Footballers keep fans entertained on the pitch with their remarkable abilities, but some stars transcend the game, and their reach goes beyond the sport itself. Their larger-than-life personalities, combined with their legacy, make them some of the most famous names around the globe. Whether you're jetting off to Benidorm for a relaxing time by the beach or going on a safari in Africa, you are bound to find countless individuals donning shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi on the back.
The World Atlas claims that there are over 3.5 billion football fans around the world, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup raked in a humongous 1.5 billion viewers, which is an astounding statistic, per FanNation Futbol .
This is why the past and present stars of football are some of the most popular celebrities, with names such as David Beckham and Pele known worldwide. Here, the 11 most famous names in football history have been ranked, taking into account their global reach, extraordinary talents with the ball at their feet and the impact they made during and after their playing careers. The 30 greatest footballers of all time have been named but who comes out on top; Messi, Ronaldo or Maradona? 11 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Zlatan Ibrahimovic was one of the most polarizing players during his career because of his considerable ego.
However, that made for a compelling character with the talent to back up his attitude. The imposing Swedish forward lit up European football with his smoothness on the b.
