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World Soccer (magazine)

English-language football magazine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

World Soccer is an English-language association football magazine, published by Kelsey Media. The magazine was established in 1960 and is the oldest continually published football magazine in the United Kingdom.[2][3] It specialises in the international football scene. Its regular contributing writers include Brian Glanville, Keir Radnedge, Sid Lowe, Tim Vickery, and Henry Winter. World Soccer is a member of the European Sports Media (ESM), an umbrella group of similar magazines printed in other languages. The members of this group elect a European "Team of the Month" and a European "Team of the Year". Since 1982, World Soccer has also organised "Player of the Year", "Manager of the Year" and "Team of the Year" awards.[4][5]

EditorStephen Fishlock
CategoriesFootball
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation331,000 (Jan–Dec 2013)[1]
Quick facts Editor, Categories ...
World Soccer
Cover of the October 2024 issue
EditorStephen Fishlock
CategoriesFootball
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation331,000 (Jan–Dec 2013)[1]
Founded1960
CompanyKelsey Media
Based inFarnborough, Hampshire, UK
LanguageEnglish
Websiteworldsoccer.com
ISSN0043-9037
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History

The magazine was first published in London in October 1960, by Echo Publications. The first edition featured an image of Titus Buberník and Svatopluk Pluskal on the front cover.[6] It was edited by Robert Bolle, with Graham Payne, editor of weekly sister publication Soccer Star, as features editor; Jack Rollin, who later edited The Football Yearbook for many years, as home editor; and Eric Batty as overseas editor.[7][8] Batty, who later edited the magazine, published an annual World XI from 1960 to 1992.[9] Brian Glanville had written a column for the magazine since April 1963.[10][11] In 1970, Soccer Star, which was first published on 20 September 1952 as Raich Carter's Soccer Star, was incorporated into World Soccer.[12] Keir Radnedge, who had been associate editor, took over from Philip Rising as editor in the late 1980s and was replaced by deputy editor Gavin Hamilton in January 1998 and became executive editor.[13] Radnedge continues to have a monthly column in the magazine.[14][15][16]

TI Media (formerly IPC Magazines, IPC Media and Time Inc. UK) published the magazine until the May 2020 issue with Kelsey Media taking over the following issue after they acquired the title from Future plc (owner of competing title FourFourTwo), the corporate successor of TI Media.[17] Hamilton, who had worked for World Soccer for 26 years, stepped down as editor after publishing the 60th anniversary edition in June 2020.[18] Other regular contributors have included Paul Gardner, with a focus on football in the United States; David Conn; Jonathan Wilson; Mark Gleeson on African football; and Tim Vickery, Brian Homewood, and Eric Weil on South American football.

Award winners

Lionel Messi is the record winner of World Soccer awards having won a total of nine: six Men's World Player of the Year awards and three (consecutive) Young Player of the Year awards. He has also been included in the Greatest XI of all time.

Men's World Player of the Year

More information Year, Player ...
Year Player Club
1982  Paolo Rossi (ITA) (23%) Italy Juventus
1983  Zico (BRA) (28%) Italy Udinese Calcio
1984  Michel Platini (FRA) (54%) Italy Juventus
1985  Michel Platini (FRA) (21%) Italy Juventus
1986  Diego Maradona (ARG) (36%) Italy S.S.C. Napoli
1987  Ruud Gullit (NED) (39%) Italy A.C. Milan
1988  Marco van Basten (NED) (43%) Italy A.C. Milan
1989  Ruud Gullit (NED) (24%) Italy A.C. Milan
1990  Lothar Matthäus (GER) (22%) Italy Inter Milan
1991  Jean-Pierre Papin (FRA) (25%) France Olympique de Marseille
1992  Marco van Basten (NED) (19%) Italy A.C. Milan
1993  Roberto Baggio (ITA) (14%) Italy Juventus
1994  Paolo Maldini (ITA) (27%) Italy A.C. Milan
1995  Gianluca Vialli (ITA) (18%) Italy Juventus
1996  Ronaldo (BRA) (17%) Spain FC Barcelona
1997  Ronaldo (BRA) (27%) Spain FC Barcelona & Italy Inter Milan
1998  Zinedine Zidane (FRA) (23%) Italy Juventus
1999  Rivaldo (BRA) (42%) Spain FC Barcelona
2000  Luís Figo (POR) (26%) Spain FC Barcelona & Spain Real Madrid
2001  Michael Owen (ENG) (31%) England Liverpool F.C.
2002  Ronaldo (BRA) (26%) Italy Inter Milan & Spain Real Madrid
2003  Pavel Nedvěd (CZE) (36%) Italy Juventus
2004  Ronaldinho (BRA) (29%) Spain FC Barcelona
2005  Ronaldinho (BRA) (39%) Spain FC Barcelona
2006  Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) (40%) Italy Juventus & Spain Real Madrid
2007  Kaká (BRA) (52%) Italy A.C. Milan[19]
2008  Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) (48.4%) England Manchester United[20]
2009  Lionel Messi (ARG) (43.2%) Spain FC Barcelona[21]
2010  Xavi (ESP) (25.8%) Spain FC Barcelona[22]
2011  Lionel Messi (ARG) (60.2%) Spain FC Barcelona[23]
2012  Lionel Messi (ARG) (47.33%) Spain FC Barcelona[24]
2013  Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Spain Real Madrid[25]
2014  Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Spain Real Madrid[26]
2015  Lionel Messi (ARG) Spain FC Barcelona[27]
2016  Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Spain Real Madrid[28]
2017  Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)Spain Real Madrid[29]
2018  Luka Modrić (CRO) Spain Real Madrid[30]
2019  Lionel Messi (ARG) Spain FC Barcelona[31]
2020  Robert Lewandowski (POL) Germany Bayern Munich[32]
2021  Robert Lewandowski (POL) Germany Bayern Munich[33]
2022  Lionel Messi (ARG) France Paris Saint-Germain[34][35]
2023  Erling Haaland (NOR) England Manchester City[36]
2024  Rodri (ESP) England Manchester City[37][38]
2025  Ousmane Dembélé (FRA) France Paris Saint-Germain[39]
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More information #, Player ...
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Young Player of the Year

More information Year, Player ...
Year Player Club
2005  Robinho (BRA) (30%) Brazil Santos FC & Spain Real Madrid
2006  Lionel Messi (ARG) (36%) Spain FC Barcelona[40]
2007  Lionel Messi (ARG) (34%) Spain FC Barcelona[41]
2008  Lionel Messi (ARG) (44%) Spain FC Barcelona[20]
2009  Sergio Agüero (ARG) (45.1) Spain Atlético Madrid[21]
2010  Thomas Müller (GER) (45.8) Germany Bayern Munich[22]
2011  Neymar (BRA) (29.2%) Brazil Santos FC[23]
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Men's World Manager of the Year

More information Year, Manager ...
Year Manager Team
1982  Enzo Bearzot (ITA) (49%) Italy Italy
1983  Sepp Piontek (GER) (29%) Denmark Denmark
1984  Michel Hidalgo (FRA) (30%) France France
1985  Terry Venables (ENG) (30%) Spain FC Barcelona
1986  Guy Thys (BEL) (15%) Belgium Belgium
1987  Johan Cruijff (NED) (25%) Netherlands Ajax Amsterdam
1988  Rinus Michels (NED) (48%) Netherlands Netherlands & Germany Bayer Leverkusen
1989  Arrigo Sacchi (ITA) (42%) Italy AC Milan
1990  Franz Beckenbauer (GER) (53%) Germany Germany
1991  Michel Platini (FRA) (42%) France France
1992  Richard Møller-Nielsen (DEN) (28%) Denmark Denmark
1993  Alex Ferguson (SCO) (21%) England Manchester United
1994  Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA) (17%) Brazil Brazil
1995  Louis van Gaal (NED) (42%) Netherlands Ajax Amsterdam
1996  Berti Vogts (GER) (28%) Germany Germany
1997  Ottmar Hitzfeld (GER) (17%) Germany Borussia Dortmund
1998  Arsène Wenger (FRA) (28%) England Arsenal
1999  Alex Ferguson (SCO) (60%) England Manchester United
2000  Dino Zoff (ITA) (18%) Italy Italy
2001  Gérard Houllier (FRA) (28%) England Liverpool F.C.
2002  Guus Hiddink (NED) (28%) South Korea South Korea
2003  Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) (20%) Italy A.C. Milan
2004  José Mourinho (POR) (36%) Portugal FC Porto & England Chelsea
2005  José Mourinho (POR) (34.1%) England Chelsea[42]
2006  Marcello Lippi (ITA) (36%) Italy Italy
2007  Alex Ferguson (SCO) (26%) England Manchester United
2008  Alex Ferguson (SCO) (38%) England Manchester United
2009  Pep Guardiola (ESP) (62.1%) Spain FC Barcelona[21]
2010  José Mourinho (POR) (48.3%) Italy Inter Milan & Spain Real Madrid[22]
2011  Pep Guardiola (ESP) (33.1%) Spain FC Barcelona[23]
2012  Vicente del Bosque (ESP) (28.49%) Spain Spain[24]
2013  Jupp Heynckes (GER) Germany Bayern Munich[25]
2014  Joachim Löw (GER) Germany Germany[26]
2015  Luis Enrique (ESP) Spain FC Barcelona[27]
2016  Claudio Ranieri (ITA) England Leicester City[43]
2017  Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Spain Real Madrid[29]
2018  Didier Deschamps (FRA) France France[44]
2019  Jürgen Klopp (GER) England Liverpool F.C.[31]
2020  Hansi Flick (GER) Germany Bayern Munich[32]
2021  Roberto Mancini (ITA) Italy Italy[33]
2022  Lionel Scaloni (ARG) Argentina Argentina[35]
2023  Pep Guardiola (ESP) England Manchester City[45]
2024  Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) Spain Real Madrid[38]
2025  Luis Enrique (ESP) France Paris Saint-Germain[46]
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All-time wins

By manager
More information No., Manager ...
No.ManagerWins
1 Alex Ferguson (SCO)4
2 José Mourinho (POR)3
 Pep Guardiola (ESP)
3 Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)2
 Luis Enrique (ESP)
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By country
More information No., Country ...
No. Country Wins
1  Germany 8
 Italy
3  France 6
 Spain
5  Netherlands 4
 Scotland
7  Portugal 3
8  England 1
 Belgium
 Denmark
 Brazil
 Argentina
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Men's World Team of the Year

More information Year, Club ...
Year Club
1982 Brazil
1983 Hamburger SV (GER)
1984 France
1985 Everton (ENG)
1986 Argentina
1987 Porto (POR)
1988 Netherlands
1989 Milan (ITA)
1990 West Germany
1991 France
1992 Denmark
1993 Parma (ITA)
1994 Milan (ITA)
1995 Ajax (NED)
1996 Nigeria
1997 Borussia Dortmund (GER)
1998 France
1999 Manchester United (ENG)
2000 France
2001 Liverpool (ENG)
2002 Brazil
2003 Milan (ITA)
2004 Greece
2005 Liverpool (ENG)
2006 Barcelona (ESP)
2007 Iraq[47]
2008 Spain[48]
2009 Barcelona (ESP)[21]
2010 Spain[22]
2011 Barcelona (ESP)[23]
2012 Spain47.4%
2013 Bayern Munich (GER)[25]
2014 Germany[26]
2015 Barcelona (ESP)[27]
2016 Leicester City (ENG)
2017 Real Madrid (ESP)[29]
2018 France[44]
2019 Liverpool (ENG)[31]
2020 Bayern Munich (GER)[32]
2021 Italy[33]
2022 Argentina[35]
2023 Manchester City (ENG)[49]
2024 Spain[38]
2025 Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)[50]
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By team

More information #, Team ...
# Team Wins
1  France 5
2  Barcelona (ESP) 4
 Spain
4  Liverpool (ENG) 3
 Milan (ITA)
6  Brazil 2
 Germany
 Bayern Munich (GER)
 Argentina
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Women's World Player of the Year

More information Year, Player ...
Year Player Team
2020  Pernille Harder (DEN) Germany Wolfsburg England Chelsea[32][51]
2021  Alexia Putellas (SPA) Spain Barcelona[33][52]
2022  Beth Mead (ENG) England Arsenal[35]
2023  Aitana Bonmatí (ESP) Spain Barcelona[53]
2024  Aitana Bonmatí (ESP) Spain Barcelona[38]
2025  Mariona Caldentey (ESP) England Arsenal[54]
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Women's World Manager of the Year

More information Year, Player ...
Year Player Team
2020 Jean-Luc Vasseur (FRA)Lyon[32]
2021 Lluís Cortés (ESP)Barcelona[33]
2022 Sarina Wiegman (NED)England[35]
2023 Sarina Wiegman (NED)England[55]
2024 Emma Hayes (ENG)Chelsea/USA[38]
2025 Sarina Wiegman (NED)England[56]
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Women's World Team of the Year

More information Year, Club ...
Year Club
2020 Lyon (FRA)[32]
2021 Barcelona (ESP)[33]
2022 England (ENG)[35]
2023 Spain (ESP)[57]
2024 Barcelona (ESP)[38]
2025 England (ENG)[58]
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Referee of the Year

Source:[40][59][60]

More information Year, Rank ...
Year Rank Referee Points
2005 1st Italy Pierluigi Collina 30.6%
2nd Denmark Kim Milton Nielsen 19.7%
3rd Germany Markus Merk 16.3%
2006 1st Argentina Horacio Elizondo 38.7%
2nd Mexico Benito Archundia 30.5%
3rd Slovakia Ľuboš Micheľ 8.5%
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Greatest XI of All Time

This list, published July 2013, is based on a voting poll of 74 experts from around the world: journalists; TV pundits; then-current and former players; and then-current and former managers.[61]

More information Goalkeeper, Defenders ...
Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards

 Lev Yashin (URS)

 Cafu (BRA)
 Franz Beckenbauer (GER)
 Bobby Moore (ENG)
 Paolo Maldini (ITA)

 Alfredo Di Stéfano (ARG)
 Zinedine Zidane (FRA)
 Diego Maradona (ARG)
 Johan Cruyff (NED)

 Lionel Messi (ARG)
 Pelé (BRA)

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Goalkeepers

Lev Yashin
More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Votes % of votes
1 Lev Yashin (URS)3141.89%
2 Gordon Banks (ENG)68.11%
 Dino Zoff (ITA)
4 Gianluigi Buffon (ITA)56.76%
 Peter Schmeichel (DEN)
6 Iker Casillas (ESP)45.41%
7 Sepp Maier (GER)34.05%
8 Pat Jennings (NIR)22.70%
 Oliver Kahn (GER)
 Edwin van der Sar (NED)
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Full backs

Paolo Maldini
More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Votes % of votes
1 Paolo Maldini (ITA)4864.86%
2 Cafu (BRA)2432.43%
3 Carlos Alberto Torres (BRA)1824.32%
4 Roberto Carlos (BRA)1317.57%
5 Djalma Santos (BRA)1114.86%
6 Giacinto Facchetti (ITA)79.46%
7 Nílton Santos (BRA)68.11%
8 Berti Vogts (GER)45.41%
9 Lilian Thuram (FRA)34.05%
10 Ruud Krol (NED)22.70%
 Víctor Rodríguez Andrade (URU)
 Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (GER)
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Central defenders

Franz Beckenbauer
More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Votes % of votes
1 Franz Beckenbauer (GER)6891.89%
2 Bobby Moore (ENG)2331.08%
3 Franco Baresi (ITA)2229.73%
4 Daniel Passarella (ARG)45.41%
5 Fabio Cannavaro (ITA)34.05%
 John Charles (WAL)
 Marcel Desailly (FRA)
 Paul McGrath (IRE)
9 Giuseppe Bergomi (ITA)22.70%
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Midfielders

More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Votes % of votes
1 Diego Maradona (ARG)6486.49%
2 Johan Cruyff (NED)5878.38%
3 Zinedine Zidane (FRA)2837.84%
4 Alfredo Di Stéfano (ARG)2432.43%
5 Michel Platini (FRA)1824.32%
6 Garrincha (BRA)1520.27%
7 George Best (NIR)1216.22%
8 Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)79.46%
9 Bobby Charlton (ENG)56.76%
 Lothar Matthäus (GER)
11 Andrés Iniesta (ESP)45.41%
 Xavi (ESP)
13 Didi (BRA)34.05%
 Sócrates (BRA)
15 Roberto Baggio (ITA)22.70%
 Toninho Cerezo (BRA)
 Francisco Gento (ESP)
 Ryan Giggs (WAL)
 Stanley Matthews (ENG)
 Johan Neeskens (NED)
 Rivellino (BRA)
 Zico (BRA)
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Strikers

More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Votes % of votes
1 Pelé (BRA)5675.68%
2 Lionel Messi (ARG)4662.16%
3 Ferenc Puskas (HUN)1114.86%
4 Ronaldo (BRA)912.16%
5 Marco van Basten (NED)56.76%
6 Gerd Müller (GER)45.41%
7 Oleh Blokhin (URS)22.70%
 Eusébio (POR)
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Greatest Managers of All Time

Map of FIFA members by number of managers ranked by France Football (2019), World Soccer (2013) or ESPN (2013)
Map of FIFA members by number of managers ranked by France Football (2019), World Soccer (2013) and ESPN (2013)

The list is based on the voting poll consisting of 74 experts (journalists, TV pundits, current and former players and managers) from around the world with each having been allotted 5 managerial picks.

(Published July 2013)[61][62]

Key

Managers in bold are ranked by World Soccer, France Football and ESPN[63][64][65]
  Managers ranked top 10 by World Soccer, France Football and ESPN[63][64][65][66]
More information Pos., Name ...
Pos. Name Years Notable teams Votes % of votes
1 Alex Ferguson (SCO)1974–2013Aberdeen, Scotland national team, Manchester United4966.22%
2 Rinus Michels (NED)1960–1992AFC Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands national team4662.16%
3 José Mourinho (POR)2000–Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma2128.38%
4 Helenio Herrera (ARG)1944–1970, 1973–1981Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan1925.68%
5 Pep Guardiola (ESP)2007–Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City1824.32%
6 Arrigo Sacchi (ITA)1985–1999, 2001Parma, Milan, Italy national team, Atlético Madrid1520.27%
7 Valeriy Lobanovskyi (UKR)1969–2002Dnipro, Dynamo Kyiv, Soviet Union national team, Ukraine national team1418.92%
8 Bob Paisley (ENG)1974–1983Liverpool1216.22%
9 Herbert Chapman (ENG)1907–1918, 1921–1934Northampton Town, Leeds City, Huddersfield Town, Arsenal912.16%
 Béla Guttmann (HUN)1933–1939, 1945–1951, 1953–1962, 1964–1967, 1973Milan, São Paulo, Porto, Benfica, Peñarol
 Ernst Happel (AUT)1962–1992Feyenoord, Sevilla, Netherlands national team, Brugge, Hamburger SV
 Mário Zagallo (BRA)1966–1991, 1994–2001Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team, Vasco da Gama
13 Vittorio Pozzo (ITA)1912–1922, 1924–1926, 1929–1948Italy national team, Torino, Milan810.81%
 Vicente del Bosque (ESP)1987–1990, 1994, 1996, 1999–2005, 2008–2016Real Madrid, Beşiktaş, Spain national team
 Marcello Lippi (ITA)1982–2006, 2008–2010, 2012–2014, 2016–2019Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Italy national team, Guangzhou Evergrande, China national team
 Telê Santana (BRA)1969–1996Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team
17 Brian Clough (ENG)1965–1993Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest79.46%
18 Ottmar Hitzfeld (GER)1983–2004, 2007–2014Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Switzerland national team68.11%
19 Sepp Herberger (GER)1930–1942, 1945–1946, 1950–1964Germany national team, Eintracht Frankfurt56.76%
 Bill Shankly (SCO)1949–1974Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool
 Giovanni Trapattoni (ITA)1974–2013Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Italy national team
22 César Luis Menotti (ARG)1970, 1972–1984, 1986–1994, 1996–1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007Argentina national team, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Boca Juniors, Independiente45.41%
23 Enzo Bearzot (ITA)1964–1986Italy national team34.05%
 Jimmy Hogan (ENG)1910–1912, 1914–1921, 1924, 1924–1927, 1931–1939MTK Budapest, Netherlands national team, Fulham, Aston Villa
 Hennes Weisweiler (GER)1948–1983Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona, 1. FC Köln
 Helmut Schön (GER)1952–1984Germany national team
 Fabio Capello (ITA)1991–2015, 2017–2018Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus, England national team
28 Franz Beckenbauer (GER)1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1996Germany national team, Bayern Munich, Marseille22.70%
 Carlos Bilardo (ARG)1971, 1973–1993, 1996, 1998–2000, 2003–2004Estudiantes, Colombia national team, Argentina national team, Sevilla, Boca Juniors
 Johan Cruyff (NED)1985–1996AFC Ajax, Barcelona
 Vicente Feola (BRA)1937–1942, 1947–1950, 1955–1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966São Paulo, Brazil national team, Boca Juniors
 Alf Ramsey (ENG)1955–1974, 1977–1978Ipswich Town, England national team
 Gusztáv Sebes (HUN)1940–1946, 1949–1957Hungary national team
 Jock Stein (SCO)1960–1985Celtic Glasgow, Scotland national team, Leeds United
 Luiz Felipe Scolari (BRA)1982–2019Brazil national team, Portugal national team, Grêmio, Palmeiras, Chelsea
36 Luis Aragonés (ESP)1974–2009Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Barcelona, Sevilla, Spain national team11.35%
 Leo Beenhakker (NED)1965–AFC Ajax, Netherlands national team, Real Madrid, Feyenoord
 Rafael Benítez (ESP)1993–Valencia, Liverpool, Internazionale, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle United
 Marcelo Bielsa (ARG)1990–Newell's Old Boys, América, Vélez Sarsfield, Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, Leeds United
 Bob Bradley (USA)1981–Chicago Fire, MetroStars, United States national team, Egypt national team, Los Angeles FC
 Matt Busby (SCO)1945–1969, 1970–1971Manchester United
 Jack Charlton (ENG)1973–1996Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United, Republic of Ireland national team
 Kazimierz Górski (POL)1959–1985Legia Warsaw, Poland national team, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos
 Jupp Heynckes (GER)1979–2018Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Schalke
 Gérard Houllier (FRA)1973–2011Paris Saint-Germain, France national team, Liverpool, Lyon
 Tomislav Ivić (CRO)1967–2004Hajduk Split, Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia national team, Ajax, Anderlecht, Standard Liège, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Porto, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Marseille
 Ștefan Kovács (ROM)1952–1987Steaua București, Ajax, France national team, Romania national team, Panathinaikos, Monaco
 Udo Lattek (GER)1970–2000Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona
 Hugo Meisl (AUT)1912–14, 1919–37Austria national team
 Otto Rehhagel (GER)1972–2010, 2012Fortuna Düsseldorf, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Greece national team
 Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA)1968–2010Fluminense, Brazil national team, Valencia, Fenerbahçe, Corinthians, South Africa national team
 Antoni Piechniczek (POL)1973–1990, 1993–1997Polish national team
 Nereo Rocco (ITA)1947–1977Padova, Milan
 Árpád Weisz (HUN)1926–1940Internazionale, Bologna
 Arsène Wenger (FRA)1984–2018Monaco, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Arsenal
 Walter Winterbottom (ENG)1946–1962England national team
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Greatest Players of the 20th century

In the December 1999 issue, a readers' poll listing the 100 greatest football players of the 20th century was published.[67]

More information #, Player ...
# Player
1 Brazil Pelé
2 Argentina Diego Maradona
3 Netherlands Johan Cruyff
4 Germany Franz Beckenbauer
5 France Michel Platini
6 ArgentinaSpain Alfredo Di Stéfano
7 HungarySpain Ferenc Puskás
8 Northern Ireland George Best
9 Netherlands Marco van Basten
10 Portugal Eusébio
11 Soviet Union Lev Yashin
12 England Bobby Charlton
13 Brazil Ronaldo
14 England Bobby Moore
15 Germany Gerd Müller
16 Italy Roberto Baggio
17 England Stanley Matthews
18 Brazil Zico
19 Italy Franco Baresi
20 Brazil Garrincha
21 Italy Paolo Maldini
22 Scotland Kenny Dalglish
23 Argentina Gabriel Batistuta
24 France Eric Cantona
25 Romania Gheorghe Hagi
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More information #, Player ...
# Player
26 Brazil Romário
27 Brazil Jairzinho
28 France Zinedine Zidane
29 Netherlands Ruud Gullit
30 Wales John Charles
31 Germany Lothar Matthäus
32 England Gordon Banks
33 Germany Jürgen Klinsmann
34 Netherlands Dennis Bergkamp
35 Germany Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
36 England Gary Lineker
37 Italy Giuseppe Meazza
38 Brazil Rivellino
39 Brazil Didi
40 Wales Ian Rush
41 Denmark Peter Schmeichel
Italy Paolo Rossi
43 Liberia George Weah
44 England Michael Owen
45 France Just Fontaine
46 England Duncan Edwards
47 Italy Dino Zoff
48 Bulgaria Hristo Stoichkov
49 England David Beckham
50 England Tom Finney
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More information #, Player ...
# Player
51 Brazil Rivaldo
52 Argentina Claudio Caniggia
53 Brazil Tostão
54 Netherlands Frank Rijkaard
55 Paraguay José Luis Chilavert
56 England Kevin Keegan
57 England Paul Gascoigne
58 Cameroon Roger Milla
59 Denmark Michael Laudrup
60 Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko
61 France David Ginola
England Glenn Hoddle
Brazil Sócrates
64 Brazil Roberto Carlos
England Alan Shearer
66 Argentina Daniel Passarella
67 Croatia Davor Šuker
68 England Dixie Dean
Hungary Sándor Kocsis
Uruguay Juan Alberto Schiaffino
Italy Christian Vieri
72 Argentina Mario Kempes
Netherlands Johan Neeskens
Italy Luigi Riva
75 Uruguay José Nasazzi
Germany Günter Netzer
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More information #, Player ...
# Player
77 Italy Alessandro Del Piero
Colombia Carlos Valderrama
79 Spain Ricardo Zamora
80 Uruguay Enzo Francescoli
81 Netherlands Edgar Davids
Spain Francisco Gento
83 Scotland Jim Baxter
Brazil Falcão
Wales Ryan Giggs
Germany Sepp Maier
87 Poland Zbigniew Boniek
Northern Ireland Pat Jennings
Hungary György Sárosi
90 Italy Giacinto Facchetti
91 Scotland Alan Hansen
France Raymond Kopa
England Bryan Robson
East Germany Germany Matthias Sammer
95 HungarySpain Ladislao Kubala
Wales Neville Southall
97 Brazil Gérson
98 Portugal Paulo Futre
Denmark Preben Elkjær
100 Brazil Bebeto
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World Player of the Decade 2000s

In 2009, a World Player of the Decade was announced based on the reader's votes from 2000 to 2009 in the annual Player of the Year polls.[68]

More information No., Player ...
World Player of the Decade 2000s
No. Player Points
1 Brazil Ronaldinho 781
2 Argentina Lionel Messi 759
3 Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo 708
4 France Thierry Henry 619
5 Brazil Kaká 567
6 Italy Fabio Cannavaro 401
7 Czech Republic Pavel Nedvěd 394
8 England Michael Owen 330
9 Portugal Luís Figo 290
10 France Zinedine Zidane 270
11 Spain Raúl 261
12 Brazil Ronaldo 260
13 Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko 230
14 Spain Andrés Iniesta 215
15 Germany Michael Ballack 180
16 Spain Xavi 163
17 Brazil Rivaldo 150
18 Spain Fernando Torres 149
19 Cameroon Samuel Eto'o 146
England Frank Lampard
No. Player Points
21 England Steven Gerrard 134
22 Portugal Deco 130
23 Italy Francesco Totti 107
24 Netherlands Ruud van Nistelrooy 99
25 Germany Oliver Kahn 90
26 Italy Paolo Maldini 82
27 Ivory Coast Didier Drogba 79
28 Argentina Juan Román Riquelme 77
29 Brazil Adriano 73
30 Spain Iker Casillas 59
31 Russia Andrey Arshavin 54
32 Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović 53
33 Italy Gianluigi Buffon 49
34 Spain David Villa 46
35 Netherlands Roy Makaay 40
36 England David Beckham 37
37 England Wayne Rooney 36
38 Uruguay Diego Forlán 21
39 Argentina Gabriel Batistuta 20
Sweden Henrik Larsson
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Eric Batty's World XI

Since the first year of publication of World Soccer and over a 30-year period, overseas editor Eric Batty published his team selection of the best players over the season.

More information Eric Batty's World XI, Year ...
Eric Batty's World XI
Year Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards

1960[69]

 Gyula Grosics (HUN)

 Orvar Bergmark (SWE)
 José Santamaría (ESP)
 Nílton Santos (BRA)

 Martí Vergés (ESP)
 Julinho (BRA)
 Ante Žanetić (YUG)
 Francisco Gento (ESP)

 Pelé (BRA)
 Alfredo Di Stéfano (ESP)
 Ferenc Puskás (HUN)

1961[69]

Hungary Gyula Grosics

Sweden Orvar Bergmark
 Germano (POR)
Brazil Nílton Santos

 Danny Blanchflower (NIR)
 Paul Bonga Bonga (DRC)
Spain Francisco Gento

 László Kubala (ESP)
Brazil Pelé
Spain Alfredo Di Stéfano
Hungary Ferenc Puskás

1962[69]

 Gernot Fraydl (AUT)

 Djalma Santos (BRA)
Portugal Germano
 Fahrudin Jusufi (YUG)

 Zito (BRA)
 Josef Masopust (TCH)
Spain Francisco Gento

 Garrincha (BRA)
Brazil Pelé
Spain Alfredo Di Stéfano
Hungary Ferenc Puskás

1963[69]

 Lev Yashin (URS)

Brazil Djalma Santos
 Cesare Maldini (ITA)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Fahrudin Jusufi

 Mário Coluna (POR)
 Raymond Kopa (FRA)
 Jim Baxter (SCO)
 Luis Suárez (ESP)

Brazil Pelé
Spain Alfredo Di Stéfano
Spain Ferenc Puskás

1964[69]

Soviet Union Lev Yashin

 Tarcisio Burgnich (ITA)
 Ján Popluhár (TCH)
 Giacinto Facchetti (ITA)

Portugal Mário Coluna
 José Augusto (POR)
Czechoslovakia Josef Masopust
Spain Luis Suárez

Brazil Pelé
Spain Alfredo Di Stéfano
 Denis Law (SCO)

1965[69]

 Costa Pereira (POR)

Brazil Djalma Santos
Portugal Germano
Italy Giacinto Facchetti
 Orlando (BRA)

Portugal Mário Coluna
Portugal José Augusto
Spain Luis Suárez

 Sandro Mazzola (ITA)
 Eusébio (POR)
Brazil Pelé

1966[69]

Soviet Union Lev Yashin

 Aleksandar Shalamanov (BUL)
 Franz Beckenbauer (FRG)
Italy Giacinto Facchetti

 Néstor Gonçalves (URU)
 Dimitar Yakimov (BUL)
Portugal Mário Coluna
 Mario Corso (ITA)

Brazil Pelé
 Ferenc Bene (HUN)
 János Farkas (HUN)

1967[69]

Soviet Union Lev Yashin

Portugal Mário Coluna
Czechoslovakia Ján Popluhár
Italy Giacinto Facchetti

West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
 Kálmán Mészöly (HUN)
Bulgaria Dimitar Yakimov

Italy Sandro Mazzola
Hungary Ferenc Bene
 Geoff Hurst (ENG)
Hungary János Farkas

1968[69]

 Dino Zoff (ITA)

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Fahrudin Jusufi
Czechoslovakia Ján Popluhár
Italy Giacinto Facchetti

West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
 Martin Peters (ENG)
 Bobby Moore (ENG)

Hungary Ferenc Bene
Italy Sandro Mazzola
England Geoff Hurst
 Włodzimierz Lubański (POL)

1969[69]

 Gordon Banks (ENG)

 Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (FRG)
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
Italy Giacinto Facchetti

England Martin Peters
England Bobby Moore
 Dragan Džajić (YUG)

Hungary Ferenc Bene
England Geoff Hurst
 Gerd Müller (FRG)
Poland Włodzimierz Lubański

1970 did not publish

1971[70]

England Gordon Banks

 Carlos Alberto (BRA)
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
England Bobby Moore
 Berti Vogts (FRG)

Italy Sandro Mazzola
 Gérson (BRA)
 Rivellino (BRA)

 Jairzinho (BRA)
West Germany Gerd Müller
 Gigi Riva (ITA)

1972[70]

England Gordon Banks

 Paul Breitner (FRG)
England Bobby Moore
 Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (FRG)
 Karol Dobiaš (TCH)

 Günter Netzer (FRG)
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer

Poland Włodzimierz Lubański
West Germany Gerd Müller
 Johan Cruyff (NED)
Brazil Jairzinho

1973[70]

 Pat Jennings (NIR)

 Dragoslav Stepanović (YUG)
England Bobby Moore
 Barry Hulshoff (NED)
 Petar Krivokuća (YUG)

 Ladislav Kuna (TCH)
West Germany Günter Netzer
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Dragan Džajić
West Germany Gerd Müller
Poland Włodzimierz Lubański

1974[70]

 David Harvey (SCO)

West Germany Paul Breitner
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
 Luís Pereira (BRA)
 Rolando García (CHI)

 Jovan Aćimović (YUG)
 Kazimierz Deyna (POL)
Italy Sandro Mazzola

 Robert Gadocha (POL)
West Germany Gerd Müller
 Grzegorz Lato (POL)

1975[70]

Italy Dino Zoff

 Rainer Bonhof (FRG)
 Colin Todd (ENG)
 Humberto Coelho (POR)
West Germany Berti Vogts

West Germany Paul Breitner
West Germany Günter Netzer
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer

 Jupp Heynckes (FRG)
 Ralf Edström (SWE)
Poland Grzegorz Lato

1976[70]

 Ivo Viktor (TCH)

West Germany Paul Breitner
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
 Anton Ondruš (TCH)
England Colin Todd

 Branko Oblak (YUG)
 Viktor Kolotov (URS)
 Antonín Panenka (TCH)

 Oleg Blokhin (URS)
West Germany Gerd Müller
 Ruud Geels (NED)

1977[70]

 Sepp Maier (FRG)

 Ruud Krol (NED)
Brazil Luís Pereira
West Germany Franz Beckenbauer
West Germany Berti Vogts

Netherlands Johan Cruyff
West Germany Rainer Bonhof
 Jan Peters (NED)

 Rob Rensenbrink (NED)
West Germany Gerd Müller
 Franco Causio (ITA)

1978[70]

 Peter Shilton (ENG)

 Alberto Tarantini (ARG)
Brazil Luís Pereira
 David Watson (ENG)
Netherlands Ruud Krol

 Teófilo Cubillas (PER)
 Osvaldo Ardiles (ARG)

Netherlands Rob Rensenbrink
 Roberto Bettega (ITA)
West Germany Gerd Müller
Italy Franco Causio

1979 did not publish
1980 did not publish
1981 did not publish
1982[71]

England Peter Shilton

 Alain Giresse (FRA)
 Jaime Duarte (PER)
 Daniel Passarella (ARG)
 Marius Trésor (FRA)

 Sócrates (BRA)
Argentina Osvaldo Ardiles
 Michel Platini (FRA)
 Falcão (BRA)

 Paolo Rossi (ITA)
 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FRG)

1983[71]

England Peter Shilton

France Alain Giresse
Argentina Daniel Passarella
France Marius Trésor
Peru Jaime Duarte

Brazil Sócrates
Argentina Osvaldo Ardiles
 Toninho Cerezo (BRA)
France Michel Platini
Brazil Falcão

West Germany Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

1984[71]

 Rinat Dasayev (URS)

France Alain Giresse
 Morten Olsen (DEN)
 Maxime Bossis (FRA)

 Allan Simonsen (DEN)
Brazil Sócrates
 Jean Tigana (FRA)
France Michel Platini
 Diego Maradona (ARG)

West Germany Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
 Bruno Conti (ITA)

1985[71]

England Peter Shilton

Denmark Morten Olsen
 Antonio Maceda (ESP)

 Ray Wilkins (ENG)
France Jean Tigana
France Alain Giresse
 Carlos Manuel (POR)
France Michel Platini
 Søren Lerby (DEN)
 Khoren Oganesian (URS)

West Germany Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

1986[71]

Soviet Union Rinat Dasayev

 Manuel Amoros (FRA)
Denmark Morten Olsen
Spain Antonio Maceda
France Maxime Bossis

 Luis Fernández (FRA)
France Jean Tigana
 Frank Arnesen (DEN)
France Alain Giresse
 Míchel (ESP)

 Gary Lineker (ENG)

1987[71]

Soviet Union Rinat Dasayev

France Manuel Amoros
 Celso (BRA)
 Glenn Hysén (SWE)
 Giovanni Francini (ITA)

France Luis Fernández
France Jean Tigana
Argentina Diego Maradona
Spain Míchel

England Gary Lineker
 Hugo Sánchez (MEX)

1988 did not publish
1989[71]

England Peter Shilton

 Ronald Koeman (NED)
 Franco Baresi (ITA)
 Aron Winter (NED)
 Luis Carlos Perea (COL)

 Frank Rijkaard (NED)
Spain Míchel
 Paulo Silas (BRA)
 Rafael Martín Vázquez (ESP)

 Ruud Gullit (NED)
 Marco van Basten (NED)

1990[71]

England Peter Shilton

 Stéphane Demol (BEL)
Italy Franco Baresi
 Dunga (BRA)
 Riccardo Ferri (ITA)

Brazil Paulo Silas
 Jan Ceulemans (BEL)
 Valdo (BRA)
Spain Rafael Martín Vázquez

 Ian Rush (WAL)
Netherlands Marco van Basten

1991[71]

 Neville Southall (WAL)

Italy Riccardo Ferri
 Laurent Blanc (FRA)
 Basile Boli (FRA)

 Robert Prosinečki (YUG)
Brazil Valdo
Brazil Dunga
Spain Rafael Martín Vázquez
 Dejan Savićević (YUG)

Wales Mark Hughes
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Darko Pančev

1992[71]

 Peter Schmeichel (DEN)

Netherlands Ronald Koeman
France Laurent Blanc
 Mauro Silva (BRA)
 Des Walker (ENG)

Netherlands Frank Rijkaard
 Brian Laudrup (DEN)
 Srečko Katanec (YUG)

 Attilio Lombardo (ITA)
Netherlands Marco van Basten
 Bebeto (BRA)

World Soccer World XI
2012[72]

Spain Iker Casillas

Spain Jordi Alba
Spain Sergio Ramos
Belgium Vincent Kompany
Germany Philipp Lahm

Spain Andrés Iniesta
Italy Andrea Pirlo
Spain Xavi

Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo
Colombia Radamel Falcao
Argentina Lionel Messi

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By player

More information Appearances, Player ...
Appearances Player First Last
11  Franz Beckenbauer (FRG)19661977
8  Gerd Müller (FRG)19691978
7  Pelé (BRA)19601966
6  Giacinto Facchetti (ITA)19641969
 Peter Shilton (ENG)19781990
5  Alfredo Di Stéfano (ESP)19601965
 Mário Coluna (POR)19631967
 Sandro Mazzola (ITA)19651974
 Bobby Moore (ENG)19681973
 Alain Giresse (FRA)19821986
4 Hungary Ferenc Puskás (ESP)19601963
 Lev Yashin (URS)19631967
 Ferenc Bene (HUN)19661969
 Włodzimierz Lubański (POL)19681973
 Paul Breitner (FRG)19721976
 Michel Platini (FRA)19821985
 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FRG)19821985
 Jean Tigana (FRA)19841987
3  Francisco Gento (ESP)19601962
 Germano (POR)19611965
 Djalma Santos (BRA)19621965
 Fahrudin Jusufi (YUG)19621968
 Luis Suárez (ESP)19631965
 Ján Popluhár (TCH)19641968
 Geoff Hurst (ENG)19671969
 Gordon Banks (ENG)19691972
 Berti Vogts (FRG)19711977
 Günter Netzer (FRG)19721975
 Luís Pereira (BRA)19741978
 Osvaldo Ardiles (ARG)19781983
 Sócrates (BRA)19821984
 Morten Olsen (DEN)19841986
 Rinat Dasayev (URS)19841987
 Míchel (ESP)19861989
 Rafael Martín Vázquez (ESP)19891991
 Marco van Basten (NED)19891992
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