Who are the hundred greatest male footballers in history?
This ranking considers ability, performance at the highest level, longevity, influence, decisive moments and the conditions in which each player competed. Trophies matter, but they do not decide the argument by themselves.
We begin at number 100.
100. Salif Keïta
Mali · Forward · 1960s–1980s
Keïta was one of the first African footballers to become a major star in Europe. He scored freely for Saint-Étienne, helping the club win three consecutive French league titles, and became the first African Footballer of the Year in 1970. His speed, movement and finishing made him a pioneer—but his place here rests on performance, not symbolism alone.
99. Sadio Mané
Senegal · Forward · 2010s–2020s
Mané combined speed and directness with intelligent movement and relentless work without the ball. He helped Liverpool win both the Premier League and Champions League before leading Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title. At his best, he was dangerous from either wing and decisive for both club and country.
98. Steven Gerrard
England · Midfielder · 1990s–2010s
Gerrard could defend, create, carry the ball and score from distance. More importantly, he repeatedly lifted Liverpool when matches appeared lost. The 2005 Champions League final remains the defining example, but his place here rests on much more than one night. For years, he performed several midfield roles within the same match.
97. Son Heung-min
South Korea · Forward · 2010s–2020s
Son became one of South Korea’s greatest footballers and one of Asia’s finest players. Fast, intelligent and equally dangerous with either foot, he developed into an unusually efficient scorer. He won the 2021/22 Premier League Golden Boot with 23 goals, all scored from open play.
96. Mario Kempes
Argentina · Forward · 1970s–1990s
Kempes drove Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 1978. He finished as the tournament’s leading scorer and scored twice in the final against the Netherlands. Powerful when running from deeper positions, he was more than a penalty-box striker. At his peak, he could take control of an entire tournament.
95. Teófilo Cubillas
Peru · Attacking midfielder · 1960s–1980s
Cubillas scored ten World Cup goals for Peru and remains one of South America’s greatest attacking midfielders. He combined graceful movement with powerful shooting and exceptional ability from free kicks. His performances at the 1970 and 1978 World Cups made him the face of Peru’s finest footballing generation.
94. Petr Čech
Czech Republic · Goalkeeper · 1990s–2010s
Čech combined positioning, concentration and composure with remarkable consistency. He holds the Premier League record for clean sheets and was central to Chelsea’s strongest defensive years. His penalty saves in the 2012 Champions League final made him one of the decisive figures in the club’s greatest night.
93. Didier Drogba
Ivory Coast · Striker · 1990s–2010s
Drogba’s league totals do not fully explain his importance. The Ivorian striker was powerful, technically gifted and particularly dangerous in major matches. His equaliser and winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final secured Chelsea’s first European title. Few strikers were more trusted when a final had to be won.
92. N’Golo Kanté
France · Midfielder · 2010s–2020s
Kanté covered space, recovered possession and carried the ball forward with an energy few midfielders could match. He was central to Leicester City’s extraordinary Premier League title, then won the league again with Chelsea. His performances during France’s 2018 World Cup victory and Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League campaign confirmed his quality on the largest stages.
91. Antoine Griezmann
France · Forward · 2000s–2020s
Griezmann has been a scorer, creator and organiser rather than a conventional forward. He helped France win the 2018 World Cup and reach another final in 2022, while repeatedly carrying Atlético Madrid’s attack. His intelligence between midfield and the front line made him valuable even when he was not scoring.
The ranking so far
- Salif Keïta — Mali
- Sadio Mané — Senegal
- Steven Gerrard — England
- Son Heung-min — South Korea
- Mario Kempes — Argentina
- Teófilo Cubillas — Peru
- Petr Čech — Czech Republic
- Didier Drogba — Ivory Coast
- N’Golo Kanté — France
- Antoine Griezmann — France
Ten names are down. Ninety remain.
Who is too high? Who is too low? And who have we left out?
Leave a Reply