A goal which he scored against England with his hand is still remembered today as “Hand of God”. Though his career came to an early end but his performance on the field of play will forever be remembered.

PELE

Pele’s career span lasted for just 21 years like that of Maradona but from 1956-77. He had 92 caps for his country Brazil scoring a total of 77 goals. He played for Santos, New York Cosmos at the club level. During his playing days, he won 3world cups, 2 Copa Libertadores, 1 Recopa Intercontinental, 5 Brazilian Championships, 10 State Championships.

The jersey Pele wore at the 1970 world cup final was sold at auction in march 2002 for $220,850. He also served as Brazil’s minister of sports from 1995-98.

FRANZ BECKENBAUER

Beckenbauer from West Germany had 103 caps for his country scoring a total of 14 goals. At the club level he played for Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos, Hamburg. His career span was from 1964-82 and he won 1 world cup, 1 European Championship, 3 European Cups, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 8 Domestic Titles (3USA, 5 Germany), 4 German Cups.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Zidane  started his youth career with US Saint Henri in 1982 and in 1988 he started his senior career. He had 108 caps for his country France scoring a total of 31 goals. At the club level he played for US Saint – Henri, Septemes Les-Vallons, Cannes (youth career) and Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid (senior career).

He won the La Liga, UEFA Champions League, 2 Serie A, Intercontinental Cup, 2 UEFA Super Cup, Ballon d’ or and also won the FIFA world player of the year three times.

LIONEL MESSI

Messi  started his youth career with Newell’s Old Boys and then moved to Barcelona’s youth team. He started his senior career with Barcelona in2003 and since has been with the club. As at March 2012 Messi has appeared for his country Argentina 67 times and has scored a total of 22 goals.

Messi has won 5 La Liga, 3 Champions League, Ballon d’ Or, FIFA world player of the year. Each season he keeps setting records and surpassing previously set records by him and other players. He is now the first player to score five goals in one match in a champions league.

Having achieved all these at this young age, one would want to believe that he would be greater than all the great players of the past.

Who do you think should have made the list or should not be in the list. Feel free to leave your comment.