Top 50 Greatest Footballers Of All-Time – Pelé, Maradona, Messi And Ronaldo Included In The Best Soccer Players Ever List

Lionel Messi can elevate his legacy among the greatest players of all time even further if he can lead Argentina to victory in the World Cup final. Photo: Reuters

The 2014 World Cup will be remembered as one of the most exciting and entertaining ever. The beautiful game sparks so much attention that it’s impossible to ignore the sport’s rich history.
Discussions about Argentina, Germany, Brazil and the Netherlands in 2014 can quickly morph into discussions of past World Cups, and how countries had previously competed and the players they boasted of on their roster.
The subject of which players are better than others can spark intense opinions and debate. That’s why we’ve decided to place ourselves in the heart of a long-standing argument.
Like any list, our Top 50 Greatest Players List should be taken with a grain of salt. How does one judge the level of greatness between a striker and a right back? How can a central midfielder be ranked at No. 43 and a goalkeeper at No. 16?
The criteria for our selections include the player’s impact on their era and their position, as well as the contributions they provided for their club and country.
This list includes the rank of the player, and the country they represented.
Let the debate begin:
50. Kenny Dalglish, Scotland
49. Zbigniew Boniek, Poland
48. Matthias Sindelar, Austria
47. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, West Germany
46. Rivelino, Brazil
45. Just Fontaine, France
44. Roberto Carlos, Brazil
43. Andres Iniesta, Spain
42. Ruud Gullit, Netherlands
41. Uwe Seeler, West Germany
40. Michael Laudrup, Denmark
39. Andrea Pirlo, Italy
38. George Weah, Liberia
37. Thierry Henry, France
36. Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
35. Gianni Rivera, Italy
34. Hugo Sánchez, Mexico
33. Nilton Santos, Brazil
32. John Charles, Wales
31. Ronaldinho, Brazil
30. Enzo Francescoli, Uruguay
29. Cafu, Brazil
28. Mario Kempes, Argentina
27. Socrates, Brazil
26. Giuseppe Meazza, Italy
25. Xavi Hernández, Spain
24. Djalma Santos, Brazil
23. Bobby Moore, England
22. Lothar Matthäus, West Germany
21. Bobby Charlton, England
20. Marco Van Basten, Netherlands
19. Ronaldo, Brazil
18. Zico, Brazil
17. Franco Baresi, Italy
16. Dino Zoff, Italy
15. Gerd Muller, Germany
14. Eusebio, Portugal
13. Michel Platini, France
12. Paolo Maldini, Italy
11. George Best, Northern Ireland
And now without further ado, here is the Top 10…
10. Garrincha, Brazil

His nickname in Brazil, “The Joy of the People,” tells much about what Garrincha offered on the pitch. Born with both legs that bent to one side, the boy from Rio, whose demons ultimately caught up with him, befuddled defenders with the kind of dribbling and ability to change direction never before witnessed. While Pele is the Brazilian known around the globe, many in his home country have more love for Garrincha. When Pele was injured, it was Garrincha who inspired Brazil to their second World Cup triumph in 1962.
9. Ferenc Puskas, Hungary

The Galloping Major was a part of two of the greatest teams of all time. The most integral part of the “Magical Magyars” Hungary side of the early 1950s, Puskas and his teammates appeared certaint to lift the 1954 World Cup, but somehow lost in the final to Germany after Puskas had put them ahead and was then controversially denied an equalizer in the dying stages. Thankfully, his brilliant career did taste glory at club level, having won three European Cups with Real Madrid, including in 1960 when he scored four in the famous 7-3 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.
8. Alfredo di Stefano, Argentina, Colombia and Spain

In marking his sad passing this week, Real Madrid had no qualms about declaring Di Stefano “the best player of all time” in a headline on their website. It is not hard to see why. Born in Argentina, but having also turned out at international level for Colombia and Spain, Di Stefano played a key role in the history of European soccer, having famously come close to joining Barcelona before moving to arch rivals Real Madrid, and becoming an integral figure in the Spanish side winning the first five European Cups.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

CR7 comes in at No. 7 and for good reason. He has shown little sign that he won’t continue to be the brightest of stars on a Real Madrid squad filled with world-class players. Once criticized for lacking end product, he has developed into the world’s most effective player, a testament to his relentless desire for self-improvement, which can also be seen in his phenomenal athleticism.
6. Franz Beckenbauer, Germany

For decades every defender with any remote ability on the ball has earned comparisons to Beckenbauer, but none have matched the graceful brilliance with which the man nicknamed Der Kaiser strode forward with the ball and initiated attacks during the 1960s and ’70s. The scorer of an impressive five goals in World Cups, Beckenbauer finally lifted the trophy as captain in 1974 after suffering painful defeat in the 1966 final.
5. Zinedine Zidane, France

Scored two goals with his head to lead France to victory in the 1998 World Cup final, but it was with his feet that Zidane brilliantly cut teams to shreds. He was a maestro with the ball, weaving passes with perfect weight to his teammates. A clutch performer, Zidane almost single-handedly inspired France to the World Cup final in 2006. It came four years after he scored one of the all-time great goals in a European Cup final to win the trophy with Real Madrid.
4. Johan Cruyff, Netherlands

The most recognizable member of the great Dutch team of the 1970s that revolutionized the game with their Total Football, Cruyff was the total footballer. While nominally a center-forward, the Amsterdam-native was ahead of his time in dropping deep to the befuddlement of his opponents. Sadly, fell agonizingly short of winning the World Cup, but won three straight European Cups with Ajax.
3. Diego Maradona, Argentina

Maradona played in an era when defenders were allowed to get away with brutalizing their more skilled opponents, and yet he was still majestic. A hero for leading Italian club Napoli to their first and still only two Serie A titles, his greatest achievement came when he inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 1986, scoring mesmeric goals in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.
2. Lionel Messi, Argentina

The key member of the greatest club team in history as Barcelona have dominated Europe, Messi can change a game in an instant with unfathomable close control while gliding forward at lightning speed. The Argentinian has answered doubts about his ability to perform for his country and could now complete his legacy by leading them to World Cup glory.
1. Pelé, Brazil

Bookended his career at the top level with World Cup wins, first as a brilliant 17-year-old in 1958 and then 12 years later as part of one of the greatest teams to ever grace the competition. In between he picked up another winner’s medal in 1962, although was injured during the tournament. The all-time top scorer for Brazil, Pele fired in a total of 1,281 goals during a glittering career.

Nasarawa United's Nweke wants to conquer Africa.

The youngster, only in his second season as a professional, is already making big plans to win the Caf Confederation Cup with the Lafia based outfit

Nasarawa United defender Ifeanyi Nweke is hoping to make a huge impact on the continent when they play in the 2016 Caf Confederations Cup.
The 18-year old defender who is entering his second season as a professional footballer and an established member of the Solid Miners’mfirst team has set his target for their appearance on the continent.
“I want to play well and be recognized in Africa,” he told Goal.
“This is my second season (as a professional) and I think I have made improvements from the way I started last year.
“So when I play in the Confederations’ Cup, I want everyone to take note of me and I also hope that means us going far in the competition.”
When asked if he thinks he can cope with the level of football on the continent, given his limited experience, the youngster was full of confidence in his ability.
“I know I can cope, I believe I am ready. I have improved a lot over the past year as a player and it has showed in the way I have played against the top teams, especially Enyimba in the Super 4.
“I believe in myself and I know I can cope when the time comes,” he stressed.

22-Yr-Old Surrenders To Police After Killing Cousin Over Girlfriend

Just like Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s play of same name, murdered sleep and could no longer sleep, 22-year-old Ndifreke Joseph Clement, disturbed by sleepless nights and traumatic experiences after murdering his 23-year-old cousin, Ubong Edet, surrendered himself to police six months after the crime.
Clement, a native of Akon Itam, Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, who handed himself over to police at Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, said he slashed his cousin’s throat after beating him to coma because Edet slept with his girlfriend in August 2015.
He told Vanguard: “I cannot remember the exact date now, but it occurred in a night in August 2015 in the one room apartment we shared. On that day, I returned from work to meet the door locked.
“I knocked on the door and waited for over five minutes before my cousin could come to open the door. When I went into the room, I saw my girlfriend weeping and blood running from her nostrils.
“I asked her what happened and she said Ubong beat, wounded and forcefully had s*x with her. But after opening the door for me, Ubong went away and did not come back until very late in the night.
‘We fought for a very long time’
“When I asked him why he did what he did to my girlfriend, he started punching me and I retaliated.
“We fought for a very long time before I could subdue him. I then picked my cow-butchering knife and cut his throat, carried his dead body and dumped it in the bush very close to the house and threw the knife into the pit toilet.
“I have brought myself to the police even when nobody knew that I killed him. I have come to plead for forgiveness because since I killed my cousin, I no longer have peace of mind. I am always disturbed in my mind and dream.”
The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, said the suspect would be arraigned for the court to decide whether he had any right to take the life of another person.

Ambode Orders OPD To Take Care Of Battered 9-Year Old By Madam For Stealing Crayfish

The 9-year old girl who was beaten by her madam and then got showered with hot water for allegedly stealing crayfish is now in the custody of Lagos State Government.
Precious Chinwedu got the attention of the Governor when the news was reported by various media houses.
The Governor than ordered the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), to take the girl away from the private hospital she is receiving treatment in Alagbado and care for her henceforth.
The Director OPD, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi confirmed this and said the girl is now in their custody where she is receiving adequate treatment.

Buhari Has Created A Major Problem For The Nigerian Economy – Pat Utomi

Former Presidential aspirant, Pat Utomi in a recent interview at an event in Lagos has criticised Buhari on his approach to economic issues which he believes spells doom for Nigeria.
Nigerian renowned Political Economist, Professor Pat Utomi has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent public comments concerning the devaluation of the Naira which has depleted strongly against the U.S dollar.
Utomi’s comments is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari declaration late Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, that he was yet to be convinced that Nigeria and its people will derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira.
Speaking in an interview on Monday at the inauguration conference of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy on Monday, February 1, Utomi said the president has no knowledge of the economy and should allow those who do speak on the matter.
He said the president’s statement in Kenya that he would not devalue the Naira has already created more problem for Nigeria.
“Somebody like him should not be talking about such things. Keep quiet…he has created a major problem for the Nigerian economy by that statement.” Utomi said.
Utomi also commented on the mono-cultural nature of the Nigerian economy which is based on the plummeting oil that has adversely put the country in recession.
It would be recalled that President Buhari revealed at an interactive meeting with Nigerians living in Kenya, that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation will only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.
The president added that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country’s poor who, he said, have suffered enough already.

N11.5bn fraud: Bishop, bank MD remanded in prison.

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday ordered the prison remand of the Managing Director of Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Irmiya Jatau, over N11.5bn fraud.

Also remanded was the Bishop of Maranatha Church, Jonas Katung, who was charged alongside Jatau by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which accused them of defrauding hundreds of depositors.

The accused were slammed with 24 counts before Justice Musa Kurya.

Joined with them in the charge are one Okewole Dayo and Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank Limited.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud over 64,000 customers of the defunct Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society to the tune of   N11.5 bn.

In one of the counts filed against the accused, the EFCC alleged that sometime in 2012, they “did conspire with yourselves to commit money laundering contrary to Section 18 (a )of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

They were also accused of transferring the sum of N50m from Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society account to a First Bank account, with number 2003050001625, into the Dadin Kowa Microfinance, First Bank account Number-2016452671.

This sum, the count said, represented proceeds of unlawful acts and amounted to an offence contrary to Section 15 (25) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended by the Money Laundering amendment (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 54 of the same Act, among others.

But when the charges were read to them, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty, except Bishop Katung, who pleaded guilty to one of the counts before he suddenly changed his mind and pleaded not guilty like others.

Katung had earlier on December 9, 2015, been granted bail before the case was adjourned till Wednesday.

The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. L. P. Asor, said Jatau was not covered by the bail application earlier granted to the accused persons because no charge was preferred against him as of the time the bail application was granted to the bishop who is the first accused person in the charge.

According to the EFCC, the charges against the bank MD were only filed two days before.

However, while opposing the bail application, the prosecuting counsel argued that the bail granted to the first accused person should also apply to the bank MD since he is one of the co-accused persons in the entire case.

After hearing the argument from the defence and prosecution counsel, the presiding judge ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered that the bank MD be remanded in prison pending when his bail application would be filed and considered by the court.

The case was adjourned till March 7 for further hearing.

NYSC Explains Delay In Corps Members January Allowance.

 The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said there would be “a slight delay” in the payment of Corps members allowance for January 2016. The agency has further given explanation for the delay.
In a press statement issued out on Wednesday, the NYSC management explained that the delay of January allowance was due to disparities in logistics and planning details for 2016 from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the Ministry of Finance as well as the NYSC itself.
In this light, there have been continuous efforts to ensure the situation is addressed in order to facilitate the payment of January allowance to all corps members. It said: “Management regrets this delay, and is, therefore, working round the clock to ensure that all corps members receive their January allowance between now and next week.
It will be recalled recently, the NYSC ordered its staff to declare their assets, the Director-General of the NYSC, Johnson Olawunmi, ordered the personnel of the scheme to declare their assets in line with the code of conduct for public officers.