Top 10 best footballers of all time

In this blog, we’ll be counting down the top 10 best footballers of all time. You may wonder: How do you choose between so many incredible players? Easy, I left the decision to my colleagues at P1 Travel. This morning, I sent a message to all of my colleagues, asking each of them to send me their personal top 5 footballers. The colleagues that responded are what I refer to as the official P1 Travel Panel. 

To ensure a fair ranking, we used a points system. Each footballer was awarded points based on their position in each individual ranking, and the total number of points determined their final position in the list. This approach allowed us to produce a rounded and diverse ranking that reflected the collective opinion of our panel. 

So, let’s take a closer look at the results and see which football legends earned their spot in the top 10! 

At number 10 is Zinedine Zidane, the master of midfield control. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Zidane spent his club career with Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid. He won two Serie A titles with Juve before making a then world-record move to Madrid, where he added La Liga and a Champions League trophy with his unforgettable left-footed volley in the 2002 final. He won 125 caps for France, scoring 31 goals, famously scoring two headers in the 1998 World Cup final. What a player. 

Number 9: Zlatan Ibrahimović, the living definition of confidence, chaos and pure goal-scoring brilliance. At 1.95 metres tall, he was a striker who played like a martial artist: bicycle kicks, volleys, backheels and goals that defied physics. Over the course of his career, Zlatan played for Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United and LA Galaxy, scoring more than 500 goals. He won league titles in four different countries and scored 62 times for Sweden in 122 appearances. Whether it was scoring a 30-yard overhead kick or trash-talking defenders in the middle of a game, Zlatan didn’t just play football, he turned it into a show. 

Number 8 is Robin van Persie. And before you ask, yes, the Feyenoord supporters in the office definitely had something to do with it. But bias or not, Van Persie has absolutely earned his place among the game’s greats. With a left foot that was as precise as it was powerful, he scored over 300 goals in a career that included stints at Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahçe. He’s the all-time leading scorer for the Netherlands with 50 goals, including that unforgettable flying header at the 2014 World Cup. Smooth, intelligent and always one step ahead, Van Persie made scoring look like second nature. 

Ronaldinho comes in at number 7. One of the most technically gifted players of his generation. With his quick feet, perfect first touch and incredible creativity, he made defenders look silly on a weekly basis. Playing for the likes of Grêmio, PSG, Barcelona and AC Milan, he scored over 200 goals and laid on over 100 assists in a career that saw him win just about everything: a Ballon d’Or, a Champions League and a World Cup with Brazil in 2002. Known for his dribbling, vision and free-kicks, Ronaldinho was the kind of player who could change a game in an instant. 

Ronaldo Nazário takes the number 6 spot. One of the most feared strikers the game has ever seen. Explosively fast, ridiculously strong and clinical in front of goal, R9 was a nightmare for defenders. He played for Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid and AC Milan, scoring over 350 goals in his career. He won the Ballon d’Or twice and, despite serious injuries, returned to lead Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. At his best, he was untouchable. No theatrics, no ego, just raw talent and goals. A number 9 for the ages. 

Number 5 is Pelé. A name that still defines greatness in football. He scored over 1,000 goals in his career, and even if you don’t count friendlies, the numbers are still insane. Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970), a record that still stands. He spent most of his club career at Santos, where he became a global icon long before the internet made it easy. Fast, strong and ahead of his time, Pelé could do it all: score, assist, dribble, lead. He wasn’t just the best of his era, he helped shape what football would become. 

Number 4 goes to Diego Maradona. Few players have ever matched his blend of raw talent, unpredictability and sheer willpower. He wasn’t the fastest or the strongest, but with the ball at his feet he was unstoppable. Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup, transforming a mid-table club into a European powerhouse. His impact on the city was so profound that Napoli renamed their stadium the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after his death. On the international stage, he led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, including the goal against England in which he dribbled half the length of the pitch and beat five players in one of the most iconic moments in football history. Fearless and unforgettable. 

Number 3: Johan Cruijff. And no surprise here, our predominantly Dutch office made sure he was high on the list. But to be fair, Cruijff’s influence goes far beyond national pride. As a player, he redefined what football could be. Elegant, intelligent and always in control, he led Ajax to three successive European Cups and brought Total Football to life. He went on to star for Barcelona and the Netherlands, leading them to the 1974 World Cup final. Beyond the trophies and goals, Cruijff changed the way the game is played and coached. Not just a legend, but a football philosopher. 

Cristiano Ronaldo just missed out on first place. The definition of consistency, discipline and goalscoring at the highest level. He has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, as well as five Champions League trophies and five Ballon d’Ors. He made his name at Manchester United, became a global superstar at Real Madrid, and has continued to do so at Juventus, back at United and now in Saudi Arabia. For Portugal, he led the team to their first major trophies, winning the European Championship in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019. With over 200 caps and more than 120 goals to his name, he is the all-time leading scorer in the history of international football. 

There is no doubt in P1 Travel’s mind that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time. Coming through the ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, he became the cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. In 17 years at Barcelona, Messi won 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies and countless cups. He scored over 700 goals for Barcelona, combining creativity, vision and clinical finishing to make him almost impossible to stop. Lionel Messi also holds the record for winning the Ballon d’Or the most times, with eight victories in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.  

His influence extended beyond club football. Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and added the Copa America in 2021.  Known for his consistency and big performances, Messi’s impact on the game goes beyond the statistics. His legacy isn’t just about the trophies, but how he has redefined the game for generations to come.  

This list represents the top 10 footballers of all time, as voted by the P1 Travel panel. Do you think they’ve got a solid knowledge of the ball? If not, you’ll be glad you didn’t see all the replies to the survey! What’s next for the P1 Travel Panel? We’re no longer looking back, we’re looking ahead. Our panel is now set to track the stars of the future, and so should you. As these emerging talents rise to the top, what will the top 10 list look like in 10 years’ time? Keep an eye on their progress and follow their development so you can experience their iconic moments live! Visit their matches with P1 Travel.