1. Pele (Brazil): Regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Pele won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals.
  2. Diego Maradona (Argentina): Known for his skill, dribbling ability, and the infamous “Hand of God” goal, Maradona’s impact on the game is undeniable.
  3. Lionel Messi (Argentina): As of my last update, Messi was still actively playing. At that time, he had already established himself as one of the greatest players ever, winning numerous individual awards and setting records with Barcelona. In August 2021, Messi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after spending his entire professional career at Barcelona.
  4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career was ongoing as of September 2021. He is known for his athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and numerous individual accolades. At that time, he had played for clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
  5. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): Cruyff was a pioneer in modern football, known for his influence as a player and later as a successful manager. He played for clubs like Ajax and Barcelona.
  6. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): A legendary defender who won the World Cup as both a player and a manager, Beckenbauer’s contributions to the game are widely recognized.
  7. Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Spain): A versatile and prolific forward, Di Stefano played a significant role in Real Madrid’s dominance during the 1950s and 1960s.