8 best playmakers in football history

#4 Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane is arguably the most skillful midfielder the world has ever seen. Even on his worst days, he could bring his opposition to their knees with his ball control, passing, and vision.

Not only did Zidane enjoy excellent spells at Real Madrid and Juventus, but he was also the hero of France’s 1998 World Cup glory. Zidane managed to win the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or as a player, cementing his name in history.

Zidane also led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles as manager. He is the only manager to have made that possible in the modern Champions League format.

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#3 Pele

Pele: The only player to win three World Cups

Brazil, the most decorated footballing nation on the planet, celebrates football like no other. The country not only loves the sport but lives it. Brazil’s never-ending talent pool is a testament to its dedication, and it all started with the man who won it all - the great Pele.

Pele remains the only player in history to win three World Cups (1970, 1962, 1958); the only player to star in all of them. The “King of Football” scored over a thousand goals in his career, but he was a lot more than an out-and-out goalscorer.

Pele was also known for his excellent link-up play and distribution. He was able to pick out his teammates effortlessly and regularly provided them with assists.

Later in his career, Pele even operated as an attacking midfielder. Needless to say, the King excelled in this role as well.

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#2 Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona: The hero of the 1986 World Cup

Lionel Messi may have finally delivered an international trophy, but to Argentinians, Messi’s mentor, Diego Maradona, will always be the golden boy. Maradona was the personification of versatility on his day. He could score, he could assist, and he could do it all with a smile on his face.

Maradona was a classic number 10. He loved to sit behind the traditional forwards and chip in with defence-piercing passes. Maradona’s excellent dribbling also let him have a go at goal whenever he fancied.

The 1986 World Cup hero was also comfortable playing as a trigger-happy central midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation.

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#1 Lionel Messi

Paris Saint-Germain v RB Leipzig: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Seeing Lionel Messi at the top of this should not come as a surprise to anyone. Apart from being an excellent goalscorer, Messi is also an exemplary creator, making it impossible to refute his place at the summit.

Messi is arguably the only player who is equally effective in front of goal and in the middle of the park. His passing range knows no bounds, his vision is unmatched, and there is hardly a better set-piece taker than him right now.

Messi has all the traits a great playmaker should have and some more.

Messi started his career on the right flank and eventually adopted the false-nine role. He also knows when to drop deep to fetch the ball and has the intelligence to evade the challenges that come his way.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has already provided 352 assists in his career (Barcelona, Argentina) and we expect him to build on that at PSG.