Football is one of the most followed sports globally. It’s a dynamic sport where 90 minutes are packed with interesting events and moments that can bring happiness or break fans’ hearts. People follow events so they won’t miss notable games. They also use correct score tips to bet on teams or potential outcomes within matches, and so on.
In this article, we’ll focus on football legends. There are numerous talented football players who trained from an early age and managed to succeed. Our top 10 pick includes the following names:
- Ronaldinho.
- Erling Haaland.
- Sadio Mane.
- Kaka.
- Lionel Messi.
- Victor Moses.
- David Beckham.
- Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Neymar Jr.
- Alexis Sanchez.
This isn’t a ranking of football players; it’s just a list of football legends recognized worldwide. Today, there are also emerging stars who currently play in numerous football clubs; bettors even get correct score tips on matches with these players. However, in this article, we’ll briefly cover the careers of the top 10 epic football players.
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is one of the most fascinating football legends of all time. He was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he lived until his brother’s signing with Gremio, which allowed the family to move to a better neighborhood. He lost his father when he was only eight years old, but this tragedy didn’t deter him from becoming one of the top football players. He rose through the ranks at Gremio before joining PSG and later Barcelona. However, it was at Camp Nou where he truly showed his talents.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland began playing at Bryne’s Academy and impressed with 18 goals in only 14 games for Bryne’s reserve team. He made his senior debut before his 16th birthday. Transitioning to Molde FK, he added 15 kilograms of muscle with the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. At Red Bull Salzburg, he excelled at the FIFA U-20 World Cup by scoring nine goals in a single match. Haaland then joined Borussia Dortmund, becoming the first teenager to score in five consecutive UEFA Champions League matches. After his move to Manchester City in 2022, he scored 52 goals in his debut season.
Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane’s career began in humble conditions in Senegal, sharing a crowded house with nine others who doubted his football dreams. Determined, Mane even ran away to Dakar to pursue his passion, returning home after ten days. His family only accepted his aspirations after he completed his education. Now, he stands among Africa’s finest players.
Kaka
Kaka managed to gain some of the best trophies in the world: the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or. However, his career was nearly derailed by a severe swimming pool accident at 18, causing a spinal fracture. Luckily, Kaka recovered; otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy watching matches with this legendary player. In less than two years after the incident, he triumphed with the Brazilian national team in the World Cup.
Lionel Messi
While we all love Messi’s natural talent and dedication, not many know that the football world may have never gained such a legend. At ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The treatments cost a lot of money, but luckily, Barcelona recognized his talent (not without skepticism) and helped finance his treatments; they signed him when he was only 13.
Victor Moses
Victor Moses experienced a tragedy at the age of 11 with the loss of his parents. Football was one of his rare joys when he arrived in England as an orphaned asylum seeker. Luckily, Crystal Palace noticed his talent; thus, he gained national attention when he scored 50 goals in a season at the age of 14. His career improved with a transfer to Wigan in 2010 and later to Chelsea in 2012. Now, he’s considered one of the most talented players worldwide.
David Beckham
While this name is certainly recognizable even among those who don’t follow football, some facts about Beckham may surprise even loyal fans. For instance, Former England captain David Beckham revealed that he had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) before the 2006 World Cup. Despite successfully concealing it from his Real Madrid teammates, his Manchester United colleagues teased him intentionally. Beckham, however, demonstrated resilience and managed to become the praised legend that he is today.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s probably a known fact that Cristiano Ronaldo comes from humble beginnings, just like most players on this list. However, persistence and determination helped him overcome any difficulties and become one of the best players globally. His career began at Sporting Lisbon’s soccer academy. He debuted professionally at 17, catching the eye of European clubs and earning a transfer to Manchester United. Joining Real Madrid in 2009 marked a new phase, where Ronaldo became a goal-scoring sensation. He managed to win numerous awards with his team, as well as several personal trophies, like five Ballon d’Ors.
Neymar Jr.
Luckily, Neymar Jr. didn’t experience any life-changing tragedies early in his life, and he most likely inherited his talent for football playing from his father (just like he inherited his name). The lack of tragedies didn’t make him less determined to become one of the best players in the world. Neymar Jr. rose to fame at Santos FC, winning the Brazilian Cup and Copa Libertadores. His move to Barcelona in 2013 brought immense success, including La Liga and Champions League triumphs. At PSG from 2017 to 2023, he won four Ligue 1 titles.
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez’s rise from the Tocopilla streets to football stardom shows his resilience and determination. Despite growing up in challenging circumstances, with his mother working multiple jobs, Sanchez found joy in football. He made his professional debut at 16 and went on to play for prestigious clubs such as Udinese, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Sanchez remains dedicated to his community by supporting Tocopilla’s youth with equipment and facilities, which shows how much he cares about people like him, who are passionate about football yet living in poverty.
