2026 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup 26 Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026 Emblem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showing numbers "2" (top) and "6" (bottom) superimposed by the World Cup trophy Tournament details Host countries Canada Mexico United States Dates June 11 – July 19 Teams 48 (from 6 confederations) Venue 16 (in 16 host cities) ← 20222030 → The 2026 FIFA World Cup[A] will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.[2] It will be jointly hosted by sixteen cities—eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. The tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations, and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from 32. The United 2026 bid beat a rival bid by Morocco during a final vote at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow. It will be the first men's World Cup since 2002 to be co-hosted by multiple nations. With its past hosting of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, Mexico will become the first country to host or co-host the men's World Cup three times. The United States previously hosted the men's World Cup in 1994. By contrast, it will be Canada's first time hosting or co-hosting the men's tournament. The event will return to its traditional Northern Hemisphere summer schedule after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was held in November and December. As the host nations, Canada, Mexico, and the United States all automatically qualified. Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will all make their World Cup debuts. Argentina is the defending champion, having won its third World Cup title in 2022. Format and expansion The idea of expanding the tournament had been suggested as early as 2013 by then UEFA president Michel Platini,[3][4] and also in 2016 by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.[5] Opponents of the proposal argued that the number of matches played was already at an unacceptable level,[6] that the expansion would dilute the quality of the matches,[7][8] and that the decision was driven by political rather than sporting concerns, accusing Infantino of using the promise of bringing more countries to the World Cup to win his election.[9] Starting with this edition, the FIFA World Cup expanded to 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous seven tournaments.[10] The teams will be split into twelve groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to a new round of 32, as approved by the FIFA Council on March 14, 2023.[11] This is set to be the first expansion and format change since 1998.[citation needed] The total number of matches played will increase from 64 to 104, and the number of matches played by teams reaching the final four will increase from seven to eight. The tournament will last 39 days, an increase from 32 days of the 2014 and 2018 tournaments.[12][13] Each team will still play three group matches.[14][15] The final matchday at club level for players named in the final squads is May 24, 2026; clubs have to release their players by May 25, with exceptions granted to players participating in continental club competition finals up until May 30. The 56 days of the combined rest, release, and tournament periods remain identical to the 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments.[11] Other expansion formats explored The expansion to 48 teams had already been approved on January 10, 2017, when it was initially decided that the tournament would include 16 groups of 3 teams, and 80 matches in total, with the top two teams of each group progressing to a round of 32.[10][16] Under this later-superseded format, the maximum number of matches per team would have remained at seven, but each team would have played one fewer group match than before. The tournament would still have been completed within 32 days.[17] This format was initially chosen over three other proposals, ranging from 40 to 48 teams, from 76 to 88 matches, and from one to four minimum matches per team.[18][19][20] Critics of this format argued that the use of three-team groups with two teams progressing significantly increased the risk of collusion between teams.[21] This prompted FIFA to suggest that penalty shootouts may be used to prevent draws in the group stage,[22] although even then some risk of collusion would remain, and a possibility would emerge of teams deliberately losing shootouts to eliminate a rival.[21] To address these concerns, FIFA continued considering alternative formats[23] – a process that ended with the 2023 announcement that the format would be 12 groups of 4 teams. Host selection Main articles: United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid and Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup bid The FIFA Council went back and forth between 2013 and 2017 on limitations within hosting rotation based on the continental confederations. Originally, it was set that bids to be host would not be allowed from countries belonging to confederations that hosted the two preceding tournaments. It was temporarily changed to only prohibit countries belonging to the confederation that hosted the previous World Cup from bidding to host the following tournament,[24] before the rule was changed back to its prior state of two World Cups.[citation needed] The FIFA Council made an exception to potentially grant eligibility to member associations of the confederation of the second-to-last host of the FIFA World Cup in the event that none of the received bids fulfill the strict technical and financial requirements.[25][26] In March 2017, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that "Europe (UEFA) and Asia (AFC) are excluded from the bidding following the selection of Russia and Qatar in 2018 and 2022 respectively."[27] Therefore, the 2026 World Cup could be hosted by one of the remaining four confederations: CONCACAF (North America; last hosted in 1994), CAF (Africa; last hosted in 2010), CONMEBOL (South America; last hosted in 2014), or OFC (Oceania, never hosted before), or potentially by UEFA in case no bid from those four met the requirements.[citation needed] Co-hosting the FIFA World Cup—which had been banned by FIFA after the 2002 World Cup—was approved for the 2026 World Cup, though not limited to a specific number but instead evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Also for 2026, the FIFA general secretariat, after consultation with the Competitions Committee, had the power to exclude bidders who did not meet the minimum technical requirements to host the competition.[25] Canada, Mexico, and the United States had each publicly considered bidding for the tournament separately, but the United joint bid was announced on April 10, 2017.[28][29] In March 2022, Liga MX president Mikel Arriola claimed Mexico's involvement as cohost could have been at risk if the league and the federation had not responded quickly to the Querétaro–Atlas riot between rival fans that left 26 spectators injured and resulted in 14 arrests. Arriola said FIFA was "shocked" by the incident but Infantino was satisfied with the sanctions handed down against Querétaro.[30] Voting Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup bids Voting results Allowed to vote Ineligible to vote Voted for United bid Canada–Mexico–United States Voted for Moroccan bid Morocco Voted for neither Sanctioned by FIFA Abstained from voting Not a FIFA member The voting took place on June 13, 2018, during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, and it was opened to all 203 eligible members.[31] The United bid won with 134 valid ballots, while the Morocco bid received 65 valid ballots.[32][29] Iran voted for neither of the two bids, while Cuba, Slovenia, and Spain abstained from voting. Ghana was suspended by FIFA due to a corruption scandal and was therefore ineligible to vote.[33][34][35][36][37] Voting results Nation Vote Round 1 Canada, Mexico, United States 134 Morocco 65 None of the bids 1 Abstentions 3 Total votes 200 Required for majority 101 Venues See also: United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid § Venues excluded since start of bidding process Map Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMapAbout OpenStreetMapsMaps: terms of use1000km 621milesTorontoTorontoTorontoPhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaNew YorkNew York/New JerseyNew York/New JerseyMiamiMiamiMiamiBostonBostonBostonAtlantaAtlantaAtlantaMonterreyMonterreyMonterreyMexico CityMexico CityMexico CityKansas CityKansas CityKansas CityHoustonHoustonHoustonGuadalajaraGuadalajaraGuadalajaraDallasDallasDallasVancouverVancouverVancouverSeattleSeattleSeattleSan FranciscoSan Francisco Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay AreaLos AngelesLos AngelesLos AngelesWestern regionCentral regionEastern region During the bidding process, 41 cities with 42 existing, fully functional venues with regular tenants (except Montreal) and two venues under construction (Las Vegas and Los Angeles) submitted to be part of the bid (three venues in three cities in Mexico; six venues in six cities in Canada; 35 venues in 32 cities in the United States).[38] A first-round elimination cut nine venues and nine cities. A second-round elimination cut an additional nine venues in six cities, while three venues in three cities (Chicago, Minneapolis, and Vancouver) dropped out due to FIFA's unwillingness to discuss financial details.[39] After Montreal dropped out in July 2021 due to lack of provincial funding and support to renovate Olympic Stadium,[40] Vancouver rejoined the bid as a candidate city in April 2022,[41] bringing the total number to 24 venues, each in its own city or metropolitan area.[citation needed] On June 16, 2022, the sixteen host cities (two in Canada, three in Mexico, eleven in the United States) were announced by FIFA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver.[42] Eight of the sixteen chosen stadiums have permanent artificial turf surfaces that are planned to be replaced with grass under the direction of FIFA and a University of Tennessee–Michigan State University research team. Depending on the venue's climate, the turf used is either a hybrid of 84% Kentucky bluegrass and 16% perennial ryegrass (for cooler temperatures), or Bermuda grass (for warmer temperatures).[43][44][45] Four venues (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver) are indoor stadiums that use retractable roof systems, all equipped with climate control while a fifth, Los Angeles, is open-air but has a translucent roof and no climate control.[46] The host of the final match—MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—was announced by FIFA on February 4, 2024.[47] Although there are soccer-specific stadiums in Canada and the United States, the largest dedicated soccer-specific stadium in the United States, Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, seats 30,000, which falls short of FIFA's minimum of 40,000 (Toronto's BMO Field is being expanded from 30,000 to 45,500 for this tournament).[48] Stadiums including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Lumen Field in Seattle are used by National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.[49] Although primarily used for gridiron football, with the American stadiums hosting NFL teams and Canada's hosting the Canadian Football League (CFL), all of the Canadian and American stadiums have been used on numerous occasions for soccer and are also designed to host that sport.[50] Mexico City is the only capital of the three host nations chosen as a venue site, with Ottawa and Washington, D.C., joining Bonn (West Germany, 1974) and Tokyo (Japan, 2002) as the only capital cities not selected to host World Cup matches. Washington was a host city candidate, but due to the poor state of FedExField, it combined its bid with nearby Baltimore's, which was unsuccessful. Other cities eliminated from the final hosting list were Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, and Edmonton. Ottawa's candidate venue, TD Place Stadium, was eliminated early on due to insufficient capacity.[51] Though eight of the metropolitan areas hosting games had previously hosted World Cup games (Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey, and Boston in 1994; Guadalajara and Mexico City in both 1970 and 1986; Monterrey in 1986), Estadio Azteca is the only stadium in this tournament that previously hosted World Cup games, having done so in both 1970 and 1986; none of the stadiums used in the 1994 FIFA World Cup will be used in this tournament.[52] Due to FIFA's rules on stadium sponsorships, the venues will use alternative names for the duration of the tournament, shown below in parentheses.[53][54] The capacity is based on information published by FIFA.[54] A † denotes a stadium used for previous men's World Cup tournaments. A ‡ denotes an indoor stadium with a fixed or retractable roof with interior climate control. List of tournament venues City Stadium Capacity Image United States Dallas (Arlington, Texas) AT&T Stadium‡ (Dallas Stadium) 94,000 Mexico Mexico City Estadio Azteca† (Mexico City Stadium) 83,000 United States New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford, New Jersey) MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) 82,500 United States Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium‡ (Atlanta Stadium) 75,000 United States Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium) 73,000 United States Houston NRG Stadium‡ (Houston Stadium) 72,000 United States San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara, California) Levi's Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) 71,000 United States Los Angeles (Inglewood, California) SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) 70,000 United States Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium) 69,000 United States Seattle Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) 69,000 United States Boston (Foxborough, Massachusetts) Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium) 65,000 Gillette Stadium United States Miami (Miami Gardens, Florida) Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) 65,000 Canada Vancouver BC Place‡ (BC Place Vancouver) 54,000 Mexico Monterrey (Guadalupe) Estadio BBVA (Estadio Monterrey) 53,500 Mexico Guadalajara (Zapopan) Estadio Akron (Estadio Guadalajara) 48,000 Canada Toronto BMO Field (Toronto Stadium) 45,000 Teams Qualification Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Team qualified Team eliminated Team withdrew or suspended Not a FIFA member The United Bid personnel anticipated that all three host countries would be awarded automatic berths.[55] On August 31, 2022, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that six CONCACAF teams would qualify for the World Cup, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualifying as hosts.[56][57] This was confirmed by the FIFA Council on February 14, 2023.[58][59] Immediately prior to the 67th FIFA Congress, the FIFA Council approved the slot allocation in a meeting in Manama, Bahrain.[60][61] This included an intercontinental playoff tournament involving six teams to decide the last two FIFA World Cup spots.[62] The six teams in the playoffs comprised one team from each confederation excluding UEFA, and one additional team from the confederation of the host countries (CONCACAF). Two of the teams were seeded based on the World Rankings, and they played the winners of two knockout matches between the four unseeded teams for the two FIFA World Cup berths. The four-match tournament was played in Mexico, one of the host countries, and was also used as a test event for the FIFA World Cup.[60] The ratification of slot allocation also gave the OFC a guaranteed berth in the final tournament for the first time: the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament in which all six confederations have at least one guaranteed berth and also the first time since the 2010 edition in which all confederations have a team qualified for the World Cup finals.[60] Of the 48 qualified teams, 26 also appeared in the 2022 edition. Highlights include: Cape Verde,[63] Curaçao,[B][64] Jordan, and Uzbekistan[C][65] will all make their World Cup debuts. Qatar advanced to the tournament through qualification for the first time, as its only previous appearance was as host in 2022.[66] DR Congo[D] and Haiti return to the tournament after appearing in their only previous tournament in 1974.[64][67] Iraq returns to the tournament after appearing in their only previous tournament in 1986.[68] Austria, Norway,[69] and Scotland return to the tournament after last appearing in 1998.[70] Turkey qualified for the first time since finishing third in 2002.[71] Czech Republic[E] qualified for the first time since 2006.[72] New Zealand, Paraguay, and 2010 hosts South Africa returned after last taking part in 2010.[73] South Africa achieved its first successful qualifying campaign since 2002 while New Zealand is the lowest ranked team to qualify, ranked 85th.[74] Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ivory Coast qualified for the first time since 2014. Bosnia achieved its first successful qualification process for a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup. Colombia, Egypt, Panama, and Sweden made a return after missing out in 2022. Additionally, Italy missed out after being defeated in the European playoff final by Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, becoming the first former champion to miss out on three consecutive World Cups.[75] Similar to 2018 and 2022, Italy was the only former champion that did not qualify. Cameroon, Costa Rica, Denmark, Poland, Serbia, and Wales, all of whom qualified in 2022, also did not qualify for the 2026 tournament. The teams that qualified, sorted by region: AFC (9) Australia Iran[F] Iraq Japan Jordan (debut) Qatar Saudi Arabia South Korea[G] Uzbekistan (debut) CAF (10) Algeria Cape Verde[H] (debut) DR Congo[I] Egypt Ghana Ivory Coast[J] Morocco Senegal South Africa Tunisia CONCACAF (6) Canada (co-host) Curaçao (debut) Haiti Mexico (co-host) Panama United States[K] (co-host) CONMEBOL (6) Argentina Brazil Colombia Ecuador Paraguay Uruguay OFC (1) New Zealand UEFA (16) Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Czech Republic[L] England France Germany Netherlands Norway Portugal Scotland Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey[M] Squads Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup squads Before submitting their final squad for the tournament, teams will name a provisional squad of between 35 and 55 players one month before the tournament. Teams are required to name their final squads by June 2. If a player became injured or ill severely enough to prevent his participation in the tournament, he can be replaced by another player from the provsional squad until 24 hours before the team's first match. However, an injured or ill goalkeeper may be replaced by another goalkeeper from the provsional squad at any time during the tournament.[76] Draw Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup seeding The draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.[77] The 48 teams were divided into four pots of 12. Pot 1 consisted of the three hosts and the top nine teams from the November 2025 FIFA Men's World Ranking. Pots 2, 3, and 4 consisted of the remaining teams according to the ranking. The four winners of the UEFA playoffs and the two winners of the inter-confederation playoffs were not known at the time of the draw and thus were automatically allocated to Pot 4. The 12 groups were randomly formed by selecting one team from each of the four pots. FIFA's "general principle, whenever possible", was that no group had more than one team from the same confederation drawn into it.[78][79] This principle was applicable to all confederations except UEFA; each group was required to have either one or two UEFA teams drawn into it. The three host nations were pre-allocated to three groups for scheduling purposes. Mexico was placed in Group A and will play the opening match of the tournament at Estadio Azteca on June 11. Canada and the United States were placed in Groups B and D, respectively. They will play the third and fourth matches of the tournament, respectively, both on June 12.[2][80] The confederation restriction applied to all three potential winners of the inter-confederation playoffs. FIFA also announced that, "in the interest of ensuring competitive balance", two separate pathways to the semifinals (sides of the knockout bracket) were established. Based on this, the teams ranked first (Spain) and second (Argentina) in the ranking were randomly drawn into groups in opposite pathways, as were the teams ranked third (France) and fourth (England). Therefore, should these pairs of teams win their groups, they will be unable to meet until the final, while all four will be unable to meet until the semifinals.[81] The draw started with Pot 1 and ended with Pot 4, with each team selected then allocated into the first available group alphabetically. For the purpose of the match schedule, the Pot 1 teams were automatically drawn into position 1 of each group. For the remaining pots, FIFA established a predetermined pattern to define the position of teams based on their pot and the group they were drawn into. Pots[N] Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4 United States (co-host) (14) Mexico (co-host) (15) Canada (co-host) (27) Spain (1) Argentina (2) France (3) England (4) Brazil (5) Portugal (6) Netherlands (7) Belgium (8) Germany (9) Croatia (10) Morocco (11) Colombia (13) Uruguay (16) Switzerland (17) Japan (18) Senegal (19) Iran (20) South Korea (22) Ecuador (23) Austria (24) Australia (26) Norway (29) Panama (30) Egypt (34) Algeria (35) Scotland (36) Paraguay (39) Tunisia (40) Ivory Coast (42) Uzbekistan (50) Qatar (51) Saudi Arabia (60) South Africa (61) Jordan (66) Cape Verde (68) Ghana (72) Curaçao (82) Haiti (84) New Zealand (86) UEFA Path A winners[O] UEFA Path B winners[O] UEFA Path C winners[O] UEFA Path D winners[O] IC Path 1 winners[O][P] IC Path 2 winners[O][Q] Result Group A Pos Team A1 Mexico A2 South Africa A3 South Korea A4 Czech Republic[R] Group B Pos Team B1 Canada B2 Bosnia and Herzegovina[S] B3 Qatar B4 Switzerland Group C Pos Team C1 Brazil C2 Morocco C3 Haiti C4 Scotland Group D Pos Team D1 United States D2 Paraguay D3 Australia D4 Turkey[T] Group E Pos Team E1 Germany E2 Curaçao E3 Ivory Coast E4 Ecuador Group F Pos Team F1 Netherlands F2 Japan F3 Sweden[U] F4 Tunisia Group G Pos Team G1 Belgium G2 Egypt G3 Iran G4 New Zealand Group H Pos Team H1 Spain H2 Cape Verde H3 Saudi Arabia H4 Uruguay Group I Pos Team I1 France I2 Senegal I3 Iraq[V] I4 Norway Group J Pos Team J1 Argentina J2 Algeria J3 Austria J4 Jordan Group K Pos Team K1 Portugal K2 DR Congo[W] K3 Uzbekistan K4 Colombia Group L Pos Team L1 England L2 Croatia L3 Ghana L4 Panama Team base camps Base camps will be used by the 48 national squads to stay and train before and during the World Cup tournament.[83][84][85][86] List of team base camps Team Hotel Training site Algeria[87] The Oread Lawrence, Lawrence, Kansas University of Kansas,[88] Lawrence, Kansas Argentina[89] Origin Kansas City Riverfront, Kansas City, Missouri Sporting KC Training Center, Kansas City, Kansas Australia[90] Claremont Hotel & Spa, Berkeley, California Oakland Roots/Soul Training Facility, Alameda, California Austria[91] Bacara Resort, Goleta, California UCSB Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara, California Belgium[92] Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport, Renton, Washington Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington Bosnia and Herzegovina[93] Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, Salt Lake City, Utah Real Salt Lake Training Center, Herriman, Utah Brazil[94] The Ridge, Basking Ridge, New Jersey Columbia Park, Morristown, New Jersey Canada[95] The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, British Columbia National Soccer Development Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia Cape Verde Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida Waters Sportsplex, Tampa, Florida Colombia[96] Grand Fiesta Americana Country Club, Guadalajara, Jalisco Academia Atlas FC, Zapopan, Jalisco Croatia[97] Hotel AKA Alexandria, Alexandria, Virginia Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Virginia Curaçao[98] Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center, Boca Raton, Florida Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida Czech Republic[99] Hilton Garden Inn Dallas-Arlington South, Arlington, Texas Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium, Mansfield, Texas DR Congo[100] Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas Houston Sports Park, Houston, Texas Ecuador[101] Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph, Columbus, Ohio Columbus Crew Performance Center, Columbus, Ohio Egypt[102] Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington England[87] The Inn at Meadowbrook, Prairie Village, Kansas Swope Soccer Village, Kansas City, Missouri France[103] Four Seasons Hotel Boston, Boston, Massachusetts Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts Germany[104] Graylyn, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Ghana[105] Providence Biltmore, Providence, Rhode Island Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island Haiti[106] Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey Stockton University, Galloway Township, New Jersey Iran[107] Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, Tucson, Arizona Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Arizona Iraq Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia The Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia Ivory Coast[108] Hotel Du Pont, Wilmington, Delaware Philadelphia Union Stadium, Chester, Pennsylvania Japan[109] TBA, Nashville, Tennessee Nashville SC Training Center, Nashville, Tennessee Jordan[110] The Nines Hotel, Portland, Oregon University of Portland, Portland, Oregon Mexico[111] Centro de Alto Rendimiento on-site accommodation, Mexico City Centro de Alto Rendimiento, Mexico City Morocco Somerset Hills Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Warren, New Jersey Pingry School, Basking Ridge, New Jersey Netherlands[112] Cascade Hotel, Kansas City, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City Current Training Facility, Riverside, Missouri New Zealand[113] Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, San Diego, California Torero Stadium, San Diego, California Norway[114] Grandover Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, Greensboro, North Carolina University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina Panama[115] Nottawasaga Inn Resort & Conference Centre, New Tecumseth, Ontario Nottawasaga Training Site, New Tecumseth, Ontario Paraguay[116] Signia by Hilton San Jose, San Jose, California Spartan Soccer Complex, San Jose, California Portugal[117] Four Seasons Hotel Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Qatar[118] Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta, Goleta, California Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California Saudi Arabia[119] Four Seasons Hotel Austin, Austin, Texas Austin FC Stadium, Austin, Texas Scotland[120] Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte FC Training Center, Charlotte, North Carolina Senegal[121] The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey South Africa[111] Camino Real Pachuca, Pachuca, Hidalgo Universidad Del Futbol [es], San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo South Korea[122] The Westin Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco Chivas Verde Valle, Zapopan, Jalisco Spain[123] The Read House Hotel, Chattanooga, Tennessee Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee Sweden[99] The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, Frisco, Texas FC Dallas Stadium, Frisco, Texas Switzerland[124] Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, California San Diego Jewish Academy, San Diego, California Tunisia[111] InterContinental Presidente Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León Rayados Training Center, Santiago, Nuevo León Turkey[125] Courtyard Mesa at Wrigleyville West, Mesa, Arizona Arizona Athletic Grounds, Mesa, Arizona United States[126] Marriott Irvine Spectrum, Irvine, California Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California Uruguay[127] Fairmont Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Mayakoba Training Centre, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Uzbekistan[128] JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta United Training Center, Marietta, Georgia Officiating Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup officials On April 9, 2026, FIFA announced the list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees for the tournament.[129][130] Match schedule The match schedule, without group assignments, was announced on February 4, 2024.[2][131][132] On June 13, 2024, FIFA released an updated schedule, with specific pairings assigned to venues for the knockout stage.[133] In addition, group stage matches were assigned to specific groups (though pairings for non-host groups were not assigned to specific matches until after the final draw). The full schedule was unveiled in a live broadcast on December 6, 2025, the day after the draw.[134] The opening match was announced to include Mexico, taking place on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This match will include South Africa.[135] The opening match involving Canada will take place on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, while the opening match for the United States will take place on the same day at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Each host nation is scheduled to play its three matches in the group stage within its own country.[131] AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host the most matches of any venue at the tournament with nine. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the final on July 19. The United States will host 78 matches, including from the quarterfinal stage onward, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13. Each tournament venue, except for the Estadio Akron, will host at least one knockout stage fixture.[136] The match schedule will overlap with the 2026 CFL season, resulting in scheduling conflicts and loss of home games for the Toronto Argonauts and BC Lions.[137][138] The match schedule will also affect the schedules of the Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, whose home stadiums are located near World Cup venues.[139] Host cities were geographically grouped into three regions:[2] Western Region (Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles) Central Region (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City) Eastern Region (Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey) Schedule by round Round Matchday Date Group stage Matchday 1 June 11–17, 2026 Matchday 2 June 18–23, 2026 Matchday 3 June 24–27, 2026 Knockout stage Round of 32 June 28 – July 3, 2026 Round of 16 July 4–7, 2026 Quarterfinals July 9–11, 2026 Semifinals July 14–15, 2026 Match for third place July 18, 2026 Final July 19, 2026 Schedule by group Matchday Pairings Groups Date Matchday 1 1 vs 2 3 vs 4 A June 11, 2026 B & D June 12, 2026 B, C & D June 13, 2026 E & F June 14, 2026 G & H June 15, 2026 I & J June 16, 2026 K & L June 17, 2026 Matchday 2 1 vs 3 4 vs 2 A & B June 18, 2026 C & D June 19, 2026 E & F June 20, 2026 G & H June 21, 2026 I & J June 22, 2026 K & L June 23, 2026 Matchday 3 4 vs 1 2 vs 3 A, B & C June 24, 2026 D, E & F June 25, 2026 G, H & I June 26, 2026 J, K & L June 27, 2026 Group stage Tie-breaking criteria for group stage ranking The ranking of teams in each group is determined by the points obtained in all group matches. If two or more teams are equal on points, the following criteria are used to determine the ranking:[140] Most points obtained in the group matches played between the teams concerned; Superior goal difference in the group matches played between the teams concerned; Most goals scored in the group matches played between the teams concerned; If, after having applied criteria a to c, teams still had an equal ranking, criteria a to c are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams who are still level to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria d to h apply. Superior goal difference in all group matches; Most goals scored in all group matches; Highest team conduct ("fair play") score in all group matches (only one deduction can be applied to a player or team coach/official in a single match): Yellow card: −1 point; Indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points; Direct red card: −4 points; Yellow card and direct red card: −5 points; Better position in the most recent FIFA Men's World Ranking; Better position in progressively older FIFA Men's World Rankings until teams can be separated. Prior to the final draw, stadiums were assigned to specific groups.[2] Following the final draw, pairings were allocated to specific matches, and the kickoff times were confirmed.[132][141] All times are local. Group A Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Mexico (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 South Africa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 South Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Czech Republic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 11, 2026. Source: FIFA (H) Hosts June 11, 2026 1:00 p.m. UTC−6 Mexico Match 1 South Africa [Report 1] Estadio Azteca, Mexico City June 11, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−6 South Korea Match 2 Czech Republic [Report 2] Estadio Akron, Zapopan June 18, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 Czech Republic Match 25 South Africa [Report 3] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta June 18, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−6 Mexico Match 28 South Korea [Report 4] Estadio Akron, Zapopan June 24, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−6 Czech Republic Match 53 Mexico [Report 5] Estadio Azteca, Mexico City June 24, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−6 South Africa Match 54 South Korea [Report 6] Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe Group B Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Canada (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Qatar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 12, 2026. Source: FIFA (H) Hosts June 12, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 Canada Match 3 Bosnia and Herzegovina [Report 7] BMO Field, Toronto June 13, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Qatar Match 8 Switzerland [Report 8] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara June 18, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Switzerland Match 26 Bosnia and Herzegovina [Report 9] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 18, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−7 Canada Match 27 Qatar [Report 10] BC Place, Vancouver June 24, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Switzerland Match 51 Canada [Report 11] BC Place, Vancouver June 24, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Bosnia and Herzegovina Match 52 Qatar [Report 12] Lumen Field, Seattle Group C Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Brazil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Morocco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Haiti 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 13, 2026. Source: FIFA June 13, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Brazil Match 7 Morocco [Report 13] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford June 13, 2026 9:00 p.m. UTC−4 Haiti Match 5 Scotland [Report 14] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 19, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Scotland Match 30 Morocco [Report 15] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 19, 2026 8:30 p.m. UTC−4 Brazil Match 29 Haiti [Report 16] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Scotland Match 49 Brazil [Report 17] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens June 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Morocco Match 50 Haiti [Report 18] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Group D Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 United States (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Paraguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Turkey 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 12, 2026. Source: FIFA (H) Hosts June 12, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−7 United States Match 4 Paraguay [Report 19] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 13, 2026 9:00 p.m. UTC−7 Australia Match 6 Turkey [Report 20] BC Place, Vancouver June 19, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 United States Match 32 Australia [Report 21] Lumen Field, Seattle June 19, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−7 Turkey Match 31 Paraguay [Report 22] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara June 25, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−7 Turkey Match 59 United States [Report 23] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 25, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−7 Paraguay Match 60 Australia [Report 24] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara Group E Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Curaçao 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Ivory Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Ecuador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 14, 2026. Source: FIFA June 14, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Germany Match 10 Curaçao [Report 25] NRG Stadium, Houston June 14, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−4 Ivory Coast Match 9 Ecuador [Report 26] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 20, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 Germany Match 33 Ivory Coast [Report 27] BMO Field, Toronto June 20, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−5 Ecuador Match 34 Curaçao [Report 28] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City June 25, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 Curaçao Match 55 Ivory Coast [Report 29] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 25, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 Ecuador Match 56 Germany [Report 30] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford Group F Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Netherlands 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Sweden 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 14, 2026. Source: FIFA June 14, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−5 Netherlands Match 11 Japan [Report 31] AT&T Stadium, Arlington June 14, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−6 Sweden Match 12 Tunisia [Report 32] Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe June 20, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Netherlands Match 35 Sweden [Report 33] NRG Stadium, Houston June 20, 2026 10:00 p.m. UTC−6 Tunisia Match 36 Japan [Report 34] Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe June 25, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−5 Japan Match 57 Sweden [Report 35] AT&T Stadium, Arlington June 25, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−5 Tunisia Match 58 Netherlands [Report 36] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Group G Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Belgium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Egypt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 15, 2026. Source: FIFA June 15, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Belgium Match 16 Egypt [Report 37] Lumen Field, Seattle June 15, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−7 Iran Match 15 New Zealand [Report 38] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 21, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Belgium Match 39 Iran [Report 39] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 21, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−7 New Zealand Match 40 Egypt [Report 40] BC Place, Vancouver June 26, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−7 Egypt Match 63 Iran [Report 41] Lumen Field, Seattle June 26, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−7 New Zealand Match 64 Belgium [Report 42] BC Place, Vancouver Group H Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Cape Verde 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Uruguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 15, 2026. Source: FIFA June 15, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 Spain Match 14 Cape Verde [Report 43] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta June 15, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Saudi Arabia Match 13 Uruguay [Report 44] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens June 21, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 Spain Match 38 Saudi Arabia [Report 45] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta June 21, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Uruguay Match 37 Cape Verde [Report 46] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens June 26, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−5 Cape Verde Match 65 Saudi Arabia [Report 47] NRG Stadium, Houston June 26, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−6 Uruguay Match 66 Spain [Report 48] Estadio Akron, Zapopan Group I Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 France 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Senegal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Norway 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 16, 2026. Source: FIFA June 16, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 France Match 17 Senegal [Report 49] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford June 16, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Iraq Match 18 Norway [Report 50] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 22, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 France Match 42 Iraq [Report 51] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 22, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−4 Norway Match 41 Senegal [Report 52] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford June 26, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 Norway Match 61 France [Report 53] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 26, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 Senegal Match 62 Iraq [Report 54] BMO Field, Toronto Group J Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Argentina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Algeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Austria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 16, 2026. Source: FIFA June 16, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−5 Argentina Match 19 Algeria [Report 55] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City June 16, 2026 9:00 p.m. UTC−7 Austria Match 20 Jordan [Report 56] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara June 22, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Argentina Match 43 Austria [Report 57] AT&T Stadium, Arlington June 22, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−7 Jordan Match 44 Algeria [Report 58] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara June 27, 2026 9:00 p.m. UTC−5 Algeria Match 69 Austria [Report 59] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City June 27, 2026 9:00 p.m. UTC−5 Jordan Match 70 Argentina [Report 60] AT&T Stadium, Arlington Group K Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 Portugal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 DR Congo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Uzbekistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Colombia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 17, 2026. Source: FIFA June 17, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Portugal Match 23 DR Congo [Report 61] NRG Stadium, Houston June 17, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−6 Uzbekistan Match 24 Colombia [Report 62] Estadio Azteca, Mexico City June 23, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Portugal Match 47 Uzbekistan [Report 63] NRG Stadium, Houston June 23, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−6 Colombia Match 48 DR Congo [Report 64] Estadio Akron, Zapopan June 27, 2026 7:30 p.m. UTC−4 Colombia Match 71 Portugal [Report 65] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens June 27, 2026 7:30 p.m. UTC−4 DR Congo Match 72 Uzbekistan [Report 66] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Group L Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification 1 England 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage 2 Croatia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking 4 Panama 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 First match(es) will be played: June 17, 2026. Source: FIFA June 17, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−5 England Match 22 Croatia [Report 67] AT&T Stadium, Arlington June 17, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−4 Ghana Match 21 Panama [Report 68] BMO Field, Toronto June 23, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 England Match 45 Ghana [Report 69] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 23, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−4 Panama Match 46 Croatia [Report 70] BMO Field, Toronto June 27, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Panama Match 67 England [Report 71] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford June 27, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Croatia Match 68 Ghana [Report 72] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia June 29 – Foxborough Winner Group E July 4 – Philadelphia 3rd Group A/B/C/D/F Winner Match 74 June 30 – East Rutherford Winner Match 77 Winner Group I July 9 – Foxborough 3rd Group C/D/F/G/H Winner Match 89 June 28 – Inglewood Winner Match 90 Runner-up Group A July 4 – Houston Runner-up Group B Winner Match 73 June 29 – Guadalupe Winner Match 75 Winner Group F July 14 – Arlington Runner-up Group C Winner Match 97 July 2 – Toronto Winner Match 98 Runner-up Group K July 6 – Arlington Runner-up Group L Winner Match 83 July 2 – Inglewood Winner Match 84 Winner Group H July 10 – Inglewood Runner-up Group J Winner Match 93 July 1 – Santa Clara Winner Match 94 Winner Group D July 6 – Seattle 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J Winner Match 81 July 1 – Seattle Winner Match 82 Winner Group G July 19 – East Rutherford 3rd Group A/E/H/I/J Winner Match 101 June 29 – Houston Winner Match 102 Winner Group C July 5 – East Rutherford Runner-up Group F Winner Match 76 June 30 – Arlington Winner Match 78 Runner-up Group E July 11 – Miami Gardens Runner-up Group I Winner Match 91 June 30 – Mexico City Winner Match 92 Winner Group A July 5 – Mexico City 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I Winner Match 79 July 1 – Atlanta Winner Match 80 Winner Group L July 15 – Atlanta 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K Winner Match 99 July 3 – Miami Gardens Winner Match 100 Match for third place Winner Group J July 7 – Atlanta July 18 – Miami Gardens Runner-up Group H Winner Match 86 Loser Match 101 July 3 – Arlington Winner Match 88 Loser Match 102 Runner-up Group D July 11 – Kansas City Runner-up Group G Winner Match 95 July 2 – Vancouver Winner Match 96 Winner Group B July 7 – Vancouver 3rd Group E/F/G/I/J Winner Match 85 July 3 – Kansas City Winner Match 87 Winner Group K 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L Round of 32 June 28, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Runner-up Group A Match 73 Runner-up Group B [Report 73] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood June 29, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Group C Match 76 Runner-up Group F [Report 74] NRG Stadium, Houston June 29, 2026 4:30 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Group E Match 74 3rd Group A/B/C/D/F [Report 75] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough June 29, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−6 Winner Group F Match 75 Runner-up Group C [Report 76] Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe June 30, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Runner-up Group E Match 78 Runner-up Group I [Report 77] AT&T Stadium, Arlington June 30, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Group I Match 77 3rd Group C/D/F/G/H [Report 78] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford June 30, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−6 Winner Group A Match 79 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I [Report 79] Estadio Azteca, Mexico City July 1, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Group L Match 80 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K [Report 80] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta July 1, 2026 1:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Group G Match 82 3rd Group A/E/H/I/J [Report 81] Lumen Field, Seattle July 1, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Group D Match 81 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J [Report 82] Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara July 2, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Group H Match 84 Runner-up Group J [Report 83] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood July 2, 2026 7:00 p.m. UTC−4 Runner-up Group K Match 83 Runner-up Group L [Report 84] BMO Field, Toronto July 2, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Group B Match 85 3rd Group E/F/G/I/J [Report 85] BC Place, Vancouver July 3, 2026 1:00 p.m. UTC−5 Runner-up Group D Match 88 Runner-up Group G [Report 86] AT&T Stadium, Arlington July 3, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Group J Match 86 Runner-up Group H [Report 87] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens July 3, 2026 8:30 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Group K Match 87 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L [Report 88] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Round of 16 July 4, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Match 73 Match 90 Winner Match 75 [Report 89] NRG Stadium, Houston July 4, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 74 Match 89 Winner Match 77 [Report 90] Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia July 5, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 76 Match 91 Winner Match 78 [Report 91] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford July 5, 2026 6:00 p.m. UTC−6 Winner Match 79 Match 92 Winner Match 80 [Report 92] Estadio Azteca, Mexico City July 6, 2026 2:00 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Match 83 Match 93 Winner Match 84 [Report 93] AT&T Stadium, Arlington July 6, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Match 81 Match 94 Winner Match 82 [Report 94] Lumen Field, Seattle July 7, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 86 Match 95 Winner Match 88 [Report 95] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta July 7, 2026 1:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Match 85 Match 96 Winner Match 87 [Report 96] BC Place, Vancouver Quarterfinals July 9, 2026 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 89 Match 97 Winner Match 90 [Report 97] Gillette Stadium, Foxborough July 10, 2026 12:00 p.m. UTC−7 Winner Match 93 Match 98 Winner Match 94 [Report 98] SoFi Stadium, Inglewood July 11, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 91 Match 99 Winner Match 92 [Report 99] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens July 11, 2026 8:00 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Match 95 Match 100 Winner Match 96 [Report 100] Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Semifinals July 14, 2026 2:00 p.m. UTC−5 Winner Match 97 Match 101 Winner Match 98 [Report 101] AT&T Stadium, Arlington July 15, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 99 Match 102 Winner Match 100 [Report 102] Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Match for third place July 18, 2026 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 Loser Match 101 Match 103 Loser Match 102 [Report 103] Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens Final Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup final July 19, 2026 3:00 p.m. UTC−4 Winner Match 101 Match 104 Winner Match 102 [Report 104] MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford Statistics Discipline A player or team official is automatically suspended for the next match for the following offenses:[140] Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offenses) Receiving two yellow cards in the tournament;[X] yellow cards expire after the completion of the group stage and again after the quarterfinals (yellow card suspensions are not carried forward to any other future international matches)[142] Only pending red card suspensions from qualification will be carried forward to the final tournament.[140] During qualification, Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for violent conduct in Portugal's penultimate match against the Republic of Ireland, with such an offense typically resulting in a ban of at least two matches. Ronaldo was handed a three-match ban, though the final two matches of the ban were suspended for a one-year probationary period, making him eligible to appear in Portugal's opening World Cup match.[143] The following suspensions will be served during the tournament: Tournament suspensions for players and team officials Player Offense(s) Suspension(s) Argentina national football team Nicolás Otamendi Red card in CONMEBOL round robin vs Ecuador (September 9, 2025)[144] Group J vs Algeria (matchday 1; June 16) Ecuador national football team Moisés Caicedo Yellow card Yellow-red card in CONMEBOL round robin vs Argentina (September 9, 2025)[144] Group E vs Ivory Coast (matchday 1; June 14) Qatar national football team Tarek Salman Red card in AFC fourth round vs United Arab Emirates (October 14, 2025)[145] Group B vs Switzerland (matchday 1; June 13) Group B vs Canada (matchday 2; June 18) Marketing Branding Countdown clock on Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City The official emblem and brand identity was unveiled on May 17, 2023, at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California; its basic form consists of a stacked "26" with an image of the FIFA World Cup Trophy in front of it (marking the first time that the trophy has been depicted in a World Cup emblem as a photo, as opposed to a stylized representation), but it is designed to be adaptable to different backdrops.[146][147] The next day, FIFA unveiled variants of the emblem for each of the host cities, which feature color variants and designs that reflect local landscapes or culture (with the Los Angeles emblem featuring a stylized sun and wave, the Monterrey emblem featuring imagery of the Cerro de la Silla mountain, and Toronto featuring the city skyline and the CN Tower).[148][149] Reaction to the logo from the initial unveiling was largely negative, with many feeling that the design was either unfinished or uncreative compared to the emblems of past FIFA World Cup tournaments. By contrast, United States national team player Jesús Ferreira described the emblem as "beautiful".[150][147][151] Posters In April 2025, FIFA unveiled a set of 16 posters representing each of the 2026 World Cup host cities. Each poster has been a vibrant celebration of local culture, landmarks, and soccer spirit, capturing the unique identity of every host city in this tournament.[152][153] List of posters and artists Atlanta – Jose Hadhaty Boston – John Rego Dallas – Matt Cliff Guadalajara – Cuemanche Houston – Stephanie Leal Kansas City – Jadie Arnett Los Angeles – Thieb Delaporte-Richard Mexico City – Cuemanche Miami – Rubem Robierb Monterrey – Cuemanche New York/New Jersey – Rich Tu Philadelphia – Nick McClintock San Francisco Bay Area – Leroy David Seattle – Shogo Ota Toronto – Dave Murray Vancouver – Jamin Zuroski Official poster On March 3, 2026, the official poster was unveiled. For the first time, three artists combined their skills and artistic styles to create the official poster: Carson Ting (Canada), Minerva GM (Mexico), and Hank Willis Thomas (United States).[152] Broadcasting rights Main article: 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights On February 12, 2015, FIFA renewed the United States and Canadian broadcasting rights contracts for Fox (US English), NBCUniversal (US Spanish), and Bell Media (Canada) to cover the 2026 World Cup, without accepting any other bids. A report in The New York Times asserted that this extension was intended as compensation for the rescheduling of the 2022 World Cup to November–December rather than its traditional June–July scheduling, as it created considerable conflicts with major professional sports leagues that are normally in their offseasons during the World Cup.[154][155][156] Fútbol de Primera has the Spanish radio broadcasting rights in the United States and Puerto Rico.[157] The International Broadcast Center (IBC) will be located at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.[158][159][160] On January 8, 2026, FIFA signed a deal to make TikTok a "preferred platform" for World Cup video content. As part of the agreement, broadcasters may stream parts of matches at a dedicated hub on the TikTok app.[161] FIFA then made a similar "preferred platform" deal with YouTube on March 17, allowing broadcasters to stream select matches in full on their respective YouTube channels, as well as stream the first 10 minutes of every match on the platform as "an appetizer encouraging young fans then to watch on traditional channels".[162] It was later confirmed that YouTube had extended this deal with FIFA and CazéTV to show all tournament matches for free in Brazil.[163][164] Sponsorships FIFA partners FIFA World Cup sponsors FIFA World Cup supporters Adidas[165] Aramco[166] Coca-Cola[167] Hyundai–Kia[168] Lenovo[169] Qatar Airways[170] Visa[171] AB InBev (Budweiser+Others)[172] American Airlines[173] Bank of America[174] Frito-Lay (Lay's)[175] Hisense[176] McDonald's[177] Mengniu Dairy[178] Unilever (Rexona+Others)[179] Verizon[180] ADI Predictstreet[181] DoorDash[182] Marriott Bonvoy[183] Rock-it Cargo[184] Valvoline[185] Regional supporters North American supporters South American supporters European supporters Airbnb[186] Diageo[187] Globant[188] Home Depot[189][190] Diageo[187] Globant[188] Domestic sponsors Atlanta Boston Dallas Guadalajara Cox Enterprises[190][191] Georgia-Pacific[190][191] Home Depot[190][191] NAPA Auto Parts[192] Southern Company[190][191] Meet Boston[193] Sanofi[194] State Street[194] Arca Continental[195] Choctaw Casinos & Resorts[196] North Texas Sports Foundation[197] UT Southwestern[197] TBD Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Monterrey Aramco[198] Arca Continental[198] Houston Methodist Hospital[198] Hunton Group[198] NRG Energy[199] Quanta Services[198] Rice University[200] Visit Sugar Land[201] Black & Veatch[202] Hallmark[203] J. E. Dunn Construction[203] Populous[204] Purina[204] University of Kansas Health System[203] Amgen[205] Archer Aviation[205] Discover Los Angeles[206] Kaiser Permanente[205] Los Angeles Metro[207] TBD Mexico City Miami[208] New York/New Jersey Philadelphia[209] Club América[210] Uber[210] Bilzin Sumberg[208] Hard Rock Casino[208] Royal Caribbean[211] Bristol Myers Squibb[212] Hackensack Meridian Health[213] Onyx Equities[214] Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison[215] Public Service Enterprise Group[216] Related Companies[217] Sports Illustrated[218] Cencora Comcast Independence Blue Cross PECO Energy Company Penn Medicine Philadelphia Eagles VisitPA William Penn Foundation San Francisco Bay Area[219] Seattle Toronto Vancouver Boston Consulting Group Electronic Arts Genentech Kaiser Permanente Puyallup Tribe of Indians[220] Humber Polytechnic[221] OLG[222] OPG[223][222] Toronto FC[222] TBD FIFA fan festivals FIFA will stage fan festivals in cities across the host nations, featuring matches on giant screens and live entertainment.[224] Among the confirmed fan fest locations are Liberty State Park in Jersey City,[224] Fairmount Park in Philadelphia,[225] Fort York and The Bentway in Toronto,[226] and East Downtown Houston.[227] Tickets Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup initially ranged from $60 for group stage matches to $6,730 for the final—largely increased from the USD equivalent of $69 to $1,607 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, in September 2025, FIFA confirmed it would use dynamic pricing for tickets for the first time, following the practice used in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.[228] Hospitality seats were made available in April 2025 via FIFA's ticket partner for the event.[citation needed] An initial draw period for non-hospitality seats occurred between September 10–19, 2025, limited to Visa cardholders. A second phase ran from October 27–31, and a third phase started after the final draw of teams on December 5. Sales are capped at four tickets per person per match, and no person is able to purchase more than 40 tickets for the overall tournament. FIFA is also expected to launch an official resale platform.[228] A final "last-minute" sales phase reopened on April 22, 2026, approximately 50 days before the start of the tournament, with tickets for all 104 matches made available on a first-come, first-served basis. By that stage, more than five million tickets had been sold out of an expected total exceeding six million, with additional tickets scheduled to be released in phases up to the final, subject to availability.[229] The use of demand-based pricing drew criticism from some United States lawmakers, who argued that it could reduce affordability for fans. FIFA stated that its variable pricing approach differed from fully dynamic pricing, as adjustments were made based on periodic reviews of demand rather than automatic real-time changes.[229] Every city hosting the World Cup in the United States has passed a law stating that ticket sales to World Cup events are exempt from state and local sales taxes.[230][231][232] Ticket prices Fans and players have voiced concerns about high ticket prices, specifically to matches hosted in the United States.[233] FIFA's methods of ticket distribution have been scrutinized, as they have deployed a dynamic pricing system for fans to buy tickets through the organization's official website, which constantly re-prices tickets based on demand, rather than the traditional first-come, first-served method of ticket distribution. FIFA also uses its own secondary market for fans to sell among themselves.[234] New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has attempted to combat FIFA's price gouging by campaigning for FIFA to end their dynamic pricing model, albeit to no avail.[235] House Democrats have also called on FIFA to lower prices, and have been ignored by the organization.[236] FIFA was heavily criticized by the media and fans for hiking ticket prices for the final match at MetLife Stadium, with a single ticket costing US$11,000.[237] USMNT midfielder Timothy Weah stated that tickets are "too expensive", criticisms that were dismissed by manager Mauricio Pochettino, which caused backlash from American fans.[238][239][240] In May 2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the price of tickets, insisting the organization "had to apply market rates".[241] Merchandise See also: FIFA World Cup video games On October 2, 2025, FIFA announced FIFA Heroes as the official video game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for release in 2026 on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.[242] Symbols Mascots See also: List of FIFA World Cup official mascots Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle The official mascots of the tournament were revealed on September 25, 2025, and are Maple, Zayu, and Clutch. Maple is a moose, Zayu is a jaguar, and Clutch is a bald eagle, representing Canada, Mexico, and the United States respectively.[243] They were designed to reflect the cultural heritage of their respective countries.[244] Match ball Main article: Adidas Trionda See also: List of FIFA World Cup official match balls Adidas Trionda On May 2, 2025, reports surfaced that the match ball would be called Adidas Trionda. The design features red, green, and blue (the three colors representing Canada, Mexico, and the United States, respectively, and also featured on the host countries' flags), as well as a white wave connecting each of the colors, hence the name using the Spanish words for three (tri) and wave (onda).[245] The design also features the national symbols of the three host countries (a maple leaf for Canada, a golden eagle for Mexico, and a five-pointed star for the United States) as well as gold embellishments to represent the World Cup Trophy.[246] Music See also: FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album and List of FIFA World Cup songs and anthems On May 17, 2023, the official theme song of the tournament was released, an instrumental track simply titled "FIFA World Cup 26 Theme Song".[247] On March 20, 2026, an official music album was confirmed with the track "Lighter", performed by Jelly Roll and Carín León, released on the same day as the first album track.[248][249] The second song, "Por Ella", performed by Belinda Peregrín and Los Ángeles Azules, released on April 17, 2026, along with the music video.[250] The third song, "Echo", performed by Daddy Yankee and Shenseea, released on April 28, 2026, along with the music video.[251]. The fourth song, "Illuminate", performed by Jessie Reyez and Elyanna, released on May 8, 2026, along with the music video.[252] In March 2025, sixteen remixes of the theme song were released, which featured artists from each host city giving their own local spin to the song.[253] The remixers for each city were: Atlanta – Dallas Austin Boston – Ben Zakharenko, Dayvin, Berklee College of Music Dallas – Tre Nagella Guadalajara – Bautista Houston – Bombón Kansas City – Tech N9ne Los Angeles – DJ Flict Mexico City – Mexican Institute of Sound Miami – Mr. NaisGai Monterrey – Toy Selectah New York/New Jersey – Take a Daytrip Philadelphia – DJ Jazzy Jeff San Francisco Bay Area – Dan the Automator Seattle – Sango Toronto – Hill Kourkoutis Vancouver – Grayson Repp Awards FIFA Peace Prize Donald Trump receives a certificate as the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize winner in December 2025 from Gianni Infantino for an "unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity". The FIFA Peace Prize is an international award presented by FIFA. Established in 2025, its stated aim is to honor individuals whose actions FIFA characterizes as exceptional contributions to peace and unity, reflecting its campaign slogan "Football Unites the World".[254][255] According to FIFA, the purpose of the prize is to "reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world".[254] The FIFA Peace Prize was awarded on December 5, 2025, to United States president Donald Trump during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C..[256][257][258] FIFA stated that the award recognized his "involvement in ceasefire efforts and diplomatic engagements in several conflicts".[254][259][260] The creation of the prize and the choice of Trump as its first recipient generated widespread ridicule, scrutiny and controversy. Human rights groups, analysts, and soccer stakeholders questioned the transparency of the selection process, the suitability of the inaugural laureate, and the implications both for FIFA's claims of political neutrality and its human rights commitments.[261][262][263][264] Criticism of the award was renewed following US military intervention in Venezuela and war against Iran in early 2026.[265][266] Selection process FIFA stated that the Peace Prize would be awarded on the recommendation of an independent committee. However, as of the first award, the organization had not disclosed detailed nomination procedures or evaluation criteria.[257][255] FIFA had also not made clear the manner by which the recipient was selected or the exact form the prize would take.[267] According to The New York Times, the prize was not discussed at the FIFA Council or with FIFA vice presidents, none of whom had input into the selection criteria, prior to its creation in October 2025.[268] The process behind the award was not made public: there were no nominations announced and no formal selection criteria given.[268][269] Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, criticized the lack of transparency, reporting that queries about nominees, judges, and criteria remained unanswered.[270][262][271] Investigations by The Guardian and other outlets identified Zaw Zaw, a Myanmar businessman and long-serving president of the Myanmar Football Federation, as chair of the selection committee.[272][273] Critics highlighted his ties to Myanmar's former military junta and to human rights abuses against the Rohingya people, raising concerns about the credibility of a peace award under his oversight.[272][273][270] Prize money In April 2026, FIFA confirmed the prizes for all participating nations. This edition's total distribution for the tournament will be $871 million, $431 million higher than the prize pool of the previous tournament. In addition to the performance-based prize money, each qualified team will also receive a $10 million qualification payment and a $2.5 million preparation fee before the competition.[274][275] Performance-based prize money based on final position Place Teams Amount (in millions) Per team Total Champions 1 $50 $50 Runners-up 1 $33 $33 Third place 1 $29 $29 Fourth place 1 $27 $27 5th–8th place (quarter-finals) 4 $19 $76 9th–16th place (round of 16) 8 $15 $120 17th–32nd place (round of 32) 16 $11 $176 33rd–48th place (group stage) 16 $9 $144 Total 48 $655 Concerns This section may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. Consider splitting content into sub-articles, condensing it, or adding subheadings. Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page. (April 2026) Climate In January 2025, Queen's University Belfast warned about potential heat risks for most of the host cities and urged FIFA to schedule match kickoffs later into the afternoon or evening, stating that the wet-bulb globe temperature in certain host cities was higher than that of Qatar in the winter.[276] During the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which was also hosted in the United States, several matches reported high temperatures ranging from 90 to 102 °F (32 to 39 °C) and weather delays.[277][278] In December 2025, FIFA announced that all matches at the 2026 World Cup would include a mandatory three-minute hydration break in each half to allow players to rest in hot conditions.[279] The three-minute period would also be available for commercials at the discretion of tournament broadcasters.[280] Concerns have also been raised by climate activists about the environmental impact of both the expansion to 48 teams as well as traveling between host cities, most of which will require extensive air travel and increase carbon emissions, a counter to one of FIFA's goals on sustainability.[281] A report by Scientists for Global Responsibility in July 2025 calculated that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the tournament would make it one of the most polluting events in the world as it would be almost double the average for the last four tournaments (2022 reportedly had 5.25 million metric tons [5.79 million short tons]), roughly the same amount as 6.5 million cars driven for a year.[282] Immigration policy in the United States During the bidding process, President Donald Trump's executive orders regarding immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries in 2017 implemented during his first term were touted as a potential risk. Infantino stated, "any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup."[27] In response, the Trump administration sent letters to FIFA that read, in part, that Trump was "confident" that "all eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination."[283] Concerns around the staging of the tournament were also raised during the first meeting of the FIFA World Cup Task Force due to the immigration policy of the second Donald Trump administration. In response, Vice President JD Vance said, "Of course, everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event, but when the time is up, they'll have to go home. Otherwise, they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem."[284] On June 11, 2025, the Sports & Rights Alliance, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International called on FIFA to ensure that human rights in the United States were upheld during the tournament, especially in light of the use of force during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles where journalists and protesters were attacked by local police.[285][286][287] Following the killings of civilians Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area in January 2026, fan group Football Supporters Europe stated that it was "extremely concerned by the ongoing militarisation of police forces in the US."[288] 2025 travel ban and exemptions In June 2025, the second Trump administration reinstated a travel ban affecting citizens from multiple countries, citing national security concerns.[289] The ban, which was later expanded in December, prohibits the issuance of new immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of 39 affected countries, including those whose teams have qualified for the World Cup—Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The proclamation includes an exemption for any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events as determined by the Secretary of State.[290][291] This exemption ensured that national teams' players, coaches, and staff of those designated countries would be permitted to enter the United States for the competition, but the US State Department confirmed that ordinary citizens of the four countries were not covered by this exemption, making them ineligible for visa issuance to attend the matches. While fans were permitted to submit visa applications with the promise of priority if they provided proof of tickets, the department noted that issuance would be unlikely, barring rare "national interest" waivers. However, this restriction can be circumvented if a fan is a valid visa holder, a permanent resident, or a dual national who applies using a passport not subject to the ban. In such cases, applicants may still be eligible to enter or apply for entry, provided they satisfy all other immigration and security requirements.[292][293][294] Visa bond program Aside from the travel ban, the Trump administration also introduced a “visa bond” policy in August 2025 targeting nationals from countries with high overstay rates, inadequate screening and vetting information, or those that offer citizenship by investment programs, whereby applicants can obtain citizenship without a residency requirement.[295][296][297] The qualified teams affected under this policy are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia, requiring aspiring fans to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 in order to secure a B-1/B-2 visitor visa needed to attend World Cup matches in the United States.[298] Unlike the travel ban, there is no word if the policy will apply to national team players, coaches, and staff from the designated countries but The New York Times reported that FIFA is looking to get exemptions for players from those nations who are on the list.[299][300] Potential boycott over Greenland Following US assertions regarding Greenland in January 2026, European political and sporting figures discussed a potential boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with calls for action emerging from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. While major governing bodies remained cautious, the debate highlighted growing friction between FIFA—headed by Gianni Infantino, who presented a "FIFA Peace Prize" to US President Donald Trump in December 2025—and European soccer associations, with some figures drawing parallels to the exclusion of Russia from international competition in 2022.[301] Iran's participation On November 27, 2025, the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) said it would boycott the December 5 World Cup draw after its president, Mehdi Taj, was denied a visa to enter the United States. Four other delegation members, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei, were approved. An FFIRI spokesperson told state media the United States' decision was "unrelated to sport" and said the federation quickly raised the issue with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.[302] However, on December 3, the FFIRI reversed its decision and announced that it would send representatives to the draw, with head coach Ghalenoei serving as the technical representative of the national soccer team.[303] FIFA has long promoted the World Cup under the slogan "Football Unites the World," presenting it as a symbol of global connection and harmony. However, several reports suggest that the 2026 edition is taking place in a more complex context, with political tensions, including those involving Iran and the United States, as well as security concerns and immigration and visa policies in the United States, potentially making participation in the tournament more difficult.[304] Some analysts also describe the tournament as facing a mix of political, security, and logistical challenges at the same time.[305] Some commentators argue that while FIFA continues to emphasize messages of unity, these conditions may undermine that narrative by highlighting divisions and unequal access for fans from different parts of the world.[306] Protests and massacres in Iran See also: 2025–2026 Iranian protests and 2026 Iran massacres In January 2026, multiple Iranian soccer players and athletes were killed during the 2026 Iran massacres amid protests, including former Tractor Sazi F.C. midfielder Mojtaba Tarshiz, prompting former Iran national team captain Masoud Shojaei to criticize FIFA for its silence over the killing of Iranian athletes during protests, while then-captain Mehdi Taremi expressed solidarity with the Iranian people.[307][308][309][310] Ali Karimi, a former player for the Iran national team, along with a coalition of prominent Iranians, wrote an open letter to FIFA and all its member associations, calling on Infantino to speak up on the protest deaths.[311] Following the massacres, activists and former Iranian wrestling coach Sardar Pashaei called on FIFA and the International Olympic Committee to ban the Iranian teams from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2026 Winter Olympics.[312] Iran war See also: 2026 Iran war Further complications regarding Iran's participation occurred as a result of the 2026 Iran–United States crisis in February 2026, which resulted in the United States and Israel launching missiles at Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at Israel and Persian Gulf Arab states, as well as additional spillover missile strikes in Jordan. FIFA stated that it was monitoring the situation and was focused on getting all countries to participate, despite reports saying Iran may not participate.[313][314][315] According to The Guardian, if Iran were to withdraw, intercontinental playoff participant Iraq or the United Arab Emirates, the last Asian Football Confederation team to be eliminated from the qualifiers, could be likely beneficiaries to replace it in Group G.[316][317] FIFA has warned that Iran could face fines and a ban from future competitions should it withdraw from the tournament.[318] However, on March 10, Iran hinted that it may do so due to the risk of defections from players, similar to the women's team during the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia.[319] Following a meeting with US President Trump on March 10, Infantino said that Trump had reiterated that the Iranian team "is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States".[320] In a post on Truth Social, Trump later added that, while the team is welcome, it would "[not be] appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety".[321] In response, Iran asked for FIFA to remove the United States as tournament hosts, referring to Trump's statement that the Iranian team's safety could not be guaranteed.[322][323] On March 11, Iran's Minister of Sport and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, reportedly ruled out participation in the World Cup in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, citing the assassination of Ali Khamenei, and later told Iranian state television that "under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup", though the team's withdrawal has not been confirmed by FIFA.[324][325] On March 17, it was reported that FFIRI was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran's scheduled matches from the United States to Mexico, again citing Trump's statement that the Iranian team's safety could not be guaranteed.[326] However, FIFA denied Iran's request to move its matches and said that the schedule will go ahead as planned.[327] That same day, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stated that it had not received any formal notification from Iran regarding an intention to withdraw from the tournament. Speaking to reporters at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, General Secretary Windsor John said that the final decision rests with FFIRI, adding that "the federation has informed us that they are going to the World Cup." He also expressed hope that Iran would resolve its internal issues and participate, noting that the team was among the first Asian teams to secure qualification, having done so in March 2025.[326] On March 27, ahead of a scheduled AFC Champions League Elite match, state media reported that Iran's Ministry of Sport and Youth had banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers "hostile", but it did not explicitly mention the World Cup.[328] The Group G host cities, which include Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as Iran's base camp city Tucson, Arizona, reportedly fear increased security risks.[323] In March 2026, the US suggested Italy should take Iran's spot in the World Cup, according to the Financial Times.[329] In April 2026, FIFA president Infantino confirmed Iran's participation, stating: "The Iranian team is coming, for sure."[330][331] Impact on Iraq The war also significantly impacted Iraq's logistical preparations for the interconfederation playoffs, needing to win just one match to qualify for the World Cup. Following the closure of Iraqi airspace and the suspension of international flights, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs intervened to grant entry visas for the national team through diplomatic channels in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, since Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq.[332] However, despite the issuance of visas, over 60% of the domestic-based squad remained stranded in Baghdad, and a scheduled training camp in Houston before the playoffs was canceled.[333][334] Head coach Graham Arnold was forced to manage team operations remotely from the United Arab Emirates, as the delegation was unable to secure safe passage out of the conflict zone during the initial weeks of the war.[335] The Iraq Football Association (IFA) formally petitioned FIFA to postpone the playoff match, citing the impossibility of safe transit for the players and staff.[333] FIFA denied the request, citing the rigidity of the FIFA International Match Calendar, and instead proposed an alternative overland route through Turkey to Istanbul.[334] This proposal was rejected by IFA and Arnold due to security concerns regarding repeated Iranian strikes in the Kurdistan region.[335] Amidst these travel complications, the Mexican government maintained its commitment to the team's participation, working directly with the Iraqi Embassy in Mexico to finalize all documentation. On March 16, it was confirmed that FIFA would provide a chartered private jet to transport the Iraqi team to Mexico.[336] The original plan was for the team to fly on March 20 from the Arar Domestic Airport in Saudi Arabia, near the Iraqi border, and arrive in Monterrey the next day, 10 days before the match.[337] However, further airspace closures in the area forced the group of players and staff based in Iraq to travel overland to Jordan where they departed on a charter flight from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman on March 21. After a technical layover in Lisbon, they arrived in Monterrey minutes after midnight.[338][339] On March 31, Iraq qualified for the World Cup after a 40-year absence by beating Bolivia 2–1 in the intercontinental playoff final, marking the longest qualifying campaign ever by a national team, spanning 21 matches over a period of 28 months beginning in November 2023.[340][341] Pride Match (Egypt vs. Iran) See also: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G § Egypt vs Iran A "Pride Match" was planned in advance to take place in Seattle, organized by the local committee to tie into the local celebration and without endorsement by FIFA. After the draw and release of the schedule, it was determined that this match would feature Egypt and Iran, two countries where homosexuality is punishable by law.[342] Seattle's Pride Match Advisory Committee spokesperson said "The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country and it was planned well in advance".[343] Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said both countries had "objections" and that the branding was an "irrational move that supports a certain group." Iran was planning to appeal the decision.[344] The Egyptian Football Association also sent a formal letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström rejecting "in absolute terms" LGBTQ connections to the match.[345] Human rights and security in Mexico Labor rights In March 2025, the trade union Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) accused FIFA of blocking a planned labor inspection at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, which is undergoing renovations in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to BWI, FIFA's intervention prevented inspectors from evaluating working conditions at the site, raising concerns about potential labor rights violations similar to alleged instances of slave labor at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[346] Unrest in Jalisco Following the capture and death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes in Tapalpa on February 22, 2026, retaliatory violence was launched by CJNG members across the state of Jalisco and various other Mexican states which involved shootouts, explosions, and blocking roads using burnt vehicles as well as setting fire to various businesses, raising concerns about security during matches played in Guadalajara, Jalisco's largest city. Despite this, FIFA officials have no intentions to move any matches and the Mexican government has reassured visitors that security would be guaranteed for visitors.[347][348] In March 2026, Mexico announced that 100,000 troops would be deployed for security during the tournament.[349] Final match halftime show On September 28, 2024, FIFA announced that Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, would co-produce a halftime show for the final match at MetLife Stadium, the first halftime show in the history of the World Cup.[350] The show is intended to copy the format of the Super Bowl halftime show, featuring a well-known musical performer to increase the tournament's commercial appeal in the market. The show has generated debate in the global soccer community. Supporters argue that the event modernizes the World Cup and provides a platform for global cultural exchange and revenue growth. However, critics, players, media, unions, and traditionalist fan groups have criticized what they view as the "Americanization" of soccer. Primary objections focus on the potential extension of the traditional 15-minute halftime interval, which generated an argument that it will disrupt player recovery, interfere with technical coaching adjustments, and break the natural flow of the match.[351][352] Decentralized host committees in the United States Unlike previous World Cups where there was a centralized organizing committee, each of the 11 US host cities have set up their own individual host committees, with independent deals with FIFA. As a result, most of the financial and legal responsibilities have shifted from a national level to a local one, including the majority of those for infrastructure improvements, public safety and security, and transportation.[353][354] In February 2026, the Select Board of Foxborough refused to grant the entertainment license to hold matches at Gillette Stadium, stating that they still needed $7.8 million upfront in security funding, which is too heavy of a burden for a community with a population of about 18,000 to pay now and wait to be reimbursed later.[353][355] While the federal government had earmarked a total of $625 million for security in the 11 US host cities, it remained unclear how much Foxborough's share would be and when it would receive it.[356] In addition, while the local Boston host committee is responsible for most of the public safety costs, they were still waiting on federal grant funding.[354] The town board had set a deadline of March 17 for the funding issue to be resolved, which was accomplished when Robert Kraft agreed five days before the deadline that his company would pay the bill.[355][357] Various cities have also had issues regarding the planning of the FIFA Fan Festival, which has resulted in plans for large central fan festivals, typically seen at the tournament, either being canceled and replaced with smaller community focused festivals or scaled down due to high costs in New York/New Jersey, Miami, and Seattle.[358][359][360] Notes Also marketed as FIFA World Cup 26[1] Curaçao is the smallest country by area and the least populous to qualify for the World Cup. Excluding teams from the United Kingdom, Curaçao is also the first team representing a non-sovereign nation to qualify for the World Cup since the Dutch East Indies (currently Indonesia) in 1938. Until 1991, Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union, which competed at seven World Cup tournaments. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan will become the third former Soviet republic to compete as an independent nation after Russia (1994, 2002, 2014 and 2018) and Ukraine (2006). FIFA considers Russia to be the successor team of the Soviet Union. From 1970 to 1998, DR Congo competed as Zaire. This will be the first time the country competes under DR Congo. Until 1992, the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia, which competed in eight World Cup tournaments. Following its dissolution, the Czech Republic has qualified for the tournament for the second time as an independent nation, having previously debuted in 2006. Recognized as IR Iran by FIFA Recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA Recognized as Cabo Verde by FIFA Recognized as Congo DR by FIFA Recognized as Côte d'Ivoire by FIFA Recognized as USA by FIFA Recognized as Czechia by FIFA Recognized as Türkiye by FIFA The number in parentheses indicates the FIFA ranking of teams as of November 19, 2025.[82] The winners of the UEFA playoffs and inter-confederation playoffs were not known at the time of the draw, as those matches were held on 26 and 31 March 2026. The placeholder for the inter-confederation playoff Pathway 1 winner adhered to the confederation restrictions of a CAF, CONCACAF, or OFC team. The placeholder for the inter-confederation playoff Pathway 2 winner adhered to the confederation restrictions of an AFC, CONCACAF, or CONMEBOL team. 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American men's soccer2026 in Canadian soccer2025–26 in Mexican footballCanada–Mexico sports relationsCanada–United States sports relationsMexico–United States sports relationsMen's international association football competitions hosted by CanadaMen's international association football competitions hosted by MexicoMen's international association football competitions hosted by the United StatesJune 2026 sports events in the United StatesJuly 2026 sports events in North AmericaScheduled association football competitionsSports events affected by the 2026 Iran war Cristiano Ronaldo Article Talk Read View source View history Tools Appearance Text Small Standard Large Width Standard Wide Color Automatic Light Dark Page extended-confirmed-protected From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "CR7" redirects here. For other uses, see Cristiano Ronaldo (disambiguation) and CR7 (disambiguation). In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Aveiro. Cristiano Ronaldo GOIH ComM Ronaldo at the White House in 2025 Personal information Full name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro[1] Date of birth 5 February 1985 (age 41)[2] Place of birth Funchal, Madeira, Portugal Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[note 1] Position Forward Team information Current team Al-Nassr Number 7 Youth career 1992–1995 Andorinha 1995–1997 Nacional 1997–2002 Sporting CP Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 2002–2003 Sporting CP B 2 (0) 2002–2003 Sporting CP 25 (3) 2003–2009 Manchester United 196 (84) 2009–2018 Real Madrid 292 (311) 2018–2021 Juventus 98 (81) 2021–2022 Manchester United 40 (19) 2023– Al-Nassr 105 (100) International career‡ 2001 Portugal U15 9 (7) 2001–2002 Portugal U17 7 (5) 2003 Portugal U20 5 (1) 2002–2003 Portugal U21 10 (3) 2004 Portugal U23 3 (2) 2003– Portugal 226 (143) Medal record Men's football Representing Portugal UEFA European Championship Winner 2016 France Runner-up 2004 Portugal Third place 2012 Poland-Ukraine [note 2] UEFA Nations League Winner 2019 Portugal Winner 2025 Germany FIFA Confederations Cup Third place 2017 Russia Website cristianoronaldo Signature Cristiano Ronaldo signature * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:05, 7 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:45, 13 November 2025 (UTC) Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro[a] (born 5 February 1985), nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he has won numerous individual accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d'Ors, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes. He was also named the world's best player five times by FIFA.[note 3] He has won 34 trophies in his career, including five UEFA Champions Leagues and the UEFA European Championship. He holds the records for most goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions League, goals (14) and assists (8) in the European Championship, and most international appearances (226) and international goals (143). He is the only player to have scored 100 goals with four different clubs. He has made over 1,300 professional career appearances, the most by an outfield player, and has scored over 970 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time. Born in Funchal, Madeira, Ronaldo began his career with Sporting CP before signing with Manchester United in 2003. He became a star player at United, where he won three consecutive Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. His 2007–08 season earned him his first Ballon d'Or at age 23. In 2009, Ronaldo became the subject of the then-most expensive transfer in history when he joined Real Madrid in a deal worth €94 million (£80 million). At Madrid, he was at the forefront of the club's resurgence as a dominant European force, helping them win four Champions Leagues between 2014 and 2018, including the long-awaited La Décima. He also won two La Liga titles, including the record-breaking 2011–12 season in which Madrid reached 100 points, and became the club's all-time top goalscorer. He won Ballon d'Ors in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times to Lionel Messi, his perceived career rival. Following issues with the club hierarchy, Ronaldo signed for Juventus in 2018 in a transfer worth an initial €100 million, where he was pivotal in winning two Serie A titles. In 2021, he returned to United before joining Al-Nassr in 2023. Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal in 2003 at the age of 18 and has earned more than 200 caps, making him history's most-capped male player.[7] He has played in eleven major tournaments. He scored his first international goal in Euro 2004, where he helped Portugal reach the final and subsequently made the team of the tournament. He assumed captaincy of the national team ahead of Euro 2008; and at Euro 2012, he was named in the team of the tournament. Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major tournament title at Euro 2016, being named in the team of the tournament for the third time. In the 2018 World Cup, he had his most prolific World Cup campaign with four goals. He received the Golden Boot as the top scorer of Euro 2020 before playing in his fifth World Cup at the 2022 World Cup. He has won two UEFA Nations Leagues, in 2019 and 2025. One of the world's most marketable and famous athletes, Ronaldo has been ranked by Sportico as the third highest-paid athlete of all time in April 2026,[8][9] and as the highest-paid athlete of the year for three consecutive years between 2023 and 2025.[10][11][12][13][14] He was also ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes on five occasions, the most in history, and the world's most famous athlete by ESPN from 2016 to 2019. Time included him on their list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014. He is the most popular sportsperson on social media: he counts over 1 billion total followers across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, making him the first person to achieve that feat. Ronaldo was named in the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year in 2015, the All-time UEFA Euro XI in 2016, and the Ballon d'Or Dream Team in 2020. In recognition of his record-breaking goalscoring success, he received special awards for Outstanding Career Achievement by FIFA in 2021 and Champions League All-Time Top Scorer by UEFA in 2024. Early life Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on 5 February 1985 in the São Pedro parish of Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, and grew up in the nearby parish of Santo António.[15][16] He is the fourth and youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos Viveiros Aveiro, who worked as a cook in the hospitality industry and a cleaning woman,[17][18] and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener at the Junta de Freguesia of Santo António and part-time kit man for football club Andorinha.[19][20][21] His father served in the Portuguese Army during the Portuguese Colonial War and saw combat in Angola, he was traumatized by his experiences as a soldier which led to lifelong struggles with alcoholism.[22] Ronaldo has one older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma and Liliana Cátia "Kátia".[2] He was named after actor and U.S. President Ronald Reagan, whom his father was a fan of.[23] His mother revealed that she wanted to abort him due to poverty, his father's alcoholism, and having too many children already, but her doctor refused to perform the procedure.[24][25] Ronaldo grew up in an impoverished Catholic home, sharing a room with all his siblings.[26] As a child, Ronaldo played for Andorinha from 1992 to 1995,[27] where his father was the kit man,[19] and later spent two years with Nacional. In 1997, aged 12, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who signed him for a fee of £1,500.[28] He subsequently moved from Madeira to Lisbon to join Sporting CP's youth system.[28] By age 14, while struggling with his school duties and responsibilities in Escola EB2 de Telheiras, his school in the Telheiras area of Lisbon, Ronaldo believed he had the ability to play semi-professionally and agreed with his mother and his tutor at Sporting CP, Leonel Pontes,[29] to cease his education to focus entirely on football.[30][31] With a troubled life as a student,[32] and although living in Lisbon area away from his Madeiran family,[33][34] he did not complete schooling beyond the 6th grade.[35][36] While popular with other students at school, he had been expelled after throwing a chair at his teacher, who he said had "disrespected" him.[30] One year later, he was diagnosed with tachycardia, a condition that could have forced him to give up playing football.[37] Ronaldo underwent cardiac ablation,[38] heart surgery where a laser was used to cauterise multiple cardiac pathways into one, altering his resting heart rate.[39] He was discharged from the hospital hours after the procedure and resumed training a few days later.[40] In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, stated in an interview for Sporting CP's official television channel (Sporting TV) that her son would be a bricklayer if he had not become a professional football player.[41] Growing up, Ronaldo idolised the Brazilian footballers Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, and has described them as leaving "a beautiful history in football".[42] Club career Main article: Career of Cristiano Ronaldo § Club career Sporting CP After impressing in Sporting's youth teams, he was promoted to the main team by first-team manager László Bölöni. At age 17, on 14 August 2002, he played his first official match for the first team, in a UEFA Champions League qualifying round at José Alvalade Stadium against Inter Milan,[43] and his Primeira Liga debut, took place a month later against Braga, and on 7 October, he scored two goals against Moreirense in their 3–0 win.[44] Over the course of the 2002–03 season, his representatives suggested the player to Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier and Barcelona president Joan Laporta.[45] Manager Arsène Wenger, who was interested in signing Ronaldo, met with him at Arsenal's stadium in November to discuss a possible transfer.[46] Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was determined to acquire Ronaldo on a permanent move urgently, after Sporting defeated United 3–1 at the inauguration of the Estádio José Alvalade on 6 August 2003. Initially, United had planned to sign Ronaldo and loan him back to Sporting for a year.[47] Having been impressed by him, the United players urged Ferguson to sign him. After the game, Ferguson said Ronaldo was "one of the most exciting young players" he had ever seen.[47][48] Manchester United 2003–2007: Development and breakthrough "There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me." — Former Manchester United player George Best hails the 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003.[49] On 12 August 2003, less than a week after the friendly that impressed Ferguson, Manchester United signed Ronaldo for £12 million,[50] an England record for a teenager.[51] This also made him the first Portuguese player to sign for the club.[52] Although he requested the number 28, his number at Sporting, he received the squad number 7 shirt, which had previously been worn by such United players as George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.[53] Wearing the number 7 became an extra source of motivation for Ronaldo.[54] A key element in his development during his time in England proved to be Ferguson, of whom he later said: "He's been my father in sport, one of the most important and influential factors in my career."[55] Ronaldo playing for Manchester United against Chelsea during the 2005–06 Premier League season Ronaldo made his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 home win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on 16 August 2003.[56] His performance earned praise from Best, who hailed it as "undoubtedly the most exciting debut" he had ever seen.[49] Ronaldo scored his first goal for Manchester United with a free-kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 November.[57] On 15 May 2004, in a victory against Aston Villa, Ronaldo scored the opening goal and later received the first red card of his career.[58][59] Ronaldo ended his first season in English football with a trophy, scoring the opening goal in United's 3–0 win over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final.[60] BBC pundit Alan Hansen described him as the star of the final.[61] The British press had been critical of Ronaldo during the season for his "elaborate" step-overs in trying to beat opponents,[62] but teammate Gary Neville said he was "not a show pony, but the real thing", and predicted he would become a world-class player.[63] "He has got the tricks and party pieces, we know that, but they're not much good unless there is something at the end of it all. We still have to remember, of course, that the lad is only 19 years of age. Considering that, you have to say he has got massive talent. His feet are mesmerising at times, and if he can couple that with some consistently good crossing, the future looks frightening." — Former BBC pundit Alan Hansen commenting on Ronaldo after his first season.[61] At the start of 2005, Ronaldo played two of his best matches of the 2004–05 season, producing a goal and an assist against Aston Villa and scoring twice against rivals Arsenal.[64][65] Ronaldo won his second trophy in English football, the Football League Cup, after scoring the third goal in United's 4–0 final win over Wigan Athletic.[66] During his third season in England, Ronaldo was involved in several incidents. Ronaldo clashed with a teammate, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took offence at the winger's showboating style of play.[67] Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, in which he was involved in an incident where club teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off,[68] Ronaldo publicly asked for a transfer, lamenting the lack of support he felt he had received from the club over the incident.[69] United denied the possibility of him leaving the club.[70] Although his World Cup altercation with Rooney resulted in Ronaldo being booed throughout the 2006–07 season,[71] it proved to be his break-out year, as he broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time and won his first Premier League title.[72] 2007–2009: Collective and individual success and Ballon d'Or Ronaldo (pictured during 2007-08) evolved into the best player in the world in this season, according to many pundits and fellow players.[73] In the 2006–07 season, he amassed a host of personal awards for the season, winning the Professional Footballers' Association's Player's Player, Fans' Player, Young Player of the Year awards, and the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year award,[74][75] becoming the first player to win all four main PFA and FWA honours.[76] Ronaldo was named runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or,[77] and came third, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi, in the running for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award.[78] Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United on 12 January 2008.[79] His 31 league goals earned him the Premier League Golden Boot,[80] as well as the European Golden Shoe, which made him the first winger to win the latter award.[81] He additionally received the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards for the second consecutive season.[82][83] United reached the final against Chelsea in Moscow on 21 May, where, despite his opening goal being negated by an equaliser and his penalty kick being saved in the shoot-out,[84] United emerged victorious, winning 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at the end of 120 minutes.[85][86] As the Champions League top scorer, Ronaldo was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.[87] With his 2008 Ballon d'Or and 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo became United's first Ballon d'Or winner since Best in 1968,[88] and the first Premier League player to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year.[89] Shortly after, Ronaldo was linked to a move to Real Madrid, United filed a tampering complaint with governing body FIFA over Madrid's alleged pursuit of their player, but they declined to take action.[90] and he remained at United for another year.[91] His match-winning goal in the second leg against Porto, a 40-yard strike, earned him the inaugural FIFA Puskás Award, presented by FIFA in recognition of the best goal of the year;[92] he later called it the best goal he had ever scored.[93] United advanced to the final in Rome,[94] where he made little impact in United's 2–0 defeat to Barcelona.[95] Real Madrid 2009–2015: World record transfer and consecutive Ballon d'Or wins Ronaldo adapted tremendously to Spanish football, scoring 33 goals in just 35 games in his debut season. In 2009, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a then world record £80 million.[96] At least 80,000 fans attended his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu, surpassing the 25-year record of 75,000 fans who had welcomed Diego Maradona at Napoli.[97] Ronaldo said, "This is the completion of my boyhood dream, to be a Real Madrid player."[98] Ronaldo made his La Liga debut against Deportivo La Coruña on 29 August, scoring a penalty in a 3–2 home win.[99] He scored in each of his first four league games, the first Madrid player to do so.[100] His first Champions League goals for the club followed with two free kicks in the first group match against Zürich.[101] His strong start to the season was interrupted when he suffered an ankle injury in October while on international duty, which kept him sidelined for seven weeks.[102][103] Despite scoring 33 goals in all competitions and contributing to Real Madrid's 96 points in La Liga, his first season with Madrid ended trophyless.[104] Ronaldo scored 46 league goals during the La Liga championship success in his third season in Spain. Following Raúl's departure, Ronaldo was given No. 7 for the 2010–11 season and scored 53 goals, helping Madrid win the Copa del Rey, scoring the winning goal against rivals Barcelona in the El Clásico, his first trophy with Madrid.[105] He also became the first player in La Liga to score 40 goals.[106] In addition to the Pichichi Trophy, Ronaldo won the European Golden Shoe for a second time, becoming the first player to win the award in different leagues.[107] The following season saw Ronaldo score 60 goals across all competitions,[108] leading Madrid to their first league title in four years with a record 100 points and his runner-up finish to Lionel Messi in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or.[109] He scored his 100th league goal for Madrid in a 5–1 win over Real Sociedad on 24 March 2012, breaking the previous club record held by Ferenc Puskás.[110] In the 2012–13 season, he scored his first hat-trick in the Champions League in a 4–1 win over Ajax.[111] Four days later, he became the first player to score in six successive Clásicos when he hit a brace in a 2–2 draw at Camp Nou.[112] His performances again saw Ronaldo voted second in the running for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, behind four-time winner Messi.[113] Following the 2012–13 winter break, Ronaldo captained Madrid for the first time in an official match, scoring twice to lift 10-man Madrid to a 4–3 win over Sociedad on 6 January.[114] He subsequently became the first non-Spanish player in 60 years to captain Madrid in El Clásico on 30 January, a match which also marked his 500th club appearance.[115] Ronaldo scored a record 17 UEFA Champions League goals during the 2013–14 season en route to La Décima. In 2013–14 season, Ronaldo was joined at the club by winger Gareth Bale and together with striker Karim Benzema, they formed an attacking trio popularly dubbed "BBC", an acronym of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano, and a play on the name of the British public service broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).[116] He continued prolific scoring, with 69 goals in 2013, winning the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or,[117] and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, for the first time in his career.[118] Concurrently with his individual achievements, Ronaldo enjoyed his greatest team success in Spain to date, as he helped Madrid win La Décima, their tenth European Cup, scoring a penalty in the 120th minute of the 4–1 final win over city rivals Atlético Madrid, becoming the first player to score in two European Cup finals for two different winning teams.[119] As the competition's top goalscorer for the third time, with a record 17 goals,[120] he was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe.[121] Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 30 league games, which earned him the Pichichi and the European Golden Shoe, along with Liverpool's Luis Suárez.[122] On 4 May, Ronaldo scored a back-heeled volley in the closing moments of the match against Valencia, voted goal of the season by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP),[123] giving him the Best Player in La Liga award.[124] During the 2014–15 season, Ronaldo set a new personal best of 61 goals, and after winning the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup,[125] Ronaldo received the 2014 Ballon d'Or,[126] joining Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten as a three-time recipient.[127] Madrid finished in second place in La Liga and exited at the semi-final stage in the Champions League.[128] With 10 goals, he finished as top scorer for a third consecutive season, alongside Messi and Neymar.[129] On 5 April, he scored five goals in a game for the first time in his career, including an eight-minute hat-trick, in a 9–1 rout of Granada.[130] His 300th goal for his club followed three days later in a 2–0 win against Rayo Vallecano.[131] He finished the season with 48 goals, winning a second consecutive Pichichi and the European Golden Shoe for a record fourth time.[132] 2015–2018: All-time Madrid top scorer and fifth Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer on 12 September 2015 against Espanyol, netting 230 goals in 203 matches, surpassing the previous record holder, Raúl.[133] Ronaldo also became the all-time top scorer in the Champions League with a hat-trick in the first group match against Shakhtar Donetsk, having finished the previous season level with Messi on 77 goals.[134] Two goals against Malmö FF in a 2–0 away win on 30 September saw him reach the milestone of 500 career goals for club and country.[135] He won the 2016 Ballon d'Or, his fourth, and the inaugural 2016 The Best FIFA Men's Player, a revival of the former FIFA World Player of the Year, largely owing to his success with Portugal in winning Euro 2016.[136] Ronaldo in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final, his final game for Real Madrid In the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern in April, Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2–1 away win which saw him make history by becoming the first player to reach 100 goals in UEFA club competition.[137] On 17 May, Ronaldo overtook Jimmy Greaves as the all-time top scorer in the top five European leagues, scoring twice against Celta de Vigo.[138] He finished the season with 42 goals in all competitions as he helped Madrid to win their first La Liga title since 2012.[139] In the Champions League Final, Ronaldo scored two goals in a 4–1 victory over Juventus to take him to 12 goals for the season, making him the competition's top goalscorer for the fifth straight season (sixth overall), as well as the first player to score in three finals in the Champions League era; the second goal was the 600th of his senior career.[140] Madrid also became the first team to win back-to-back finals in the Champions League era.[141] On 23 October, his performances throughout 2017 saw him awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second consecutive year.[142] A day later, Ronaldo won the 2017 Ballon d'Or, receiving his fifth-time award on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.[143] On 3 April 2018, Ronaldo scored the first two goals in a 3–0 away win against Juventus in the quarter-finals of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, with his second goal being an acrobatic bicycle kick. Described as a "PlayStation goal" by Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli, with Ronaldo's foot approximately 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) off the ground, it garnered him a standing ovation from the opposing fans in the stadium as well as a plethora of plaudits from peers, pundits and coaches.[144] In the final on 26 May, Madrid defeated Liverpool 3–1, winning Ronaldo his fifth Champions League title, the first player to do so.[145] He finished as the top scorer of the tournament for the sixth consecutive season with 15 goals.[146] After the final, Ronaldo referred to his time with Madrid in the past tense, sparking speculation that he could leave the club.[147] Juventus 2018–2020: Consecutive Serie A titles Ronaldo playing for Juventus against Torino in November 2019 Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 for €100 million, the transfer was the highest ever for a player over 30 years old and the highest paid by an Italian club.[148] Upon signing, Ronaldo cited his need for a new challenge as his rationale for departing Madrid,[149] but later attributed the transfer to the lack of support he felt was shown by club president Florentino Pérez.[150] On 18 August, Ronaldo made his debut in a 3–2 away win against Chievo Verona.[151] On 19 September, in his first Champions League match for Juve, he was sent off against Valencia, his first red card in 154 Champions League appearances.[152] In the reverse (home) leg against Valencia, Cristiano won 100 Champions League matches, becoming the first ever player to do so.[153] Ronaldo won his first trophy with the club on 16 January 2019, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after he scored the only goal from a header against AC Milan.[154] On 10 February, Ronaldo scored in a 3–0 win over Sassuolo, the ninth consecutive away game in which he had scored in the league, equalling Giuseppe Signori's single season Serie A record of most consecutive away games with at least one goal.[155] On 12 March, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 home win against Atlético in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, helping Juventus overcome a two-goal deficit to reach the quarter-finals.[156] On 20 April, Ronaldo played in the scudetto clinching game against Fiorentina, as Juventus won their eighth successive title after a 2–1 home win, thereby becoming the first player to win league titles in England, Spain and Italy.[157] With 21 goals and eight assists, Ronaldo won the league award for Most Valuable Player.[158] On 1 October, he reached several milestones in Juventus's 3–0 Champions League group stage win over Bayer Leverkusen including breaking Iker Casillas' record for most Champions League wins of all time.[159] On 18 December, Ronaldo leapt to a height of 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m), higher than the crossbar, to head the winning goal in a 2–1 away win against Sampdoria.[160] He scored his first Serie A hat-trick on 6 January 2020, in a 4–0 home win against Cagliari and became only the second player to score hat-tricks in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.[161] On 22 February, Ronaldo scored for a record-equalling 11th consecutive league game, alongside Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella, in what was his 1,000th senior professional game, a 2–1 away win against SPAL.[162] On 22 June, he scored a penalty in a 2–0 away win over Bologna, overtaking Rui Costa to become the highest scoring Portuguese player in Serie A history.[163] On 20 July, Ronaldo scored twice in a 2–1 home win over Lazio; his first goal was his 50th in Serie A. He became the first player in history to reach 50 goals in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, and becoming the second player after Edin Džeko to score 50 goals in three of Europe's top five major leagues.[164] Moreover, he became the oldest player, at the age of 35 years and 166 days, to score over 30 goals in one of the five top European leagues since Ronnie Rooke with Arsenal in 1948.[165] On 26 July, Ronaldo scored the opening goal in a 2–0 home win over Sampdoria as Juventus were crowned Serie A champions for a ninth consecutive time.[166] On 7 August, Ronaldo scored a brace in a 2–1 home win against Lyon in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, which saw him finish the season with 37 goals in all competitions; the tally allowed him to break Borel's club record of 36 goals in a single season.[167] 2020–2021: 100 Juve goals, Capocannoniere, and departure Ronaldo played his 100th match in all competitions for Juventus on 13 December, scoring two penalties in a 3–1 away win over Genoa in the league to bring his goal tally to 79.[168] On 2 March 2021, he scored a goal in a 3–0 win over Spezia in his 600th league match, to become the first player to score at least 20 goals in 12 consecutive seasons in the top five leagues of Europe.[169] On 12 May, Ronaldo scored a goal in a 3–1 away win over Sassuolo to reach his 100th goal for Juventus in all competitions on his 131st appearance, becoming the fastest Juventus player to achieve the feat.[170] With Juventus's victory in the 2021 Coppa Italia Final on 19 May, Ronaldo became the first player in history to win every major domestic trophy in England, Spain and Italy.[171] Ronaldo ended the season with 29 league goals, winning the Capocannoniere award for highest goalscorer and becoming the first footballer to finish as top scorer in the English, Spanish and Italian leagues.[172] The start of the following season came amid reports Ronaldo would depart the club before the closure of the transfer window,[173] despite Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes reaching a verbal agreement with Manchester City over personal terms,[174] but the club pulled out of the deal,[175] and later it was confirmed that City's rivals Manchester United, Ronaldo's former club, were in advanced talks to sign him,[176][177] while former manager Alex Ferguson and several ex-teammates had been in contact to persuade him to re-sign for United.[178][179] Return to Manchester United Ronaldo in a Premier League match against Newcastle in September 2021, his first game back at Manchester United On 27 August 2021, Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.[180][181] Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt after Edinson Cavani agreed to switch to 21.[182] The first 24 hours of Ronaldo's shirt sales was reported to have broken the all-time record following a transfer, overtaking Messi after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.[183] On 11 September, Ronaldo made his second debut at Old Trafford, scoring the opening two goals in a 4–1 league victory against Newcastle United.[184] On 29 September, he scored a last-minute winner in United's 2–1 victory at home to Villarreal in the Champions League, and overtook Iker Casillas as the player with the most appearances in the competition.[185] Ronaldo proved to be crucial in the next Champions League fixtures, scoring various last-minute goals to help United qualify for the round of 16 as group winners.[186] On 2 December, Ronaldo netted two goals in a 3–2 home league win against Arsenal, which saw him surpass 800 career goals.[187] Struggles ensued, with a fractured relationship with his teammates and interim manager, continuing for two months,[188] until he scored in United's 2–0 win at home versus Brighton & Hove Albion on 15 February 2022, his first in the new year.[189] He finished the season with 24 goals in all competitions being named in the Premier League Team of the Year and the winner of United's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award,[190][191] but United finished in a disappointing sixth place and qualified for the UEFA Europa League; as a result, Ronaldo went trophyless for the first time since 2010.[192] After growing dissatisfaction with the direction of United on and off the field, Ronaldo desired to leave to join a club competing in the Champions League, but a move failed to materialise, with various European clubs refusing a transfer, due to his age, overall cost of a transfer and high wage demands.[193][194] Shortly after, he fell out with manager Erik ten Hag who used him as a substitute, leading United to terminate his contract on 22 November, following an interview with Piers Morgan, where Ronaldo said that he felt "betrayed" by Ten Hag and criticised the management of the club.[195] Al-Nassr Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in September 2023 On 30 December 2022, Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr reached an agreement for Ronaldo to join the club, signing a contract until 2025.[196] Ronaldo received the highest football salary ever, at €200 million per year,[197][198] including a guaranteed football salary of €90 million, with commercial and sponsorship deals bringing his total annual salary to €200 million. He made his debut for Al-Nassr on 22 January 2023, as club captain, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 win over Al-Ettifaq,[199] and scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Al-Fateh by converting a last-minute penalty.[200] On 9 February, Ronaldo scored all four goals in a 4–0 win over Al-Wehda, his first goal of the match being his 500th career league goal.[201] According to the BBC, Ronaldo's transfer to Al-Nassr led a "revolution" in Asian football, with many players from other leagues, particularly those in Europe, transferring to Saudi Pro League clubs for the 2023–24 season.[202][203][204] In the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup on 12 August, Ronaldo scored both goals as they defeated rivals Al-Hilal 2–1 after extra time. Ronaldo scored six goals in the competition.[205] At the close of the year, Ronaldo scored 54 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr and Portugal, making him the outright top scorer in 2023, reaching the same goalscoring record as in 2016.[206][207] On 27 May 2024, in Al-Nassr's home fixture against Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals of the campaign, surpassing Abderrazak Hamdallah's record for the most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League season. He also became the first footballer to finish as top scorer in four different leagues: the English, Spanish, Italian and Saudi leagues.[208] On 31 May, in a 5–4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Al-Hilal in the 2024 King Cup final following a 1–1 draw after extra time (in which he scored his side's second spot kick), he equalled Rogério Ceni's record for most top-level matches by a male professional footballer (1,225).[209] Ronaldo finished the 2024–25 season with 25 league goals, becoming the league's top scorer for a second consecutive time.[210] International career Main article: Career of Cristiano Ronaldo § International career Ronaldo, pictured playing against Germany at Euro 2012, was made captain for Portugal in 2008. At the age of 18, Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.[211] At UEFA Euro 2004, he scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to Greece in his eighth international appearance.[212][213] Despite Portugal losing to Greece again in the final, Ronaldo made the team of the tournament, with two assists and two goals.[214] In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, at the age of 21 years and 132 days, Ronaldo became the youngest ever goalscorer for Portugal at a World Cup finals.[215] Portugal reached the semi-finals, where Portugal lost to France, with Ronaldo being booed during their defeat, due to an incident that occurred in the quarter-finals against England.[216] FIFA's Technical Study Group overlooked him for the tournament's Best Young Player award and handed it to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing his behaviour as a factor in the decision.[217][218] On 6 February 2007, Cristiano captained Portugal for the first time in a friendly against Brazil.[219] He wore the number 7 shirt ahead of UEFA Euro 2008.[220] Despite scoring eight goals in qualifications,[221] the second-highest tally, he scored just one goal in the finals, netting the second goal of Portugal's 3–1 win in the group stage game against the Czech Republic. Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 3–2 loss to Germany.[222] Ronaldo failed to score in 2010 World Cup qualifying.[217] He scored only one goal in the 2010 World Cup finals; despite this, he was named man of the match in all three group stage matches, against Ivory Coast, North Korea and Brazil.[223][224][225] His only goal of the tournament came in their 7–0 demolishing of North Korea, which was his first international goal in 16 months.[226] Two years later, in UEFA Euro 2012, Ronaldo was joint top scorer with three goals, enough for him to be included in the team of the tournament.[6] During qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored eight goals. Despite this, Portugal did not qualify directly; Ronaldo scored all four goals against Sweden in the play-off to qualify.[227] At the tournament in Brazil, Ronaldo assisted a last-minute 2–2 equaliser against the United States,[228] and scored an 80th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Ghana.[229] Ronaldo leaps in the air in Portugal's Euro 2016 quarter-final match against Poland. In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016, although he was subbed off in the 25th minute in the final against hosts France.[230] He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer, which gave him his fourth Ballon d'Or later that year. With the win, Portugal qualified and made its only appearance in the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Russia, where they finished in third place, with Ronaldo being named man of the match in all three of Portugal's group stage matches.[231][232] In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, in a 3–3 draw against Spain.[233] The following match, Ronaldo scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Morocco, breaking Puskás' record as the highest European goalscorer of all time, with 85 international goals.[234] For his performances in the tournament, Ronaldo was named in the World Cup Dream Team.[235] Ronaldo led Portugal to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, receiving the top scorer award in the finals,[236] and received the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020. Ronaldo also became the first player to score at five European Championships.[237] On 23 June 2021, Ronaldo scored two goals in the Euro 2020 match against France, breaking the men's goalscoring record previously held by Ali Daei.[238] On 9 October, he scored the opening goal in a 3–0 friendly win over Qatar at the Estádio Algarve; with his 181st international appearance, he also overtook Sergio Ramos's record for the most international caps received by a European player.[239][240] In the following match against Luxembourg on 12 October, also played at the Estádio Algarve, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 win for Portugal, thus becoming the first player to score 10 hat-tricks in men's international football.[241] Ronaldo during a group stage game against Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup In the 2022 World Cup, on 24 November, Ronaldo became the first player to score at five World Cups, netting a penalty against Ghana.[242] Following a dispute with manager Fernando Santos, after their last group game against South Korea, he was dropped from the starting line-up for Portugal's last 16 match, marking the first time since Euro 2008 that he had not started a game for Portugal in a major international tournament,[243] and the first time Portugal had started a knockout game without Ronaldo in the starting line-up at an international tournament since Euro 2000.[244] On 23 March 2023, Ronaldo scored a brace against Liechtenstein as he earned his 197th overall cap to become the most capped male footballer of all time.[245] On 20 June, Ronaldo made his 200th appearance for his national team, scoring the only goal of an away win over Iceland, in the Euro qualifiers, as he became the first player in the history of men's international football to make 200 appearances for his country.[246] On 16 October, Portugal secured first place in their qualifying group, following a 5–0 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Ronaldo scoring twice.[247] With his start in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2024 opener against the Czech Republic, Ronaldo became the first player to feature in six European Championships, having previously been the first player to appear in five.[248] Later that year, on 5 September, he scored his 900th career goal in a 2–1 victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.[249] On 8 June 2025, Ronaldo won his second Nations League title, helping Portugal defeat Spain in the final, scoring eight goals in nine games in the tournament.[250] On 14 October, he scored twice in a 2–2 draw against Hungary in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, reaching a record 41 goals in World Cup qualifying.[251] Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing defender Dara O'Shea in the back during Portugal's 2–0 loss to Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers in Dublin on 14 November.[252] FIFA issued a three-month ban and one year of probation as a result, though it did not result in him being suspended from playing in the World Cup.[253] Player profile Style of play At his peak, Ronaldo was known for his exceptional speed, explosive shooting, flair and athleticism.[254] A versatile attacker, Ronaldo is capable of playing on either wing as well as through the centre of the pitch,[255] and, while ostensibly right-footed, is very strong with both feet.[256] Tactically, Ronaldo has undergone several evolutions throughout his career. While at Sporting and during his first season at Manchester United, he was typically deployed as a traditional winger on the right side of midfield, where he regularly looked to deliver crosses into the penalty area. In this position, he was able to use his pace and acceleration, agility and technical skills to take on opponents in one-on-one situations. Ronaldo became noted for his dribbling and flair, often displaying an array of tricks and feints,[257][258] such as the step overs and so-called 'chops' that became his trademark;[259] he has also been known to use the flip-flap.[260] His strength and jumping ability, combined with his elevation, heading accuracy and height of 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in), give him an edge in winning aerial duels. These attributes allow him to function as a target-man and make him an aerial goal threat in the penalty area; consequently, many of his goals have been headers.[261][262][263] Ronaldo holds the record for the highest recorded jump in football history, measuring 2.93 metres (9 ft 7 in), which he achieved during a match against Manchester United while playing for Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League in 2013.[264] Allied with his increased stamina and work-rate, his goalscoring ability improved drastically on the left wing where he was given the positional freedom to move into the centre to finish attacks. He has also increasingly played a creative role for his team, often dropping deep to pick up the ball, participate in the build-up of plays and create chances for his teammates, courtesy of his vision and passing ability.[257][261] In his final seasons at United, Ronaldo played an even more attacking and central role, functioning both as a striker and as a supporting forward, or even as an attacking midfielder on occasion.[261] He developed into a prolific goalscorer, capable of finishing well both inside the penalty area and from distance with an accurate and powerful shot, courtesy of his striking ability.[261] An accurate penalty kick taker,[265] he also became a set piece specialist, renowned for his powerful, bending free kicks.[266] When taking free kicks, Ronaldo is known for using the knuckleball technique, which was developed by Juninho Pernambucano.[267] He also adopts a trademark stance before striking the ball, which involves him standing with his legs far apart.[268] Regarding Ronaldo's unique style of taking free kicks, former United assistant manager Mike Phelan commented: "People used to put the ball down, walk away, run up and hit it. He brought in a more dynamic showmanship. He places the ball down, the concentration level is high, he takes his certain amount of steps back so that his standing foot is in the perfect place to hit the ball in the sweet spot. He is the ultimate showman. He has that slight arrogance. When he pulls those shorts up and shows his thighs, he is saying 'All eyes on me' and this is going in. He understands the marketing side of it. The way he struts up and places it; the world is watching him."[269] As Ronaldo entered his thirties he dribbled less frequently,[270] instead transitioning into a "deadly poacher".[271] At Real Madrid, Ronaldo continued to play a more offensive role, while his creative and defensive duties became more limited, although not entirely diminished.[272] Initially deployed as a centre forward by managers Manuel Pellegrini and José Mourinho, he was later moved back onto the left wing, though in a free tactical role; this position allowed him to drift into the centre at will to get onto the end of crosses and score, or draw out defenders with his movement off the ball and leave space for teammates to exploit.[272][273][274] Madrid's counter-attacking style of play also allowed him to become a more efficient and consistent player, as evidenced by his record-breaking goalscoring feats. While he mainly drew praise in the media for his prolific goalscoring, Ronaldo also demonstrated his ability as an effective creator in this role.[275][276][277] This unique role has been described by pundits as that of a "false", "attacking", or "goalscoring winger", as Ronaldo effectively almost functioned as a striker at times with his central runs into the penalty area, despite actually playing on the left flank.[273][278] From 2013 onwards, under manager Carlo Ancelotti, he effectively adapted his style to the physical effects of ageing with increasingly reduced off-the-ball movement and general involvement, completing fewer dribbles and passes per game, and instead focusing on short-distance creating and goalscoring.[272][279][280] Since 2017, Ronaldo adapted his style of play yet again to become more of a free-roaming centre forward under manager Zinedine Zidane, a role in which he continued to excel and maintain a prolific goalscoring record; in this position, he earned praise in the media for his intelligent movement both on and off the ball, positional sense, link-up play and finishing, as well as his ability to lose or anticipate his markers, find space in the box and score from few touches or opportunities.[281][282][283] In his first season at Juventus, Ronaldo continued to play in a variety of different attacking roles under manager Massimiliano Allegri, depending on whom he was partnered with. While he had occupied an increasingly offensive role in his final years at Real Madrid, at times he functioned in a free role at Juventus, either as a lone striker or in his trademark role on the left wing, in a 4–2–3–1 or 4–3–3 formation, in which he often switched positions with Mario Mandžukić. In this role, he was also given licence to drop deep or even out wide onto the right flank to receive the ball, and be more involved in the build-up of plays; as such, aside from scoring goals himself, he began to take on opponents and create chances for other players with greater frequency than he had in his final seasons with Real Madrid. Off the ball, he was also capable of creating space for teammates with his movement and attacking runs into the box, or finishing off chances with his head or feet by getting onto the end of his teammates' crosses.[284][285] On occasion he also played in an attacking partnership alongside Mandžukić in a 4–3–1–2, 4–4–2, or 3–5–2 formation.[286][287][288] He continued to play a similar role in his second season with the club under manager Maurizio Sarri.[285] Reception and image A Portugal fan at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa holding a banner dedicated to Ronaldo Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the two best players of his generation, alongside Argentina forward Lionel Messi.[289] Winning his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 by a record-high vote count at age 23, over the next decade Ronaldo has often featured in debates concerning who is the greatest player in history.[290] Acclaimed for his prolific and consistent goal-scoring,[291] he is considered a decisive player who is also a game changer,[292] especially in important and high-pressured situations.[293] In a 2018 article for Bleacher Report, former NBA star Steve Nash compared Ronaldo to Michael Jordan: "On the pitch, [Ronaldo's] learned how to make his play—less explosive in individual movements—more successful for the team, and in that, I see the greatness of Jordan." In the same article, Ronaldo was ranked first in the ranking of the 50 most influential people in sports culture for 2018.[294] "In the six years we had him, you just saw his game grow all the time, and he was a fantastic player. Now you see the complete player. His decision-making, his maturity, his experience, plus all the great skills he has got, they all make him the complete player." — Former manager Alex Ferguson, January 2013[295] Ronaldo is noted for his work ethic, elite body conditioning and dedication to improvement on the training pitch, as well being regarded as a natural leader.[296][297] On his longevity and "extraordinary commitment to physical preparation", Adam Bate of Sky Sports said: "Dedication is a huge part of staying at the top and Ronaldo's focus is perhaps unparalleled within the game."[270] While stating they were stylistically different players who shared an equal desire to score goals, former Brazil international Ronaldo praised Cristiano's approach to training, arguing that "there are so few players who take care of their body like he does. I trained because I had to, he does it because he loves it."[298] His drive and determination to succeed are fuelled by a desire to be talked about alongside other greats such as Pelé and Diego Maradona once retiring.[299] He is credited, along with his compatriot, coach José Mourinho, with inspiring changing fortunes of Portuguese football in 2010s and 2020s.[300] At times, he has been criticised for simulating when tackled.[301] He was also occasionally criticised early in his career by manager Alex Ferguson, teammates and the media for being a selfish or overly flamboyant player.[302] Jonathan Wilson of The Guardian opined that Ronaldo had made Juventus, who he joined aged 33 in 2018, weaker, due to "his relative immobility" in his mid-30s, even if his personal goal-scoring output remained high.[303] During his career, Ronaldo has also been described as having an "arrogant image" on the pitch,[304] with Ronaldo stating that he had become a "victim" because of how he was portrayed in the media.[305] He is often seen moaning, gesticulating and scowling while trying to inspire his team to victory,[304] with Ronaldo insisting that his competitive nature should not be mistaken for arrogance.[305] His managers, teammates and various journalists have said that this reputation has caused an unfair image of him.[306][307][308] Goal celebrations Ronaldo's "siu" celebration Ronaldo has adopted several goal celebrations throughout his career, including one particular celebration which gained widespread coverage in the media, when he squatted and stared directly into a camera on the sidelines of the pitch with his hand on his chin.[309][310][311] After scoring a goal, he usually celebrates with a "storming jump" and "turn", before "landing in spread-eagled fashion"[310] into his "signature power stance",[311] while usually simultaneously exclaiming "Sí" (Spanish and Italian for "yes").[309][312] This trademark celebration has been dubbed the "Siu" or "siuuu" in the media.[309][310][313] The gesture was first performed by Ronaldo on 7 August 2013, during the 2013 International Champions Cup Final between Real Madrid and Chelsea.[314] During an interview after the match, Ronaldo explained he scored the goal and "it just felt natural" and "didn't know where it came from". He started doing it more often and when the supporters see it they are reminded of him.[315] The phrase "siu" is derived from Portuguese sim, meaning "yes". This was confirmed by Ronaldo in an interview in 2023, almost a decade since he first performed it. Ronaldo explained that the phrase "Siuuu" simply means yes, but "meaning it very strongly".[316] Rivalry with Lionel Messi Main article: Messi–Ronaldo rivalry Ronaldo with Lionel Messi before an international friendly between Portugal and Argentina in 2011 Both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored in multiple UEFA Champions League finals, have regularly broken the 50-goal barrier in a single season, and are the two leading goal scorers in history. Sports journalists and pundits regularly weigh the individual merits of both players in an attempt to argue who they believe is the best player in modern football or in the history of the game.[317] It has been compared to several sports rivalries, among them the Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Borg–McEnroe rivalry in tennis and the Senna–Prost rivalry from Formula One motor racing.[318][319] Some commentators choose to analyse the differing physiques and playing styles of the two.[320] Part of the debate revolves around the contrasting personalities of the two players, as Ronaldo is sometimes depicted as an arrogant and theatrical showoff, while Messi is portrayed as a shy, humble character.[321][322][323] "It's part of my life now. People are bound to compare us. He tries to do his best for his club and for his national team, as I do, and there is a degree of rivalry with both of us trying to do the best for the teams we represent." — Ronaldo commenting on his rivalry with Messi.[324] In a 2012 interview, Ronaldo commented on the rivalry, saying: "I think we push each other sometimes in the competition, this is why the competition is so high."[325] Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo's manager during his time at Manchester United, opined: "I don't think the rivalry against each other bothers them. I think they have their own personal pride in terms of wanting to be the best."[326] Messi himself denied any rivalry, saying that it was "only the media, the press, who wants us to be at loggerheads but I've never fought with Cristiano."[327] Responding to the claims that he and Messi do not get on well on a personal level, Ronaldo commented: "We don't have a relationship outside the world of football, just as we don't with a lot of other players." Ronaldo added that in years to come he hopes they can laugh about it together, stating: "We have to look on this rivalry with a positive spirit, because it's a good thing."[324] Representing archrivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two players faced each other at least twice every season in the world's biggest club game, El Clásico, which is among the world's most viewed annual sporting events.[328] In a debate at Oxford Union in October 2013, when asked whether FIFA president Sepp Blatter preferred Messi or Ronaldo, Blatter paid tribute to the work ethic of the Argentine before taking a swipe at Ronaldo, claiming "one of them has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other." Real Madrid demanded and promptly received a full apology. In response to Blatter's "commander" on the pitch comment, Ronaldo issued his own riposte with a mock-salute celebration after scoring a penalty against Sevilla.[329] In August 2019, Ronaldo and Messi were interviewed while sat next to each other prior to the announcement of the UEFA Men's Player of the Year, with Ronaldo stating: "I pushed him and he pushed me as well. So it's good to be part of the history of football."[330] In September 2023, Ronaldo declared that his rivalry with Messi was over and "gone", after 36 official fixtures and 15 years of "sharing the stage".[331] In popular culture Popularity and online following UR · Cristiano YouTube information Channel UR · Cristiano Years active 2024–present Genres SportsEntertainment Subscribers 76.7 million Views 903 million Last updated: 30 September 2025 Ronaldo was named in the 2014 Time 100, Time's annual list of the most influential people in the world.[332] ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.[333][334][335][336] Demand for a replica Ronaldo shirt has been high throughout his career. In 2008, Ronaldo's number 7 Manchester United shirt was the best-selling Premier League sports product.[337] In 2015, Ronaldo's number 7 Real Madrid shirt was the second best-selling worldwide, after Messi's number 10 Barcelona shirt.[338] In 2018, within 24 hours of his number 7 Juventus shirt being released, over 520,000 had been sold, with $62.4 million generated in one day.[339] Fans of Real Madrid (left; Ronaldo's then current club) and Manchester United (right; Ronaldo's then former club) wearing Ronaldo's 7 shirt at the 2017 UEFA Super Cup Ronaldo has established a strong online presence. The most popular sportsperson on social media, he counted over 500 million total followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by February 2021, making him the first person to pass half a billion followers.[340] The most-followed person on Facebook (171 million), most-followed on Instagram (650 million) and most-followed sportsperson on Twitter (115 million), his sponsors earned $936 million in media value across his accounts between June 2016 and June 2017.[341] After announcing the creation of his YouTube channel, UR · Cristiano on 21 August 2024, it became the fastest to reach the 1 million subscribers milestone,[342] doing so in 90 minutes.[342][343][344][345] The channel also became the fastest to reach 5,[346] 10,[347] 20,[348] 30 and 50 million subscribers.[349] It also became the most subscribed channel in Portugal, surpassing the Portuguese Nick Jr.[350] Computer security company McAfee produced a 2012 report ranking footballers by the probability of an internet search for their name leading to an unsafe website, with Ronaldo's name first on the list.[351] Wealth and sponsorships In April 2026, Sportico ranked Ronaldo as the third highest-paid athlete in history, behind Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, with his income estimated at $2.52 billion.[8][9] He has also been included in Sportico's every annual ranking of the highest-paid athletes: he was named the third highest-paid athlete of 2021 ($120 million) and 2022 ($115 million) and the highest-paid athlete of 2023 ($275 million), 2024 ($260 million) and 2025 ($260 million).[10][11][12][13] With earnings of €720 million (£615 million) from 2010 to 2019, Ronaldo was ranked second in Forbes list of the decade's highest-paid athletes, behind boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.[352] Forbes ranked Ronaldo as the highest-paid ahtlete in the world in 2016 ($88 million), 2017 ($93 million) and from 2023 to 2025 ($136 million, $260 million and $275 million respectively), and he has entered every top 10 since the ranking's inception in 2012.[353][354][355][356][341] He is the first footballer and only the third sportsman to earn $1 billion in their career.[357] Ronaldo is one of the world's most marketable sportsmen: SportsPro rated him the fifth most marketable athlete in 2012[358] and eighth most marketable athlete in 2013.[358][359] Sports market research company Repucom named Ronaldo the most marketable and most recognised football player in the world in May 2014.[360] Since his reputation grew at Manchester United, Ronaldo has signed many sponsorship deals for consumer products, including sportswear, football boots; since November 2012, Ronaldo has worn the Nike Mercurial Vapor personalised CR7 edition,[361] soft drinks, clothing, automotive lubricants, financial services, electronics, and video games.[362][363][364][365] Ronaldo featured as the cover star of FIFA video game FIFA 18 and was heavily involved in the game's promotion.[366] His "Sii" goal celebration features in the FIFA series, accompanied with his own voiceover.[309] He was also the face of Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of the 2008, 2012 and 2013 editions of the game.[367] Philanthropy Ronaldo in 2010 Ronaldo has made contributions to various charitable causes throughout his career. Television footage of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami showed an eight-year-old boy survivor named Martunis wearing a Portuguese football shirt who was stranded for 19 days after his family was killed. Following this, Ronaldo visited Aceh, Indonesia, to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction.[368][369] After accepting undisclosed damages from a libel case against The Sun newspaper in 2008, Ronaldo donated the damages to a charity in Madeira.[370] In 2009, Ronaldo donated £100,000 to the hospital that saved his mother's life in Madeira following her battle with cancer, so that they could build a cancer centre on the island.[371] In support of the victims of the 2010 Madeira flood, Ronaldo pledged to play in a charity match in Madeira between Primeira Liga club Porto and players from Madeiran-based clubs Marítimo and Nacional.[372] In 2012, Ronaldo and his agent paid for specialist treatment for a nine-year-old Canarian boy with apparently terminal cancer.[373] In December 2012, Ronaldo joined FIFA's "11 for Health" programme to raise awareness among kids of how to steer clear of conditions including drug addiction, HIV, malaria, and obesity.[374] In January 2013, Ronaldo became Save the Children's new Global Artist Ambassador, in which he hopes to help fight child hunger and obesity.[375] In March 2013, Ronaldo agreed to be the ambassador for the Mangrove Care Forum Bali in Indonesia, an organisation aiming to raise awareness of mangrove conservation.[376] Ronaldo was named the world's most charitable sportsperson in 2015 after donating £5 million to the relief effort after the earthquake in Nepal which killed over 8,000 people.[377] In June 2016, Ronaldo donated the entirety of his €600,000 Champions League bonus after Real Madrid won the competition.[377] In August of the same year, Ronaldo launched CR7Selfie, a selfie app for charity to help Save the Children that lets participants take a selfie with him in one of several different outfits and poses.[378] Eponyms and honours See also: Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, Museu CR7, and Galaxy CR7 The Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, Museu CR7, in Funchal, Madeira, opened in December 2013. In 2007, C.D. Nacional renamed its youth campus Cristiano Ronaldo Campus Futebol (Cristiano Ronaldo Football Campus).[379] In December 2013, Ronaldo opened a museum, Museu CR7, in his hometown of Funchal, Madeira, to house trophies and memorabilia;[380] the museum is an official sponsor of the local football team União da Madeira.[381][382] At a ceremony held at the Belém Palace in January 2014, President of Portugal Aníbal Cavaco Silva raised Ronaldo to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry "to distinguish an athlete of world renown who has been a symbol of Portugal globally, contributing to the international projection of the country and setting an example of tenacity for future generations."[383] In June 2015, astronomers led by David Sobral from Lisbon and Leiden discovered a galaxy which they named Cosmos Redshift 7 (CR7) in tribute to Ronaldo.[384] On 23 July 2016, following Portugal's triumph at Euro 2016, Madeira Airport in Funchal was renamed as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.[385] The name change was subject to much debate locally by some politicians and citizens, who even started a petition against the move, an action criticised by President of Madeira Miguel Albuquerque.[386][387] On 21 September 2020, the Sporting CP's football academy in Alcochete, until then called Academia Sporting, was renamed Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.[388][389] In 2023, the Lisbon City Council approved awarding him, at the proposal of its president, Carlos Moedas, the Medal of Honor of the City, because he is "a great Lisboner, in the sense of the passion he has for the city".[390] Public art Public artwork of Ronaldo include a waxwork likeness in Madame Tussauds, London (left) and a bronze statue in Madeira (right), resembling the pose he strikes before taking free kicks. In June 2010, during the build-up to the World Cup, Ronaldo became the fourth footballer, after Steven Gerrard, Pelé, and David Beckham, to be represented as a waxwork at Madame Tussauds London.[391] Another waxwork of him was presented at the Madrid Wax Museum in December 2013.[392] A bronze statue of Ronaldo, designed by artist Ricardo Madeira Veloso, was unveiled in Funchal in December 2014.[393][394] The unveiling of the rebranded Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport took place on 29 March 2017, which included a bust of his head being presented.[387] The bust and the name change were controversial, with the lack of the bust's likeness to Ronaldo being ridiculed by comedians, including Saturday Night Live,[395][387] A year later, sports website Bleacher Report commissioned sculptor Emanuel Santos to create another bust;[396] however, this bust was never used and a new one was made by a Spanish sculptor, shown to the public on 15 June 2018.[397] Business ventures Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique under the name CR7 (his initials and shirt number) on the island of Madeira in 2006 and opened a second in Lisbon in 2008.[398] In partnership with Scandinavian manufacturer JBS Textile Group and the New York fashion designer Richard Chai, Ronaldo co-designed a range of underwear and sock line, released in November 2013.[399] He expanded his CR7 fashion brand by launching a line of premium shirts and shoes in July 2014.[400][401] In September 2015, Ronaldo released his own fragrance, "Legacy", in a partnership with Eden Parfums.[402] Since 26 October 2023, the new owners of Medialivre (Correio da Manhã, Record and Jornal de Negócios publisher) are a group of investors that include Cristiano Ronaldo through Portuguese company Expressão Livre.[403] In December 2011, he launched an iPhone game called Heads Up with Cristiano, created by developer RockLive,[404] and in December 2013, he launched Viva Ronaldo, a dedicated social networking website and app.[405] On 26 February 2026, Ronaldo acquired a 25% ownership stake in Spanish club UD Almería as part of his investment activities through CR7 Sports Investments, a subsidiary of CR7 S.A.[406] Media Ronaldo's autobiography, titled Moments, was published in 2007.[407] His sponsor Castrol produced the television film Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit, in which he was physically and mentally tested in several areas; his physical performance was subject to scrutiny by world media upon the film's release in September 2011.[320] Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet, a documentary narrated by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, was released via Vimeo in June 2014.[408] A documentary film directed by Anthony Wonke about his life and career, titled Ronaldo, was released on 9 November 2015.[409][410] He appears as a playable character in the 2025 fighting game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.[411] In December 2025, it was confirmed that he will participate in the film Fast X: Part 2, from the Fast & Furious franchise.[412] Personal life Family, children, and relationships Ronaldo is a Catholic.[413] Within his ancestry, he is of (one-eighth) Cape Verdean descent through his great-grandmother.[414] Ronaldo's great-grandmother on his father's side, Isabel da Piedade, an African woman, was born in the island of São Vicente, in what was then Portuguese Cape Verde, and moved to the island of Madeira when she was 16.[415][416] His father, José, died of an alcoholism-related liver condition at age 52 in September 2005 when Ronaldo was 20.[417] After her son achieved legendary status in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, became a popular personality in Portugal to such an extent that advertising campaigns for well-known brands in the country, such as Maggi, MultiOpticas and Pingo Doce, have featured her in commercials.[418][419] Ronaldo has five living children. He first became a father to a son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who was born on 17 June 2010 in the United States.[420] He has full custody of the child and has not publicly revealed the identity of the mother per an agreement with her.[421][422] Ronaldo Jr. is a youth footballer who plays for Portugal Under-15s.[423] In January 2015, Ronaldo's five-year relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk ended.[424] Then, in 2017, Ronaldo became a father to twins,[425] born on 8 June 2017 in the United States via surrogacy. Ronaldo is currently in a relationship with Argentine and Spanish model Georgina Rodríguez,[426] who gave birth to a daughter on 12 November 2017.[427] The couple expected another set of twins in 2022. The male twin died during childbirth while the female twin survived.[428] On 11 August 2025, Rodríguez announced their engagement via Instagram.[429] Health Ronaldo has said that he does not drink alcohol,[370] and he received libel damages over a Daily Mirror article that reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub while recovering from an injury in July 2008.[430] He also does not have any tattoos, as he regularly donates blood and bone marrow.[431] Legal issues In July 2017, Ronaldo was charged with fraudulently evading almost €15 million in tax between 2011 and 2014, a claim he denied at the time.[432] In June 2018, Ronaldo was given a two-year suspended jail sentence and fined €18.8 million, later reduced to €16.8 million after reaching a deal with Spanish authorities. The sentence was served under probation, without any jail time, so long as he did not re-offend.[433] Ronaldo and another man were investigated by the British Crown Prosecution Service after a 2005 rape allegation was brought forward by two women. Within days, the two women withdrew their allegation, and Scotland Yard later issued a statement declaring there was not enough evidence for a prosecution.[434] In April 2017, it was reported that Ronaldo was being investigated by the Las Vegas Police Department for an allegation by a woman that he had raped her in 2009.[435][436] Documents, confirmed by Ronaldo's lawyers, state that Ronaldo paid a woman US$375,000 in a non-disclosure settlement.[435][437] Ronaldo and his lawyers issued a lengthy statement denying all accusations, describing them as an "intentional defamation campaign" with parts significantly "altered and/or completely fabricated",[438][439] a claim which Der Spiegel categorically denied.[440] In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors said they would not charge Ronaldo over allegations of rape; the statement added: "Based upon a review of information at this time, the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."[441] The same woman, in September 2018, filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada accusing Ronaldo of rape.[442] The Daily Mirror, citing court documents, reported in 2021 that the woman sought £56 million in damages from Ronaldo.[443] In October 2021, federal magistrate judge Daniel Albregts recommended that the lawsuit be dismissed, citing that the woman's lawyer, Leslie Stovall, "acted in bad faith by asking for, receiving, and using Football Leaks documents to prosecute" the case, despite the documents containing "privileged communications" between Ronaldo and his lawyers. Additionally, Albregts stated that no evidence was found of Ronaldo's lawyers having "intimidated [the woman] or impeded law enforcement" during the 2010 settlement with her.[444] In June 2022, the woman's rape lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, as district judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ruled that Stovall's repeated use of "cyber-hacked attorney–client privileged documents" were actions representing "abuses and flagrant circumvention of the proper litigation process".[442][445] Ronaldo with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in 2025 Politics In a November 2025 interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo stated a wish to meet with U.S. president Donald Trump. "I wish one day to meet him [and] sit with him because he's one of the [people] that I really like," Ronaldo said. "I think it can make things happen, and I like people like that." Without endorsing any political agenda, Ronaldo stated that a potential meeting with Trump would revolve around his desire for world peace. "I wish that the world goes in a [peaceful] way. I'm going to tell him that we have something in common and something that we share." Ronaldo said. He later joked that he was "seriously more famous" than the president.[446][447] On 18 November Ronaldo and his fiancée Georgina met Trump at the White House. Later in the day he attended a black-tie dinner at the White House, along with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and dozens of billionaires and business leaders.[448][449][450][451] A week later, FIFA issued Ronaldo a reprieve, eliminating a two-out-of-three-match ban against him, for having elbowed Irish defender Dara O'Shea in a match against Ireland on 14 November. The reprieve ensured Ronaldo's availability for Portugal's first matches in the World Cup.[253][452][453] Career statistics Club As of match played 7 May 2026[454][213] Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup[b] League cup[c] Continental Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Sporting CP B[455][456] 2002–03 Segunda Divisão B 2 0 — — — — 2 0 Sporting CP 2002–03 Primeira Liga 25 3 3 2 — 3[d] 0 — 31 5 Manchester United 2003–04 Premier League 29 4 5 2 1 0 5[e] 0 0 0 40 6 2004–05 Premier League 33 5 7 4 2 0 8[e] 0 0 0 50 9 2005–06 Premier League 33 9 2 0 4 2 8[e] 1 — 47 12 2006–07 Premier League 34 17 7 3 1 0 11[e] 3 — 53 23 2007–08 Premier League 34 31 3 3 0 0 11[e] 8 1[f] 0 49 42 2008–09 Premier League 33 18 2 1 4 2 12[e] 4 2[g] 1 53 26 Total 196 84 26 13 12 4 55 16 3 1 292 118 Real Madrid 2009–10 La Liga 29 26 0 0 — 6[e] 7 — 35 33 2010–11 La Liga 34 40[h] 8 7 — 12[e] 6 — 54 53 2011–12 La Liga 38 46 5 3 — 10[e] 10 2[i] 1 55 60 2012–13 La Liga 34 34 7 7 — 12[e] 12 2[i] 2 55 55 2013–14 La Liga 30 31 6 3 — 11[e] 17 — 47 51 2014–15 La Liga 35 48 2 1 — 12[e] 10 5[j] 2 54 61 2015–16 La Liga 36 35 0 0 — 12[e] 16 — 48 51 2016–17 La Liga 29 25 2 1 — 13[e] 12 2[g] 4 46 42 2017–18 La Liga 27 26 0 0 — 13[e] 15 4[k] 3 44 44 Total 292 311 30 22 0 0 101 105 15 12 438 450 Juventus 2018–19 Serie A 31 21 2 0 — 9[e] 6 1[l] 1 43 28 2019–20 Serie A 33 31 4 2 — 8[e] 4 1[l] 0 46 37 2020–21 Serie A 33 29 4 2 — 6[e] 4 1[l] 1 44 36 2021–22 Serie A 1 0 — — — — 1 0 Total 98 81 10 4 0 0 23 14 3 2 134 101 Manchester United 2021–22 Premier League 30 18 1 0 0 0 7[e] 6 — 38 24 2022–23 Premier League 10 1 — 0 0 6[m] 2 — 16 3 Total 40 19 1 0 0 0 13 8 0 0 54 27 Al-Nassr 2022–23 Saudi Pro League 16 14 2 0 — — 1[n] 0 19 14 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 31 35 4 3 — 9[o] 6 7[p] 6 51 50 2024–25 Saudi Pro League 30 25 1 0 — 8[q] 8 2[n] 2 41 35 2025–26 Saudi Pro League 28 26 1 0 — 3[r] 1 2[n] 1 34 28 Total 105 100 8 3 0 0 20 15 12 9 145 127 Career total 758 598 78 44 12 4 215 158 33 24 1,096 828 Portuguese pronunciation: [kɾɨʃtjɐnu ʁunaɫdu duʃ ˈsɐ̃tuʃ aˈvej.ɾu] Includes Taça de Portugal, FA Cup, Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, King's Cup Includes Football League Cup One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Cup Appearances in UEFA Champions League Appearance in FA Community Shield Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup Does not include one goal scored on 18 September 2010 against Real Sociedad. Marca, which awards the Pichichi Trophy, attribute it to Ronaldo, while La Liga and UEFA attribute it to Pepe.[457] Appearances in Supercopa de España One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and one goal in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana Appearances in UEFA Europa League Appearance(s) in Saudi Super Cup Appearances in AFC Champions League Six appearances and six goals in Arab Club Champions Cup, one appearance in Saudi Super Cup Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite Appearances in AFC Champions League Two International For a comprehensive listing of international goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, see List of international goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. As of match played 13 November 2025[5][458] Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition Team Year Competitive Friendly Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Portugal U15 2001 2[a] 1 7 6 9 7 Portugal U17 2001 — 3 2 3 2 2002 4[b] 3 — 4 3 Total 4 3 3 2 7 5 Portugal U20 2003 — 5[c] 1 5 1 Portugal U21 2002 0 0 1 1 1 1 2003 7[d] 2 2 0 9 2 Total 7 2 3 1 10 3 Portugal U23 2004 2[e] 1 1 1 3 2 Portugal 2003 — 2 0 2 0 2004 11[f] 7 5 0 16 7 2005 7[g] 2 4 0 11 2 2006 10[h] 4 4 2 14 6 2007 9[i] 5 1 0 10 5 2008 5[j] 1 3 0 8 1 2009 5[k] 0 2 1 7 1 2010 6[l] 3 5 0 11 3 2011 6[m] 5 2 2 8 7 2012 9[n] 4 4 1 13 5 2013 6[o] 7 3 3 9 10 2014 5[p] 3 4 2 9 5 2015 4[q] 3 1 0 5 3 2016 10[r] 10 3 3 13 13 2017 10[s] 10 1 1 11 11 2018 4[t] 4 3 2 7 6 2019 10[u] 14 — 10 14 2020 4[v] 2 2 1 6 3 2021 11[w] 11 3 2 14 13 2022 12[x] 3 — 12 3 2023 9[y] 10 — 9 10 2024 10[z] 5 2 2 12 7 2025 9[aa] 8 0 0 9 8 Total 172 121 54 22 226 143 Career total 187 128 73 33 260 161 Notes Appearances in the 2001 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival. Two appearances and three goals in the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification, two appearances in the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Appearances in the 2003 Toulon Tournament. Appearances in the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification. Appearances in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Six appearances and two goals in UEFA Euro 2004, five appearances and five goals in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. Appearances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. Six appearances and one goal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, four appearances and three goals in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. Appearances in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. Three appearances and one goal in UEFA Euro 2008, two appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. Appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. Four appearances and one goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, two appearances and two goals in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. Appearances in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. Five appearances and three goals in UEFA Euro 2012, four appearances and one goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. Appearances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. Three appearances and one goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, two appearances and two goals in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. Appearances in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. Seven appearances and three goals in UEFA Euro 2016, three appearances and seven goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. Six appearances and eight goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, four appearances and two goals in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Appearances in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Eight appearances and eleven goals in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, two appearances and three goals in the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals. Appearances in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League. Seven appearances and six goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, four appearances and five goals in UEFA Euro 2020. Two appearances in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and two goals in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, five appearances and one goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Appearances in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. Five appearances in the UEFA Euro 2024, five appearances and five goals in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League. Four appearances and three goals in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, five appearances and five goals in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. Honours For a comprehensive listing of Ronaldo's achievements, see List of career achievements by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, with his third Ballon d'Or, at the Santiago Bernabéu in January 2015 Sporting CP[459] Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002 Manchester United[460][461] Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 FA Cup: 2003–04 Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09 FA Community Shield: 2007 UEFA Champions League: 2007–08 FIFA Club World Cup: 2008 Real Madrid[461] La Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17 Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14 Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017 UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017 FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017 Juventus[213] Serie A: 2018–19, 2019–20 Coppa Italia: 2020–21 Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020 Al-Nassr Arab Club Champions Cup: 2023[205] Portugal UEFA European Championship: 2016[462] UEFA Nations League: 2018–19,[236] 2024–25[463] Individual Ballon d'Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017[464][461] FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008[464] The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2016, 2017[464] The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement: 2021[465] UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17 The Best Special Award of UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer: 2024[466] FIFA Puskás Award: 2009[467] FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2016 UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18[468] European Golden Shoe: 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15[464][461] UEFA European Championship All-Time XI: 2016[469] UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 2020 UEFA Nations League Finals Top Scorer: 2019, 2025 (shared) Premier League Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08[460] La Liga Best Player: 2013–14[124] Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2019,[470] 2020[471] Premier League Golden Boot: 2007–08[460] Pichichi Trophy: 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15 Capocannoniere: 2020–21[472] Saudi Pro League Golden Boot: 2023–24, 2024–25 Golden Foot: 2020[473] 21st Century Awards, by Globe Soccer Awards: 2020[474] Primeira Liga Best Player of All Time Award: 2025[475] Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020[476] FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021[477] Portuguese Sportsman of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019[478] FPF Portuguese Player of the Year: 2015, 2016,[479] 2017, 2018, 2019[480] Orders Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (Portuguese Royal Family)[481] Grand officer of the Order of Prince Henry[464] Commander of the Order of Merit[482] Cordão da Insígnia autonómica de distinção (Collar of the Autonomic Insignia of Distinction, Autonomous Region of Madeira)[483] See also List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances List of top international men's football goalscorers by country List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals List of men's footballers with the most official appearances List of most-followed Instagram accounts List of most-liked Instagram posts List of most-viewed Instagram reels List of footballers with 500 or more goals Notes Varies between 1.85 and 1.89 metres by source. FIFA gives 1.85,[3] Real Madrid 1.87,[4] and the Portuguese Football Federation 1.89.[5] Although there was no third-place playoff, both losing semi-finalists (Germany and Portugal) were awarded bronze medals by UEFA.[6] The terminology for the award has varied. Ronaldo received three Ballons d'Or as awarded by France Football magazine (2008, 2016, 2017) and two FIFA Ballons d'Or (2013, 2014) as well as the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year and 2016 and 2017 Best FIFA Men's Player awards. References Citations "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017: List of players: Real Madrid CF" (PDF). FIFA. 16 December 2017. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017. Lewis, Tim (8 June 2008). "He's got the world at his feet". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2008. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Squad List: Portugal (POR)" (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 22. 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"Champions League all-time top scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema | UEFA Champions League". UEFA. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023. "Your All-time EURO 11 revealed". UEFA. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2016. "Ronaldo crowned Serie A best player". Football Italia. 2 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019. "Cristiano Ronaldo giocatore dell'anno per il 2020: la premiazione al Galà del Calcio 2021" [Cristiano Ronaldo player of the year for 2020: the award ceremony at the Gala del Calcio 2021]. Sky Sport. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2022. "Cristiano Ronaldo first player to finish as top scorer in Serie A, Premier League, La Liga". ESPN. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021. Football Italia staff (1 December 2020). "Ronaldo wins Golden Foot Award". Football Italia. Retrieved 18 December 2020. "Cristiano Ronaldo voted Player of the Century at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards". The National. Abu Dhabi. 27 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2021. "Cristiano Ronaldo named 'Best of All Time' by Liga Portugal". ESPN. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025. Crépin, Timothé (14 December 2020). "Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende !" (in French). France Football. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020. "Lionel Messi: World 11 through the years". FIFPRO. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024. "Cristiano Ronaldo premiado na XXII Gala dos Globos de Ouro". Caras. Retrieved 24 May 2017. "Ronaldo named Portugal's player of the year; Sanches best young player". ESPN. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2022. "Ronaldo named Portugal's player of the year; Sanches best young player". 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019. "D. Duarte condecora selecção nacional". Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 31 August 2006. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017. "Presidente da República condecora jogadores com grau de comendador da Ordem do Mérito". Record.pt. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016. "Ronaldo vai ser condecorado na Madeira". ojogo.pt (in Portuguese). 6 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019. Works cited Caioli, Luca (2016) [2012]. Ronaldo: The Obsession for Perfection (2017 updated ed.). New York: Icon Books. ISBN 978-1-78578-140-7. Further reading Balagué, Guillem (2015). Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography (hardcover ed.). London: Orion Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4091-5504-1. External links Cristiano Ronaldo at Wikipedia's sister projects Wikimedia Commons logoMedia from Commons Quotations from Wikiquote Data from Wikidata Official website Edit this at Wikidata Profile at Real Madrid CF Profile at Manchester United F.C. Cristiano Ronaldo national team profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese) Edit this at Wikidata Cristiano Ronaldo – FIFA competition record (archived) Edit this at Wikidata Cristiano Ronaldo – UEFA competition record (archive) Edit this at Wikidata Cristiano Ronaldo at Premier League (archived former page) vte Cristiano Ronaldo Career Summary International goals Achievements Rivalry with Lionel Messi Cultural depictions Write the Future (2010) The World at His Feet (2014) Ronaldo (2015) Academia Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport Estádio da Madeira Museu CR7 Family Georgina Rodríguez (wife) Associated clubs C.D. Nacional UD Almería Events UFL (video game) Perplexity AI Related topics Galaxy CR7 Pestana Group Jorge Mendes Category vte Al Nassr FC – current squad 1 Al-Aqidi 2 Al-Ghannam 3 Simakan 4 Al-Sharari 5 Al-Amri 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Hayder A. 9 Al-Hamdan 10 Mané 11 Brozović 12 Boushal 14 Al-Najei 16 Maran 17 Al-Khaibari 18 Al-Jaber 19 Al-Hassan 20 Ângelo 21 Coman 23 A. Yahya 24 Bento 26 Martínez 29 Ghareeb 36 Al-Najjar 40 Al-Tahan 56 Al-Ghamdi 60 Haqawi 61 Al-Buainain 70 A. Aman 79 Félix 83 Al-Najdi 88 Hazazi 96 Al-Nasser Manager: Jesus Portugal squads vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2004 runners-up 1 Ricardo 2 Ferreira 3 R. Jorge 4 Andrade 5 Couto (c) 6 Costinha 7 Figo 8 Petit 9 Pauleta 10 R. Costa 11 Simão 12 Quim 13 Miguel 14 Valente 15 Beto 16 R. Carvalho 17 Ronaldo 18 Maniche 19 Tiago 20 Deco 21 N. Gomes 22 Moreira 23 Postiga Coach: Scolari Portugal vte Portugal men's football squad – 2004 Summer Olympics 1 Moreira 2 M. Sérgio 3 Meireles 4 B. Alves 5 R. Costa (c) 6 Meira 7 Ronaldo 8 Viana 9 H. Almeida 10 C. Martins 11 J. Ribeiro 12 Frechaut 13 Boa Morte 14 Bosingwa 15 Lourenço 16 João Paulo 17 Danny 18 Vale Coach: Romão Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup fourth place 1 Ricardo 2 Ferreira 3 Caneira 4 R. Costa 5 Meira 6 Costinha 7 Figo (c) 8 Petit 9 Pauleta 10 Viana 11 Simão 12 Quim 13 Miguel 14 Valente 15 Boa Morte 16 R. Carvalho 17 Ronaldo 18 Maniche 19 Tiago 20 Deco 21 N. Gomes 22 Santos 23 Postiga Coach: Scolari Portugal vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2008 1 Ricardo 2 Ferreira 3 Alves 4 Bosingwa 5 Meira 6 Meireles 7 Ronaldo 8 Petit 9 H. Almeida 10 Moutinho 11 Simão 12 Nuno 13 Miguel 14 J. Ribeiro 15 Pepe 16 R. Carvalho 17 Quaresma 18 Veloso 19 Nani 20 Deco 21 N. Gomes (c) 22 Patrício 23 Postiga Coach: Scolari Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup 1 Eduardo 2 Alves 3 Ferreira 4 Rolando 5 Duda 6 R. Carvalho 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 P. Mendes 9 Liédson 10 Danny 11 Simão 12 Beto 13 Miguel 14 Veloso 15 Pepe 16 Meireles 17 Amorim 18 H. Almeida 19 Tiago 20 Deco 21 R. Costa 22 D. Fernandes 23 Coentrão Coach: Queiroz Portugal vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2012 semi-finalists 1 Eduardo 2 Alves 3 Pepe 4 Veloso 5 Coentrão 6 Custódio 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 H. Almeida 10 Quaresma 11 N. Oliveira 12 Patrício 13 R. Costa 14 Rolando 15 Micael 16 Meireles 17 Nani 18 Varela 19 M. Lopes 20 Viana 21 J. Pereira 22 Beto 23 Postiga Coach: Bento Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2014 FIFA World Cup 1 Eduardo 2 Alves 3 Pepe 4 Veloso 5 Coentrão 6 W. Carvalho 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 H. Almeida 10 Vieirinha 11 Eder 12 Patrício 13 Costa 14 Neto 15 Rafa 16 Meireles 17 Nani 18 Varela 19 A. Almeida 20 Amorim 21 Pereira 22 Beto 23 Postiga Coach: Bento Portugal vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2016 winners (1st title) 1 Patrício 2 B. Alves 3 Pepe 4 Fonte 5 R. Guerreiro 6 R. Carvalho 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 Eder 10 J. Mário 11 Vieirinha 12 Lopes 13 Danilo 14 W. Carvalho 15 A. Gomes 16 Sanches 17 Nani 18 Rafa 19 Eliseu 20 Quaresma 21 Cédric 22 Eduardo 23 Adrien Coach: Santos Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup third place 1 Patrício 2 Alves 3 Pepe 4 Neto 5 Guerreiro 6 Fonte 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 A. Silva 10 B. Silva 11 Semedo 12 Sá 13 Danilo 14 Carvalho 15 Gomes 16 Pizzi 17 Nani 18 Gelson 19 Eliseu 20 Quaresma 21 Cédric 22 Beto 23 Adrien Coach: Santos Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2018 FIFA World Cup 1 Patrício 2 Alves 3 Pepe 4 M. Fernandes 5 Guerreiro 6 Fonte 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 An. Silva 10 Mário 11 B. Silva 12 Lopes 13 Dias 14 Carvalho 15 Ricardo 16 B. Fernandes 17 Guedes 18 Martins 19 Rui 20 Quaresma 21 Cédric 22 Beto 23 Ad. Silva Coach: Santos Portugal vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2020 1 Patrício 2 Semedo 3 Pepe 4 Dias 5 Guerreiro 6 Fonte 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Moutinho 9 A. Silva 10 B. Silva 11 Fernandes 12 Lopes 13 Danilo 14 Carvalho 15 Rafa 16 Sanches 17 Guedes 18 Neves 19 Gonçalves 20 Dalot 21 Jota 22 R. Silva 23 Félix 24 Oliveira 25 Mendes 26 Palhinha Coach: Santos Portugal vte Portugal squad – 2022 FIFA World Cup 1 Patrício 2 Dalot 3 Pepe 4 Dias 5 Guerreiro 6 Palhinha 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Fernandes 9 And. Silva 10 B. Silva 11 Félix 12 Sá 13 Danilo 14 Carvalho 15 Leão 16 Vitinha 17 Mário 18 Neves 19 Mendes 20 Cancelo 21 Horta 22 Costa 23 Nunes 24 Ant. Silva 25 Otávio 26 Ramos Coach: Santos Portugal vte Portugal squad – UEFA Euro 2024 1 Patrício 2 Semedo 3 Pepe 4 Dias 5 Dalot 6 Palhinha 7 Ronaldo (c) 8 Fernandes 9 Ramos 10 B. Silva 11 Félix 12 Sá 13 Danilo 14 Inácio 15 J. Neves 16 Nunes 17 Leão 18 R. Neves 19 Mendes 20 Cancelo 21 Jota 22 Costa 23 Vitinha 24 A. Silva 25 Neto 26 Conceição Coach: Martínez Portugal Awards vte 2018 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament Statistical Team Goalkeeper Belgium Thibaut Courtois Defenders France Raphaël Varane Sweden Andreas Granqvist Brazil Thiago Silva Colombia Yerry Mina Midfielders Croatia Luka Modrić Russia Denis Cheryshev Brazil Philippe Coutinho Forwards Belgium Eden Hazard England Harry Kane France Antoine Griezmann Fans' Team Goalkeeper Belgium Thibaut Courtois Defenders France Raphaël Varane Uruguay Diego Godín Brazil Thiago Silva Brazil Marcelo Midfielders Croatia Luka Modrić Belgium Kevin De Bruyne Brazil Philippe Coutinho Forwards Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo England Harry Kane France Kylian Mbappé vte UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament Goalkeepers Czech Republic Petr Čech Greece Antonios Nikopolidis Defenders England Ashley Cole England Sol Campbell Portugal Ricardo Carvalho Greece Traianos Dellas Sweden Olof Mellberg Greece Giourkas Seitaridis Italy Gianluca Zambrotta Midfielders Germany Michael Ballack Portugal Luís Figo England Frank Lampard Portugal Maniche Czech Republic Pavel Nedvěd Greece Theodoros Zagorakis France Zinedine Zidane Forwards Czech Republic Milan Baroš Greece Angelos Charisteas Sweden Henrik Larsson Netherlands Ruud van Nistelrooy Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo England Wayne Rooney Denmark Jon Dahl Tomasson vte UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament Goalkeepers Italy Gianluigi Buffon Spain Iker Casillas Germany Manuel Neuer Defenders Spain Jordi Alba Portugal Fábio Coentrão Germany Philipp Lahm Portugal Pepe Spain Gerard Piqué Spain Sergio Ramos Midfielders Spain Xabi Alonso Spain Sergio Busquets Italy Daniele De Rossi England Steven Gerrard Spain Andrés Iniesta Germany Sami Khedira Germany Mesut Özil Italy Andrea Pirlo Spain Xavi Forwards Italy Mario Balotelli Spain Cesc Fàbregas Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Spain David Silva vte UEFA Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament Goalkeeper Portugal Rui Patrício Defenders Germany Joshua Kimmich Germany Jérôme Boateng Portugal Pepe Portugal Raphaël Guerreiro Midfielders Germany Toni Kroos Wales Joe Allen France Antoine Griezmann Wales Aaron Ramsey France Dimitri Payet Forward Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals Team of the Tournament Goalkeeper England Jordan Pickford Defenders Netherlands Daley Blind Netherlands Virgil van Dijk Portugal Rúben Dias Portugal Nélson Semedo Midfielders Netherlands Frenkie de Jong Netherlands Georginio Wijnaldum Portugal Bruno Fernandes Forwards Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Bernardo Silva Switzerland Xherdan Shaqiri vte UEFA European Championship top scorers 1960: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Galić, France Heutte, Soviet Union Ivanov, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Jerković & Soviet Union Ponedelnik 1964: Hungary Bene, Hungary Novák & Spain Pereda 1968: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Džajić 1972: West Germany G. Müller 1976: West Germany D. Müller 1980: West Germany Allofs 1984: France Platini 1988: Netherlands Van Basten 1992: Netherlands Bergkamp, Sweden Brolin, Denmark Larsen & Germany Riedle 1996: England Shearer 2000: Netherlands Kluivert & Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Milošević 2004: Czech Republic Baroš 2008: Spain Villa 2012: Italy Balotelli, Russia Dzagoev, Germany Gómez, Croatia Mandžukić, Portugal Ronaldo & Spain Torres* 2016: France Griezmann 2020: Portugal Ronaldo* & Czech Republic Schick 2024: Netherlands Gakpo, England Kane, Georgia (country) Mikautadze, Germany Musiala, Spain Olmo & Slovakia Schranz * – Golden Boot award winner (when goals scored are tied) vte 2007 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Italy Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Italy Fabio Cannavaro Italy Alessandro Nesta Spain Carles Puyol England John Terry Midfielders England Steven Gerrard Brazil Kaká Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Forwards Ivory Coast Didier Drogba Argentina Lionel Messi Brazil Ronaldinho vte 2008 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders England national football team Rio Ferdinand Spain national football team Carles Puyol Spain national football team Sergio Ramos England national football team John Terry Midfielders England national football team Steven Gerrard Brazil national football team Kaká Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Spain national football team Fernando Torres vte 2009 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves France national football team Patrice Evra England national football team John Terry Serbia national football team Nemanja Vidić Midfielders England national football team Steven Gerrard Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Spain national football team Fernando Torres vte 2010 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders Brazil national football team Lúcio Brazil national football team Maicon Spain national football team Gerard Piqué Spain national football team Carles Puyol Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Netherlands national football team Wesley Sneijder Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Spain national football team David Villa vte 2011 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Spain national football team Gerard Piqué Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Serbia national football team Nemanja Vidić Midfielders Spain national football team Xabi Alonso Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo England national football team Wayne Rooney vte 2012 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Gerard Piqué Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Midfielders Spain national football team Xabi Alonso Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Colombia national football team Radamel Falcao Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2013 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Germany national football team Philipp Lahm Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Brazil national football team Thiago Silva Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Spain national football team Franck Ribéry Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Sweden men's national football team Zlatan Ibrahimović Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2014 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Brazil national football team David Luiz Germany national football team Philipp Lahm Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Brazil national football team Thiago Silva Midfielders Argentina national football team Ángel Di María Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Germany national football team Toni Kroos Forwards Netherlands national football team Arjen Robben Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Argentina national football team Lionel Messi vte 2015 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Brazil national football team Thiago Silva Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Croatia national football team Luka Modrić France national football team Paul Pogba Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Brazil national football team Neymar Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2016 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Gerard Piqué Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Germany national football team Toni Kroos Croatia national football team Luka Modrić Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Uruguay national football team Luis Suárez vte 2017 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Italy national football team Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Italy national football team Leonardo Bonucci Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Germany national football team Toni Kroos Croatia national football team Luka Modrić Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Brazil national football team Neymar Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2018 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Spain national football team David De Gea Defenders Brazil national football team Dani Alves Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Sergio Ramos France national football team Raphaël Varane Midfielders Belgium national football team Eden Hazard France national football team N'Golo Kanté Croatia national football team Luka Modrić Forwards France national football team Kylian Mbappé Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2019 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Brazil national football team Alisson Defenders Netherlands national football team Matthijs de Ligt Brazil national football team Marcelo Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Netherlands national football team Virgil van Dijk Midfielders Netherlands national football team Frenkie de Jong Belgium national football team Eden Hazard Croatia national football team Luka Modrić Forwards France national football team Kylian Mbappé Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2020 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Brazil national football team Alisson Defenders England national football team Trent Alexander-Arnold Canada men's national soccer team Alphonso Davies Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Netherlands national football team Virgil van Dijk Midfielders Belgium national football team Kevin De Bruyne Germany national football team Joshua Kimmich Spain national football team Thiago Forwards Poland national football team Robert Lewandowski Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2021 FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Goalkeeper Italy national football team Gianluigi Donnarumma Defenders Austria national football team David Alaba Italy national football team Leonardo Bonucci Portugal national football team Rúben Dias Midfielders Belgium national football team Kevin De Bruyne Italy national football team Jorginho France national football team N'Golo Kanté Forwards Norway national football team Erling Haaland Poland national football team Robert Lewandowski Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte 2004 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Buffon RB: Cafu CB: Nesta CB: Carvalho LB: Cole MF: C. Ronaldo MF: Maniche MF: Ronaldinho MF: Nedvěd FW: Henry FW: Shevchenko Coach: Mourinho vte 2007 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Alves CB: Nesta CB: Terry LB: Abidal MF: C. Ronaldo MF: Gerrard MF: Kaká MF: Seedorf FW: Ibrahimović FW: Drogba Coach: Ferguson vte 2008 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Ramos CB: Terry CB: Puyol LB: Lahm MF: C. Ronaldo MF: Xavi MF: Fàbregas MF: Ribéry FW: Messi FW: Torres Coach: Ferguson vte 2009 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Alves CB: Terry CB: Puyol LB: Evra MF: C. Ronaldo MF: Xavi MF: Kaká MF: Iniesta FW: Messi FW: Ibrahimović Coach: Guardiola vte 2010 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Maicon CB: Piqué CB: Puyol LB: Cole MF: C. Ronaldo MF: Xavi MF: Sneijder MF: Iniesta FW: Messi FW: Villa Coach: Mourinho vte 2011 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Alves CB: Piqué CB: Silva LB: Marcelo MF: Robben MF: Xavi MF: Iniesta MF: Bale FW: Messi FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2012 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Casillas RB: Ramos CB: Piqué CB: Silva LB: Lahm MF: Iniesta MF: Xavi MF: Pirlo MF: Özil FW: Messi FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2013 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Neuer RB: Lahm CB: Silva CB: Ramos LB: Alaba MF: Bale MF: Reus MF: Özil MF: Ribéry FW: Ibrahimović FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2014 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Neuer RB: Lahm CB: Ramos CB: Godín LB: Alaba MF: Robben MF: Kroos MF: Di María FW: Messi FW: Ibrahimović FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2015 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Neuer RB: Alves CB: Ramos CB: Piqué LB: Alaba MF: Pogba MF: Iniesta MF: Rodríguez FW: C. Ronaldo FW: Messi FW: Neymar vte 2016 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Buffon RB: Boateng CB: Piqué CB: Ramos LB: Bonucci MF: Modrić MF: Kroos MF: Iniesta FW: Messi FW: Griezmann FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2017 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Buffon RB: Alves CB: Ramos CB: Chiellini LB: Marcelo MF: Modrić MF: Kroos MF: De Bruyne MF: Hazard FW: Messi FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2018 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Ter Stegen RB: Ramos CB: van Dijk CB: Varane LB: Marcelo MF: Modrić MF: Kanté MF: Hazard MF: Kylian Mbappé FW: Messi FW: C. Ronaldo vte 2019 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Alisson RB: Alexander-Arnold CB: De Ligt CB: Van Dijk LB: Robertson MF: De Jong MF: De Bruyne RW: Messi FW: Ronaldo FW: Lewandowski LW: Mané vte 2020 UEFA Team of the Year GK: Neuer RB: Kimmich CB: Ramos CB: van Dijk LB: Davies MF: Thiago MF: De Bruyne MF: Messi RW: C. Ronaldo FW: Lewandowski LW: Neymar vte 2005–06 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year GK: Given DF: Chimbonda DF: Terry DF: Carragher DF: Gallas MF: Ronaldo MF: Gerrard MF: Lampard MF: Cole FW: Henry FW: Rooney vte 2006–07 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year GK: Van der Sar DF: Neville DF: Ferdinand DF: Vidić DF: Evra MF: Ronaldo MF: Gerrard MF: Scholes MF: Giggs FW: Drogba FW: Berbatov vte 2007–08 Premier League PFA Team of the Year GK: James DF: Sagna DF: Ferdinand DF: Vidić DF: Clichy MF: Ronaldo MF: Gerrard MF: Fàbregas MF: Young FW: Adebayor FW: Torres vte 2008–09 Premier League PFA Team of the Year GK: Van der Sar DF: Johnson DF: Ferdinand DF: Vidić DF: Evra MF: Ronaldo MF: Gerrard MF: Giggs MF: Young FW: Anelka FW: Torres vte 2013–14 La Liga Team of the Year GK: Courtois RB: Juanfran CB: Laporte CB: Godín LB: F. Luís MF: Iturraspe MF: Koke MF: Gabi MF: Rakitić FW: Ronaldo FW: D. Costa Manager: Simeone vte 2014–15 La Liga Team of the Year GK: Bravo RB: Dani Alves CB: Piqué CB: Otamendi LB: Alba MF: J. Rodríguez MF: Krychowiak MF: Rakitić FW: Messi FW: Ronaldo FW: Griezmann Manager: Luis Enrique vte 2015–16 La Liga Team of the Year GK: Oblak RB: Ramos CB: Piqué CB: Godín LB: Marcelo MF: Iniesta MF: Busquets MF: Modrić FW: Messi FW: Ronaldo FW: Suárez vte 2018–19 Serie A Team of the Year GK: Handanović RB: Cancelo CB: Koulibaly CB: Chiellini LB: Kolarov MF: Barella MF: Pjanić MF: Iličić FW: Quagliarella FW: Zapata FW: Ronaldo vte 2019–20 Serie A Team of the Year GK: Donnarumma RWB: Gosens CB: de Vrij CB: Bonucci LWB: Hernandez MF: Barella MF: Gómez MF: Luis Alberto FW: Dybala FW: Immobile FW: Ronaldo vte 2020–21 Serie A Team of the Year GK: Donnarumma RWB: Hakimi CB: de Vrij CB: Bastoni LWB: Hernandez MF: Barella MF: Kessié MF: Chiesa FW: Muriel FW: Lukaku FW: Ronaldo vte 2021–22 Premier League PFA Team of the Year GK: Alisson DF: Alexander-Arnold DF: Van Dijk DF: Rüdiger DF: Cancelo MF: De Bruyne MF: Thiago MF: Silva FW: Mané FW: Ronaldo FW: Salah vte Ballon d'Or France Football magazine award Ballon d'Or (1956–2009) 1956: England national football team Matthews 1957: Spain national football team Di Stéfano 1958: France national football team Kopa 1959: Spain national football team Di Stéfano 1960: Spain national football team Suárez 1961: Italy national football team Sívori 1962: Czechoslovakia national football team Masopust 1963: Soviet Union national football team Yashin 1964: Scotland national football team Law 1965: Portugal national football team Eusébio 1966: England national football team Charlton 1967: Hungary national football team Albert 1968: Northern Ireland national football team Best 1969: Italy national football team Rivera 1970: Germany national football team Müller 1971: Netherlands national football team Cruyff 1972: Germany national football team Beckenbauer 1973: Netherlands national football team Cruyff 1974: Netherlands national football team Cruyff 1975: Soviet Union national football team Blokhin 1976: Germany national football team Beckenbauer 1977: Denmark national football team Simonsen 1978: England national football team Keegan 1979: England national football team Keegan 1980: Germany national football team Rummenigge 1981: Germany national football team Rummenigge 1982: Italy national football team Rossi 1983: France national football team Platini 1984: France national football team Platini 1985: France national football team Platini 1986: Soviet Union national football team Belanov 1987: Netherlands national football team Gullit 1988: Netherlands national football team van Basten 1989: Netherlands national football team van Basten 1990: Germany national football team Matthäus 1991: France national football team Papin 1992: Netherlands national football team van Basten 1993: Italy national football team Baggio 1994: Bulgaria national football team Stoichkov 1995: Liberia national football team Weah 1996: Germany national football team Sammer 1997: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1998: France national football team Zidane 1999: Brazil national football team Rivaldo 2000: Portugal national football team Figo 2001: England national football team Owen 2002: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 2003: Czech Republic national football team Nedvěd 2004: Ukraine national football team Shevchenko 2005: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2006: Italy national football team Cannavaro 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2009: Argentina national football team Messi FIFA Ballon d'Or (2010–2015) 2010: Argentina national football team Messi 2011: Argentina national football team Messi 2012: Argentina national football team Messi 2013: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2014: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2015: Argentina national football team Messi Ballon d'Or (2016–present) 2016: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2017: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2018: Croatia national football team Modrić 2019: Argentina national football team Messi 2020: not awarded 2021: Argentina national football team Messi 2022: France national football team Benzema 2023: Argentina national football team Messi 2024: Spain national football team Rodri 2025: France national football team Dembélé Ballon d'Or additional awards (Ballon d'Or Féminin, Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Gerd Müller Trophy, Club of the Year, Sócrates Award, Johan Cruyff Trophy, Super Ballon d'Or, Ballon d'Or Dream Team) Related awards (French Player of the Year, FIFA Ballon d'Or (2010–2015), FIFA World Player of the Year (1991–2009), The Best FIFA Men's Player) vte The Best FIFA Men's Player FIFA World Player of the Year 1991: Germany national football team Matthäus 1992: Netherlands national football team Van Basten 1993: Italy national football team Baggio 1994: Brazil national football team Romário 1995: Liberia national football team Weah 1996: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1997: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1998: France national football team Zidane 1999: Brazil national football team Rivaldo 2000: France national football team Zidane 2001: Portugal national football team Figo 2002: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 2003: France national football team Zidane 2004: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2005: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2006: Italy national football team Cannavaro 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2009: Argentina national football team Messi FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010: Argentina national football team Messi 2011: Argentina national football team Messi 2012: Argentina national football team Messi 2013: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2014: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2015: Argentina national football team Messi The Best FIFA Men's Player 2016: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2017: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2018: Croatia national football team Modrić 2019: Argentina national football team Messi 2020: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2021: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2022: Argentina national football team Messi 2023: Argentina national football team Messi 2024: Brazil national football team Vinícius Jr. 2025: France national football team Dembélé See also: Ballon d'Or vte FourFourTwo Player of the year 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2009: Argentina national football team Messi 2010: Argentina national football team Messi 2011: Argentina national football team Messi 2012: Argentina national football team Messi 2013: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2014: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2015: Argentina national football team Messi 2016: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2017: Argentina national football team Messi 2018: Argentina national football team Messi 2019: Argentina national football team Messi 2020: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2021: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2022: Norway national football team Haaland 2023: Norway national football team Haaland 2024: Spain national football team Rodri 2025: Spain national football team Yamal vte Globe Soccer Awards Best Player Men's winners 2011: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2012: Colombia national football team Falcao 2013: France national football team Ribéry 2014: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2015: Argentina national football team Messi 2016: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2017: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2018: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2019: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2020: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2021: France national football team Mbappé 2022: France national football team Benzema 2023: Norway national football team Haaland 2024: Brazil national football team Vinícius Jr. 2025: France national football team Dembélé Women's winners 2019: England national football team Bronze 2020: not awarded 2021: Spain national football team Putellas 2022: Spain national football team Putellas 2023: Spain national football team Bonmatí 2024: Spain national football team Bonmatí 2025: Spain national football team Bonmatí vte FIFA Puskás Award 2009: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2010: Turkey national football team Altıntop 2011: Brazil national football team Neymar 2012: Slovakia national football team Stoch 2013: Sweden men's national football team Ibrahimović 2014: Colombia national football team J. Rodríguez 2015: Brazil national football team Wendell Lira 2016: Malaysia national football team Faiz 2017: France national football team Giroud 2018: Egypt national football team Salah 2019: Hungary national football team Zsóri 2020: South Korea national football team Son 2021: Argentina national football team Lamela 2022: Poland national football team Oleksy 2023: Brazil national football team Madruga 2024: Argentina national football team Garnacho 2025: Argentina national football team Montiel vte FIFPRO Player of the Year awards World Player of the Year 2005: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2006: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: Portugal national football team Ronaldo Young Player of the Year 2005: England national football team Rooney 2006: Argentina national football team Messi 2007: Argentina national football team Messi 2008: Argentina national football team Messi vte IFFHS World's Best Top Goal Scorer Men's winners 2011: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2012: Argentina national football team Messi 2013: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2014: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2015: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2016: Argentina national football team Messi 2017: England national football team Kane 2018: Algeria national football team Bounedjah 2019: Morocco national football team Hamdallah 2020: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2021: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2022: France national football team Mbappé 2023: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2024: Sweden Gyökeres 2025: France national football team Mbappé Women's winners 2021: Spain Hermoso 2022: Netherlands Kalma 2023: Malawi Chawinga 2024: Mexico Corral 2025: Mexico Corral vte IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer Men's winners 1997: Turkey Şükür 1998: Ecuador Kaviedes 1999: Brazil Jardel 2000: Brazil Jardel 2001: Bolivia Castillo 2002: Bolivia Botero 2003: Paraguay Cardozo 2004: Chile Galaz 2005: Brazil Araújo 2006: Netherlands Huntelaar 2007: Brazil Afonso Alves 2008: Paraguay Barrios 2009: Austria Janko 2010: Uruguay Suárez 2011: Latvia Čekulajevs 2012: Argentina Messi 2013: Argentina Messi 2014: Portugal C. Ronaldo & Uruguay Suárez 2015: Portugal C. Ronaldo 2016: Uruguay Suárez 2017: Argentina Messi 2018: Brazil Jonas & Argentina Messi 2019: Algeria Bounedjah 2020: Portugal C. Ronaldo 2021: Poland Lewandowski 2022: Argentina Cano 2023: England Kane 2024: Sweden Gyökeres Women's winners 2021: Czech Republic Martínková 2022: United States Fishel 2023: Mexico Corral 2024: Mexico Corral vte IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer Men's winners 1991: France national football team Papin 1992: Netherlands national football team Bergkamp & Brazil national football team Raí & Honduras national football team Obando 1993: Saudi Arabia national football team Al-Owairan 1994: Bulgaria national football team Stoichkov 1995: Germany national football team Klinsmann 1996: Iran national football team Daei 1997: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1998: Kuwait national football team Al-Huwaidi 1999: Spain national football team Raúl 2000: Brazil national football team Rivaldo 2001: Oman national football team Al-Dhabit 2002: Netherlands national football team Van Nistelrooy 2003: France national football team Henry 2004: Iran national football team Daei 2005: Brazil national football team Adriano 2006: Chile national football team Suazo 2007: DR Congo national football team Mputu 2008: Brazil national football team Rico 2009: Japan national football team Okazaki 2010: Kuwait national football team Al-Mutawa 2011: Argentina national football team Messi 2012: Argentina national football team Messi 2013: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2014: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2015: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2016: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2017: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2018: Algeria national football team Bounedjah 2019: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2020: Belgium national football team Lukaku 2021: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2022: Argentina national football team Messi 2023: Belgium national football team Lukaku 2024: Morocco national football team Rahimi 2025: Norway national football team Haaland Women's winners 2021: England White 2022: Australia Kerr 2023: Zambia Banda 2024: Germany Schüller 2025: Spain Pina vte Onze d'Or 1976: Netherlands national football team Rensenbrink 1977: England national football team Keegan 1978: Argentina national football team Kempes 1979: England national football team Keegan 1980: Germany national football team Rummenigge 1981: Germany national football team Rummenigge 1982: Italy national football team Rossi 1983: France national football team Platini 1984: France national football team Platini 1985: France national football team Platini 1986: Argentina national football team Maradona 1987: Argentina national football team Maradona 1988: Netherlands national football team Van Basten 1989: Netherlands national football team Van Basten 1990: Germany national football team Matthäus 1991: France national football team Papin 1992: Bulgaria national football team Stoichkov 1993: Italy national football team Baggio 1994: Brazil national football team Romário 1995: Liberia national football team Weah 1996: France national football team Cantona 1997: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1998: France national football team Zidane 1999: Brazil national football team Rivaldo 2000: France national football team Zidane 2001: France national football team Zidane 2002: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 2003: France national football team Henry 2004: Ivory Coast national football team Drogba 2005: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2006: France national football team Henry 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2009: Argentina national football team Messi 2010–11: Argentina national football team Messi 2011–12: Argentina national football team Messi 2012–14: not awarded 2014–15: France national football team Griezmann 2015–16: not awarded 2016–17: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2017–18: Argentina national football team Messi 2018–19: Senegal national football team Mané 2019–20: not awarded 2020–21: France national football team Benzema 2021–22: France national football team Benzema 2022–23: Norway national football team Haaland 2023–24: Brazil national football team Vinícius Jr. 2024–25: France national football team Dembélé vte UEFA Club Footballer of the Year 1997–98: Brazil national football team Ronaldo 1998–99: England national football team Beckham 1999–2000: Argentina national football team Redondo 2000–01: Germany national football team Effenberg 2001–02: France national football team Zidane 2002–03: Italy national football team Buffon 2003–04: Portugal national football team Deco 2004–05: England national football team Gerrard 2005–06: Brazil national football team Ronaldinho 2006–07: Brazil national football team Kaká 2007–08: Portugal national football team C. Ronaldo 2008–09: Argentina national football team Messi 2009–10: Argentina national football team Milito vte UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award UEFA Best Player in Europe 2010–11: Argentina national football team Messi 2011–12: Spain national football team Iniesta 2012–13: France national football team Ribéry 2013–14: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2014–15: Argentina national football team Messi 2015–16: Portugal national football team Ronaldo UEFA Men's Player of the Year 2016–17: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2017–18: Croatia national football team Modrić 2018–19: Netherlands national football team Van Dijk 2019–20: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2020–21: Italy national football team Jorginho 2021–22: France national football team Benzema 2022–23: Norway national football team Haaland vte UEFA Men's Club Football Awards Best Goalkeeper 1997–98: Schmeichel 1998–99: Kahn 1999–2000: Kahn 2000–01: Kahn 2001–02: Kahn 2002–03: Buffon 2003–04: Baía 2004–05: Čech 2005–06: Lehmann 2006–07: Čech 2007–08: Čech 2008–09: Van der Sar 2009–10: Júlio César 2010–16: Not awarded 2016–17: Buffon 2017–18: Navas 2018–19: Alisson 2019–20: Neuer 2020–21: Mendy Best Defender 1997–98: Hierro 1998–99: Stam 1999–2000: Stam 2000–01: Ayala 2001–02: Roberto Carlos 2002–03: Roberto Carlos 2003–04: Carvalho 2004–05: Terry 2005–06: Puyol 2006–07: Maldini 2007–08: Terry 2008–09: Terry 2009–10: Maicon 2010–16: Not awarded 2016–17: Ramos 2017–18: Ramos 2018–19: Van Dijk 2019–20: Kimmich 2020–21: Dias Best Midfielder 1997–98: Zidane 1998–99: Beckham 1999–2000: Mendieta 2000–01: Mendieta 2001–02: Ballack 2002–03: Nedvěd 2003–04: Deco 2004–05: Kaká 2005–06: Deco 2006–07: Seedorf 2007–08: Lampard 2008–09: Xavi 2009–10: Sneijder 2010–16: Not awarded 2016–17: Modrić 2017–18: Modrić 2018–19: De Jong 2019–20: De Bruyne 2020–21: Kanté Best Forward 1997–98: Ronaldo 1998–99: Shevchenko 1999–2000: Raúl 2000–01: Raúl 2001–02: Raúl 2002–03: Van Nistelrooy 2003–04: Morientes 2004–05: Ronaldinho 2005–06: Eto'o 2006–07: Kaká 2007–08: C. Ronaldo 2008–09: Messi 2009–10: Milito 2010–16: Not awarded 2016–17: C. Ronaldo 2017–18: C. Ronaldo 2018–19: Messi 2019–20: Lewandowski 2020–21: Haaland vte PFA Players' Player of the Year 1974: Hunter 1975: Todd 1976: Jennings 1977: Gray 1978: Shilton 1979: Brady 1980: McDermott 1981: Wark 1982: Keegan 1983: Dalglish 1984: Rush 1985: Reid 1986: Lineker 1987: Allen 1988: Barnes 1989: Hughes 1990: Platt 1991: Hughes 1992: Pallister 1993: McGrath 1994: Cantona 1995: Shearer 1996: Ferdinand 1997: Shearer 1998: Bergkamp 1999: Ginola 2000: Keane 2001: Sheringham 2002: Van Nistelrooy 2003: Henry 2004: Henry 2005: Terry 2006: Gerrard 2007: Ronaldo 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Giggs 2010: Rooney 2011: Bale 2012: Van Persie 2013: Bale 2014: Suárez 2015: Hazard 2016: Mahrez 2017: Kanté 2018: Salah 2019: Van Dijk 2020: De Bruyne 2021: De Bruyne 2022: Salah 2023: Haaland 2024: Foden 2025: Salah vte PFA Fans' Player of the Year 2001: Gerrard 2002: Van Nistelrooy 2003: Henry 2004: Henry 2005: Lampard 2006: Rooney 2007: Ronaldo 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Gerrard 2010: Rooney 2011: Meireles 2012: Van Persie 2014: Suárez 2015: Sánchez 2016: Mahrez 2017: Kane 2018: Salah 2019: Hazard 2020: Mané 2021: Salah 2022: Salah 2023: Rashford 2024: Palmer vte PFA Young Player of the Year 1974: Beattie 1975: Day 1976: Barnes 1977: Gray 1978: Woodcock 1979: Regis 1980: Hoddle 1981: Shaw 1982: Moran 1983: Rush 1984: Walsh 1985: Hughes 1986: Cottee 1987: Adams 1988: Gascoigne 1989: Merson 1990: Le Tissier 1991: Sharpe 1992: Giggs 1993: Giggs 1994: Cole 1995: Fowler 1996: Fowler 1997: Beckham 1998: Owen 1999: Anelka 2000: Kewell 2001: Gerrard 2002: Bellamy 2003: Jenas 2004: Parker 2005: Rooney 2006: Rooney 2007: Ronaldo 2008: Fàbregas 2009: Young 2010: Milner 2011: Wilshere 2012: Walker 2013: Bale 2014: Hazard 2015: Kane 2016: Alli 2017: Alli 2018: Sané 2019: Sterling 2020: Alexander-Arnold 2021: Foden 2022: Foden 2023: Saka 2024: Palmer 2025: Rogers vte FWA Footballer of the Year 1948: Matthews 1949: Carey 1950: Mercer 1951: Johnston 1952: Wright 1953: Lofthouse 1954: Finney 1955: Revie 1956: Trautmann 1957: Finney 1958: Blanchflower 1959: Owen 1960: Slater 1961: Blanchflower 1962: Adamson 1963: Matthews 1964: Moore 1965: Collins 1966: B. Charlton 1967: J. Charlton 1968: Best 1969: Book & Mackay 1970: Bremner 1971: McLintock 1972: Banks 1973: Jennings 1974: Callaghan 1975: Mullery 1976: Keegan 1977: Hughes 1978: Burns 1979: Dalglish 1980: McDermott 1981: Thijssen 1982: Perryman 1983: Dalglish 1984: Rush 1985: Southall 1986: Lineker 1987: Allen 1988: Barnes 1989: Nicol 1990: Barnes 1991: Strachan 1992: Lineker 1993: Waddle 1994: Shearer 1995: Klinsmann 1996: Cantona 1997: Zola 1998: Bergkamp 1999: Ginola 2000: Keane 2001: Sheringham 2002: Pires 2003: Henry 2004: Henry 2005: Lampard 2006: Henry 2007: Ronaldo 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Gerrard 2010: Rooney 2011: Parker 2012: Van Persie 2013: Bale 2014: Suárez 2015: Hazard 2016: Vardy 2017: Kanté 2018: Salah 2019: Sterling 2020: Henderson 2021: Dias 2022: Salah 2023: Haaland 2024: Foden 2025: Salah vte Premier League Player of the Season 1995: England national football team Shearer 1996: Denmark national football team Schmeichel 1997: Brazil national football team Juninho 1998: England national football team Owen 1999: Trinidad and Tobago national football team Yorke 2000: England national football team Phillips 2001: France national football team Vieira 2002: Sweden men's national football team Ljungberg 2003: Netherlands national football team van Nistelrooy 2004: France national football team Henry 2005: England national football team Lampard 2006: France national football team Henry 2007: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2008: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2009: Serbia national football team Vidić 2010: England national football team Rooney 2011: Serbia national football team Vidić 2012: Belgium national football team Kompany 2013: Wales national football team Bale 2014: Uruguay national football team Suárez 2015: Belgium national football team Hazard 2016: England national football team Vardy 2017: France national football team Kanté 2018: Egypt national football team Salah 2019: Netherlands national football team van Dijk 2020: Belgium national football team De Bruyne 2021: Portugal national football team Dias 2022: Belgium national football team De Bruyne 2023: Norway national football team Haaland 2024: England national football team Foden 2025: Egypt national football team Salah vte Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano 2007–08: Raúl 2008–09: Messi 2009–10: Messi 2010–11: Messi 2011–12: Ronaldo 2012–13: Ronaldo 2013–14: Ronaldo 2014–15: Messi 2015–16: Ronaldo 2016–17: Messi 2017–18: Messi 2018–19: Messi 2019–20: Benzema 2020–21: Suárez 2021–22: Benzema 2022–23: Ter Stegen 2023–24: Vinícius Jr. vte La Liga Best Player of the Year – LFP Awards 2008–09: Messi 2009–10: Messi 2010–11: Messi 2011–12: Messi 2012–13: Messi 2013–14: Ronaldo 2014–15: Messi 2015–16: Griezmann vte La Liga Forward of the Year - LFP Awards 2009: Messi 2010: Messi 2011: Messi 2012: Messi 2013: Messi 2014: Ronaldo 2015: Messi 2016: Messi 2017: Messi 2018: Messi 2019: Messi 2020: Benzema 2021: Messi 2022: Benzema 2023: Lewandowski vte Bravo Award 1978: Case 1979: Birtles 1980: H. Müller 1981: Wark 1982: Shaw 1983: Bonini 1984: Righetti 1985: Butragueño 1986: Butragueño 1987: Van Basten 1988: Ohana 1989: Maldini 1990: Baggio 1991: Prosinečki 1992: Guardiola 1993: Giggs 1994: Panucci 1995: Kluivert 1996: Del Piero 1997: Ronaldo 1998: Ronaldo 1999: Buffon 2000: Casillas 2001: Hargreaves 2002: Metzelder 2003: Rooney 2004: C. Ronaldo 2005: Robben 2006: Fàbregas 2007: Messi 2008: Benzema 2009: Busquets 2010: T. Müller 2011: Hazard 2012: Verratti 2013: Isco 2014: Pogba 2015: Berardi vte Serie A Awards Most Valuable Player 2018–19: Ronaldo 2019–20: Dybala 2020–21: Lukaku 2021–22: Leão 2022–23: Kvaratskhelia 2023–24: Martínez 2024–25: McTominay Best Under-23 2018–19: Zaniolo 2019–20: Kulusevski 2020–21: Vlahović 2021–22: Osimhen 2022–23: Fagioli 2023–24: Zirkzee 2024–25: Paz Best Goalkeeper 2018–19: Handanović 2019–20: Szczęsny 2020–21: Donnarumma 2021–22: Maignan 2022–23: Provedel 2023–24: Di Gregorio 2024–25: Svilar Best Defender 2018–19: Koulibaly 2019–20: De Vrij 2020–21: Romero 2021–22: Bremer 2022–23: Kim Min-jae 2023–24: Bastoni 2024–25: Bastoni Best Midfielder 2018–19: Milinković-Savić 2019–20: Gómez 2020–21: Barella 2021–22: Brozović 2022–23: Barella 2023–24: Çalhanoğlu 2024–25: Reijnders Best Forward 2018–19: Quagliarella 2019–20: Immobile 2020–21: Ronaldo 2021–22: Immobile 2022–23: Osimhen 2023–24: Vlahović 2024–25: Retegui Most Valuable Coach 2021–22: Pioli 2022–23: Spalletti 2023–24: Inzaghi 2024–25: Conte vte Serie A Footballer of the Year Oscar del Calcio AIC 1996–97: Mancini 1997–98: Ronaldo 1998–99: Vieri 1999–2000: Totti 2000–01: Zidane 2001–02: Trezeguet 2002–03: Nedvěd & Totti 2003–04: Kaká 2004–05: Gilardino 2005–06: Cannavaro 2006–07: Kaká 2007–08: Ibrahimović 2008–09: Ibrahimović 2009–10: Milito Gran Galà del Calcio AIC 2010–11: Ibrahimović 2011–12: Pirlo 2012–13: Pirlo 2013–14: Pirlo 2014–15: Tevez 2015–16: Bonucci 2016–17: Buffon 2017–18: Icardi 2018–19: C. Ronaldo 2019–20: C. Ronaldo 2020–21: Lukaku 2021–22: Leão 2022–23: Osimhen 2023–24: Martínez 2024–25: McTominay vte FIFA Club World Cup / FIFA Intercontinental Cup Golden Ball FIFA Club World Cup 2000: Brazil national football team Edílson 2005: Brazil national football team Rogério Ceni 2006: Portugal national football team Deco 2007: Brazil national football team Kaká 2008: England national football team Rooney 2009: Argentina national football team Messi 2010: Cameroon national football team Eto'o 2011: Argentina national football team Messi 2012: Brazil national football team Cássio 2013: France national football team Ribéry 2014: Spain national football team Ramos 2015: Uruguay national football team Suárez 2016: Portugal national football team Ronaldo 2017: Croatia national football team Modrić 2018: Wales national football team Bale 2019: Egypt national football team Salah 2020: Poland national football team Lewandowski 2021: Brazil national football team Thiago Silva 2022: Brazil national football team Vinícius Jr. 2023: Spain national football team Rodri 2025: England national football team Palmer FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024: Brazil national football team Vinícius Jr. 2025: Portugal national football team Vitinha vte European Golden Shoe L'Équipe award 1967–68: Eusébio 1968–69: Zhekov 1969–70: Müller 1970–71: Skoblar 1971–72: Müller 1972–73: Eusébio 1973–74: Yazalde 1974–75: Georgescu 1975–76: Kaiafas 1976–77: Georgescu 1977–78: Krankl 1978–79: Kist 1979–80: Vandenbergh 1980–81: Slavkov 1981–82: Kieft 1982–83: Gomes 1983–84: Rush 1984–85: Gomes 1985–86: Van Basten 1986–87: Cămătaru & Polster 1987–88: Çolak 1988–89: Mateuț 1989–90: Sánchez & Stoichkov 1990–91: Pančev Unofficial 1991–92: McCoist 1992–93: McCoist 1993–94: Taylor 1994–95: Avetisyan 1995–96: Endeladze ESM award 1996–97: Ronaldo 1997–98: Machlas 1998–99: Jardel 1999–2000: Phillips 2000–01: Larsson 2001–02: Jardel 2002–03: Makaay 2003–04: Henry 2004–05: Henry & Forlán 2005–06: Toni 2006–07: Totti 2007–08: C. Ronaldo 2008–09: Forlán 2009–10: Messi 2010–11: C. Ronaldo 2011–12: Messi 2012–13: Messi 2013–14: C. Ronaldo & Suárez 2014–15: C. Ronaldo 2015–16: Suárez 2016–17: Messi 2017–18: Messi 2018–19: Messi 2019–20: Immobile 2020–21: Lewandowski 2021–22: Lewandowski 2022–23: Haaland 2023–24: Kane 2024–25: Mbappé vte European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers European Cup era 1956: Milutinović 1957: Viollet 1958: Di Stéfano 1959: Fontaine 1960: Puskás 1961: J. Águas 1962: Di Stéfano, Løfqvist, Puskás, Strehl & Tejada 1963: Altafini 1964: Kovačević, Mazzola & Puskás 1965: Eusébio & Torres 1966: Albert & Eusébio 1967: Piepenburg & Van Himst 1968: Eusébio 1969: Law 1970: Jones 1971: Antoniadis 1972: Dunai, Macari & Takač 1973: Müller 1974: Müller 1975: Markarov & Müller 1976: Heynckes 1977: Cucinotta & Müller 1978: Simonsen 1979: Sulser 1980: Lerby 1981: McDermott, Rummenigge & Souness 1982: Hoeneß 1983: Rossi 1984: Sokol 1985: Nilsson & Platini 1986: Nilsson 1987: Cvetković 1988: R. Águas, Ferreri, Hagi, Madjer, McCoist, Míchel & Novák 1989: Van Basten 1990: Papin & Romário 1991: Pacult & Papin 1992: Papin & Yuran UEFA Champions League era 1993: Romário 1994: Koeman & Rufer 1995: Weah 1996: Litmanen 1997: Pantić 1998: Del Piero 1999: Shevchenko & Yorke 2000: Jardel, Raúl & Rivaldo 2001: Raúl 2002: Van Nistelrooy 2003: Van Nistelrooy 2004: Morientes 2005: Van Nistelrooy 2006: Shevchenko 2007: Kaká 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Messi 2010: Messi 2011: Messi 2012: Messi 2013: Ronaldo 2014: Ronaldo 2015: Messi, Neymar & Ronaldo 2016: Ronaldo 2017: Ronaldo 2018: Ronaldo 2019: Messi 2020: Lewandowski 2021: Haaland 2022: Benzema 2023: Haaland 2024: Kane & Mbappé 2025: Guirassy & Raphinha vte Premier League Golden Boot 1993: Sheringham 1994: Cole 1995: Shearer 1996: Shearer 1997: Shearer 1998: Dublin, Owen & Sutton 1999: Hasselbaink, Owen & Yorke 2000: Phillips 2001: Hasselbaink 2002: Henry 2003: Van Nistelrooy 2004: Henry 2005: Henry 2006: Henry 2007: Drogba 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Anelka 2010: Drogba 2011: Berbatov & Tevez 2012: Van Persie 2013: Van Persie 2014: Suárez 2015: Agüero 2016: Kane 2017: Kane 2018: Salah 2019: Aubameyang, Mané & Salah 2020: Vardy 2021: Kane 2022: Salah & Son 2023: Haaland 2024: Haaland 2025: Salah vte La Liga top scorers 1929: Bienzobas 1930: Gorostiza 1931: Bata 1932: Bata 1933: Olivares 1934: Lángara 1935: Lángara 1936: Lángara 1940: Unamuno 1941: Pruden 1942: E. Suárez 1943: Martín 1944: E. Suárez 1945: Zarra 1946: Zarra 1947: Zarra 1948: Pahiño 1949: César 1950: Zarra 1951: Zarra 1952: Pahiño 1953: Zarra 1954: Di Stéfano 1955: Arza 1956: Di Stéfano 1957: Di Stéfano 1958: Badenes, Di Stéfano & Ricardo 1959: Di Stéfano 1960: Puskás 1961: Puskás 1962: Seminario 1963: Puskás 1964: Puskás 1965: Ré 1966: Aragonés & Vavá 1967: Waldo 1968: Uriarte 1969: Amancio & Gárate 1970: Amancio, Aragonés & Gárate 1971: Gárate & Rexach 1972: Porta 1973: Marianín 1974: Quini 1975: Carlos 1976: Quini 1977: Kempes 1978: Kempes 1979: Krankl 1980: Quini 1981: Quini 1982: Quini 1983: Rincón 1984: Da Silva & Juanito 1985: Sánchez 1986: Sánchez 1987: Sánchez 1988: Sánchez 1989: Baltazar 1990: Sánchez 1991: Butragueño 1992: Manolo 1993: Bebeto 1994: Romário 1995: Zamorano 1996: Pizzi 1997: Ronaldo 1998: Vieri 1999: Raúl 2000: Salva 2001: Raúl 2002: Tristán 2003: Makaay 2004: Ronaldo 2005: Eto'o & Forlán 2006: Eto'o 2007: Van Nistelrooy 2008: Güiza 2009: Forlán 2010: Messi 2011: C. Ronaldo 2012: Messi 2013: Messi 2014: C. Ronaldo 2015: C. Ronaldo 2016: L. Suárez 2017: Messi 2018: Messi 2019: Messi 2020: Messi 2021: Messi 2022: Benzema 2023: Lewandowski 2024: Dovbyk 2025: Mbappé vte Serie A top scorers 1898: Bosio & Leaver 1899: Weber 1901: Malvano 1903: Malvano 1906: Pedroni 1907: Kämpfer 1908: Cagliani 1909: Pizzi 1910: Peterly 1912: Rampini 1914: Cevenini 1920: Cevenini 1921: Cevenini 1923: Bernardini 1924: Schönfeld 1925: Magnozzi 1926: Hirzer 1927: Powolny 1928: Libonatti 1929: Rossetti 1930: Meazza 1931: Volk 1932: Petrone & Schiavio 1933: Borel 1934: Borel 1935: Guaita 1936: Meazza 1937: Piola 1938: Meazza 1939: Boffi & Puricelli 1940: Boffi 1941: Puricelli 1942: Boffi 1943: Piola 1946: Castigliano 1947: V. Mazzola 1948: Boniperti 1949: Nyers 1950: Nordahl 1951: Nordahl 1952: Hansen 1953: Nordahl 1954: Nordahl 1955: Nordahl 1956: Pivatelli 1957: Da Costa 1958: Charles 1959: Angelillo 1960: Sívori 1961: Brighenti 1962: Altafini & Milani 1963: Manfredini & Nielsen 1964: Nielsen 1965: S. Mazzola & Orlando 1966: Vinício 1967: Riva 1968: Prati 1969: Riva 1970: Riva 1971: Boninsegna 1972: Boninsegna 1973: Pulici, Rivera & Savoldi 1974: Chinaglia 1975: Pulici 1976: Pulici 1977: Graziani 1978: Rossi 1979: Giordano 1980: Bettega 1981: Pruzzo 1982: Pruzzo 1983: Platini 1984: Platini 1985: Platini 1986: Pruzzo 1987: Virdis 1988: Maradona 1989: Serena 1990: Van Basten 1991: Vialli 1992: Van Basten 1993: Signori 1994: Signori 1995: Batistuta 1996: Protti & Signori 1997: Inzaghi 1998: Bierhoff 1999: Amoroso 2000: Shevchenko 2001: Crespo 2002: Hübner & Trezeguet 2003: Vieri 2004: Shevchenko 2005: Lucarelli 2006: Toni 2007: Totti 2008: Del Piero 2009: Ibrahimović 2010: Di Natale 2011: Di Natale 2012: Ibrahimović 2013: Cavani 2014: Immobile 2015: Icardi & Toni 2016: Higuaín 2017: Džeko 2018: Icardi & Immobile 2019: Quagliarella 2020: Immobile 2021: Ronaldo 2022: Immobile 2023: Osimhen 2024: Martínez 2025: Retegui vte FIFA Club World Cup / FIFA Intercontinental Cup top scorers FIFA Club World Cup 2000: Anelka & Romário 2005: Amoroso, Crouch, Noor & Saborío 2006: Aboutrika 2007: Washington 2008: Rooney 2009: Denílson 2010: Molina 2011: Adriano & Messi 2012: Delgado & Satō 2013: Conca, Delgado, Iajour & Ronaldinho 2014: Bale, Ramos & Torrado 2015: Suárez 2016: Ronaldo 2017: Antônio, Romarinho & Ronaldo 2018: Bale & Borré 2019: Bounedjah & Elhouni 2020: Gignac 2021: Diaby, Ibrahim, Lukaku & Veiga 2022: Pedro 2023: Alvarez, Benzema & Maâloul 2025: Di María, García, Guirassy & Marcos Leonardo FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024: Rahimi 2025: Mayele vte Copa del Rey top scorers 1986: Azcona, Merayo & R. Sosa 1987: H. Sánchez & Narciso 1988: Bakero 1989: Alzugaray 1990: Aldridge & Moya 1991: Ziganda 1992: Polster, Rivera & Rodríguez 1993: Urban 1994: Coca & Gudelj 1995: Penev 1996: Pantić 1997: Klimowicz 1998: Rivaldo 1999: C. López 2000: Arenaza, Barata, Cembranos, Gâlcă, Hasselbaink, Míchel & Yordi 2001: Salva 2002: Guti & Raúl 2003: Portillo 2004: Raúl 2005: Huegún, Alejandro & Muñoz 2006: Ewerthon 2007: Saviola 2008: Migue 2009: Messi & Luís Fabiano 2010: Maxi 2011: Messi & Ronaldo 2012: Infante 2013: Costa 2014: Messi 2015: Aspas & Neymar 2016: Guidetti, Messi, Munir, Negredo & Suárez 2017: Ben Yedder & Messi 2018: Curto 2019: Ángel & Toko Ekambi 2020: Isak 2021: León 2022: Iglesias 2023: Kike 2024: Abdón & Douvikas & Villalibre 2025: Torres 2026: García vte Saudi Premier League / Pro League top scorers 1977: Eid 1978: Khojali 1979: Abdullah 1980: Abdullah 1981: Abdullah 1982: Al-Ma'ajil 1983: Abdullah 1984: Abu Dawood 1985: Dosari 1986: Abdullah 1987: Suwaidi 1988: Al-Ma'ajil 1989: Abdullah 1990: Al-Jaber 1991: Al-Mehallel 1992: Al-Owairan 1993: Al-Jaber 1994: N'Daw 1995: Al-Hamdan 1996: Kennedy 1997: Bahja 1998: Al-Hadaithy 1999: Al-Dosari 2000: Idris 2001: Paulo Silva 2002: Faye 2003: Tenorio 2004: Attram 2005: Ricardo 2006: Al-Mehyani 2007: Attram 2008: Al-Shamrani 2009: Aboucherouane & Al-Shamrani 2010: Al-Shalhoub 2011: Al-Shamrani 2012: Al-Shamrani & Simões 2013: Tagliabué 2014: Al-Shamrani 2015: Al Somah 2016: Al Somah 2017: Al Somah 2018: Fernández 2019: Hamdallah 2020: Hamdallah 2021: Gomis 2022: Ighalo 2023: Hamdallah 2024: Ronaldo 2025: Ronaldo vte Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year 1988: McClair 1989: Robson 1990: Pallister 1991: Hughes 1992: McClair 1993: Ince 1994: Cantona 1995: Kanchelskis 1996: Cantona 1997: Beckham 1998: Giggs 1999: Keane 2000: Keane 2001: Sheringham 2002: Van Nistelrooy 2003: Van Nistelrooy 2004: Ronaldo 2005: Heinze 2006: Rooney 2007: Ronaldo 2008: Ronaldo 2009: Vidić 2010: Rooney 2011: Hernández 2012: Valencia 2013: Van Persie 2014: De Gea 2015: De Gea 2016: De Gea 2017: Herrera 2018: De Gea 2019: Shaw 2020: Fernandes 2021: Fernandes 2022: Ronaldo 2023: Rashford 2024: Fernandes 2025: Fernandes vte EFE Trophy 1990–91: Fernández 1991–92: Zalazar 1992–93: Zamorano 1993–94: Romário 1994–95: Zamorano 1995–96: Simeone 1996–97: Ronaldo 1997–98: Roberto Carlos 1998–99: Rivaldo 1999–2000: Herrera 2000–01: Acuña 2001–02: Saviola 2002–03: Ronaldo 2003–04: Ronaldinho 2004–05: Forlán 2005–06: Aimar 2006–07: Messi 2007–08: Agüero 2008–09: Messi 2009–10: Messi 2010–11: Messi 2011–12: Messi 2012–13: C. Ronaldo 2013–14: Diego Costa 2014–15: Suárez 2015–16: Navas 2016–17: Real Madrid 2017–18: Cavani 2018–19: not awarded 2019–20: Santos & Casemiro 2020–21: Suárez 2021–22: Vinícius Jr. 2022–23: Vinícius Jr. 2023–24: Vinícius Jr. vte Golden Foot 2003: Baggio 2004: Nedvěd 2005: Shevchenko 2006: Ronaldo 2007: Del Piero 2008: Roberto Carlos 2009: Ronaldinho 2010: Totti 2011: Giggs 2012: Ibrahimović 2013: Drogba 2014: Iniesta 2015: Eto'o 2016: Buffon 2017: Casillas 2018: Cavani 2019: Modrić 2020: C. Ronaldo 2021: Salah 2022: Lewandowski 2023: not awarded 2024: Martínez 2025: Griezmann vte FIFA Special Award 2016: Brazil Falcão 2021: Portugal Ronaldo & Canada Sinclair 2022: Brazil Pelé 2023: Brazil Marta vte Sports Illustrated Soccer 2000s All-Decade Team Goalkeeper Italy national football team Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Brazil national football team Cafu Italy national football team Fabio Cannavaro Italy national football team Paolo Maldini Brazil national football team Roberto Carlos Midfielders Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo France national football team Zinedine Zidane France national football team Patrick Vieira Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Brazil national football team Ronaldinho Forwards Brazil national football team Ronaldo Manager Netherlands national football team Guus Hiddink vte UEFA European Championship All-time Euro XI Goalkeeper Italy Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Germany Philipp Lahm Spain Carles Puyol West Germany Franz Beckenbauer Italy Paolo Maldini Midfielders Spain Andrés Iniesta Italy Andrea Pirlo France Zinedine Zidane Forwards Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Netherlands Marco van Basten France Thierry Henry vte UEFA All-time XI Goalkeeper Spain national football team Iker Casillas Defenders Germany national football team Philipp Lahm Spain national football team Carles Puyol Spain national football team Gerard Piqué Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Midfielders Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta England national football team Steven Gerrard Spain national football team Xavi Forwards Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo France national football team Thierry Henry Argentina national football team Lionel Messi vte Ballon d'Or Dream Team First Team Goalkeeper Soviet Union national football team Lev Yashin Defenders Brazil national football team Cafu Germany national football team Franz Beckenbauer Italy national football team Paolo Maldini Midfielders Argentina national football team Diego Maradona Spain national football team Xavi Germany national football team Lothar Matthäus Brazil national football team Pelé Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Brazil national football team Ronaldo Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Second Team Goalkeeper Italy national football team Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Brazil national football team Carlos Alberto Italy national football team Franco Baresi Brazil national football team Roberto Carlos Midfielders Argentina national football team/Spain national football team Alfredo Di Stéfano Italy national football team Andrea Pirlo Netherlands national football team Frank Rijkaard France national football team Zinedine Zidane Forwards Brazil national football team Garrincha Netherlands national football team Johan Cruyff Brazil national football team Ronaldinho Third Team Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Germany national football team Philipp Lahm Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Germany national football team Paul Breitner Midfielders France national football team Michel Platini Netherlands national football team Johan Neeskens Brazil national football team Didi Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Forwards Northern Ireland national football team George Best Netherlands national football team Marco van Basten France national football team Thierry Henry vte IFFHS All-time Men's World Dream Team Dream Team Goalkeeper Soviet Union national football team Lev Yashin Defenders Brazil national football team Cafu Germany national football team Franz Beckenbauer Italy national football team Franco Baresi Italy national football team Paolo Maldini Midfielders Spain national football team Xavi Argentina national football team Diego Maradona Netherlands national football team Johan Cruyff Forwards Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo Brazil national football team Pelé Argentina national football team Lionel Messi B Team Goalkeeper Italy national football team Gianluigi Buffon Defenders Brazil national football team Carlos Alberto England national football team Bobby Moore Argentina national football team Daniel Passarella Brazil national football team Roberto Carlos Midfielders Germany national football team Lothar Matthäus France national football team Zinedine Zidane France national football team Michel Platini Forwards Brazil national football team Ronaldo Germany national football team Gerd Müller Argentina national football team/Spain national football team Alfredo Di Stéfano vte IFFHS All-time Men's European Dream Team Goalkeeper Soviet Union Lev Yashin Defenders Germany Philipp Lahm West Germany Franz Beckenbauer Italy Franco Baresi Italy Paolo Maldini Midfielders Spain Xavi France Zinedine Zidane France Michel Platini Forwards Netherlands Johan Cruyff West Germany Gerd Müller Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo vte IFFHS World's Man Team of the Decade 2011–2020 Goalkeeper Germany national football team Manuel Neuer Defenders Germany national football team Philipp Lahm Spain national football team Sergio Ramos Netherlands national football team Virgil van Dijk Brazil national football team Marcelo Midfielders Germany national football team Toni Kroos Spain national football team Andrés Iniesta Croatia national football team Luka Modrić Forwards Argentina national football team Lionel Messi Poland national football team Robert Lewandowski Portugal national football team Cristiano Ronaldo vte Best International Athlete ESPY Award winners 2006: Pujols 2007: Federer 2008: Nadal 2009: Bolt 2010–2011: Award not given 2012: Messi 2013: Bolt 2014: Ronaldo 2015: Messi 2016: Ronaldo 2017: Bolt 2018: Ronaldo 2019: Messi 2020: Award not given 2021: Ronaldo 2022: Mbappé vte BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year 1960: Herb Elliott 1961: Valeriy Brumel 1962: Donald Jackson 1963: Jacques Anquetil 1964: Abebe Bikila 1965: Ron Clarke & Gary Player 1966: Eusébio & Garfield Sobers 1967: George Moore 1968: Ludmila Belousova & Oleg Protopopov 1969: Rod Laver 1970: Pelé 1971: Lee Trevino 1972: Olga Korbut 1973: Muhammad Ali 1974: Muhammad Ali 1975: Arthur Ashe 1976: Nadia Comăneci 1977: Niki Lauda 1978: Muhammad Ali 1979: Björn Borg 1980: Jack Nicklaus 1981: Chris Evert 1982: Jimmy Connors 1983: Carl Lewis 1984: Seve Ballesteros 1985: Boris Becker 1986: Greg Norman 1987: Martina Navratilova 1988: Steffi Graf 1989: Mike Tyson 1990: Mal Meninga 1991: Mike Powell 1992: Andre Agassi 1993: Greg Norman 1994: Brian Lara 1995: Jonah Lomu 1996: Evander Holyfield & Michael Johnson 1997: Martina Hingis 1998: Mark O'Meara 1999: Maurice Greene 2000: Tiger Woods 2001: Goran Ivanišević 2002: Ronaldo 2003: Lance Armstrong 2004: Roger Federer 2005: Shane Warne 2006: Roger Federer 2007: Roger Federer 2008: Usain Bolt 2009: Usain Bolt 2010: Rafael Nadal 2011: Novak Djokovic 2012: Usain Bolt 2013: Sebastian Vettel 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo 2015: Dan Carter 2016: Simone Biles 2017: Roger Federer 2018: Francesco Molinari 2019: Eliud Kipchoge 2020: Khabib Nurmagomedov 2021: Rachael Blackmore 2022: Lionel Messi 2023: Erling Haaland 2024: Armand Duplantis 2025: Armand Duplantis vte PAP European Sportsperson of the Year 1958: Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak 1959: Vasili Kuznetsov 1960: Yury Vlasov 1961: Valeriy Brumel 1962: Valeriy Brumel 1963: Valeriy Brumel 1964: Lidiya Skoblikova 1965: Michel Jazy 1966: Irena Szewińska 1967: Jean-Claude Killy 1968: Jean-Claude Killy 1969: Eddy Merckx 1970: Eddy Merckx 1971: Juha Väätäinen 1972: Lasse Virén 1973: Kornelia Ender 1974: Irena Szewińska 1975: Kornelia Ender 1976: Nadia Comăneci 1977: Rosemarie Ackermann 1978: Vladimir Yashchenko 1979: Sebastian Coe 1980: Vladimir Salnikov 1981: Sebastian Coe 1982: Daley Thompson 1983: Jarmila Kratochvílová 1984: Michael Gross 1985: Sergey Bubka 1986: Heike Drechsler 1987: Stephen Roche 1988: Steffi Graf 1989: Steffi Graf 1990: Stefan Edberg 1991: Katrin Krabbe 1992: Nigel Mansell 1993: Linford Christie 1994: Johann Olav Koss 1995: Jonathan Edwards 1996: Svetlana Masterkova 1997: Martina Hingis 1998: Mika Häkkinen 1999: Gabriela Szabo 2000: Inge de Bruijn 2001: Michael Schumacher 2002: Michael Schumacher 2003: Michael Schumacher 2004: Roger Federer 2005: Roger Federer & Yelena Isinbayeva 2006: Roger Federer 2007: Roger Federer 2008: Rafael Nadal 2009: Roger Federer 2010: Rafael Nadal 2011: Sebastian Vettel 2012: Sebastian Vettel 2013: Lewis Hamilton 2014: Lewis Hamilton 2015: Novak Djokovic 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo 2018: Novak Djokovic 2019: Lewis Hamilton 2020: Robert Lewandowski 2021: Novak Djokovic 2022: Iga Świątek 2023: Novak Djokovic 2024: Léon Marchand 2025: Armand Duplantis Portals: icon Association football Biography flag Portugal Sports Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata International ISNIVIAFGNDFASTWorldCat National United StatesFranceBnF dataJapanItalyCzech RepublicRussiaSpainPortugalNetherlandsNorwayTaiwanLatviaGreeceKoreaSwedenPolandIsraelCatalonia Academics ORCID Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche BiographieDDB Other IdRefOpen LibraryYale LUX Categories: Cristiano Ronaldo1985 birthsLiving people20th-century Roman Catholics21st-century Portuguese sportsmen21st-century Roman Catholics2006 FIFA World Cup players2010 FIFA World Cup players2014 FIFA World Cup players2017 FIFA Confederations Cup players2018 FIFA World Cup players2022 FIFA World Cup playersMen's association football forwardsMen's association football wingersBallon d'Or winnersBBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year winnersCommanders of the Order of Merit (Portugal)FIFA Men's Century ClubFIFA World Player of the Year winnersFirst Division/Premier League top scorersFootballers at the 2004 Summer OlympicsGolden Globes (Portugal) winnersGrand Officers of the Order of Prince HenryOlympic footballers for PortugalPichichi Trophy winnersPortugal men's international 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Champions League top scorersUEFA Euro 2004 playersUEFA Euro 2008 playersUEFA Euro 2012 playersUEFA Euro 2016 playersUEFA Euro 2020 playersUEFA Euro 2024 playersUEFA European Championship–winning playersUEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winnersUEFA Nations League–winning playersWorld Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winnersWorld record holdersPortuguese billionaires Skip to main content ON SI SI SWIMSUIT SI NEWSLETTERS SI TICKETS SI RESORTS SI SHOPS MY ACCOUNT SUBSCRIBE NOW SI NBA PLAYOFFS NFL SOCCER MLB NCAAF NCAAB GOLF FANTASY WNBA BETTING WATCH SI TV The 65 Greatest Soccer Players of All Time—Ranked Lionel Messi, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona headline the greatest soccer players of all time. SI Staff | Apr 30, 2026 Google Discover Add us as a preferred source Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Michael Boxall's Arsenal fandom & expectations for New Zealand Next Stay Ranking the greatest soccer players of all time is no easy feat—and one that's bound to ignite heated debates. Zidane, Ronaldo, the other Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona: How does one even begin to compare legends from different generations? But there's a method to the madness. This carefully curated list doesn't just rank the best players in history; it focuses on the highest peaks each of these icons reached during their careers. From jaw-dropping individual performances to game-changing moments on the grandest stages, this list celebrates those who, at their very best, defined eras and redefined the sport. So, without further ado, here’s the definitive ranking of the 65 greatest players in soccer history. 65. Manuel Neuer Manuel Neuer. Manuel Neuer. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Peak: 2014–2020 Major Achievements: 2014 FIFA World Cup, 11 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues, five-time IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper. Manuel Neuer redefined the role of the modern goalkeeper. A true “sweeper-keeper,” the German legend became famous for venturing out of his box to command the defense and play with his feet. While he wasn’t the first to adopt this style, Neuer’s unmatched athleticism, cat-like reflexes, and world-class shot-stopping abilities elevated the position to new heights, setting the blueprint for future greats like Ederson to follow. 64. Kevin De Bruyne Peak: 2018-2023 Major Achievements: One Belgian Pro League, one DFB-Pokal, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, one Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, 2014-15 Bundesliga Player of the Year, three times Premier League/PFA Player of the Year, 2022 Ballon d'Or third place. The driving force in midfield behind Manchester City’s era of dominance in England—and eventually Europe—Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Few players have possessed his level of passing ability, particularly his trademark whipped deliveries from deep, which Premier League defenses struggled to deal with for years. A consistent goal threat as well as a creator, De Bruyne’s influence has been central to City’s success. It’s hard to imagine the club reaching such heights without him. 63. Lilian Thuram Peak: 1998-2002 Major Achievements: One Coupe de France, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup, two Serie A titles, 1998 World Cup, 2000 European Championships, 1997 French Player of the Year. The most capped outfield player in the history of the French national team, Lilian Thuram played a pivotal role in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs, most notably scoring twice—his only international goals—in the semifinal of the former against Croatia to send Les Bleus into the final, where it went on to defeat Brazil. That performance was just one highlight in a glittering career. A versatile, intelligent and technically accomplished defender, Thuram enjoyed success across Europe, winning major honors with Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona. 62. Dennis Bergkamp Peak: 1997-1999 Major Achievements: One Eredivisie title, two KNVB Cups, one UEFA Cup, three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three times Eredivisie top scorer, FIFA World Player of the Year bronze award (1993, 1997), 1997-98 FWA Footballer of the Year. Dennis Bergkamp was a rare kind of soccer player—the type capable of moments others wouldn’t even think to attempt, let alone execute. He had a unique ability to turn the extraordinary into routine: bringing down difficult balls with flawless control before finishing with ease, slipping perfectly weighted passes through the tightest defensive lines or producing moments of pure genius—like his iconic turn and finish against Newcastle—that left defenders chasing shadows. Equally gifted as both a creator and a goalscorer, Bergkamp remains one of the most naturally talented players the game has ever seen. 61. Philipp Lahm Peak: 2011-2015 Major Achievements: Eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2006, 2010), five UEFA Team of the Year awards. Soccer’s first truly elite inverted full back—shifting into midfield when his team had possession—Philipp Lahm was both an outstanding player and a tactical trailblazer. Blessed with exceptional intelligence, versatility and an elite understanding of the game, he also built a career defined by winning at the highest level, collecting major honours with both club and country. Today, many of the world’s top full backs who operate in similar hybrid roles regularly point to Lahm as a key influence and one of the pioneers of the position. 60. Andrea Pirlo Peak: 2011-2015 Major Achievements: Six Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, two Champions Leagues, one FIFA Club World Cup, 2006 FIFA World Cup, three Serie A Footballer of the Year awards. We’ve placed Andrea Pirlo’s peak between 2011 and 2015, but in reality, he enjoyed two distinct prime periods. The first came between 2002 and 2007, when he operated in a more advanced role and was a crucial part of the AC Milan side that won two Champions League titles in 2002–03 and 2006–07, as well as the Italy team that lifted the World Cup in 2006. After his move to Juventus in 2011, however, Pirlo experienced a second peak—this time as a deep-lying playmaker. In this role, his exceptional passing range, vision, and composure on the ball were perfectly suited to controlling games from deeper positions, once again establishing him as one of, if not the best, midfielders in world soccer during the latter stages of his career. 59. Gabriel Batistuta Gabriel Batistuta. Gabriel Batistuta was an elite striker. | IMAGO/Stellan Danielsson Peak: 1997-2001 Major Achievements: One Argentine Primera División, one Serie A title, one Coppa Italia, two Copa Américas, one Serie A top scorer award, two Copa América Golden Boots. Gabriel Batistuta’s trophy cabinet, while by no means empty, does not fully reflect just how great he was. His loyalty to Fiorentina—even during their relegation to Serie B—and the relative lack of consistent quality around him at international level with Argentina meant he never quite collected the honours his talent arguably deserved. Renowned for his thunderous right-footed strike, aerial dominance and intelligent movement inside the penalty area, “Batigol” scored over 300 goals for club and country during his career, including 56 for Argentina—a total surpassed only by Lionel Messi. Diego Maradona once named him the greatest striker he had ever seen, which is about has glowing as endorsements come in soccer terms. 58. Cafu Peak: 2002-2007 Major Achievements: Twos FIFA World Cups (1994, 2002), two Copa Américas, two Serie A titles, one Champions League, two Copa Libertadores, one Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1994 South American Footballer of the Year. Cafu is, in many ways, the blueprint for the modern full back—equally comfortable defending as he was driving forward into the final third and contributing to attacks. At his peak, the amount of ground he covered was extraordinary, regularly shutting down opposition wingers before bursting past them to create width and attacking options on the flank. A two-time World Cup winner with Brazil and captain of their famous 2002 triumph, Cafu is also the most capped player in the nation’s history. Widely regarded as the greatest right back the game has ever seen, he redefined the role and set the standard for generations that followed. 57. Wayne Rooney Peak: 2006-2010 Major Achievements: Four Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, three League Cups, Manchester United record goalscorer. Peak Wayne Rooney was a force to be reckoned with. A lethal combination of power, pace, skill, aggression, and sheer brutality, there were few, if any, Premier League defenses that could stop the English striker. Though in his later years, he lost some of the pace and fiery edge that made him such a fierce and unique character, Rooney still finished his career at Manchester United with 253 goals in all competitions—a figure that makes him the club's record goalscorer. 56. Gheorghe Hagi Peak: 1994-2000 Major Achievements: Three SuperLiga titles, two Supercopa de España titles, four Süper Lig titles, UEFA Cup. Known for his magical left foot, Gheorghe Hagi lit up the pitch while playing for two of Europe's biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, the Romanian legend's most remarkable achievements came on the international stage and with Turkish giants Galatasaray. At the 1994 World Cup, Hagi was the driving force behind Romania's surprise run to the quarterfinals, scoring three goals and earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament. Six years later, he pulled off another historic feat, leading Galatasaray to UEFA Cup glory by defeating Arsenal in the final—though his triumph was slightly overshadowed by a late red card. 55. Kenny Dalglish Peak: 1978-1984 Major Achievements: Four Scottish Division One titles, six English First Division titles, three European Cups. You have to be some player to be widely considered the greatest of all time for two separate clubs— but that's exactly what Kenny Dalglish was: some player. A soccer genius with an exceptional soccer IQ, the Scotsman first shone as the crown jewel in a Celtic side that ruled Scottish soccer during the 1970s. After his transfer to Liverpool in 1977 for just over half a million dollars, Dalglish then repeated the feat with the Reds, becoming the star of a team that dominated European soccer for the next decade, clinching six league titles and three European Cups. 54. Neymar Jr. Neyma Neymar. | IMAGO/Xinhua Peak: 2013-2017 Major Achievements: Two La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, five Ligue 1 titles, Brazil's record goalscorer. For a man of his almost ethereal talents, Neymar’s career feels like a story of unfulfilled potential. While he collected trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, the decision to leave FC Barcelona for a weaker league—when he seemingly had the world at his feet—remains puzzling. The answer, of course, is money. Despite becoming Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, he also never managed to guide the Seleção to a major international title. That said, during his peak years alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Barca, Neymar was simply unstoppable. Unbelievably skillful, audacious, and with a touch of arrogance, he arguably eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo as the second-best player in the world during that period. 53. Frank Rijkaard Peak: 1988-1994 Major Achievements: Five Eredivisie titles, three KNVB Cups, three European Cups/Champions Leagues, two Serie A titles, two European Super Cups, 1988 European Championships, Ballon d'Or third place (1988, 1989). Frank Rijkaard was a key figure in three of the most iconic teams in soccer history: the dominant Ajax and AC Milan sides of the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as the Netherlands national team that won the 1988 European Championship—the country’s only major international trophy to date. A supremely versatile player, Rijkaard was capable of operating in almost any outfield role, from center back to defensive midfield, full back and even in more advanced positions when required. However, it was in a holding midfield role where he truly excelled. There, he combined defensive toughness with calmness in possession and intelligent, progressive passing, underpinned by elite tactical awareness. His influence provided the platform for more attack-minded teammates to shine, including legends such as Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp, making him a vital backbone of some of the greatest sides ever assembled. 52. Kylian Mbappe Peak: 2018-present Major Achievements: 2018 FIFA World Cup, seven Ligue 1 titles, 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, four French Cups, five French Super Cups, UEFA Super Cup. Back in February 2016, 17-year-old Kylian Mbappé scored his first goal for Ligue 1 side As Monaco before going on to knockout Manchester Cty and Pep Guardiola in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. During his time at PSG when he racked up well over 200 goals, Mbappé continued to impress on the international stage with France. He made a name for himself by leading France to glory in the 2018 World Cup at just 19-years-old. Although France came up short in the 2022 World Cup final, Mbappé's hat trick in the final gave them a chance at going back-to-back as he claimed the Golden Boot in Qatar. Mbappé has already enjoyed a career that most players would dream of having. Now, he continues to push on in his prime at Real Madrid in a bid to lift his first UEFA Champions League trophy. 51. Luka Modric Luka Modri Modric is a Real Madrid legend | Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images Peak: 2014-2018 Major Achievements: 2018 Ballon d'Or, 2018 UEFA Men's Best Player of the Year, 2018 the Best FIFA Men's Player, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2018, six UEFA Champions Leagues. We start off with a man who did the impossible in 2018: in the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo-era, he won the Ballon d'Or. Luka Modric's ending of the decade of dominance of soccer’s greatest individual was more than deserved. At the very peak of his powers, Modric led an unfancied Croatian outfit to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and won approximately a billion UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid. 50. Hugo Sanchez Peak: 1986-1990 Major Achievements: 1990 European Golden Shoe, five-time Pichichi winner, five La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey. Hugo Sanchez is one of the greatest goalscorers in La Liga history. Hugo Sanchez scored an obscene amount of goals during his peak. 157 in four seasons to be exact. The Mexico international was one of the most natural finishers of his generation, and deservedly makes this list of the greatest soccer players of all time. 49. Jairzinho Peak: 1970 Major Achievements: 1970 World Cup, only player to score in every game of a World Cup You read that major achievement right. Jairzinho is the only player in FIFA World Cup history to score in every single game of the tournament. He did so while guiding the greatest soccer team of all time to a FIFA World Cup triumph. 48. Omar Sivori Peak: 1958-1961 Major Achievements: 1961 Ballon d'Or, 1959-60 Capocannoniere, three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia titles. Before there was a Lionel Messi. Before there was a Diego Maradona. There was an Omar Sivori. An Argentine-Italian forward who led Juventus during their formative years as a European powerhouse under the stewardship of the great Umberto Agnelli. With Sivori in the famous number 10 jersey, La Vecchia Signora won three Scudetti and two Coppa Italia titles. 47. Paolo Rossi Peak: 1982 Major Achievements: 1982 Ballon d'Or, 1982 World Cup, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2018, 1977-78 Capocannoniere, two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia title, one European Cup. Paolo Rossi's one year peak was so astounding that he has more than earned his place among the 50 greatest soccer players of all time. Rossi emerged from the depths of a lengthy ban after Totonero, to become the iconic figure of Gli Azzurri's 1982 World Cup triumph. A hat-trick against a seemingly unbeatable Brazil team, two against a good Poland team, and a goal in the final against an exceptional West Germany team; it's fair to say that Rossi had a good tournament—a really, really, really good tournament. 46. Paul Breitner Peak: 1974-1981 Major Achievements: 1981 Ballon d'Or runner-up, 1974 World Cup, 1972 UEFA European Championships, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, five Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal titles, one European Cup. Paul Breitner could do it all. Name something, and he could probably do it. 'Score in a World Cup final?' Yeah. Easy work. 'Man mark the best wingers in the world?' Yeah, of course. 45. George Weah George Weah is the only African player to have won the Ballon d'Or. George Weah is the only African player to have won the Ballon d'Or. | IMAGO/Buzzi Peak: 1993-1996 Major Achievements: 1995 Ballon d'Or, three-time African Footballer of the Year, two Scudetti, one Ligue 1 title, two Coupe de France, one FA Cup. Ok, so in most other “Greatest Soccer Players of All Time” lists, George Weah probably wouldn't make the cut, because there was a period of time in which he was at Chelsea and Manchester City and was, well, pretty terrible. However, with this being a list of the GOATs at their peaks, Weah makes the cut. At his best, Weah was unstoppable. A rare combination of physical prowess and unbelievable technical ability, the former Liberian president was the most complete forward of the 1990s. 44. Kaka Peak: 2005-2009 Major Achievements: 2007 Ballon d'Or, 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, two-time Serie A Footballer of the Year, two-time Time 100 list member, 2002 FIFA World Cup, one Scudetti, one UEFA Champions League, one La Liga, one Copa del Rey. At his best, Kaka was unstoppable. A rare combination of physical prowess and unbelievable technical ability, the former Brazil international was the most complete attacking midfielders of the 2000s. 43. Lev Yashin Peak: 1956-1964 Major Achievements: 1963 Ballon d'Or, Olympic gold medal, 1960 UEFA European Football Championship, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, five Soviet Top League titles, Order of Lenin. Lev Yashin is one of the most important soccer players of all time. A leader, an innovator, the greatest testament to Yashin's talent is the fact that he is the only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d'Or. Ever. Impressive. 42. Gunnar Nordahl Peak: 1950-1955 Major Achievements: Olympic gold medal, five-time Capocannoniere, two Scudetti. There's one thing that defines Gunnar Nordahl's career: goals. Gunnar Nordahl scored goals. A lot of them. The Swedish forward scored so many goals between 1950 and 1955 that he won the Capocannoniere in four of these seasons, and became AC Milan's all-time record goalscorer. He also held the record for most goals scored in a single Serie A season for 66 years...until a certain Gonzalo Higuain came along. 41. Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Henry. | IMAGO/Geoff Martin Peak: 2001-2006 Major Achievements: One Ligue 1 title, two Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, two La Liga titles, Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Supporters' Shield, 1998 World Cup, 2000 European Championships, two European Golden Shoes, four Premier League Golden Boots, four PFA Player of the Year awards, 2003 Ballon d'Or runner-up. In the 2000s, there was arguably no better player in world soccer—at the very least no better forward—than Thierry Henry, who spent that era winning silverware with Arsenal and Barcelona while routinely tormenting some of the best defenders in the game, both in the Premier League and La Liga. From his blistering pace to his trademark finish—curling the ball calmly into the far corner with his right foot—to his ability to quite literally juggle the ball in the air and progress up the entire pitch while fending off opposition players, Henry was almost impossible to contain. 40. Kevin Keegan Peak: 1977-1979 Major Achievements: 1978 & 1979 Ballon d'Or, 1981-82 PFA Players' Player of the Year, three Football League First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, two UEFA Cup titles, one Bundesliga. "I tell ya, honestly, I'd love it if we beat them! Love it!" When you read Kevin Keegan's name that interview is what came to mind isn't it? But if you can, just for a moment, put aside the aforementioned rage induced rant and the subsequent bottling of the Premier League title race, you'll see just how incredible a soccer player Keegan really was. In fact, Kevin Keegan was one of the greatest English players of all time. He won the Ballon d'Or twice. Twice. Keegan also became English soccer's undisputed greatest ever export during his time a Hamburger SV; where he was lauded as a 'savior' for winning the Bundesliga title in 1979. 39. Hristo Stoichkov Peak: 1990-1994 Major Achievements: 1994 Ballon d'Or, 1990 European Golden Shoe, five-time Bulgarian Footballer of the Year, one UEFA Champions League, five La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey. Scoring six goals in the the 1994 FIFA World Cup, including one in each of the knockout rounds, Stoichkov came within touching distance of taking an eternally unfancied Bulgarian outfit to the final; earning himself the Ballon d'Or in the process. On top of this incredible international achievement, Stoichkov, particularly between 1990 and 1994, enjoyed a pretty impressive club career too. Teaming up with Romario at Barcelona in his prime, Stoichkov became one of the most feared forwards in Europe, and helped the 'Dream Team' to a UEFA Champions League triumph in 1992. 38. Gianluigi Buffon Gianluigi Buffon Buffon is one of the best keepers in soccer history. | Getty/Michael Regan Peak: 2002-2006 Major Achievements: 2006 Ballon d'Or runner-up, 2006 FIFA World Cup, 12-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, 2002-03 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, two-time Pallone Azzurro, 2016-17 Serie A Footballer of the Year, 11 Scudetti, five Coppa Italia titles, one UEFA Cup. The greatest goalkeeper of all time? Yeah, probably. Put simply, no goalkeeper has ever been better for longer than Gianluigi Buffon. And no one ever will. At his best, he would only concede two goals (one a freak Cristian Zaccardo own goal, the other a Zinedine Zidane penalty) on route to a World Cup triumph, at his worst he was one of the top three goalkeepers in Europe. There will never be another Gianluigi Buffon. 37. Johan Neeskens Peak: 1971-1978 Major Achievements: 1974 & 1978 FIFA World Cup runner-up, 1974 FIFA World Cup Silver Boot, three European Cups, two Eredivisie, two KNVB Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, one Copa del Rey. The 'two guard' for the great Netherlands, Ajax and Barcelona teams of the 1970s, Johan Neeskens may have always been in the shadow of Johan Cruyff, but his talent cannot be underestimated. Neeskens was the brutally hard working ying to Cruyff's beautifully artistic yang, and it's more than fair to say that without one Johan, there couldn't have been the other. 36. Xavi Hernandez Peak: 2008-2012 Major Achievements: 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2008 & 2012 UEFA European Championship, 2008 UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament, 2005 La Liga Spanish Player of the Year, four UEFA Champions Leagues, eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey. The fulcrum of two of the greatest soccer teams of all time. A winner of literally every single trophy that has ever existed. A player that changed soccer. 35. Luis Suarez Peak: 1960-1965 Major Achievements: 1960 Ballon d'Or, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, three Scudetti, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey. This isn't the Uruguayan Luis Suarez who tore up La Liga with Lionel Messi and Barcelona, the Premier League with Liverpool, or MLS with Lionel Messi again. This is the Spanish Luis Suarez who, during the first half of the 1960s, dominated European soccer with a revolutionary Inter side. In this fruitful period Suarez won the Ballon d'Or, three Scudetti and two consecutive European Cups. 34. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Peak: 1979-1984 Major Achievements: 1980 & 1981 Ballon d'Or, 1980 German Footballer of the Year, three-time Torjägerkanone, 1980 UEFA European Championship, two European Cups, two Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge may better known as one of the members of the Bayern Munich board to younger readers of this article; to the older readers however, the German is remembered for being one of the most fearsome forwards of the 1980s. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride at the World Cup, he was a beaten finalist on two occasions but a winner in literally every other competition he ever played in. 33. Andres Iniesta Andres Iniesta Andres Iniesta won the World Cup for Spain in 2010. | IMAGO/Newscom/ El Pais Peak: 2008-2012 Major Achievements: 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2008 & 2012 UEFA European Championships, four UEFA Champions Leagues, nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey, 2012 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award. Is Andres Iniesta the most likeable soccer player on this list? Yes, yes he is. Is he also the most successful soccer player on this list? Well, he's certainly right up there. He did with style too, as one of the most skilful players of his generation in fact. Check out our page on the best Spanish players of all time to see how he's placed against the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres. 32. Rivelino Peak: 1968-1974 Major Achievements: 1970 FIFA World Cup, 1970 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, two Campeonato Carioca titles. If you take the time to watch some YouTube highlights of Rivelino or find some full game tapes from the 1970 FIFA World Cup, you'll understand just what 'Joga Bonito' really is. It's the beautiful game; something that no one has ever personified quite like Rivelino did. 31. Bobby Moore Peak: 1964-1970 Major Achievements: 1966 FIFA World Cup, 1970 Ballon d'Or runner-up, 1964 FA Cup, PFA Player of the Century, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. Winning the World Cup is an incredible achievement, and it's one that would not have been possible without one of the greatest defenders and leaders of all time: Bobby Moore. A class act both on and off the pitch, Moore has been rightfully immortalized in statue form outside of Wembley Stadium. 30. Luis Suarez Luis Suárez Luis Suárez was unstoppable at his peak. | Megan Briggs/Getty Images Peak: 2015-2018 Major Achievements: One Eredivisie, one EFL Cup, five La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys, one Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one MLS Cup, two European Golden Shoes, two PFA Player of the Year awards, one Pichichi Trophy, 2010 World Cup All-Star team, 2011 Copa América. Perhaps because of a career that has, at times, been marked by controversy, Luis Suárez does not always receive the full credit he deserves—but make no mistake: hHe is one of the greatest strikers of his generation. The Uruguayan forward is a supremely gifted soccer player, blessed with a silky first touch, sharp awareness and a devastating finishing ability. Wherever he has played—whether at Ajax, Liverpool Barcelona, or later in his career in the United States—goals have followed. Over 600 of them for club and country, in fact. At his peak, particularly in the 2015–16 season, he was arguably the best player in the world, even ahead of Lionel Messi in terms of output and influence. 29. Socrates Peak: 1976-1984 Major Achievements: Three Campeonato Paulista, 1983 South American Footballer of the Year, 1980 Bola de Prata, 1976 Campeonato Paulista top scorer. A man as important off the field the as he was on it, he democratized Corinthians, creating a voting system for the club's decision making process. The 'Doctor' is one of the most significant figures in Brazilian soccer history. A rare mix of elegance and power, Socrates was the perfect all-round midfielder. 28. Sandor Kocsis Peak: 1950-1955 Major Achievements: Olympic gold medal, 1954 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, 1954 FIFA World Cup runner-up, 75 goals in 68 caps for Hungary, two La Liga titles, four Hungarian titles. Sandor Kocsis scored 75 goals in 68 international appearances for Hungary. In 1954, Sandor Kocsis scored 23 goals in 14 international appearances for Hungary. At the 1954 FIFA World Cup, Sandor Kocsis scored 11 goals in five games. All of the aforementioned facts exemplify one simple thing: Sandor Kocsis scored goals. A shocking amount of goals. 27. Lothar Matthaus Peak: 1988-1992 Major Achievements: 1990 Ballon d'Or, 1991 FIFA World Player of the Year, 1990 FIFA World Cup, 1980 UEFA European Football Championship, two UEFA Cups, seven Bundesliga titles, one Scudetto, three DFB-Pokal titles. Put simply, Matthaus was the most complete player of his generation, a generation that just so happened to spawn the likes of Michel Platini, Diego Maradona, Zico etc. A natural born winner, and a natural born world shaker (his goal against Yugoslavia at the 1990 FIFA World Cup definitely registered on the Richter scale), Matthaus could, and did, do it all. 26. Ronaldinho Ronaldinho Ronaldinho is one of the best players to ever represent Barcelona. | Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images Peak: 2004-2006 Major Achievements: 2005 Ballon d'Or, 2004 & 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2005-06 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, 2004 & 2005 FIFPro World Player of the Year, one UEFA Champions League, two La Liga titles, one Scudetto. “The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long,” is a quote that perfectly encapsulates Ronaldinho's career. Between 2004 and 2006, the world bore witness to something truly special: a star who played the beautiful game with genuine joy. The flicks, the tricks, the gold boots, the smile, Ronaldinho was a walking advertisement for everything good about soccer. 25. Ruud Gullit Peak: 1986-1990 Major Achievements: 1987 Ballon d'Or, two-time Dutch Footballer of the Year, 1988 UEFA European Championship, two European Cups, three Scudetti, three Eredivisie titles, one Coppa Italia, one KNVB Cup. In the late 80s, Gullit was the unstoppable force that led an unstoppable AC Milan juggernaut that dominated European soccer. Deservedly winning soccer's equivalent of the MVP award (1987 Ballon d'Or), the Dutch international was soccer's equivalent to a triple-double machine. 24. Bobby Charlton Peak: 1963-1967 Major Achievements: 1966 Ballon d'Or, 1966 FIFA World Cup, 1966 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1967-68 European Cup, three Football League First Division titles, 1962-63 FA Cup. Remember how good Frank Lampard was? Bobby Charlton was like Frank Lampard, only 100x better. The best player in the best England team of all time, Charlton was really, really, really good. 23. Giuseppe Meazza Peak: 1934-1938 Major Achievements: 1934 & 1938 FIFA World Cup, 1934 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, three Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, three Capocannoniere. So good they named the most famous stadium in the world after him, Giuseppe Meazza is the first legend of Italian soccer. A mythical figure on the peninsula, those who know say Meazza is the greatest Italian soccer player of all time; those who don't say he's the 23rd best player of all time. 22. Raymond Kopa Peak: 1956-1959 Major Achievements: 1958 Ballon d'Or, 1961 French Player of the Year, 1958 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, three European Cups, two La Liga titles, four Ligue 1 titles. Raymond Kopa is one of three geniuses of French soccer. A proverbial name in the top three of Ballon d'Or voting throughout his peak years, Kopa was the creative force that enabled Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano to score a boatload of goals for Real Madrid in the 1950s and 60s. He also helped guide Real Madrid to three European Cup triumphs. So yeah, by all accounts, a good player. 21. Romario Romario. Romario. | Bob Daemmrich/Getty Peak: 1990-1994 Major Achievements: 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year, 1994 FIFA World Cup, 1994 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1994 World Cup All-Star Team, 1989 & 1997 Copa America, one La Liga, three time Eredivisie, 1993-94 Pichichi winner. The 'King of the Lob' was one of the most composed and clinical goalscorers of the 1990s, who was also - most importantly - a big game player. A 1994 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award here, a Clasico hat trick there, Romario was a man for the big occasion. 20. Eusebio Peak: 1962-1968 Major Achievements: 1965 Ballon d'Or, 1966 European Golden Boot, 1968 & 1973 European Golden Boot, 1962 European Cup, 11 Primeira Liga titles, five Taca de Portugal titles. Like Romario, Eusebio was a supreme goalscorer. Unlike Romario, Eusebio didn't exclaim that he scored over 1,000 career goals; but he came pretty close to doing so. 19. Marco van Basten Peak: 1988-1992 Major Achievements: 1988, 1989 & 1992 Ballon d'Or, 1992 FIFA World Player of the Year, 1989, 1990 & 1992 UEFA Best Player of the Year, 1984-85 Dutch Footballer of the Year, two Capocannoniere, 1988 UEFA European Championship, two European Cups, three Scudetti, three Eredivisie, three KNVB Cups. It's a testament to Marco van Basten that he won three Ballon d'Ors, and is (due to injuries) still considered to be a 'what could've been' story. That's how good Marco van Basten was. Both technically sublime and extremely powerful in equal measure, Van Basten was the perfect number nine. He could, and did, score every sort of goal you can imagine. 18. George Best Peak: 1966-1971 Major Achievements: 1968 Ballon d'Or, 1967-68 FWA Footballer of the Year, 1967-68 Football League First Division top scorer, 1968 European Cup, two Football League First Division titles. Affectionately known as the 'fifth Beatle', George Best is perhaps remembered more for his off-the-field antics as opposed to his on-the-pitch achievements. However, that's not to say he wasn't an extraordinary talent. Because he 100% was. In fact, he's the most naturally gifted player the British and Irish Isles have ever produced. A Ballon d'Or and European Cup winner, Best peaked early in his career, but what a peak it was. 17. Zico Peak: 1979-1982 Major Achievements: Five-time Bola de Prata winner, three-time South American Footballer of the Year, top scorer in Flamengo's history, 1981 Copa Libertadores Best Player, 1981 Copa Libertadores, 1981 Intercontinental Cup, three Campeonato Brasilerio Serie A titles. Zico latches on the ball near the halfway line, and loops a seemingly aimless pass into the left hand side of the penalty area. To normal humans, such a pass looked aimless, but Zico saw an opportunity. Moments later Flamengo were 1-0 up against the greatest Liverpool team of all time. 30 minutes later, Flamengo were three goals to the good courtesy of another two Zico assists. An hour later, they were world champions. That's who Zico was. A genius who saw the game in a different way. A genius who could conjure something from absolutely nothing. A genius that made everyone around him better. Flamengo's greatest ever goalscorer. Flamengo's greatest ever playmaker. Flamengo's greatest ever player. 16. Roberto Baggio Baggio Baggio is a Ballon d'Or winner. | IMAGO/Colorsport Peak: 1990-1994 Major Achievements: 1993 Ballon d'Or, 1993 FIFA World Player of the Year, Italy's Player of the Century, 1994 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball, 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up, two Scudetti, one UEFA Cup, one Coppa Italia. Spoke of almost exclusively using biblical allusions, Roberto Baggio was a glimpse of God. And one of the best Italian players of all time. A player divinely inspired to conjure the impossible on a pitch, and change Italian fans' perception of the beautiful game forever. 15. Franco Baresi Peak: 1982-1990 Major Achievements: AC Milan Player of the Century, Serie A Player of the Century, 1982 FIFA World Cup, six Scudetti, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, 1989 Ballon d'Or runner-up. Unlike a lot of the players on this list, the 'peak' criteria means that we've had to drop Baresi down a few places. After all, what stands out about the Italian is his incredible consistency throughout his 20 year career. Nevertheless, Baresi still makes it into the top 20 players of all time, because if you look at the years in which the defender was at the 'peak' of his powers he was impossible to get past. 14. Ferenc Puskas Peak: 1950-1954 Major Achievements: European Player of the 20th Century, Olympic gold medal, 1954 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1960 Ballon d'Or runner-up, 1954 FIFA World Cup runner-up, four-time Pichichi winner, four-time Hungarian league top scorer, two-time European Cup top scorer, three European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, five La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, five Hungarian League titles. In the early 1950s, he was at the peak of his physical powers, and leading the one of the most exceptional teams of all time. The star man was, in many ways, the perfect soccer player. Strong, skillful, a goalscorer and, maybe most importantly a leader. Check out his goal against England in the 'Match of the Century'. After latching onto the ball on the edge of the six-yard box, the forward dragged the ball back, leaving Billy Wright for dead, before firing into the roof of the net. That goal is how good Puskas was: absolutely exceptional. 13. Paolo Maldini Peak: 1994-2003 Major Achievements: Most Serie A appearances of all time, most AC Milan appearances of all time, five European Cups, seven Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, two Intercontinental Cup, 1994 FIFA World Cup runner-up, 2000 UEFA European Football Championship runner-up. If you were to make the perfect player in some sort of lab, you'd probably create Paolo Maldini. Maldini is most complete soccer player of the past 30 years. At the very least, a 9/10 in every single position he could be played in, and a 10/10 week in, week out as a defender. When Nike ran the ad campaign: "Italy's Goalkeeper: Easiest Job in the World." They were right. Maldini made it the easiest job in the world. He made every single one of his teammates' jobs the easiest in the world. And while he sits in 13th position for this list, he also features highly for our page on the best left backs of all time. 12. Gerd Muller Gerd Muller. Gerd Muller. | IMAGO/WEREK Peak: 1970-1974 Major Achievements: 1970 Ballon d'Or, 1974 FIFA World Cup, 1972 UEFA European Championship, 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, two-time German Footballer of the Year, two-time European Golden Shoe winner, seven-time Torjägerkanone, thee European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, four Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals. The sky is blue. Grass is green. And Gerd Muller is one of the best goalscorers of all time. 68 goals in 62 international appearances for West Germany. The man once scored 67 goals in a single season, in just 49 appearances. He also scored a goal that won West Germany the 1974 FIFA World Cup. A goalscorer for the big moments, the small moments, and every moment in between. 11. Mane Garrincha Peak: 1958-1962 Major Achievements: 1958 & 1962 FIFA World Cup, 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1962 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, three State Championships. Garrincha is the original Samba soccer star; someone who brought the game played in the streets of Brasilia, Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo to the international stage, and utilized it to win two FIFA World Cups. 10. Alfredo Di Stefano Peak: 1956-1962 Major Achievements: 1957 & 1959 Ballon d'Or, five European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, eight La Liga titles, five-time Pichichi winner, World Team of the 20th Century, one Copa del Rey. “People argue between Pele or Maradona. Di Stéfano is the best, much more complete.” (Pele) "Di Stéfano was one of the greatest footballers ever. He had such great balance.” (Alex Ferguson) "The most complete footballer in the history of the game.” (Eusebio) “He was simply the most intelligent football player I ever saw. If I had one player to choose, out of all of them, to save my life, he'd be the one.” (Bobby Charlton) After reading the aforementioned praise of Alfredo di Stefano, is there anything else to add? 9. Michel Platini Peak: 1982-1985 Major Achievements: 1983, 1984, 1985 Ballon d'Or, French Player of the Century, two-time French Player of the Year, three-time Capocannoniere, 1984 UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament, 1984 UEFA European Championship, one European Cup, two Scudetti, one Ligue 1 title, one Coppa Italia, one Intercontinental Cup. Remember when it was said earlier that Bobby Charlton was like Frank Lampard, only 100x better? Well, Platini was like Frank Lampard, only 200x better. Michel Platini is undoubtedly the greatest goalscoring midfielder of all time. In three consecutive seasons in his prime, Platini won the Golden Boot award in a league which boasted the best defenders of all time; scratch that, the best players of all time. Platini was similarly potent for France, guiding the nation to their first ever major soccer success by scoring nine goals in five games at the 1984 UEFA European Championships. 8. Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest scorer in soccer history. | Fayez NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images Peak: 2012-2016 Major Achievements: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 Ballon d'Or, 2008, 2016 & 2017 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2014, 2016 & 2017 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, four-time European Golden Shoe winner, two-time PFA Players' Player of the Year, UEFA Champions League all time top goalscorer, Real Madrid's all time top goalscorer, five UEFA Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, three Premier League titles, one Scudetto, two Copa del Rey, one FA Cup, one UEFA European Championship. While not top of this list, Cristiano Ronaldo can certainly lay claim to being the greatest goalscorer in soccer history. No player in the history of the beautiful game has scored more official goals than the Portuguese icon, who has excelled across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Saudi Pro League and on the international stage throughout his extraordinary career. Whether with his right foot, left foot, head or through acrobatic finishes, soccer has rarely—if ever—seen a player so consistently lethal in front of goal as Ronaldo. 7. Ronaldo Nazario Peak: 1995-1998 Major Achievements: 1997 & 2002 Ballon d'Or, 1996, 1997 & 2002 FIFA World Player of the Year, 1998 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 2002 FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe, 1996-97 European Golden Shoe, 1994 & 2002 FIFA World Cup, 1997 & 1999 Copa America, two-time Pichichi winner, 1998 Serie A Footballer of the Year, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one KNVB Cup, one UEFA Cup, one Intercontinental Cup. Are Ronaldo's knee injuries the only things that stopped the Brazilian from being the number one, undisputed, greatest soccer player of all time? Quite possibly. Pre-knee injury, R9 was well on his way to becoming the best to ever lace up a pair of boots. In short, he was the perfect forward. The perfect exemplification of R9's mastery is his goal against Compostela. Sir Bobby Robson's reaction says it all. 6. Zinedine Zidane Peak: 1997-2002 Major Achievements: 1998 Ballon d'Or, 1998, 2000 & 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2002 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, 2000-01 Serie A Footballer of the Year, UEFA Champions League Best Player of the Past 20 Years, L'Equipe Best French Player of All Time, 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, only player to be named Player of the Year in three of the top five leagues, most goals in FIFA World Cup finals, 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 UEFA European Championships, one Champions League, two Scudetti, one La Liga title, one Intercontinental Cup. Zinedine Zidane was one beautiful wizard with a ball at his feet. Headbutts aside, Zizou was the most elegant soccer player of all time, pirouetting his way around Europe; usually winning while doing so. When he won, it was usually after he'd scored one of the most memorable goals of all time. Three World Cup final goals and the best goal in UEFA Champions League history in the 2002 final, it's fair to say that Zidane wasn't just one of the most entertaining players of all time, but also one of the most 'clutch'. 5. Johan Cruyff Peak: 1971-1975 Major Achievements: 1971, 1973 & 1975 Ballon d'Or, 1974 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, three-time Dutch Footballer of the Year, two-time Dutch Sportsman of the Year, three European Cups, one La Liga title, nine Eredivisie titles, one Copa del Rey, six KNVB Cup, one Intercontinental Cup. It takes a special type of soccer to invent his own skill move, Aiden McGeady aside, obviously. It takes an even more special type of player to basically invent modern soccer. Johan Cruyff did both. A now mythical figure, Cruyff is arguably the most influential player of all time; and one of the most talented too. The centerpiece of the “Total Football” era (shoutout to Parquet Courts), Cruyff made beautiful teams successful; a feat so incredible that we still see its effects to this day. 4. Franz Beckenbauer Peak: 1966-1976 Major Achievements: 1972 & 1976 Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, 1966 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award, four-time German Footballer of the Year, 1974 FIFA World Cup, 1972 UEFA European Championships, three European Cups, five Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals, one Intercontinental Cup. While Paolo Maldini was the most complete player of the past 30 years, Franz Beckenbauer was the most complete player ever. Put simply, anything you could possibly want a player to be able to do, Beckenbauer could, and did, do it. A goalscorer: yes. An incredible defender: yes. A great athlete: yes. A consummate professional: yes. A leader: yes. In a big, big, way. A winner: yes. Known as Der Kaiser, Franz Beckenbauer was the man behind the majority of Germany's soccer triumphs over the years. He also tops our list of the greatest German soccer players. Oh, he's also one of two defenders to ever win the Ballon d'Or. Oh and yes, of course he won it twice. 3. Pele Pele Pelé (top) won three World Cups. | AS Photo Archive/Getty Images Peak: 1958-1964 Major Achievements: Most career goals (of any footballer ever, like ever), FIFA Player of the Century, France Football's greatest FIFA World Cup player, TIME 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century list, Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, Santos' all-time leading goalscorer, youngest FIFA World Cup winner, most assists in FIFA World Cup history, 1958, 1962 & 1970 FIFA World Cup, top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup finals, two Copa Libertadores titles, six Campeonato Brasilerio Serie A titles, two Intercontinental Cups, 1970 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1958 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player, 1970 Bola de Prata. Important. It's the one word that encapsulates Pele. Pele is important. One of the 100 most important people of the 20th century according to TIME. The most important player of all time. Bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old looking to avenge the tears of his father when Brazil lost the 1950 World Cup final, Pele would go on to win the World Cup on three separate occasions. The Brazilian's peak is fable at this point, possibly because the world didn't really get to see it due to his injury at the 1962 World Cup, but more aptly because between 1958 and 1962, no one has ever scored more goals than him. His great achievement was leading the most incredible team of all time to 1970 FIFA World Cup glory, but it's his peak years of the early 1960s which make Pele, not just one of the best Brazilian players ever, but one of the best players to have graced the game. 2. Diego Maradona Peak: 1985-1990 Major Achievements: 90min's Greatest Footballer of All Time, Corriere dello Sport's Best Athlete in History, 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1986 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 1985 Serie A Footballer of the Year, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, FIFA Goal of the Century, Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century, two-time South American Footballer of the Year, four-time Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year, two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, one Copa del Rey, one UEFA Cup. So what makes Diego Armando Maradona one of SI Soccer's greatest players of all time? Is it the fact that he won the FIFA World Cup in a way that no one else has ever been capable of doing single handedly? Is it the fact that he scored the two most significant goals in history? Is it the fact that one of these goals was the greatest goal of all time? The impossible made possible by a true genius? Is it the fact that he joined SSC Napoli - a downtrodden, unwanted, unfancied team - and made them the best team in the strongest league Europe has ever seen? Is it the fact that in his native land he is considered to be a God? A working class hero that empowered a nation through his talent? It's all of the above. Diego Maradona, at his very best, is the second-best soccer player we have, and will ever see. Effective and exceptional in equal measure. 1. Lionel Messi messi Lionel Messi led Argentina to the World Cup in 2022. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images Peak: 2009-2012 Major Achievements: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2015, 2019, 2021 & 2023 Ballon d'Or, 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year, Barcelona all time top goalscorer, La Liga all time top goalscorer, six-time Pichichi winner, Argentina's all time top goalscorer, most goals scored in a calendar year, 2011 & 2015 UEFA Men's Player of the Year, seven-time La Liga Player of the Year, 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 2005 Young European Footballer of the Year, five-time European Golden Shoe winner, four Champions Leagues, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey, two Ligue 1 titles, two Copa América titles, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Leagues Cup 2023 title, 2025 MLS Cup. He's extraordinary. Truly extraordinary. Certain generations identify with certain groups of players and superstars. This generation, for better or for worse, will forever be defined by Messi vs. Ronaldo. The 2022 World Cup might've ended the debate forever. READ MORE ON THE GREATEST IN SOCCER • Best Soccer Goalkeepers of All Time • The 50 Best Defenders in Soccer History—Ranked • The 20 Best Left Backs in Soccer History—Ranked • The 25 Best Midfielders in Soccer History—Ranked • The 50 Greatest Soccer Forwards of All Time—Ranked • Ranking The 25 Best American Soccer Players Of All Time • Ranking the 50 Best Soccer Jerseys Of All Time • Ranking the 50 Best Soccer Teams Of All Time • 50 Greatest Football Managers of All Time Add us as a preferred source on Google Follow Published Oct 18, 2024 | Modified Apr 30, 2026 SI Staff SI STAFF Home/Soccer The 10 Players With the Most Goals in a Calendar Year—Ranked No players in soccer history have ever dominated a calendar year quite like these. Barnaby Lane | May 3, 2026 Google Discover Add us as a preferred source Lionel Messi stands out on his own in this particular category. Lionel Messi stands out on his own in this particular category. | Lluis GENE/AFP/Getty Images Every new year, many of us set resolutions—usually along the lines of cutting back on drinking, going to the gym more often or saving up for a vacation. For soccer players, especially forwards, however, the target never changes: score as many goals as possible. Some meet the mark, some fall short and others completely blow it out of the water—none more so than these players, who shattered expectations with record-breaking goal tallies. Here, we take a look at the players with the most goals scored in a single calendar year in soccer history. FREE NEWSLETTER: Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC Most Goals in a Calendar Year: Lionel Messi’s Record Lionel Messi Nobody could stop Messi in 2012. | IMAGO/Xinhua As is often the case with soccer records, it is Lionel Messi who holds the benchmark for the most goals scored in a single calendar year. In 2012, he produced an extraordinary 91 goals for both FC Barcelona (79) and Argentina (12). The Argentine icon only made 69 appearances that year, averaging a goal every 66 minutes he was on the pitch. Messi recorded as many braces as he did games without a single goal (22). Unsurprisingly, those otherworldly numbers earned the then-25 the Ballon d’Or (then awarded based on calendar-year showing rather than the current season format), but ironically, despite his record-breaking goal haul, Barcelona ended the year with just the Copa del Rey, missing out on La Liga, the Supercopa de España and the Champions League. Other Highest Goalscoring Calendar Years in Soccer History Gerd Muller Gerd Muller scored 85 times in 1972. | IMAGO/Colorsport Messi’s record-breaking 91 goals in 2012 surpassed the previous benchmark set by Gerd Müller in 1972, when the German striker scored 85 goals for Bayern Munich and West Germany combined. It should also be noted that in the same year as Müller’s tally, the Zambian Football Association claimed that Godfrey Chitalu scored more than 100 goals for Kabwe Warriors and Zambia. However, FIFA has stated that it could not officially verify the figure due to a lack of reliable historical records and data from that era, meaning the total is not recognized in the official record books. Elsewhere, Pelé sits third on the all-time standings with 75 goals, while fellow Brazilian legends Zico and Romário both feature with 72 goals each. Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé complete the modern elite bracket, while Viktor Gyökeres’ 62-goal return for Sporting CP and Sweden in 2024 narrowly misses out on the top tier. Most Goals in a Calendar Year: Top 10 Players Rank Player Goals Year Club/Country 1. Lionel Messi 91 2012 Barcelona/Argentina 2. Gerd Müller 85 1972 Bayern Munich/West Germany 3. Pelé 75 1958 Santos/Brazil =4. Pelé 72 1965 Santos/Brazil =4. Zico 72 1979 Flamengo/Brazil =4. Romário 72 2000 Vasco da Gama/Brazil =7. Robert Lewandowski 69 2021 Bayern Munich/Poland =7. Cristiano Ronaldo 69 2013 Real Madrid/Portugal 9. Kylian Mbappé 66 2025 Real Madrid/France 10. Cristiano Ronaldo 63 2012 Real Madrid/Portugal READ THE LATEST SOCCER NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE Real Madrid Reveal Punishments for Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni Fight Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde How Real Madrid Could Line Up if They Appoint Jose Mourinho As Manager José Mourinho, Real Madrid badge 2026 World Cup Prompts Unprecedented Change in Mexico’s Education System President Claudia Sheinbaum and the entire Mexican government are trying to be flexible ahead of the 2026 World Cup. USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: Dest Returns to Pitch, Cardoso Suffers Injury Setback Dest, Cardoso Harry Kane Can’t Resist 10-Word Jab at Arsenal Ahead of Champions League Final Harry Kane Add us as a preferred source on Google Follow Published May 3, 2026 | Modified May 3, 2026 Barnaby Lane BARNABY LANE Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider. Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more. Home/Soccer SI Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Takedown Policy Terms and Conditions SI Accessibility Statement Sitemap A-Z Index FAQ