Top 10 Football Legends of All Time (And the Collectibles That Celebrate Them)

Keywords: greatest football players, best soccer players of all time, football collectibles, Messi figurine, Pelé collectibles, Minix Football Stars

Some players make history. Others become it.

Whether you’re a fan, a collector, or both, this guide takes you through the 10 most iconic footballers of all time, from legendary goal scorers to tactical revolutionaries. Along the way, we’ll highlight collectible Minix figurines and gear that let you celebrate each player’s greatness on your shelf.

1. Pelé – The Original King of Football

(Brazil, 1956–1977)

Key Stats:

• 3x FIFA World Cup winner (1958, 1962, 1970)

• Over 1,280 goals scored

• Voted FIFA Player of the Century

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Named after Thomas Edison (real name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento)

• Youngest player to score in a World Cup final

• First athlete to be a global UNICEF ambassador

Top Collectible: Gold-accented Minix Pelé figure or commemorative Brazil 1970 memorabilia.

2. Diego Maradona – The Artist and the Rebel

(Argentina, 1976–1997)

Key Stats:

• 1986 World Cup winner

• FIFA Goal of the Century

• Led Napoli to their only two Serie A titles

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Made his pro debut at age 15

• Once scored directly from a corner kick—twice in one match

• Captained Argentina in four World Cups

Top Collectible: 1986 Argentina World Cup figurine or Napoli-era memorabilia.

3. Lionel Messi – The Maestro

(Argentina, 2004–present)

Key Stats:

• 8x Ballon d’Or winner

• 2022 World Cup Champion

• FC Barcelona and Argentina all-time top scorer

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Signed his first Barça contract on a napkin

• Only player to win two World Cup Golden Balls

• Diagnosed with a growth hormone disorder at age 10

Top Collectible: Minix Messi 2022 World Cup Edition or limited-edition PSG/Barça jerseys.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo – The Relentless Machine

(Portugal, 2002–present)

Key Stats:

• 5x Ballon d’Or winner

• Top scorer in UEFA Champions League history

• Euro 2016 and Nations League winner

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Has scored in every minute from 1' to 90+ in professional matches

• Built his own museum in Madeira

• Holds Guinness World Records for most goals scored at international level

Top Collectible: Portugal national team Minix CR7 figure or Real Madrid Champions League mementos.

5. Zinedine Zidane – The Elegant Genius

(France, 1988–2006)

Key Stats:

• 1998 World Cup winner (2 goals in final)

• 2000 Euro winner

• Ballon d’Or winner and Champions League winner (as player and coach)

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Played World Cup semifinal with a separated shoulder

• Never played in Ligue 1—went straight to Bordeaux’s senior team from Cannes

• Helped Real Madrid win 3 straight Champions Leagues as manager

Top Collectible: Zidane France 1998 figure or signed Real Madrid memorabilia.

Bonus Icons Worth Celebrating (and Collecting)

Ronaldinho – The Magician of Joy

(Brazil, 1998–2015)

Key Stats:

• 2002 World Cup winner

• Ballon d’Or winner (2005)

• Champions League winner with Barça

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Scored 23 goals in one youth game

• Won a prison football tournament in 2020

• Wore custom gold-stitched Tiempo boots

Top Collectible: Brazil 2002 kit figurines or smiling Minix Ronaldinho figure.

Ronaldo Nazário – The Original Phenomenon

(Brazil, 1993–2011)

Key Stats:

• 2x Ballon d’Or winner

• 2002 World Cup Golden Boot

• Played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Scored 47 goals in one season at Barcelona—age 19

• Overcame two career-threatening knee injuries

• Known for his iconic "triangular" haircut at WC 2002

Top Collectible: 2002 World Cup Minix figure or Inter Milan-era memorabilia.

Johan Cruyff – The Philosopher of Total Football

(Netherlands, 1964–1984)

Key Stats:

• 3x Ballon d’Or winner

• 1974 World Cup finalist

• Creator of the “Cruyff Turn”

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Wore a one-stripe kit in protest of sponsorship

• Rejected the 1978 World Cup for political reasons

• Revolutionized Barcelona’s youth academy system

Top Collectible: Retro Netherlands kit or Ajax tribute figurines.

Franz Beckenbauer – The Kaiser

(Germany, 1964–1983)

Key Stats:

• World Cup winner as player (1974) and manager (1990)

• 3x European Cup winner with Bayern

• Invented the modern libero role

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Played with a dislocated shoulder in the 1970 WC

• Only defender to win Ballon d’Or twice

• Captained first World Cup penalty shootout win

Top Collectible: West Germany 1974 figure or limited-edition Bayern memorabilia.

Kylian Mbappé & Erling Haaland – The Future Icons

Mbappé:

• World Cup winner at 19 (2018)

• Over 250 career goals

• Known for blistering pace and clutch performances

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Childhood idol was Cristiano Ronaldo

• Donated his entire 2018 WC earnings to charity

Haaland:

• 2023 Premier League Golden Boot

• Fastest to 20 UCL goals in history

Lesser-Known Facts:

• Scored 9 goals in one U20 World Cup match

• His dad also played in the Premier League (Alf-Inge Haaland)

Top Collectibles: First-edition Minix figurines of Mbappé and Haaland—ideal for forward-looking collections.

Own the Legends

Whether you’re building your dream display shelf or hunting for the next rare collectible, these football greats deserve a place in your lineup.

👉 Explore our Minix Football Stars Collection
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