In brief
Some famous athletes are thought to be able to achieve everything.
Legendary player Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid and Juventus is on the list.
The top 10 also includes Steven Gerrard, Ronald Koeman, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In essence, a complete football player is one who is capable of doing every single thing required to succeed in their role. They have the best and most reliable ability to score, assist, pass, tackle, header, and more.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid is a shining illustration of this in the current game. He demonstrated his talent in his rookie season by winning both La Liga and the Champions League and scoring 19 league goals.
Bellingham is a player who excels in all areas of the game, not just getting into the box and scoring goals. He is quick, technically gifted, has amazing body strength for his age, can carry the ball through the lines, and is also very strong defensively, using his aggression and engine to bully the opposition midfielders.
Which other football players, though, have shown themselves to be “complete” players throughout time? These are the best of them, keeping that question in mind.
Ranking Factors
- Versatility
- Ability to master all the key skills need to excel in their position
- Consistency
12Duncan Edwards
Career span: 1952 – 1958
Duncan Edwards’ terrible death in the Munich aviation accident at the age of 21 is arguably the saddest “what could have been” story in football history. Before he died far too early, the Manchester United youth was well on his way to becoming a club legend, having previously won the First Division twice.
Edwards could play in any outfield position, while being a defensive midfielder by nature. Notably, he was substituted for another injured colleague in centre defence after initially starting a game as an emergency striker. Legendary manager Matt Busby stated this when Edwards signed his first professional contract at the age of 17:
“I have never seen a more complete player than him.”
Career Statistics for Duncan Edwards
Looks
191
Objectives
26
Helps
9.
Trophies
4.
11Frank Rijkaard
Career span: 1980-1995
Frank Rijkaard, one of the best holding midfielders of all time, spent much of his playing days at AC Milan and Ajax. He had a reputation for having a lot more skills than the average defensive midfielder. Rijkaard was the complete package on defence: tall, strong, aggressive, hard-working, and able to cover ground fast. The Dutchman was also very consistent and intelligent, using his tactical intelligence and defensive awareness to read play and track down opposing attackers.
Rijkaard was a superb ball player in addition to being a defensive bull; he used his technique and composure in possession to dominate games and connect with his teammates. During his playing career, this technical skill enabled him to play as a more experienced midfielder and occasionally even as a second striker.
Statistics for Frank Rijkaard’s Career
Looks
618
Objectives
107
Helps
59
Trophies
23
10Zinedine Zidane
Career span: 1989-2006
One of the most distinctive and entertaining football players to watch play the beautiful game was Zinedine Zidane, who glided over the ground like a boat on the ocean. He epitomised elegance on a football pitch. Zidane was always one step ahead of the opponent because of his football intelligence, which was visibly superior to the rest. He was able to drop deeper in play and pick up possession to control and dictate.
The Frenchman’s skill level was incredible; he would touch the ball and connect with his colleagues in such a beautiful way that you couldn’t help but be amazed. His shooting skills also reflected this approach, as he scored some of the most opulent volleys in football history and struck the ball with such sweetness. Zidane’s leadership abilities, however, are maybe an underappreciated part of his character. He was a great professional who led by example, continuously motivating and encouraging his teammates.
Statistics of Zinedine Zidane’s Career
Looks
797
Objectives
156
Helps
171
Trophies
13.
9Clarence Seedorf
Career span: 1992-2014
In his playing days, Clarence Seedorf played for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Ajax. Because of his ability to unite the midfield, he was adored by every team’s supporters. This was due to the fact that the Dutchman was capable of doing anything. He was able to stay one step ahead of the opposition thanks to his exceptional footballing intellect, and he had incredible technical skill, dribbling around opponents to create space for an outside shot or to set up a teammate.
Seedorf’s shot power was also incredible; over his career, he scored a number of screamers from outside the box. To top it all off, his athletic ability allowed him to move around the midfield with persistence, making him a defensive nuisance who never stopped.
The Career Statistics of Clarence Seedorf
Looks
961
Objectives
139
Helps
145
Trophies
19.
8Franz Beckenbauer
Career span: 1964-1983
Many people consider Franz Beckenbauer to be the greatest defender to have ever played football because he was the first defender to win the Ballon d’Or and the only defender to win it twice. The West German, who played as a sweeper, changed the concept of what a centre-back should be, making him unique among defenders.
By scooping up the ball in deeper regions and lending it into the midfield, running past his colleague, and collecting it back in a more advanced section of the game, he is considered the maestro of the one-two method. Beckenbauer’s style of play was much beyond his years for his position; he was a goal threat, more than at ease in possession, and cerebral and superb defensively with his on-field choices.
Statistics about Franz Beckenbauer’s Career
Looks
725
Objectives
89
Helps
85
Trophies
19.
7Wayne Rooney
Career span: 2002-2021
Wayne Rooney, a legend at Manchester United during his storied career, made his debut at Everton at the age of 16, quickly becoming the Premier League’s most sought-after prospect in English football. Despite playing men’s football at a younger age, his combative style of play ensured that he had no physical problems, and under Sir Alex Ferguson, he evolved into a truly complete forward.
Rooney, who was technically talented and had a ridiculous knack for finishing opportunities, would rule the English top flight for more than ten years, winning five league titles and a Champions League. His position in the team would shift from striker to midfielder as he grew older because of his passing range and in-game knowledge, which allowed him to drop deeper to pick up the ball and spray passes as more of an anchor. Rooney, who is arguably England’s best player of all time, was able to do nearly anything on a football ground.
The Career Statistics of Wayne Rooney
Looks
884
Objectives
366
Helps
185
Trophies
18
6Lionel Messi
Career span: 2004 – present
Lionel Messi is often regarded as the greatest football player in history. In light of this, he is definitely a full-fledged football player. He has vision on par with the best in the game, can play out wide, centrally, or in a false nine position, and scores and assists frequently. As a child, he had the pace and agility to sprint past player after player.
The sole explanation for his lower ranking is that there are forwards in the game who might be more adept at some physical skills, including winning aerial duels and making tackles. Nevertheless, he never al
Looks
1083
Objectives
850
Helps
379
Trophies
46
