Football is the most popular sport in the world, yet it is a simple game that requires hard work, teamwork, and exceptional skill. This game brings people from all over the world together. Strangers can become best friends after discovering they support the same team. Football has allowed the world to witness last-second miracles, failures that led to success, and has inspired millions around the world.
Pele
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, born in 1940, is a retired Brazilian footballer who is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. With the most votes, he was named IFFHS World Player of the Century. Furthermore, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. Pelé is regarded as the most successful goal-scoring football player, having scored 1281 goals in 1363 games and 650 goals in 694 League matches. After retiring in 1977, he pursued commercial endeavours and served as a global ambassador.
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona, the current manager of Mexico’s second division club, was born in Argentina in 1960. Maradona is ranked first among the top ten best soccer players. Maradona and Pelé shared the FIFA Player of the Century award.
His incredible dribbling, ball control, and passing skills, combined with his 5’5″ ft height, gave him a low centre of gravity, allowing him to have better game control. Maradona played as an attacking midfielder and a second striker on the field.
Zizou
Zinedine Yazid Zidane, nicknamed Zizou and born in 1972, was a French footballer who is now a football coach. He is a dynamic playmaker with excellent vision and ball control abilities, and he has played as an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid, Cannes, Bordeaux, and Juventus. For eight years, Zidane set a world record when he moved to Real Madrid for €77.5 million. Following France’s victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup under his captaincy, he was hailed as a national hero in France.
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, the president of Inter Miami CF, is also a co-owner of Salford City. The 43-year-old retired English footballer has previously played for the England National Team, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others. He is recognised as the first English player to win titles in four countries: France, Spain, the United States, and England. During his 20-year career, he received 19 major awards. Beckham is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and right-wingers of all time due to his excellent bending free kicks, crossing ability, and passing ability.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario
Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima, known as “The Phenomenon,” was a striker who topped the list of legendary football players. The Brazilian footballer excelled at clinical finishing, dribbling, and feints.
He played for PSV, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Cruzeiro, among others. By the age of 23, he had scored over 200 goals for his country and the clubs for which he had played. Ronaldo’s notable accomplishments include being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 2002, as well as winning the European Golden Boot.
