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The criteria

Besides from being regarded as one of the best players in his era, the rule is that the player is no longer active in his career.
More players will be added on following updates.

Records

Most goals in a season

Lionel Messi made a record by scoring 91 goals in 2012, which makes him top scorer in a season in a top league in international football.

Most goals in a FIFA World Cup

The French football player Just Fontaine has the record with 13 goals in one World Cup. This happened in 1958 over six games.

Most FIFA World Cup victories

There are 14 players, all Brazilians or Italians, that more than once have been members of a team that have won the World Cup. Pelé is holding the record by being a part of the world champions team on three occasions. These twelve players have won the World Cup twice: Giovanni Ferrari, Giuseppe Meazza, Eralod Monzeglio, Gilmar, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, Vava, Didi, Zagallo, Garrincha, Zito, Ronaldo and Cafu.

Most goals in a UEFA European Championship

Michel Platini has the record with 9 goals in one European Championship. This happened in 1984 over five games.

Most expensive player

Gareth Bale became the most expensive player in terms of transfer fees then he was bought by Real Madrid from Tottenham for €118 million in 2013.

Most earning player

The figures of salaries are shifting and can vary according to source and if sponsorship money is included or not, but according to most sources Cristiano Ronaldo could be accounted as the player that earn the most money from his occupation.

Most Player of the Year awards

Over the years there have been two different awards: FIFA World Player of the Year award and Ballon d'Or. For some years the awards were merged which affects the total count. If only Ballons d'Or is counted Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten have won the most, three each. If only FIFA World Player is counted Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo has won the most, two each.

Football players ordered after year of birth

The table include the year of birth (and occasionally year of death) of famous ex-players.