Top 10 Best South American Football Players Ever – Who Makes the Cut?

Even though football originates from the European continent, South America had an equal influence on this sport’s overall development and popularity globally. For instance, the very first World Cup, in 1930, was hosted by Uruguay, and this country was also the tournament winner. Moreover, South America has produced some of the greatest football players who set their foot on the pitch. 

Therefore, I’ll give you an in-depth review of the top 10 best South American football players.

Without delay, I’ll begin!

Related: Best European Football Players Of All Time – Starting XI By Position

#10 – Socrates

The list of the best South American football players can’t go without the legendary Brazilian—Socrates. Apart from being a famous footballer, he was a bohemian icon and a passionate critic of the government of Brazil. 

He was nicknamed “Doctor Socrates” because of his style, quality as a footballer, and the fact that Socrates was a qualified physician. This Brazilian player was an elite attacking midfielder known for his elegant play style and trademark no-look backheel pass. 

Socrates proudly represented his country in 60 international matches and bagged 22 goals. He was Brazil’s captain in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and was a part of Brazil’s 1986 World Cup squad. Despite not winning a World Cup, Socrates was among the best players on the team and a midfield maestro who could create goal-scoring chances in the blink of an eye. 

As for his club career, he played for Botafogo, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo, etc.

Socrates retired in 1989 from being a professional footballer and is remembered as an influential figure in Brazilian football.

#9 – Romario

The Number 9 spot goes to the Brazilian goal-scoring machine, Romario. He was a nightmare for even the strongest defenses in the 90s and scored 768 goals combined for clubs and the national team of Brazil. Romario was one of the best clinical stickers in the sport, scoring goals of all kinds, but the toe poke was his signature goal. 

Romario’s success story started when he debuted for the national team at the 1988 Olympics. After the tournament, PSV signed where he was a goal-scoring sensation, bagging 128 goals in 5 years. He also played for clubs like Barcelona, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense, Adelaide United, etc. 

Regarding his time with Brazil’s national team, Romario won the FIFA World Cup in 1994, where he was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, given that he was the best player in the entire tournament. In 71 appearances for his national team, he scored 55 goals. 

After more than two decades as a footballer, Romario retired in 2009 as an America-RJ player.  

#8 – Garrincha

Garrincha was a Brazilian football icon and one of the most dominant players of his era. Thanks to his dribbling prowess and lightning-fast speed, Garrincha often left fans mesmerized. It’s also fascinating that he became one of the best right-wingers this game has ever seen, even though he had one leg that was shorter than the other. 

Garrincha’s breakthrough moment was at the 1958 FIFA World Cup when he and Pele dominated the tournament and eventually won it. From then on, that duo was unstoppable. Four years later, at the 1962 FIFA World Cup, Pele got injured early on in the tournament. However, Garrincha stepped up and singlehandedly carried Brazil to the second World Cup win in a row. 

He played 50 games for his country and scored 12 goals. 

Garrincha mostly played for Brazilian clubs such as Botafogo, Corinthians, and Flamengo.

At 39, he hung his football boots. 

#7 – Zico

One of the best South American football players is Zico. Also known as “White Pele,” Zico was a high-level attacking midfielder with an outstanding ability to make chances out of nothing and produce jaw-dropping assists. He was unstoppable with his elite passing skills and an otherworldly vision on the pitch. Simply, a virtuoso on the pitch. 

Zico spent most of his career at the famous Brazilian club Flamengo but also had a short spell at Udinese and Kashima Antlers. Although he was a midfielder, Zico was a prolific scorer, scoring 390 goals in the 12 years he played at Flamengo. With Socrates as his club teammate, Zico won 4 league titles as well as 1 Copa Libertadores Cup. 

Unfortunately, the FIFA World Cup was one trophy that didn’t get into his hands. However, Zico was fantastic for his national team, scoring 49 goals in 76 matches and reaching the status of a Brazilian football legend. 

Zico decided to retire in 1994 after spending three years at a top-tier Japanese club, the Kashima Antlers.

#6 – Ronaldinho

The 6th player on the list of the best South American football players goes to the Brazilian soccer artist—Ronaldinho. His ability to impress the crowd with his acrobatic moves, superb dribbles, and sensational goals make him one of the greatest iconic players ever. When he played, it was like watching a magician with the ball.

Ronaldinho showed his potential while playing at the Brazilian club Gremio, where his skills surpassed the ones of his teammates. Back in 2001, he joined Paris-Saint Germain, where he made a big name for himself thanks to his elegance and flair on the pitch. Ronaldinho improved his game even more while playing at this French club, thanks to his teammate, Jay Jay Okocha. 

After a successful spell at PSG, Ronaldinho went to Barcelona, where he was in his prime. He won numerous significant trophies (2 La Liga titles and 1 UEFA Champions League) with Barca and scored 112 goals in 5 seasons at this Spanish football giant. He also played for AC Milan, Atletico MG, Flamengo, and Queretaro. 

Ronaldinho had many individual accomplishments. He won the awards for the Best  FIFA Men’s Player 2 times, UEFA Best Player in Europe 1 time, and Ballon d’Or once.   

As for his accolades with Brazil’s national team, he played a massive role in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil won. In 97 international caps, Ronaldinho netted an impressive 33 goals. 

Ronaldinho ended his illustrious career at 35 as a Fluminense player.

#5 – Alfredo di Stefano

Alfredo di Stefano was a sensational player from Argentina who left a tremendous mark on football in the 50’s and 60’s. There’ve been many exceptional footballers from South America, but you have to be a unique player for a stadium to be named after you. More precisely, it’s called the Di Stefano Stadium, which is the training stadium of a club where Alfredo solidified his legacy—Real Madrid. 

Alongside the football legend Ferenc Puskas, Di Stefano dominated Europe, with Real winning five consecutive European Champion Clubs’ cups from 1955 until 1960. Di Stefano was an otherworldly striker since he bagged 312 goals for the Los Blancos in 11 years. Di Stefano played for River Plate, Huracan, and Milionairos apart from Real. 

As for his international career, Di Stefano played for both Spain and Argentina since he had dual citizenship. For Argentina, he scored six goals in 6 matches. Meanwhile, he netted 23 goals in 31 appearances for Spain. 

He hung his football cleats at the age of 40, with Espanyol being his last club.

#4 – Ronaldo

Ronaldo Nazario de Lima was a once-in-a-generation player whose nickname perfectly described him—” The Phenomenon.” Ronaldo was mainly famous for being a lethal striker, but he didn’t only wreck defenses with his goals. He was a nightmare for the opposing defenders when he had the ball at his feet since his exceptional dribbles and feints often confused them. 

Ronaldo was an extremely talented player who spent the beginning of his career at Cruzeiro before joining the famous Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. After two years at this club, Ronaldo got the opportunity to transfer to Barcelona. Even though he was only at Barca for one season, Ronaldo was unreal, scoring 62 goals in 67 games in all competitions. After Barca, he went to Inter Milan, where he continued to excel, but a knee injury in 1999 kept him on the sidelines for almost two years. 

Ronaldo returned stronger than ever and joined the Galacticos in 2002, where he was the team’s star. While at Real Madrid, Ronaldo won the LA Liga and the FIFA World Player of the Year. 

He also played for AC Milan and at Corinthians, where he retired in 2011.

Ronaldo not only had an accomplished club career, he was also successful while playing for Brazil. He scored the only two goals in the finals against Germany at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, winning the tournament for his country. In 99 matches, Ronaldo scored 62 times. Ronaldo bagged 418 goals in only 620 matches in his entire career, making it a truly remarkable feat. 

#3 – Pele

Simply, Pele was the best Brazilian football player in the history of this beautiful game. From the start of his playing days, Pele showed massive potential since he became the youngest football player ever to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup, at 17 years and 239 days. Moreover, Pele holds the record for most hat-tricks in history with 92. 

His scoring prowess is unparalleled since he scored over 1,000 goals in his entire career. Besides being a deadly finisher, many remember Pele for his spectacular footwork that left the crows in awe. 

Even though Pele didn’t play football in Europe, he reached the status of a football legend at Santos. He spent two decades at this club and won over 20 trophies with this Brazilian club. Many dispute Pele’s greatness since he didn’t play in Europe, but still, his success on Brazil’s national team was more than enough to be considered one of the best South American football players. 

Pele won three World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970). He tallied 12 goals at those three World Cups and was one of the most critical players on the squad. With Pele, Garrincha, and other Brazilian superstars, the national team for that era was possibly the best in history. In 92 games for his country, Pele bagged 77 goals.

Pele’s illustrious career came to an end in 1977 while playing for NY Cosmos. 

#2 – Diego Maradona

The No. 2 spot on the list goes to one of the most iconic South American players whose impact exceeds the game of football—Diego Maradona. His spectacular footwork, creativity, and the ability to change the course of the game is unparalleled. Maradona’s rise to stardom started in 1981 when he joined one of the biggest clubs in Argentina, Boca Juniors. 

His talent drew the attention of FC Barcelona, which signed him in 1982. Maradona was excellent while playing in this Spanish club but achieved true greatness while playing for Napoli. In the eight years he spent at Napoli, he won 2 league titles and one UEFA Cup in 1989. During his stint at this club, he bagged 134 goals, which is a superb achievement, given that he was a playmaker and not a striker. In Maradona’s honor, Napoli made a bronze statue of him. 

When it comes to his international career, prime Maradona was at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, when he was the team’s captain. At this tournament, Maradona scored a controversial and sensation goal named the “Hand of God.” In that same game, against England in the quarter-finals, Maradona scored one of the most unbelievable goals ever. He got the ball in the center of the field and, with lightning speed, got past five English players and scored. This goal is known as the “Goal of the Century.” Ultimately, Argentina won that World Cup. In 91 games for his country, Maradona scored 34 goals.

In 1995, Maradona returned to Boca Juniors, where he finished his professional career three years later. 

#1 – Lionel Messi

The list ends with not just the best South American player but the greatest soccer player who ever set foot on a football pitch—Lionel Messi. His legacy in this sport is recognized by his one-of-a-kind playmaking, superb striking, and incredible overall skills. Messi greatly impacted the sport and served as an everlasting inspiration for current and future footballers.

Messi’s fairytale started in the year 2000 when Barcelona signed him as soon as they spotted his prodigious talent while playing for his boyhood club—Newell’s Old Boys. In his early years, Messi struggled with a growth hormone deficiency, but Barca took care of the expenses when he became their player. After four years in the youth ranks, at 17, Messi debuted for Barcelona, and the rest is history. 

He won numerous La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles. Messi scored 747 goals in 17 years in Barcelona. Regarding his individual accomplishments, Messi has 8 The Best FIFA Men’s Player, 8 Ballon d’Ors, and 3 UEFA Best Player in Europe awards.

In 2021, Messi joined Paris-Saint Germain, where he played for two seasons. In 2023, he joined the MLS Club Inter Miami. 

His club career is quite impressive, but the pinnacle of Messi’s career was at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. At age 35, Messi played a crucial role in winning the tournament for his country, scoring seven goals, while 2 of them were in the finals. He appeared in almost 200 matches for his country, scoring over 100 goals.

A football player with a decorated career as Lionel Messi’s has yet to appear.  

Featured image taken from YouTube.