In brief
Although everyone agrees that the word “skill” in football refers to amazing feet, fast movements, and moves that dazzle the onlookers, skill is a subjective concept.
With his flair, no-look passes, and hundreds of goal contributions for clubs like PSG, Barcelona, and AC Milan, Ronaldinho was the quintessential football player.
As of October 2024, four of the players on this list are still active in the NFL.
In any case, “skill” is a highly subjective concept, and this is particularly true in football. Although both a skilled attacker and a skilled defence may merit such a designation, their differing positions completely alter what that term encompasses. Since many of the connotations of the term relate to players who have dazzled their opponents and onlookers with their skills with the ball, a player usually needs to possess extraordinary technical ability to be termed skilled.
“Skill” is one of the few things that cannot be measured in a modern game where numerous measures are graded on quality based on data. A player’s production can be measured by goals or assists, but the only way to determine if they are skilled is to watch them play and see how they use the ball to help their team. Taking everything into account, which football players over the years have demonstrated the highest levels of skill?
Ranking Elements
Reaction from fans: What were their initial thoughts of the athlete and how do they feel about him now?
Overall quality: The world’s best players are frequently the most skilled.
Longevity: Long careers signify a level that rarely declines, although honours aren’t a good way to describe skill.
The Greatest Football Players in History
Rank
Name
Played Games
Objectives
Helps
1.
Ronaldo
561
202
171
2.
Ronaldo Nazario
481
309
75
3.
Lionel Messi
914
744
357
4.
Cruyff, Johan
579
324
222
5.
Maradona, Diego
589
311
225
6.
Zidane Zinedine
690
125
141
7.
Henry Thierry
794
260
173
8.
Neymar
591
360 degrees
220
9.
Quaresma Ricardo
681
112
166
10.
Ronaldo Cristiano
1038
782
242
11.
George Best
522
189
N/A
12.
Laudrup, Michael
567
132
60
13.
Jay-Jay Okocha
494
101
59
14.
Ben Arfa Hatem
428
75
64
15.
Busquets, Sergio
784
19.
52
Club-only statistics (as of May 02, 2025)
15 Sergio Busquets
It is reasonable that Sergio Busquets, a defensive midfielder, would not be the first person that comes to mind when someone asks who the greatest skilled football players have ever been, but his technical prowess cannot be underestimated. Busquets was a key contributor to Barcelona’s success in his heyday, despite his poise and skill on the ball frequently going unnoticed.
He has such a deep and intricate grasp of the game that Pep Guardiola once said he could “solve any problem with his brain.” Guardiola, one of the best coach in history, also believes that Busquets will be “an exceptional coach” after he retires from sport.
14 Hatem Ben Arfa
Even though his consistency will always be questioned, Hatem One of football’s most innately talented players is Ben Arfa. In a later tenure with Nice, he once again discovered his star power after losing it shortly after finding success on the big stage with Newcastle United. Ben Arfa was a brilliant dribbler who could swerve past opponents as if they weren’t there.
With Newcastle, Ben Arfa’s skill was possibly displayed in its entirety in a single moment. Ben Arfa showed incredible control despite going at full speed when he scooped up the ball within his own half against Bolton Wanderers in April 2012 and blasted past four Bolton defenders before putting the ball in the net. Up to his retirement in 2022, Ben Arfa’s career was marked with what newspapers referred to as “a moment of genius.”
13Jay-Jay Okocha
According to a well-known and cherished proverb, Okocha was “so good, they named him twice.” The Nigerian sensation played for Paris Saint-Germain, Fenerbahce, and Eintracht Frankfurt throughout the 1990s, but he gained the most recognition with Bolton Wanderers.
Arriving in Bolton at the age of 29, Okocha continued to solidify his reputation as one of the smoothest players to ever grace the game under Sam Allardyce’s tutelage. He would not be forgotten anytime soon thanks to his skill with the ball, passing range, and goal-scoring prowess.
12 Michael Laudrup
When he discussed Michael Laudrup’s career a few years ago, current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said, “I just can’t believe he hasn’t won the title as best player in the world.” Although he played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid over the majority of his time in Spain, the Danish playmaker’s best playing days were at Barcelona.
Laudrup, a diamond player who played in his home countries of Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands, could make even the most difficult game mechanics appear easy and straightforward. Even many Barcelona players, both current and former, have praised Laudrup’s skill despite the fact that he left Catalonia to join their fierce rivals in 1994.
Eleven
Best George
Throughout his career, George Best was surrounded by controversy, partly because of his fairly public interests in women and drink. Despite his antics off the pitch, Best was a technically brilliant winger who, thanks to his unfathomable natural talent, is frequently regarded as one of the greatest dribblers and creators of chances in football history.
Many, including the legendary Pele of Brazil, who played alongside or watched Best, proclaimed him to be the greatest player they had ever seen. According to a Daily Telegraph reader, Best “gave them all dancing lessons” when the New Zealand national team attempted to guard him during a friendly match between Manchester United and them in 1960.
10. Ronaldo Cristiano
Given that they are regarded as two of the best players in history, it is not surprising that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been compared in almost every facet of their games. Ronaldo is seen by many as the embodiment of diligence, while Messi is seen as the pinnacle of skill and flair.
It would seem unjust to claim that the Portuguese is not one of football’s more fluid players, even though the Argentine’s technique may be a little more natural than Ronaldo’s. Ronaldo frightened rival defenders for years with his wide range of tricks and flicks. He would frequently cause trouble for whoever was unfortunate enough to be marking him by combining his quick feet with his faster pace.
9 Quaresma Ricardo
Both Quaresma’s skill and attitude could be used to gauge his career. When he was younger, the energetic winger was known for his cunning and frequently used moves like trivelas and rabonas in his play. But occasionally, especially in his early career, his temper got the better of him. For example, shortly after arriving to Barcelona in 2003, he refused to play for the team as long as Frank Rikjaard was manager.
But Quaresma matured as he grew older. Any behavioural problems gradually disappeared, and by the time he played in the final of the 2016 Euros, Quaresma had outgrown his youth and established himself as a dependable veteran who could still wow teammates, supporters, and rivals.
8 Neymar
Neymar suffered an ACL injury five games into his time at Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian team he signed in 2023. Some people’s perceptions of Neymar appear to have been jaded as a result of that and his decision to leave Europe in his early 30s. His technical prowess, however, cannot be overstated. Neymar was and remains one of the most talented players in both his generation and the history of the game.
Neymar, along with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, formed a formidable attacking trio that captivated both supporters and onlookers throughout his time at Barcelona. Being the team’s record goalscorer and making his debut for Brazil at the age of eighteen are difficult tasks, but Neymar accomplished both with ease.
7Thierry Henry
Although it seems absurd now, many people were apprehensive about the £11 million price tag when Henry moved to Arsenal. Henry only reached his full potential under Arsene Wenger’s tutelage. Henry was transformed into a striker by the manager, which would significantly benefit their Arsenal team.
Henry was a dynamic forward who could either race past his marking defender with his quick speed or dance past them with a stunning display of finesse. Alan Smith, a former Gunner, once said he had never seen a player like Henry. Throughout his career, Henry frequently strayed out wide despite his preference for playing up front, which allowed him to be a deadly shooter and contribute many assists.
6 Zidane Zinedine
Zizou, who was regarded as one of the greatest of all time and among the best of his generation, gained fame and affection for his easy elegance on the ball. The Frenchman is one of only nine players in history to have won the Ballon d’Or, Champions League, and World Cup. He can ping passes all over the pitch and has a good eye for goal.
Numerous legends have praised the midfield player for his ability level. Former West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer said Zidane “one of the best players in history,” while former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan once said he had “never seen a player quite like Zidane.”
5. Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona enthralled fans throughout his career as a player who was as controversial as he was talented. Maradona, a number 10 with boundless talent, was at his best with Napoli. His influence in Naples was so great that shortly after he left, the team retired his number.
In addition to being a skilled football player, Maradona was also a leader both on and off the pitch, and his whole persona had a beneficial effect on every club he played for. However, the Argentine’s journey to legend status was also aided by Maradona’s technique, ball striking, passing range, and overall ball skills.
4Johan Cruyff
Cruyff played all of his domestic football career in Europe with Ajax and Barcelona, where he easily made a name for himself as a legend of both teams, with the exception of his final season with Feyenoord. Many people are amazed and in awe of the Dutchman’s technical skill, which transformed the game of football.
Cruyff, who played Total Football, had a mind as quick as his feet. Like many of his peers, the attacking midfielder believed that his skill was what made him stand out among the best. Because of Cruyff’s profound influence on the game, football as a whole lamented his passing.
3. Lionel Messi
ten La Liga crowns, two Ligue 1 championships, eight Ballon d’Ors, four Champions Leagues, and a World Cup win. With the completion of the final item on that list, it may finally be argued that Lionel Messi’s resume roughly corresponds to his skill level as a player.
Messi is a dynamic dribbler and deadly goal scorer whose style seems nearly difficult to imitate. Many believe that his 2022 World Cup victory was sufficient to solidify his status as the greatest football player of all time due to his incredible natural talent.
2. Ronaldo Nazario
Throughout his time in Europe, Il Fenomeno played for PSV, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, where he made a name for himself as a versatile forward. Ronaldo was one of the greatest dribblers in football history, deadly in front of goal, and possessed lightning speed at his best.
Ronaldo is regarded by many football players, both current and former, as the best technical player they have ever seen. He is an attacker with such explosive dynamism that he changed the way people think about a number nine, both in terms of what they should be expected to do and what they can do with enough effort.
One Ronaldinho
Perhaps the closest a football player will ever come to genuinely embodying skill in a person is Ronaldinho Gaucho. The man that many people think of immediately when they hear the word “Jogo Bonito.” Ronaldinho became a famous thanks to his flare, love of no-look passes, spectacular skill plays, and consistent contribution to team goals.
Ronaldinho played for PSG, Barcelona, and AC Milan in Europe during his 561-game career, contributing 373 goals. He also had stints in his home country of Brazil before and after his 10-year tenure. Because of how captivating his style of play was, it was sometimes tough to defend against the offensive midfielder.
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