1
Ronaldinho
Barcelona
1998–2015 · born 1980 · 6'0"
Ballon d'Or 2005 · World Cup 2002
photo · unknown
The 2000s
The hundred players who defined the decade · 97 photographs, all from Wikimedia Commons
2
Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid
1989–2006 · born 1972 · 6'1"
World Cup 1998 · Ballon d'Or 1998
photo · Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 3.0
3
Ronaldo Nazário
Real Madrid
1993–2011 · born 1976 · 6'0"
Ballon d'Or 1997, 2002 · World Cup 2002
photo · unknown
4
Thierry Henry
Arsenal
1994–2014 · born 1977 · 6'2"
Arsenal Invincibles · World Cup 1998
photo · Philippe Roos from Strasbourg · CC BY-SA 2.0
5
Paolo Maldini
AC Milan
1984–2009 · born 1968 · 6'1"
5× Champions League
photo · Рыбакова Елена · CC BY-SA 3.0
6
Kaká
AC Milan
2001–2017 · born 1982 · 6'1"
Ballon d'Or 2007
photo · unknown
7
7
Andrea Pirlo
AC Milan
1995–2017 · born 1979 · 5'10"
World Cup 2006
photo · unknown
8
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool
1998–2016 · born 1980 · 6'1"
Istanbul 2005 comeback
photo · Helen Bromley · CC BY 2.0
9
Xavi
Barcelona
1998–2019 · born 1980 · 5'7"
World Cup 2010 · Euro 2008, 2012
photo · unknown
10
Francesco Totti
Roma
1992–2017 · born 1976 · 5'11"
One club, 25 years
photo · unknown
11
Roberto Carlos
Real Madrid
1991–2015 · born 1973 · 5'6"
The 1997 free kick
photo · Real Madrid · CC BY 4.0
12
Luís Figo
Real Madrid
1989–2009 · born 1972 · 5'11"
Ballon d'Or 2000
photo · Paul Blank · CC BY 2.5
13
Andriy Shevchenko
AC Milan
1994–2012 · born 1976 · 6'0"
Ballon d'Or 2004
photo · unknown
14
Fabio Cannavaro
Real Madrid
1992–2011 · born 1973 · 5'9"
Ballon d'Or 2006 · World Cup 2006
photo · Doha Stadium Plus Qatar · CC BY 2.0
15
Pavel Nedvěd
Juventus
1991–2009 · born 1972 · 5'10"
Ballon d'Or 2003
photo · unknown
16
Michael Owen
Liverpool
1996–2013 · born 1976 · 5'8"
Ballon d'Or 2001
photo · VietnamJ25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
17
Patrick Vieira
Arsenal
1994–2011 · born 1976 · 6'4"
Arsenal Invincibles
photo · Simon Heseltine · CC BY-SA 4.0
18
Rio Ferdinand
Manchester United
1996–2015 · born 1978 · 6'2"
Champions League 2008
photo · Gordon Flood from Trim, Ireland · CC BY 2.0
19
John Terry
Chelsea
1998–2018 · born 1980 · 6'2"
Chelsea captain, 5 titles
photo · Rajasekharan Parameswaran · CC BY-SA 3.0
20
Frank Lampard
Chelsea
1995–2016 · born 1978 · 6'0"
Chelsea's record scorer
photo · unknown
21
Didier Drogba
Chelsea
1998–2018 · born 1978 · 6'2"
Champions League 2012 final
photo · rayand · CC BY 2.0
22
Samuel Eto'o
Barcelona
1997–2019 · born 1981 · 5'11"
Two trebles, two clubs
photo · Майоров Владимир · CC BY-SA 3.0
23
Raúl
Real Madrid
1994–2015 · born 1985 · 6'3"
Real Madrid's record scorer for a decade
photo · Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC BY-SA 3.0
24
Alessandro Del Piero
Juventus
1991–2014 · born 1974 · 5'8"
World Cup 2006 · Juventus legend
photo · Roger Gorączniak · CC BY 3.0
25
Gianluigi Buffon
Juventus
1995–2023 · born 1978 · 6'4"
World Cup 2006
photo · Paulblank · CC BY 3.0
26
Iker Casillas
Real Madrid
1999–2020 · born 1981 · 6'1"
World Cup 2010 · Euro 2008, 2012
photo · Florian K · CC BY-SA 3.0
27
Oliver Kahn
Bayern Munich
1987–2008 · born 1969 · 6'2"
Only GK to win World Cup Golden Ball
photo · Olaf Kosinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
28
Petr Čech
Chelsea
1999–2019 · born 1982 · 6'5"
Premier League clean sheet record
photo · unknown
29
Deco
Barcelona
1997–2013 · born 1977 · 5'9"
Champions League with two clubs
photo · unknown · CC BY-SA 2.0
30
Carles Puyol
Barcelona
1999–2014 · born 1978 · 5'10"
World Cup 2010
photo · Gerard Reyes from Reus, España · CC BY 2.0
31
Cafu
AC Milan
1989–2008 · born 1970 · 5'9"
Three World Cup finals
photo · unknown
32
Rivaldo
Barcelona
1991–2015 · born 1972 · 6'1"
Ballon d'Or 1999 · World Cup 2002
photo · unknown
33
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Manchester United
1993–2012 · born 1976 · 6'2"
A goal in 15 straight games
photo · Florian K · CC BY-SA 3.0
34
Edwin van der Sar
Manchester United
1990–2011 · born 1970 · 6'6"
Champions League 2008 shootout
photo · Gordon Flood from Trim, Ireland · CC BY 2.0
35
Clarence Seedorf
AC Milan
1992–2014 · born 1976 · 5'9"
Champions League with three clubs
photo · Ronnie Macdonald · CC BY 2.0
36
Paul Scholes
Manchester United
1993–2013 · born 1974 · 5'6"
Ten Premier League titles
photo · Biser Todorov · CC BY 4.0
37
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United
1990–2014 · born 1973 · 5'11"
Thirteen league titles
photo · James Adams · CC BY 2.0
38
David Beckham
Manchester United
1992–2013 · born 1975 · 6'0"
The free kick against Greece
photo · unknown
39
Roy Keane
Manchester United
1990–2006 · born 1971 · 5'10"
Turin 1999
photo · unknown
40
Nemanja Vidić
Manchester United
2000–2016 · born 1981 · 6'3"
Five Premier League titles
photo · Austin Osuide · CC BY 2.0
41
Michael Ballack
Bayern Munich
1995–2012 · born 1976 · 6'2"
Four league-and-cup doubles
photo · unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0
42
Miroslav Klose
Werder Bremen
1999–2016 · born 1978 · 6'0"
World Cup all-time top scorer
photo · Danilo Borges / copa2014.gov.br Licença · CC BY 3.0
43
Philipp Lahm
Bayern Munich
2002–2017 · born 1983 · 5'7"
World Cup 2014 captain
photo · André Zehetbauer · CC BY-SA 2.0
44
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bayern Munich
2002–2019 · born 1984 · 6'0"
World Cup 2014 final
photo · unknown
45
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United
2002–2021 · born 1985 · 5'9"
England's record scorer for a decade
photo · Toffee TV : Everton Fan Channel · CC BY 3.0
46
Ashley Cole
Chelsea
1999–2019 · born 1980 · 5'9"
Seven FA Cups
photo · Beata May · CC BY-SA 3.0
47
Gennaro Gattuso
AC Milan
1995–2013 · born 1978 · 5'10"
World Cup 2006
photo · Chivista 20:50, 30. Jul. 2009 (CEST) · CC BY-SA 3.0
48
Alessandro Nesta
AC Milan
1993–2014 · born 1976 · 6'2"
World Cup 2006
photo · Ryan Byrne · CC BY-SA 3.0
49
Javier Zanetti
Inter
1992–2014 · born 1973 · 5'10"
858 games for one club
photo · Roberta Accettulli · CC BY 2.0
50
Juan Román Riquelme
Boca Juniors
1996–2014 · born 1978 · 6'0"
The last classic number 10
photo · Chivista at German Wikipedia 23:26, 30. · CC BY-SA 3.0
51
Hernán Crespo
Inter
1993–2012 · born 1975 · 6'1"
Istanbul 2005, two goals
photo · Liguria Pics · CC BY-SA 4.0
52
Gabriel Batistuta
Fiorentina
1988–2005 · born 1969 · 6'1"
Argentina's record scorer for a decade
photo · Unknown · Public domain
53
Diego Forlán
Atlético Madrid
1997–2019 · born 1979 · 5'10"
World Cup 2010 Golden Ball
photo · Jimmy Baikovicius from Montevideo, Urugu · CC BY-SA 2.0
54
Ronaldo (Cristiano)
Manchester United
2002– · born 1985 · 6'1"
Ballon d'Or 2008 at United
photo · Dagur Brynjólfsson · CC BY-SA 2.0
55
55
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
2004– · born 1987 · 5'7"
Ballon d'Or 2009 · first treble
photo · TitiNicola · CC BY-SA 4.0
56
Fernando Torres
Liverpool
2001–2019 · born 1984 · 6'1"
Euro 2008 winning goal
photo · unknown
57
David Villa
Valencia
2001–2019 · born 1981 · 5'9"
World Cup 2010 top scorer for Spain
photo · Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, U · CC BY 2.0
58
Andrés Iniesta
Barcelona
2002–2024 · born 1984 · 5'7"
World Cup 2010 winning goal
photo · unknown
59
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid
2004– · born 1986 · 6'0"
The 93rd minute, Lisbon 2014
photo · unknown
60
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Inter
1999–2023 · born 1981 · 6'5"
League titles in four countries
photo · unknown
61
Wesley Sneijder
Inter
2002–2019 · born 1984 · 5'7"
Treble 2010 · World Cup final 2010
photo · Nuță Lucian · CC BY-SA 2.0
62
Arjen Robben
Chelsea
2000–2021 · born 1984 · 5'11"
The cut inside
photo · Rufus46 · CC BY-SA 3.0
63
Robin van Persie
Arsenal
2001–2019 · born 1983 · 6'0"
The flying header, 2014
photo · Paul Blank · CC BY 2.5
64
Dennis Bergkamp
Arsenal
1986–2006 · born 1969 · 6'0"
The touch against Argentina
photo · Rob Croes for Anefo · CC0
65
Edgar Davids
Juventus
1991–2014 · born 1973 · 5'6"
The Pitbull
photo · Mutiu Apipi · CC BY-SA 2.0
66
Rafael Márquez
Barcelona
1996–2018 · born 1979 · 6'0"
Five World Cups
photo · Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro) · CC BY-SA 4.0
67
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Club América
1992–2016 · born 1973 · 5'10"
The Cuauhtemiña
photo · Uncredited US Army Reserve staff · Public domain
68
Landon Donovan
LA Galaxy
1999–2018 · born 1982 · 5'8"
The 2010 goal against Algeria
photo · Sgt. Lorie Jewell/United States Army · Public domain
69
Park Ji-sung
Manchester United
2000–2014 · born 1981 · 5'8"
2002 semi-final · four Premier League titles
photo · Magnus D · CC BY 2.0
70
Ahn Jung-hwan
Perugia
1998–2012 · born 1976 · 5'10"
The golden goal against Italy, 2002
photo · unknown
71
Lee Young-pyo
Tottenham Hotspur
1999–2013 · born 1977 · 5'9"
2002 semi-final
photo · Matt Boulton · CC BY-SA 2.0
72
Hong Myung-bo
Pohang Steelers
1992–2004 · born 1969 · 5'11"
2002 captain · Bronze Ball
photo · Greatness21 · CC0
73
Hidetoshi Nakata
Roma
1995–2006 · born 1977 · 5'9"
Serie A title with Roma
photo · Neogeolegend (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
74
Shunsuke Nakamura
Celtic
1997–2022 · born 1978 · 5'10"
The free kick against Manchester United
photo · Neier · CC BY-SA 3.0
75
Nwankwo Kanu
Arsenal
1993–2012 · born 1976 · 6'6"
Olympic gold 1996 · Invincibles
photo · Original: Chensiyuan / Derivative work: · CC BY-SA 4.0
76
Jay-Jay Okocha
Bolton Wanderers
1990–2008 · born 1973 · 5'9"
So good they named him twice
photo · unknown
77
El Hadji Diouf
Liverpool
1998–2015 · born 1981 · 6'0"
2002 World Cup upset over France
photo · Botham1983 · Public domain
78
Michael Essien
Chelsea
2000–2020 · born 1982 · 5'10"
The volley against Arsenal
photo · unknown
79
Yaya Touré
Barcelona
2001–2020 · born 1983 · 6'2"
Treble 2009 · four African Player awards
photo · Roger Gorączniak · CC BY 3.0
80
Frédéric Kanouté
Sevilla
1997–2015 · born 1977 · 6'4"
Two UEFA Cups with Sevilla
photo · unknown
81
81
Claude Makélélé
Chelsea
1991–2011 · born 1973 · 5'9"
A position named after him
photo · Web Summit Qatar · CC BY 2.0
82
Lilian Thuram
Juventus
1991–2008 · born 1972 · 6'0"
France's most-capped player for a decade
photo · Nicolas Richoffer · CC BY-SA 4.0
83
Marcel Desailly
Chelsea
1986–2006 · born 1968 · 6'1"
World Cup 1998 · Euro 2000
photo · Bongani Gerald Malunga · CC BY-SA 4.0
84
Robert Pirès
Arsenal
1993–2015 · born 1973 · 6'1"
Arsenal Invincibles
photo · Doha Stadium Plus Qatar · CC BY 2.0
85
Franck Ribéry
Bayern Munich
2002–2022 · born 1983 · 5'7"
Treble 2013
photo · unknown
86
Karim Benzema
Lyon
2004– · born 1987 · 6'1"
Four straight Lyon titles
photo · Real Madrid · CC BY 3.0
87
Hakan Şükür
Galatasaray
1987–2008 · born 1971 · 6'3"
Fastest World Cup goal, 11 seconds
photo · unknown
88
Rüştü Reçber
Fenerbahçe
1990–2012 · born 1973 · 6'1"
2002 World Cup third place
photo · unknown
89
Pavel Pardo
Club América
1993–2011 · born 1976 · 5'9"
Bundesliga title with Stuttgart
photo · Ryan Byrne · CC BY-SA 3.0
90
Juan Sebastián Verón
Lazio
1993–2017 · born 1975 · 6'1"
The Little Witch
photo · Agencia de Noticias ANDES · CC BY-SA 2.0
91
Pablo Aimar
Valencia
1996–2015 · born 1979 · 5'7"
Messi's favourite player
photo · Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0
92
Adriano
Inter
2000–2016 · born 1982 · 6'2"
The Emperor
photo · Carvalho / Alex Carvalho · CC BY-SA 2.0
93
Roberto Baggio
Brescia
1982–2004 · born 1967 · 5'9"
Ballon d'Or 1993 · The Divine Ponytail
photo · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
94
Christian Vieri
Inter
1991–2009 · born 1973 · 6'1"
Nine clubs, goals at all of them
photo · Nehme1499 · CC BY-SA 4.0
95
Filippo Inzaghi
AC Milan
1991–2012 · born 1973 · 6'0"
Two goals, Athens 2007
photo · Delfort · CC BY-SA 3.0
96
Kolo Touré
Arsenal
2000–2017 · born 1981 · 6'0"
Arsenal Invincibles
photo · Jake Brown · CC BY 2.0
97
Emmanuel Adebayor
Arsenal
2000–2021 · born 1984 · 6'3"
African Player of the Year 2008
photo · Jan S0L0 · CC BY-SA 2.0
98
Shay Given
Newcastle United
1994–2017 · born 1976 · 6'1"
Over 450 Premier League games
photo · Tomasz Przechlewski · CC BY 2.0
99
Dida
AC Milan
1992–2015 · born 1973 · 6'5"
Two Champions League finals won
photo · NOC of Uzbekistan · CC BY 4.0
100
Marco Materazzi
Inter
1993–2011 · born 1973 · 6'4"
World Cup 2006 · the 2006 final
photo · Original: Sona Hovasapyan / Derivative · CC BY 2.0
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons
under the licence named on each card; each links to its file page.
Birth years and heights are from Wikidata. Clubs and years are the era the player is placed in, not a full career
list — several of these played for a dozen sides. Assists are not shown: nobody recorded them reliably before the
2010s, and a number that was never counted does not belong next to ones that were.