Famous Soccer Players

The game of soccer has everything that can attract a man. It has speed, obstacles and threats in the form of opponents. The soccer player takes the risk of losing the ball to the opponents whenever dribbling past them. Moreover, when it comes to scoring a goal, in most of the instances, it is one man trying to overcome many. This thrilling game has its surprises and twists which can turn a certain loss, for a team, into a victory by narrow margin within the span of few minutes. Every year, many new soccer players set their foot on the soccer fields scattered all over the world. However, only few of them reach the stardom level. Out of these, only a handful are acknowledged as the great players. It is not easy to come by this honor. The following is information on a few of these, which you may find interesting.

Great Soccer Players

Pele
Pele is the best footballer ever to play on the field. He grew up in Brazil and honed his skills in its slums. In the year 1957, at the age of 15, Pele was included in the Brazil national team for the World Cup. In his debut match, Pele scored two goals. For his skills with the ball and the goal scoring capacity he is known as the King of Soccer. In his long career, spanning 25 years, he scored 1,000 goals. In 1999, Pele was chosen as The Athlete of The Century, by the international Olympic committee. The Time magazine, in the same year, included Pele in the list of 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century. Can you recollect his real name in full? His real name is Edison Arantes do Nascimento.

Diego Maradona
Maradona is the most celebrated Argentine football player. Throughout his career, Maradona enthralled his fans and the opponents with his extraordinary footwork and balance. His career lasted for 26 years from 1975 to 2001. Diego Armando Maradona is an icon and hero for many footballers. Even though he was involved in many controversies, on and off the field, he is still regarded as one of the greatest footballer of all time.

Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov is thought of as the most successful Bulgarian soccer player. He started his professional career with CSKA Sofia and later moved on to the FC Barcelona soccer club. He played an influential role in club's winning the Spanish Primera Division. During his career Stoichkov earned global acclaim four times in a row. In 1992, his scintillating play was responsible for his club's Championships League victory. He bade good-bye to the field of soccer in 2003.

David Beckham
His full name is David Robert Joseph Beckham. In 1991, Manchester United, signed this 16 year old teenager for its youth squad. After a span of 5 years, Beckham was finally selected for the Manchester United team. After the season of 1997 - 1998 season, Beckham was selected for England's World Cup team. In the FIFA World Cup (2006), David Beckham led the English football team. He shares the honor of representing the England in 3 World Cups with the 5 others, including Sol Campbell and Michael Owen.

Famous Soccer Players from Brazil

Ronaldo
There is no doubt that Ronaldo is one of the most celebrated players from Brazil, after Pele. He is also known as the Phenomenon, because of his speed, dribbling and passion for scoring again and again. His full name is Luís Nazario de Lima Ronaldo. Born in the poor suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was influenced by another legend of the footballer, Zico. Ronaldo played for Brazil in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil lost to the French side in the final match. However, in the year 2002, as a member of Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored eight goals in only seven games. Top scorer of the tournament, Ronaldo helped the Brazilian team to win their 5th FIFA World Cup title.

Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is another jewel from Brazil. He is famous for his natural play and terrific control over the ball. He was a part of the Brazilian team, for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Korea and Japan. The highlight of this prestigious tournament was the goal, a 35 meter free kick, scored by the Ronaldinho against England. Brazil went on to win the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In June 2005, Ronaldinho captained the Brazilian side to their second FIFA Confederations Cup title by beating Argentina in final match 4 - 1. In the past, he has played for the Gremio, Paris SG, FC Barcelona soccer clubs. This skillful footballer has won many awards and acclaims. He was chosen twice, for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award.

Garrincha
A teammate of the legendary Pele, Garrincha was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. Although his full name is Manoel Francisco dos Santos, he earned the nickname of Garrincha, a term meaning 'little bird', for his playful behavior on the field. His skills included decisive and accurate passes and he was well-known for his powerful free kicks. Garrincha ranks second, after Pele, in the list of best Brazilian soccer players.

Leonidas da Silva
He is the man who shouldered the responsibility of giving the Brazilian football the solidity, it deserved. This pre Pele era player was known as the Rubberman because of his elastic body. Through Leonidas da Silva, in 1938 World Cup, soccer world came to know about the natural talent, techniques and the spirit of Brazilian football. The most famous footballer of his time, Leonidas da Silva is also believed to the father of the Bicycle kick. He was the first player to score 4 goals in World Cup soccer bout.

Famous Italian Soccer Players

Roberto Baggio
This most beloved Italian footballer was included in the greatest living footballers list that was prepared by none other than the famous Pele. He represented Italy in the World Cup 1994 and scored 5 goals for his team. Italy lost to Brazil in the final match in penalty shoot out. Most unfortunately, Baggio missed his penalty kick. He scored 27 goals, in all, for his national team. Nine of these goals were scored in three World Cups. He retired from football in 2004.

Francesco Totti
In 2000 - 01, Totti, another celebrated Italian football player, scored 13 goals and helped his favorite club, A.S. Roma, to win the first league title, since 1983. Francesco Totti is also known as the Prince and Er Pupone. He was named as the Italy's Player of the Year in 2000 and in 2003. He was part of the Italian National squad in the Euro 2000 qualifiers. He scored against Romania and Belgium and got the team in the Finals. Although, France beat Italy in the final match, they couldn't stop Totti from lifting the Man of the Match title.

Fabio Christian Vieri
Fabio Christian Vieri is well-known for defense. Considered as one of the best defenders on the field, he rarely failed in being at the right place to make the interception and steal the ball away from the opponents. Vieri was part of the Italian National squad for the World Cup 1998, where he scored 5 goals. He also represented Italy in the 2002 World Cup and scored 4 goals for his team.

Famous Female Soccer Players

Michelle Akers
One of the famous female soccer players, Michelle is known for her goal scoring and assists skills. During the period, when she was the part of the USA national team, she scored 105 goals in the official matches. Her passing skills enabled others to score as many as 37 goals, for the USA team. Michelle Akers was a legendary striker of the USA women's national soccer team. She is one of the two women, included in the FIFA list.

Mia Hamm
The most successful soccer player especially, when one takes into account the goal scoring ability. Mia is a living legend and record holder for netting the most goals, in the international matches by any male or female soccer player. Mia has won the women's FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2001 and 2002. Along with the Michelle Akers, Mia has the honor of being in the list of '125 Greatest Living Soccer Players', which was prepared by Pele. Mia has also made a space for herself in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in the USA. Along with the Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones and Michelle Akers, Mia is one of the famous American soccer players.

Famous Footballers of the Present Time

Lionel Messi
A terrific presence on the field, Lionel Messi, according to some, has reserved a spot for himself in the ranks of all time great players like, Pele and Maradona. You can find him in the right wing of the Barcelona attack, trying to concoct a blend of speed and trickery to frustrate and get past multiple defenders. Born on June 24, 1987, this Argentinian footballer has joined the Barcelona when he was 13 years old. Winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009 and 2010, Messi has won five league titles, and in the 2008 - 09 forming a triad with Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, scored 38 goals only to better the record, in next two seasons, to glorious 45 and 50.

He started playing for his country in August, 2005, and participated in 2006 World Cup. Olympic Games 2008 held in China saw him win the gold medal for his country. Put on a display of his sublime talent in the 2010 World Cup.

Wayne Rooney
Born on October 24, 1985 in Liverpool, England, this footballer has done wonders on the field. Known for the talent not easily found in the so many of the footballers, he is their hope for the glory. At the age of 9, he joined the Everton club's academy and in 2002, found himself as a FA Youth Cup finalist. His goal, in the Premier League, scored against Arsenal, 5 days before he turned 17, made him the youngest scorer in the history of the league. It took him 18 domestic yellow cards, earned during 2003 - 05, to realize that not every provocation needs to be taken seriously. In 2008, he partnered with the teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and won the Premier League and Champions league for his club, the Manchester United. In 2009 and 2010, Rooney won Premier League for the United but, lost to Barcelona in the finals of Champions League.

At the age of 17, while playing for England against Australia, he scored and became the youngest Englishman to do so for his country. He participated in Euro 2004 and World Cup held in 2006 and 2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo
A true specimen of the present day footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro has everlasting stamina that leaves his opponents worried. The lethal combination of speed, strength and skills, and the irresistible urge to score made him the most expensive player of the 2009. Born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Portugal, Cristiano was signed by Sporting Lisbon at the age of 10 years. In his club's history, he became the first footballer to scale the ladder of Under (16, 17, 18), B-team, and first team in a single season. In 2003, he transferred to the United Manchester and scored 10 times in the first season. Records at the end of the 2006 - 07 season showed 23 goals against his name in 53 appearances for the United and the first title in four seasons for his club. 2007 - 2008 season rejoiced in his 42 goals in 49 games, the Premier League and Champions League titles that he won for the Manchester United and FIFA World Player of the Year award. For Real Madrid, in 2010 - 11, he won the Copa del Rey and in La Liga, netted 40 times to create a record.

He joined the Portugal national team in August 2003, and scored 2 times for his country in Euro 2004. With his 7 goals in qualifiers, he took his team to 2006 World Cup, but couldn't take it past the semi-finals. Christiano participated in the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup in which, team Portugal exited in the quarter finals and the second round, respectively.

The famous soccer players, such as Pele and Maradona are not only worshiped in their native places, but they are also idolized throughout the world. Their skills, timing and desire to shoot the ball in the net are still admired all over the world even when, they are no more on the field.