Who is the best player in soccer history?

Answer 1

Well this one is open for debate.

Currently, I think there is a decent consensus that Pele was the best ever to play the game. He took the world by storm in the 50's and continued to be great until a late age.

There are some who will say Maradona. He was incredibly quick, had perhaps the best ball control ever, and scored some great goals. For me however, he just dissappeared from too many games, let his own press and hype get to him, was a blatant, unapologetic cheater (the hand of god!) and drug addict.

For me, I personally believe Zidane can be claimed to be the best player ever. The man won everything there was to be won, both personally and as part of his club and national team setups. He was a genius with the ball, had inspired vision and passing ability, was great with both feet, and scored some stunning and trophy winning goals. I also belive modern football (soccer) is much more difficult and quicker than when Pele or Maradona played yet Zidane (without being blessed with speed) was able to dominate in a central midfield position (albeit an advanced one). This argument is similar to choosing Michael Jordan as the best basketball player over someone like Wilt Chamberlain who dominated completely but in a different era.

The only blight on Zidane is how he ended his career. The headbutt at the world cup may or may not have cost France the win, but it certainly was a childish and foolish display which unfortunately came in the last game of a brilliant career.

Answer 2

Definitely Zidane. Pele only scored so much and had a successful career because he came to the United States, where all the teams and players were extremely pathetic. Basically, while in the U.S., Pele was the best of the worst. Maradona was good, but only for a few years, after becoming a fat druggie, that has no more involvement in football anymore, proving his "love" for the game. Pele holds a high rank in FIFA yes, but Zidane is definitely on the same level or even better. He recently visited Indonesia to combat hunger and poverty there, and has been doing so ever since the end of his fantastic career.

Answer 3

The one and only Diego Maradona. He made everyone else look so better. He didn't have anyone around him that was nearly as good, but he took so many teams to championships or close to it. Pele has never done it by himself. Yes Pele could score goals, but as an overall player (regardless of old generation or new) Maradona is the best. Pele is the second best, but there is a wide gap between the two. Pele is all hype because he is involved in all this charitable things.. and Maradona is infamous for his off the field mannerisms. We shouldn't mix the player with their off the field stuff... Strictly based on skills, Maradona is the best.

Answer 4

I would say Pele.
But if you ask the young generation who have not seen Pele
play, many would just see Maradona and select him.

IMHO, a best player should be selected based on his/her
soccer skill level, done wonders to the sport, played in team
spirit and promotes the game...

With this, there is no doubt, Pele qualifies to be the best
even though there are many who are involved in some sort
or the other...

Answer 5

Eric The King Cantona

Answer 6

This is the top 100 Players in the 20th Century.

Pelé
Johan Cruijff
Diego Maradona
Franz Beckenbauer
Michel Platini
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Ferenc Puskás
George Best
Marco Van Basten
Eusébio
Lev Yashin
Bobby Charlton
Ronaldo
Bobby Moore
Gerd Müller
Roberto Baggio
Stanley Matthews
Zico
Franco Baresi
Garrincha
Paolo Maldini
Hugo Sanchez
Gabriel Batistuta
Luís Figo
Éric Cantona
Gheorghe Hagi
Romário
Jairzinho
Zinedine Zidane
Raúl González
Ruud Gullit
John Charles
Lothar Matthäus
Gordon Banks
Jürgen Klinsmann
Dennis Bergkamp
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Gary Lineker
Giuseppe Meazza
Rivelino
Didi
Ian Rush
Peter Schmeichel
Paolo Rossi
George Weah
Michael Owen
Just Fontaine
Duncan Edwards
Dino Zoff
Hristo Stoichkov
David Beckham
Tom Finney
Rivaldo
Claudio Caniggia
Tostão
Frank Rijkaard
José Luis Chilavert
Kevin Keegan
Paul Gascoigne
Roger Milla
Michael Laudrup
Andriy Shevchenko
David Ginola
Glenn Hoddle
Sócrates
Roberto Carlos
Alan Shearer
Daniel Passarella
Davor Šuker
Dixie Dean
Sándor Kocsis
Juan Alberto Schiaffino
Christian Vieri
Mario Kempes
Johan Neeskens
Luigi Riva
Jose Nasazzi
Günter Netzer
Alessandro Del Piero
Carlos Valderrama
Ricardo Zamora
Enzo Francescoli
Edgar Davids
Francisco Gento
Jim Baxter
Falcão
Ryan Giggs
Sepp Maier
Zbigniew Boniek
Pat Jennings
György Sárosi
Giacinto Facchetti
Alan Hansen
Raymond Kopa
Bryan Robson
Matthias Sammer
Neville Southall
Gérson
Paulo Futre
Bebeto

Pele is the Best Player in Football (Soccer) History.

World Team of the 20th Century

Lev Yashin (Goalkeeper)
Carlos Alberto Torres | Franz Beckenbauer | Bobby Moore | Nílton Santos (Defenders)
Johan Cruijff | Alfredo Di Stéfano | Michel Platini (Midfielders)
Garrincha | Diego Maradona | Pelé (Forwards)

Answer 7

Diego Maradona, Pele just has the popularity. Maradona could go the whole field passing everyone and score. His passes were so accurate and so good it was unbelievable. Laser-shots through defenders.

Answer 8

Pele.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, KBE (born October 23rd 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil), best known by his nickname Pelé, is a former Brazilian football player. In his native Brazil, Pelé is hailed as a national hero for his accomplishments and contribution to the game,[2] in addition to being officially declared the football ambassador of the world by FIFA and a national treasure by the Brazilian government. He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor (when he scored his 1,000th goal he dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil). [3] During his career, he became known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol) or simply "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pel%C3%A9

Answer 9

Pele

Answer 10

Maradona