The footballing world on the 25th of November 2020 saw the exit of an icon, the Argentine legend, Diego Armando Maradona who passed on at the age of 60.
His demise rocked football and the entire sporting world as tribute poured in from all over the world including football betting fans.
The Argentine was regarded by many as one of the football greats of all time, but where exactly does he ranks amongst the football greats?
So, at the risk of incoming criticism, here’s a list of Top 10 Footballers of all time.
10. Frank Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer was a defender during his playing days, a ball playing defender at that, as he contributed to attacking moves for his teams.
He scored 116 goals in 776 appearances for Germany (Country) and Bayern Munich (Club).
Highly regarded, and was nick named “The Emperor” during his playing days due to his dominance on the pitch as he was almost everywhere on the field.
Beckenbauer won the 1972 European Championship, and the 1974 World Cup as well as three European Cups and Eight League titles in his club career.
- Michel Platini
“A French Don” you can say. Platini was an excellent passer of the ball as clips did show, also a good free kick taker and a guru in finding the back of the net.
He had good numbers scoring 353 goals in 652 matches as an attacking midfielder.
Platini almost single-handedly led France to the 1984 European Championships scoring 9 goals.
Platini won three club titles and the European cup with Juventus.
- Ferenc Puskas
How does a player score 700 goals in 705 appearances? That’s huge, will be so hard to take out the Hungarian.
The striker had good attacking prowess and was so sleek with his finishing.
He led Hungary to the 1954 World Cup final, and won three European Cups and Five league titles for Real Madrid.
- Ronaldo De Lima
A 3-time FIFA Player of the year winner with two Balon d’or Awards, was an influence to the generation of strikers that have followed.
In 456 appearances, the Brazilian scored 320 goals and also won the world Cup twice and runner up once.
- Johan Cruyff
Cruyff had the package of a total football player, with a good clinical ability, also highly intelligent in calculating, good dribbling, excellent pace.
The Dutchman scored 401 goals in 710 appearances as an attacking midfielder. He won 3 European cups and 10 League titles, but couldn’t lay his hands on an international medal.
- Zinedine Zidane
Zizou’s ball control, passing and his physical strength were his individual skills. He scored 159 goals in 789 games as a central midfielder. His best performances were often shown I most decisive games
He won the 1998 World Cup with France and 2002 European Championships. He won three league titles and one European Cup with Juventus and Real Madrid.
- Lionel Messi
Messi has won a record 6 balon d’or Awards, has also won 34 trophies with Barcelona.
He holds the most goals in the La Liga with 448 goals . He has scored over 700 goals for club and country.
A legend and true soccer player.
- Pele
Pele was the ultimate goalscorer in his country, Brazil. He scored 1,282 goals in 1,366 appearances.
His strength, pace and dribbling ability had him score all kinds of goals for fun.
His scoring ability saw Brazil win the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and won five League titles.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese recently scores his 750th goal. He is one of the few recorded players to have made over 1000 professional appearances for club and country. He is also the second player to score 100 international goals, and the first European to achieve the feat.
He has won over 30 major trophies in his career and 5 time player of the year award.
- Diego Armando Maradona
Maradona’a talent without a doubt was the greatest talent seen in football. His dribbling skills we dazzling, had a unique goalscoring ability, had a proper passing ability that made him get many assists in his career.
Maradona scored 345 goals in 680 games.
He was good had the name the magician, he won the 1980 world Cup with Argentina and led Napoli to the only two Serie A titles they have till date.
What a player Armando was!