Throughout the history of soccer, there have been exceptional players who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
QuéOnnda presents a list of the 5 players who, for many, have made the difference in this sport loved by millions, especially in the U.S. Hispanic community.
1. Pele
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pelé, was born on October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil.
He made his professional debut with Santos FC at the age of 15 and quickly became a sensation.
With Santos, Pelé won multiple national and international titles, including two Libertadores Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.
His scoring ability and vision distinguished him as an exceptional striker.
At the international level, Pelé is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).
During his career, he scored more than 1,000 goals, a feat that few have achieved.
His influence on soccer transcends generations, and he is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.
2. Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960 in Lanús, Argentina.
He began his professional career with Argentinos Juniors and later played for Boca Juniors, where he established himself as a star.
His talent took him to Europe, where he played for clubs such as FC Barcelona and Napoli.
In Italy, Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles, a historic feat for the club.
Maradona is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to the title.
In that tournament, he scored the famous goal known as “The Hand of God” and, minutes later, the “Goal of the Century” against England.
His dribbling ability and vision made him a soccer legend.
3. Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina.
From a young age, he showed exceptional talent, which led him to join FC Barcelona’s academy, La Masia.
He made his debut with the first team at the age of 17 and quickly established himself as a key player.
With Barcelona, Messi won multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, setting numerous records for goals and assists.
Five soccer players have made a difference in this sport
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At the international level, Messi led Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014 and won the Copa America in 2021. He was finally crowned world champion at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
He has won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and is considered by many to be the best player of his generation.
His dribbling skills, passing accuracy and ability to score from any position have made him a living soccer legend.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.
He began his professional career with Sporting Lisbon before joining Manchester United, where he won his first Ballon d’Or and a UEFA Champions League.
He later moved to Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and won multiple national and international titles.
Ronaldo has also enjoyed success with Juventus in Italy and has been a key figure for the Portuguese national team, leading them to victory at Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Known for his athleticism, power and goal-scoring ability, Ronaldo is considered one of the most complete footballers in history.
5. Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff, known as Johan Cruyff, was born on April 25, 1947 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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He was the central figure of Ajax Amsterdam during its golden era, helping the club win three consecutive European Cups between 1971 and 1973.
He subsequently joined FC Barcelona, where he left an indelible mark as both player and coach.
Cruyff was the leading exponent of “total soccer”, a playing philosophy that emphasizes versatility and constant movement.
He won three Ballon d’Ors and led the Dutch national team to the 1974 World Cup final.
His influence on modern soccer is undeniable, and many consider him one of the architects of the contemporary game.
