Regarded as one of the best football players of all time, Ronaldinho played a crucial role in Brazil’s victory in 2002 FIFA World Cup. Later, he helped FC Barcelona win two La Liga and a UEFA Champions League title. The two time FIFA world Player of the Year, who retired in 2018, was known for his technical skills and creativity.
A major force behind Brazil’s World Cup win in 2002, Roberto Carlos was born into a poor peasant family and grew up working on his family farm. He soared to fame during his 11-season stint with Real Madrid, winning four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions Leagues with them.
Considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer is a German football player. He is the captain of German national team as well as his club Bayern Munich. Described as a sweeper-keeper due to his unique playing style, Neuer was part of the German team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the decade from 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS.
Antoine Griezmann is a French football player. A key member of the France national team, Antoine Griezmann helped his team win the 2018 FIFA World Cup by scoring a goal and assisting another in France's 4-2 win against Croatia. Also an esports enthusiast, Griezmann launched an esports organisation called Grizi Esport in 2020.
Spanish footballer, Sergio Ramos, is known for his defensive skills and also for his ability to play offensively and score goals. He plays for the Premier League Club, Real Madrid. Ramos was a member of the Spanish national side which won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.
N'Golo Kante is a French football player who currently plays for the France national team as well as Chelsea FC. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, Kanté played a major role in helping his former team Leicester City win their first Premier League title. He also helped France win its second World Cup in 2018.
Italian-born Brazilian-origin footballer Thiago Alcântara grew up watching his footballer father Mazinho. The talented midfielder has played for teams such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich and now represents Liverpool and the national team of Spain. An injury prevented him from playing in the World Cup 2014.
Franck Ribéry is a French football player who currently plays for the Italian football club, Salernitana. Ribéry plays as a midfielder and is renowned for his precise passing, pace, and skill. Recognized as one of the best footballers of his generation, Franck Ribéry was once referred to as the jewel of French football by former captain Zinedine Zidane.
Considered one of the fittest central defenders of the world, retired Belgian footballer Vincent Kompany had a successful stint with Manchester City, winning 4 Premier League titles, among other championships, with them. Post-retirement, the star footballer had turned to coaching and now manages the English club Burnley.
English footballer Joe Hart, goalkeeper for the Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, began his football career at 16 and has 100 Premier League clean sheets. He is the joint record-holder for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards. He has won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Clarence Seedorf is a Dutch former football player. Widely considered one of the best midfielders of his era, Seedorf was included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. Having won several continental and domestic titles for clubs in the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, and Spain, Clarence Seedorf is one of the most celebrated and decorated Dutch players of all time.
Sadio Mané is one of the greatest Senegalese football players of all time. He is Senegal's fifth all-time top goal-scorer and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2020. One of Liverpool's key players, Sadio serves as an inspiration to youngsters as he succeeded as a footballer in spite of his father forbidding him from playing as a child.
Jadon Sancho is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. He is known for his technical skills as a winger and formidable pace. He started playing as a young boy and was part of the England youth team that won the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Belgian professional football-forward Divock Origi plays for Belgium and AC Milan. During his eight-year tenure with Liverpool, he achieved several feats with the club including winning 2019–20 Premier League and the club’s first FIFA Club World Cup title (2019). He played for Belgium during 2014 FIFA World Cup, and became the youngest goal-scorer in the country’s World Cup history.
Blaise Matuidi is a French football player who has represented the France national team in prominent tournaments like FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Football Championships. He also played a major role in helping his team win the 2018 World Cup. Referred to as a strong and fierce tackler, Blaise Matuidi is renowned for his energy and physical strength.
Iranian football legend Ali Daei has been one of the best strikers from his country. His international record of scoring 109 goals was broken by Cristiano Ronaldo later. Apart from serving the Iranian team for 13 years, he also represented teams such as Bayern Munich. Post-retirement, he coached several teams.
Teemu Pukki is a Finnish football player who has played for the Finland national team in important tournaments like the UEFA European Football Championship and Baltic Cup. He also plays in prominent leagues like the English Football League and is currently playing for the Norwich City Football Club.
Considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Portuguese football legend Rui Costa now leads the club Benfica as its president. He began his career as a midfielder with Benfica and then had a successful stint with AC Milan, too, winning the UEFA Champions League with the latter.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Dutch former football player who played for the Netherlands national football team from 1998 to 2002. He also played for popular clubs like Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. After retiring as a player, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pursued a career as a football manager. He has managed teams like Burton Albion, Queens Park Rangers, and Northampton Town.
William Carvalho is a Portuguese football player who plays for the Portugal national team. He has represented his country in two European Championships and two World Cups. In 2016, he helped Portugal win the UEFA European Football Championship title. William Carvalho was also part of the team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Enzo Fernández is a French professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Ligue 2 club Rodez. He is the eldest son of former footballer Zinedine Zidane and Véronique Fernández. He made his professional debut for Real Madrid Castilla in 2014 and was made one of the team’s vice-captains the following year. His three brothers are also footballers.
Dutch formerfootball player Ronald Koeman was one of the stars of the Netherlands national team during his playing days. After his retirement, he became a professional football manager and is currently the head coach of La Liga club Barcelona. Tremendously successful as a head coach, he was made the manager of Barcelona in 2020.