Ten famous players

Ten famous players in Football history

Football has a large number of great players, amongst which there are a few who nevertheless beyond a doubt stand out as the truly best. With a number of players having carved their niche playing skill, there still are some who remain as the favorites among their fans. Players like Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Johan Cruyff, Di Stfano, Puskas, Best, Beckenbauer and Platini remain amongst the favorites.

Here’s the trivia about one of the top 10 of all the best footballers;

Pele (1956-1977)

One of the most obvious choices for football enthusiasts is Pele; there is no denying of Pele’s pedigree. Having made his debut in the Brazilian league at the age of 16 in the he went on to become the leagues top scorer. His outstanding performances earned him a place in Brazil’s 1958 World Cup squad, in which they went on to win the trophy. At the age of 17, Pele was and still is one of the youngest world cup winners. His agile touch, dribbling skills and incredible ability to score goals made him to be acknowledged as the world’s greatest football player. In his entire career he had notched up more than 500 goals. Pele was a complete athlete, with his skill and agility; he could have played in any position in the field and still convert an extremely difficult position in a goal. No one has ever done as much for the game as Pele making it a dream for other players in his steps.

Diego Maradona (1976 – 1979)

This Argentinean born in 1960 is one of the most skill full player in the world, with the ability to do everything even the impossible on the field. There is no doubt that he was the best dribbler of the ball in the sport. This was further proved, when he scored an unbelievable goal, which he picked from the halfway line and after dribbling his way past the England team slotted the ball into the net.

Maradona, with such great talent on the field went on to be regarded as perhaps the greatest footballer who ever played the game and still maintains his position as one of greats in the game.

Johan Cryuff

Hendrik Johannes Cryuff was born in Amsterdam in April 1947. His amazing trifle pace and acceleration got him the merit of becoming the European player of the Century in 1999.He also became the European player of the Year thrice. His strategic insights made him practically impossible to defend against, having him dubbed ‘Pythagoras in boots’.

Having played 48 matches and scored 33 goals internationally with the Dutch league he was probably the most talented player of his generation.

George Best

The most sensational dribbler of the ball, he had the ability to dribble leaving other players immobile. With a blend of lightning speed, faultless balance and knack of scoring goals with both feet he would be a huge quandary even for the best defenders. These exploits of his on the pitch undoubtedly made him the most exceptionally natural British player of his cohort.

Michael Platini

Displaying an extraordinary goal scoring prowess he was one of the greatest playmakers in the history of the game. Being the only player to be awarded three European Footballer of the year awards in a row, he was influential in getting France the 1984 European championship title.

Zinedine Zidane

This marvelous player of his generation was an important player in leading his country, France to a World Cup victory in 1998 and the European championship in 2000. Having a splendid ability to pass the ball, he could convert goals himself. The most distinguished one being the winning goal in the 1998 World Cup. To his achievements are the titles of the European Footballer of the year in 1998 and the FIFA World Footballer of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

Franz Beckenbauer

Better known as the greatest German footballer of the time, he was also nicknamed ‘der Kaiser’ (the emperor) for his colossal presence and leadership qualities on the football field. His exceptional flair with the ball saw him win the world cup for his team as a captain in 1974.

Ferenc Puskas

The most prolific goal scorers of all times he scored 84 goals in 85 international matches and 511 goals in 511 matches in the Spanish and Hungarian leagues.

Alfredo Di Stefano

Nicknamed Saeta Rubia (‘Blonde Arrow’), he was a splendid goal scorer and is the third highest goal scorer in the history of Football. He was an influential forward, blessed with stamina, calculated flexibility, and above all a vision that helped him conduct his team towards victory.

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