IFFHS

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) is an organisation that chronicles the history and records of association football. It was founded in 1984 by Alfredo Pöge in Leipzig. The IFFHS was based in Abu Dhabi for some time but in 2010 relocated to Bonn, Germany, and then in 2014 to Zürich.

Source: Wikipedia

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IFFHS

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) is an organisation that chronicles the history and records of association football. It was founded in 1984 by Alfredo Pöge in Leipzig. The IFFHS was based in Abu Dhabi for some time but in 2010 relocated to Bonn, Germany, and then in 2014 to Zürich.

From its early stages to 2002, the IFFHS concentrated on publishing the quarterly magazines Fußball-Weltzeitschrift, Libero spezial deutsch and Libero international. When these had to be discontinued for reasons which were not officially told, the organisation published its material in a series of multi-lingual books in co-operation with sponsors. The statistical organisation has now confined its publishing activities to its website. IFFHS has no affiliation with FIFA, but FIFA has cited awards and records conducted by IFFHS on their website.

In 2008, Karl Lennartz, a sports historian and professor at the University of Cologne, Germany, called the organisation "obscure", describing it as a one-man show of its founder Alfredo Pöge. IFFHS rankings and their significance have been a matter of criticism and the largest German news agency, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, refuse to publish them. Furthermore, German die Tageszeitung stated that the IFFHS rankings serves merely for publicity, although Bild, Deutsche Welle, Kicker-Sportmagazin, the German Football Association (DFB), and former president of the Association of West German Sports Journalists (German: Verbandes Westdeutscher Sportjournalisten — VWS) Heribert Faßbender have referenced IFFHS.

The World's Best Club

IFFHS

Real Madrid and Barcelona, ten-time winners of the world's Best Club award.

Since 1991, the entity has produced a monthly Club World Ranking. The ranking takes into consideration the results of twelve months of continental and intercontinental competitions, national league matches (including play-offs) and the most important national cup (excluding points won before the round of 16). All countries are rated at four levels based upon the national league performance—clubs in the highest level leagues receive 4 points for each match won, 2 for a draw and 0 for a defeat. Level 2 is assigned 3 pts. (win), 1.5 (draw) and 0 (lost), and so on with the next lower levels.

In continental competitions, all clubs receive the same number of points at all stages regardless of the performance level of their leagues. However, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Libertadores yield more points than UEFA Europa League and Copa Sudamericana, respectively. The point assignment system is still lower for the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and OFC continental tournaments. Competitions between two continents are evaluated depending upon their importance. Competitions not organised by a continental confederation, or any intercontinental events not recognized by FIFA, are not taken into consideration.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Real Madrid</td><td>5</td><td>2000, 2002, 2014, 2017, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Barcelona</td><td>1997, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015</td></tr><tr><td>Liverpool</td><td>3</td><td>2001, 2005, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Juventus</td><td>2</td><td>1993, 1996</td></tr><tr><td>Milan</td><td>1995, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Sevilla</td><td>2006, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester United</td><td>1999, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>Inter Milan</td><td>1998, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Bayern Munich</td><td>2013, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Paris Saint-Germain</td><td>1994, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Roma</td><td>1</td><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Ajax</td><td>1</td><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Nacional</td><td>1</td><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Madrid</td><td>1</td><td>2018</td></tr><tr><td>Palmeiras</td><td>1</td><td>2021</td></tr><tr><td>Flamengo</td><td>1</td><td>2022</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester City</td><td>1</td><td>2023</td></tr></tbody></table>

Continental Men's Clubs of the Century (1901–2000)

Real Madrid, European club of the 20th century.

Boca Juniors, South American team of the decade (2001–2010).

In 2009, the IFFHS released the results of a statistical study series which determined the best continental clubs of the 20th century. The ranking did not consider the performance of the teams in national football tournaments (except in the Oceania's club ranking due to limited editions held under OFC club competitions), the performance in the intercontinental or worldwide club competitions or those submitted in the IFFHS Club World Ranking, available since 1991.

Based on this study, which assigned a weighted score criteria applied for each competition analysed, the below six clubs were named as "continental clubs of the century" by the IFFHS between 10 September and 13 October 2009. These clubs were awarded with a golden trophy and a certificate during the World Football Gala celebrated at Fulham, London, on 11 May 2010.

<table><thead><tr><th>Continent</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Europe</td><td>Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>South America</td><td>Peñarol</td></tr><tr><td>Africa</td><td>Asante Kotoko</td></tr><tr><td>Asia</td><td>Al-Hilal</td></tr><tr><td>CONCACAF</td><td>Saprissa</td></tr><tr><td>Oceania</td><td>South Melbourne</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Best Men's Club of the Decade

In 2012, the IFFHS recognised Barcelona as the World's Best Club Team of the Decade for the first decade of the 21st century (2001–2010). In 2021, Barcelona were recognised as the world's best club also for the second decade (2011–2020).

<table><thead><tr><th>Decade</th><th>World</th><th>Europe</th><th>South America</th><th>CONCACAF</th><th>Africa</th><th>Asia</th><th>Oceania</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2001–2010</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>Boca Juniors</td><td>América</td><td>Al Ahly</td><td>Al-Hilal</td><td>Auckland City</td></tr><tr><td>2011–2020</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>Grêmio</td><td>UANL</td><td>Espérance de Tunis</td><td>Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors</td><td>Auckland City</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lyon</td><td>7</td><td>2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Barcelona</td><td>5</td><td>2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>VfL Wolfsburg</td><td>2</td><td>2013, 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lyon, seven-time winner of the Women's World's Best Club award.

The World's Strongest National League

IFFHS

Premier League, Strongest National League of the Decade (2001–2010).

Men's league

<table><thead><tr><th>League</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Spain</td><td>13</td><td>2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018</td></tr><tr><td>Italy</td><td>13</td><td>1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2020, 2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>England</td><td>6</td><td>2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Brazil</td><td>2</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Germany</td><td>1</td><td>1997</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Strongest National League of the Decade

<table><thead><tr><th>Decade</th><th>World</th><th>Europe</th><th>South America</th><th>CONCACAF</th><th>Africa</th><th>Asia</th><th>Oceania</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2001–2010</td><td>England</td><td>England</td><td>Brazil</td><td>Mexico</td><td>Egypt</td><td>Japan</td><td>New Zealand</td></tr><tr><td>2011–2020</td><td>Spain</td><td>Spain</td><td>Brazil</td><td>Mexico</td><td>Tunisia</td><td>South Korea</td><td>New Zealand</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's league

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>League</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2020</td><td>England</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>France</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Spain</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Spain</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Player

IFFHS

Robert Lewandowski won the Best Player award in 2020 and 2021.

Men's winners

From (/wiki/1991FIFAWorldPlayeroftheYear) until (/wiki/2009FIFAWorldPlayeroftheYear), FIFA continued this distinction named FIFA World Player of the Year; this award was later replaced by the FIFA Ballon d'Or in (/wiki/2010FIFABallond'Or), and The Best FIFA Men's Player in (/wiki/2016TheBestFIFAFootballAwards##TheBestFIFAMen'sPlayer). The award was reinstated in 2020.

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Marco van Basten</td><td>2</td><td>1988, 1989</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Lothar Matthäus</td><td>1</td><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>2022</td></tr><tr><td>Erling Haaland</td><td>2023</td></tr><tr><td>Rodri</td><td>2024</td></tr><tr><td>Ousmane Dembélé</td><td>2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

Alexia Putellas won the Best Player award in 2021 and 2022.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aitana Bonmatí</td><td>3</td><td>2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Alexia Putellas</td><td>2</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Pernille Harder</td><td>1</td><td>2020</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Man Player of the Century (1901–2000)

Pelé, Male Player of the Century (1901–2000).

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Pelé</td><td> Brazil</td><td>1705</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Johan Cruyff</td><td> Netherlands</td><td>1303</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td> West Germany</td><td>1228</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano</td><td> Argentina</td><td>1215</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Diego Maradona</td><td> Argentina</td><td>1214</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Ferenc Puskás</td><td> Hungary</td><td>810</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Michel Platini</td><td> France</td><td>722</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Garrincha</td><td> Brazil</td><td>624</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Eusébio</td><td> Portugal</td><td>544</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Bobby Charlton</td><td> England</td><td>508</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Woman Player of the Century (1901–2000)

Mia Hamm, Female Player of the Century (1901–2000).

IFFHS gave out an award decided by votes which was conducted with the participation of journalists and former players (no further details given).

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Mia Hamm</td><td> United States</td><td>442</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Michelle Akers</td><td> United States</td><td>411</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Heidi Mohr</td><td> Germany</td><td>250</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Carolina Morace</td><td> Italy</td><td>230</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Sissi</td><td> Brazil</td><td>212</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Linda Medalen</td><td> Norway</td><td>181</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Liu Ailing</td><td> China</td><td>165</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Kristine Lilly</td><td> United States</td><td>160</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Heidi Støre</td><td> Norway</td><td>141</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Pia Sundhage</td><td> Sweden</td><td>129</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Man Player of the 19th Century (until 1900)

In November 2021, IFFHS announced the Dream Team of the 19th Century and the top 3 players.

Gilbert Oswald Smith, Male Player of the 19th Century.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Gilbert Oswald Smith</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>John Goodall</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Steve Bloomer</td><td> England</td></tr></tbody></table>

Top 10 players of all-time (2025)

In May 2025, IFFHS announced the top 10 players of all time, based on performance statistics, with Lionel Messi being the winner surpassing Pelé, the IFFHS Player of the 20th Century.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td> Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Pelé</td><td> Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Diego Maradona</td><td> Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td> Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Johan Cruyff</td><td> Netherlands</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Ronaldo</td><td> Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Zinedine Zidane</td><td> France</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td> Germany</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Alfredo Di Stefano</td><td> Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Ronaldinho</td><td> Brazil</td></tr></tbody></table>

World's best player and coach

IFFHS

It was a one-time award under the name world's universal genius won by Franz Beckenbauer for his world success as both player and coach in 2007.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2007</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td> West Germany</td></tr></tbody></table>

World's most popular player

IFFHS

Mohamed Aboutrika won World's most popular player award 3 times.

The World‘s most popular player as voted by IFFHS users:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Club</th><th>Votes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2006</td><td>Steven Gerard</td><td> England</td><td>Liverpool FC</td><td>47.464</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Mohamed Aboutrika</td><td> Egypt</td><td>Al-Ahly Cairo</td><td>1.017.786</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Mohamed Aboutrika</td><td> Egypt</td><td>Al-Ahly Cairo</td><td>301.837</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Mohamed Aboutrika</td><td> Egypt</td><td>Al-Ahly Cairo</td><td>84.470</td></tr></tbody></table>

Europe's best player

Best European Player (1956-1989)

Franz Beckenbauer, Best European Player (1956–1989)

On 24 April 1990, before the 1990 World Cup, IFFHS gave out an award for the best European player taking into consideration players who were voted in the shortlist of the France Football's Ballon D'Or from 1956 until 1989.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td> West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Michel Platini</td><td> France</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Johan Cruyff</td><td> Netherlands</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Eusébio</td><td> Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Gerd Muller</td><td> West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Karl-Heinz Rummenigge</td><td> West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Luis Suarez</td><td> Spain</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Bobby Charlton</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano</td><td> Spain</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Raymond Kopa</td><td> France</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Lev Yashin</td><td> Soviet Union</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Gianni Rivera</td><td> Italy</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Kevin Keegan</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>John Charles</td><td> Wales</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Marco Van Basten</td><td> Netherlands</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Ferenc Puskás</td><td> Hungary</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Bernd Schuster</td><td> West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>George Best</td><td> Northern Ireland</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Ruud Gullit</td><td> Netherlands</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Preben Elkjær</td><td> Denmark</td></tr></tbody></table>

European Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Johan Cruyff</td><td> Netherlands</td><td>756</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td> West Germany</td><td>709</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano</td><td> Spain</td><td>708</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Ferenc Puskás</td><td> Hungary</td><td>667</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Michel Platini</td><td> France</td><td>505</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Eusébio</td><td> Portugal</td><td>379</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Bobby Charlton</td><td> England</td><td>303</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Stanley Matthews</td><td> England</td><td>282</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Gerd Müller</td><td> West Germany</td><td>249</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Marco Van Basten</td><td> Netherlands</td><td>240</td></tr></tbody></table>

European Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On February 2, 2021, IFFHS announced the best player European player (UEFA).

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td> Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Sergio Ramos</td><td> Spain</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Manuel Neuer</td><td> Germany</td></tr></tbody></table>

South America's Best Player

South American Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Pelé</td><td> Brazil</td><td>220</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Diego Maradona</td><td> Argentina</td><td>193</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano</td><td> Argentina</td><td>161</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Garrincha</td><td> Brazil</td><td>142</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>José Manuel Moreno</td><td> Argentina</td><td>82</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Juan Alberto Schiaffino</td><td> Uruguay</td><td>52</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Zico</td><td> Brazil</td><td>51</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Arsenio Erico</td><td> Paraguay</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Elías Figueroa</td><td> Chile</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Zizinho</td><td> Brazil</td><td>40</td></tr></tbody></table>

South American Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On February 2, 2021, IFFHS announced the best player Southh American player (CONMEBOL).

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td> Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Neymar</td><td> Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Dani Alves</td><td> Brazil</td></tr></tbody></table>

CONCACAF Best Player

CONCACAF Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Hugo Sánchez</td><td> Mexico</td><td>107</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Luis de la Fuente</td><td> Mexico</td><td>45</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Carlos Hermosillo</td><td> Mexico</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Horacio Casarín</td><td> Mexico</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Raúl Cárdenas</td><td> Mexico</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Adelino Gonsalves</td><td> United States</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Salvador Reyes</td><td> Mexico</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Bruce Wilson</td><td> Canada</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Julio Dely Valdés</td><td> Panama</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Jorge Alberto González</td><td> El Salvador</td><td>24</td></tr></tbody></table>

Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On February 5, 2021, IFFHS announced the best CONCACAF player.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Keylor Navas</td><td> Costa Rica</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Javier Hernández</td><td> Mexico</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Clint Dempsey</td><td> United States</td></tr></tbody></table>

Africa's Best Player

African Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>George Weah</td><td> Liberia</td><td>95</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Roger Milla</td><td> Cameroon</td><td>77</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Abedi Pele</td><td> Ghana</td><td>72</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Lakhdar Belloumi</td><td> Algeria</td><td>56</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Rabah Madjer</td><td> Algeria</td><td>51</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Théophile Abega</td><td> Cameroon</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Laurent Pokou</td><td> Ivory Coast</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>François Omam-Biyik</td><td> Cameroon</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Ahmed Faras</td><td> Morocco</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Finidi George</td><td> Nigeria</td><td>32</td></tr></tbody></table>

Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On February 5, 2021, IFFHS announced the best African player.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Mohamed Salah</td><td> Egypt</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Sadio Mané</td><td> Senegal</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Riyad Mahrez</td><td> Algeria</td></tr></tbody></table>

Asia's Best Player

Asian Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Bum-Kun Cha</td><td> South Korea</td><td>112</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Joo-Sung Kim</td><td> South Korea</td><td>93</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Majed Abdullah</td><td> Saudi Arabia</td><td>87</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Kazuyoshi Miura</td><td> Japan</td><td>71</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Kunishige Kamamoto</td><td> Japan</td><td>70</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Saeed Al-Owairan</td><td> Saudi Arabia</td><td>68</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Ali Daei</td><td> Iran</td><td>64</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Khodadad Azizi</td><td> Iran</td><td>59</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Ahmed Radhi</td><td> Iraq</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Karim Bagheri</td><td> Iran</td><td>47</td></tr></tbody></table>

Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On February 5, 2021, IFFHS announced the best Asian player.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Heung-min Son</td><td> South Korea</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Keisuke Honda</td><td> Japan</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Salem Al-Dawsari</td><td> Saudi Arabia</td></tr></tbody></table>

Oceania's Best Player

OFC Player of the Century (1901–2000)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Wynton Rufer</td><td> New Zealand</td><td>62</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Frank Farina</td><td> Australia</td><td>41</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Christian Karembeu</td><td> New Caledonia</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Joe Marston</td><td> Australia</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>John Kosmina</td><td> Australia</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Alan Davidson</td><td> Australia</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Robert Slater</td><td> Australia</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Paul Okon</td><td> Australia</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Reg Date</td><td> Australia</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Eddie Krncevic</td><td> Australia</td><td>13</td></tr></tbody></table>

Player of Decade (2011-2020)

On November 6, 2021, IFFHS announced the best Oceanian player.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Nationality</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Chris Wood</td><td> New Zealand</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Winston Reid</td><td> New Zealand</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Marco Rojas</td><td> New Zealand</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Youth (U20) Player

IFFHS

Jude Bellingham won the Men's World Best Youth (U20) Player award twice

Vicky López won the Women's World Best Youth (U20) Player award twice

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2021</td><td>Pedri</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Jude Bellingham</td><td>Borussia Dortmund</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Jude Bellingham</td><td>Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Lamine Yamal</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Lamine Yamal</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2021</td><td>Hanna Bennison</td><td>FC Rosengård Everton</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Linda Caicedo</td><td>Deportivo Cali</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Salma Paralluelo</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Vicky López</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Vicky López</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Playmaker

Men's winners

Lionel Messi has won a record five IFFHS best playmaker awards.

Xavi won the award a record four consecutive years.

The IFFHS World's Best Playmaker is a footballing award which, since 2006, is given annually to the best playmaker of the year, as chosen by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). The award is awarded at the end of the year at the World Football Gala: the winning playmaker is awarded a gold trophy. Argentina's Lionel Messi has won the award a record five times. Spain's Xavi won the award four times, all consecutively, while Belgian Kevin De Bruyne won the award three times. Barcelona is the club with the most wins, with ten in total. Lionel Messi was named the Best Playmaker since 2006 and the Best Playmaker of the Decade 2011–2020.

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2006</td><td>Zinedine Zidane</td><td>Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Kaká</td><td>Milan</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Xavi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Xavi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Xavi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Xavi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>Andrés Iniesta</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Andrés Iniesta</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Toni Kroos</td><td>Bayern Munich Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Luka Modrić</td><td>Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Kevin De Bruyne</td><td>Manchester City</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Kevin De Bruyne</td><td>Manchester City</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Paris Saint-Germain</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Kevin De Bruyne</td><td>Manchester City</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Jude Bellingham</td><td>Real Madrid</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Vitinha</td><td>Paris Saint-Germain</td></tr><tr><td>Source:</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>5</td><td>2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Xavi</td><td>4</td><td>2008, 2009, 2010, 2011</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin De Bruyne</td><td>3</td><td>2020, 2021, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Andrés Iniesta</td><td>2</td><td>2012, 2013</td></tr><tr><td>Source:</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's winners

Aitana Bonmatí was named Best Playmaker a record three consecutive years.

Dzsenifer Marozsán was named the Best Playmaker since 2006 and the Best Playmaker of the Decade 2011–2020.

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2012</td><td>Marta</td><td>Tyresö FF</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Lena Goeßling</td><td>VfL Wolfsburg</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Nadine Keßler</td><td>VfL Wolfsburg</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Carli Lloyd</td><td>Houston Dash</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Dzsenifer Marozsán</td><td>Lyon</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Lieke Martens</td><td>FC Rosengård Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Dzsenifer Marozsán</td><td>Lyon</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Megan Rapinoe</td><td>Reign FC</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Dzsenifer Marozsán</td><td>Lyon</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Alexia Putellas</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Alexia Putellas</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Aitana Bonmatí</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Aitana Bonmatí</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Aitana Bonmatí</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Goalkeeper

IFFHS

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas is tied with Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer (5), with a record five consecutive wins between 2008 and 2012.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Iker Casillas</td><td>5</td><td>2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>Gianluigi Buffon</td><td>2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Manuel Neuer</td><td>2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Walter Zenga</td><td>3</td><td>1989, 1990, 1991</td></tr><tr><td>José Luis Chilavert</td><td>1995, 1997, 1998</td></tr><tr><td>Oliver Kahn</td><td>1999, 2001, 2002</td></tr><tr><td>Peter Schmeichel</td><td>2</td><td>1992, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Thibaut Courtois</td><td>2018, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Gianluigi Donnarumma</td><td>2021, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Hope Solo</td><td>4</td><td>2012, 2013, 2014, 2015</td></tr><tr><td>Sarah Bouhaddi</td><td>2016, 2017, 2018, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Christiane Endler</td><td>2</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Top Goal Scorer

IFFHS

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the Top Goal Scorer of the Year a record five times. He is also the Best Goal Scorer in History.

This award is given annually since 2020, and retroactively from 2011 to 2019, to the world's top goalscorer in the calendar year.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>5</td><td>2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>2</td><td>2012, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Kylian Mbappé</td><td>2022, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

All-time World's Best Goal Scorer ranking

Romário ranks 4th in the All-time World's Best Goal Scorer ranking with 756 goals.

As of 30 August 2025 Bold indicates players currently active.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>959</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>896</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Pelé</td><td>762</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Romário</td><td>756</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Ferenc Puskás</td><td>725</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Josef Bican</td><td>722</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>674</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Jimmy Jones</td><td>639</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Gerd Müller</td><td>634</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Joe Bambrick</td><td>626</td></tr></tbody></table>

Jenni Hermoso scored 48 goals in 2021.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2021</td><td>Jennifer Hermoso</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Fenna Kalma</td><td>Twente</td><td>45</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Temwa Chawinga</td><td>Wuhan Jianghan</td><td>63</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Charlyn Corral</td><td>Pachuca</td><td>44</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Charlyn Corral</td><td>Pachuca</td><td>57</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best International Goal Scorer

IFFHS

This award is given annually since 1991 to the world's top international goalscorer in the calendar year.

Sam Kerr scored 12 goals for her country in 2022.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>5</td><td>2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>3</td><td>2011, 2012, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Ali Daei</td><td>2</td><td>1996, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>2015, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Romelu Lukaku</td><td>2020, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table>

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2021</td><td>Ellen White</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Sam Kerr</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Barbra Banda</td><td>Shanghai Shengli</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Lea Schüller</td><td>Bayern Munich</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Claudia Pina</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>18</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer

IFFHS

Lionel Messi has won the award a record four times.

This award is given annually since 1997 to the player who scores the most goals in a league season (in a calendar year since 2020) in any of the top 60 leagues in the world (as ranked by IFFHS for that given year).

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club(s)</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1997</td><td>Hakan Şükür</td><td>Galatasaray</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Iván Kaviedes</td><td>Emelec</td><td>43</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Mário Jardel</td><td>Porto</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Mário Jardel</td><td>Porto</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>José Alfredo Castillo</td><td>Oriente Petrolero</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Joaquín Botero</td><td>Bolívar</td><td>49</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>José Cardozo</td><td>Toluca</td><td>58</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Patricio Galaz</td><td>Cobreloa</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Clemerson Araújo</td><td>Gamba Osaka</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Klaas-Jan Huntelaar</td><td>Ajax</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Afonso Alves</td><td>Heerenveen</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Lucas Barrios</td><td>Colo-Colo</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Marc Janko</td><td>RB Salzburg</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>Ajax</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Aleksandrs Čekulajevs</td><td>Narva Trans</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>50</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>Real Madrid</td><td>31</td></tr><tr><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>Liverpool</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>Real Madrid</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Barcelona</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>Jonas</td><td>Benfica</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Baghdad Bounedjah</td><td>Al Sadd</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>Calendar year</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>Juventus</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>Bayern Munich</td><td>43</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Germán Cano</td><td>Fluminense</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Harry Kane</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur Bayern Munich</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Viktor Gyökeres</td><td>Sporting CP</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Kylian Mbappé</td><td>Real Madrid</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>Source:</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>4</td><td>2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 (shared)</td></tr><tr><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>3</td><td>2010, 2014 (shared), 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>2014 (shared), 2015, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Mário Jardel</td><td>2</td><td>1999, 2000</td></tr></tbody></table>

All-time World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer ranking

Ferenc Puskás

As of 9 November 2025 Bold indicates players currently active.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>587</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>552</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Josef Bican</td><td>515</td></tr><tr><td>Ferenc Puskás</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>420</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>419</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Imre Schlosser</td><td>417</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Gyula Zsengellér</td><td>416</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Jimmy McGrory</td><td>409</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Gerd Müller</td><td>405</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer of the First Decade (2001–2010)

The final list includes the 18 players who scored 150 or more goals in top-tier national leagues in the period of time from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2010. The results were posted on the IFFHS' official website on 25 September 2022.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nation</th><th>Goals</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Aleksandar Đurić</td><td> Singapore</td><td>246</td><td>Geylang United (2001–04) Singapore Armed Forces FC (2005–09) Tampines Rovers (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Marc Lloyd Williams</td><td> Wales</td><td>236</td><td>Bangor City (2001–02; 2003; 2006-07) Southport (2002–03) Aberystwyth Town (2003–04) The New Saints (2004–06) Newtown (2007–08) Rhyl (2008) Porthmadog (2008–09) Airbus UK Broughton (2009–10)</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Washington</td><td> Brazil</td><td>214</td><td>Ponte Preta (2001–02) Fenerbahçe (2002–03) Athletico Paranaense (2004) Tokyo Verdy (2005) Urawa Red Diamonds (2006-07) Fluminense (2008; 2010) São Paulo (2009-10)</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Rhys Griffiths</td><td> Wales</td><td>198</td><td>Cwmbrân Town (2001–02) Haverfordwest County (2002–04) Carmarthen Town (2004) Port Talbot Town (2004–06) Llanelli Town (2006–10)</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Thierry Henry</td><td> France</td><td>182</td><td>Arsenal (2001–07) Barcelona (2007–10) New York Red Bulls (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Magno Alves</td><td> Brazil</td><td>182</td><td>Fluminense (2001–02) Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2003) Oita Trinita (2004-05) Gamba Osaka (2006–07) Ittihad Club (2007-08) Umm Salal (2008-10)</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Maksim Gruznov</td><td> Estonia</td><td>180</td><td>Narva Trans (2001–08) Sillamäe Kalev (2009-10)</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer of the Second Decade (2011–2020)

The final list includes the 36 players who scored 150 or more goals in top-tier national leagues in the period of time from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2020. The results were posted on the IFFHS' official website on 6 January 2021.

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Nation</th><th>Goals</th><th>Club(s)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td> Argentina</td><td>346</td><td>Barcelona (2011–20)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td> Portugal</td><td>332</td><td>Real Madrid (2011–18) Juventus (2018–20)</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td> Poland</td><td>248</td><td>Borussia Dortmund (2011–14) Bayern Munich (2014–20)</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Zlatan Ibrahimović</td><td> Sweden</td><td>236</td><td>Milan (2011–12; 2019–20) Paris Saint-Germain (2012–16) Manchester United (2016–18) LA Galaxy (2018–19)</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Luis Suárez</td><td> Uruguay</td><td>224</td><td>Liverpool (2011–14) Barcelona (2014–20) Atlético Madrid (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Carlos Saucedo</td><td> Bolivia</td><td>213</td><td>San José (2012–13; 2017–19) Saprissa (2014) Oriente Petrolero (2015) Blooming (2015–16) Real Potosí (2016) Guabirá (2017) Royal Pari (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Edinson Cavani</td><td> Uruguay</td><td>209</td><td>Napoli (2011–13) Paris Saint-Germain (2013–20) Manchester United (2020)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lucie Martínková was the top women's goal scorer for club in 2021.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2021</td><td>Lucie Martínková</td><td>Sparta Prague</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Mia Fishel</td><td>UANL</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Charlyn Corral</td><td>Pachuca</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Charlyn Corral</td><td>Pachuca</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Charlyn Corral</td><td>Pachuca</td><td>50</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Most Effective Top Division Goal Scorer

IFFHS

Masashi Nakayama is the only Japanese player to win the award.

This award was given annually from 1997 to 2004 to the player with the best goal ratio (goals/matches played) in a league season in any of the top 60 leagues in the world (as ranked by IFFHS for that given year).

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club</th><th>Ratio</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1997</td><td>Hakan Şükür</td><td>Galatasaray</td><td>1.188</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Masashi Nakayama</td><td>Júbilo Iwata</td><td>1.276</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Mário Jardel</td><td>Porto</td><td>1.125</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Hamzah Idris</td><td>Al Ittihad</td><td>1.320</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Romário</td><td>Vasco da Gama</td><td>1.167</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Mário Jardel</td><td>Sporting CP</td><td>1.400</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>José Cardozo</td><td>Toluca</td><td>1.381</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Shuhrat Mirkholdirshoev</td><td>Navbahor Namangan</td><td>1.192</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World Team

IFFHS

Sergio Ramos made four appearances in the World Team since 2017.

Men's winners

In 2017, IFFHS started to nominate a world team of the year.

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Apps</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>7</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin De Bruyne</td><td>6</td><td>2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>5</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Alphonso Davies</td><td>5</td><td>2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Kylian Mbappé</td><td>5</td><td>2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Sergio Ramos</td><td>4</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Erling Haaland</td><td>4</td><td>2022, 2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Luka Modrić</td><td>3</td><td>2017, 2018, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Rúben Dias</td><td>3</td><td>2021, 2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Achraf Hakimi</td><td>3</td><td>2021, 2022, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Marcelo</td><td>2</td><td>2017, 2018</td></tr><tr><td>Trent Alexander-Arnold</td><td>2</td><td>2019, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Virgil van Dijk</td><td>2</td><td>2019, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Leonardo Bonucci</td><td>2</td><td>2017, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Lewandowski</td><td>2</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Thibaut Courtois</td><td>2</td><td>2018, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Toni Kroos</td><td>2</td><td>2017, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Rodri</td><td>2</td><td>2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Jude Bellingham</td><td>2</td><td>2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Gianluigi Donnarumma</td><td>2</td><td>2021, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Harry Kane</td><td>2</td><td>2023, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Lamine Yamal</td><td>2</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

19th Century Men's Dream Team (2021)

Steve Bloomer was selected as right inside forward for the All-time Men's Dream Team of the 19th Century.

<table><thead><tr><th>Continent</th><th>Goalkeeper</th><th>Defenders</th><th>Midfielders</th><th>Forwards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>World</td><td>James Trainer</td><td>Robert Holmes Walter Arnott</td><td>Neilly Gibson James Cowan Ernest Needham</td><td>Steve Bloomer John Goodall William Bassett Gilbert Oswald Smith John Bell</td></tr></tbody></table>

20th Century Men's Dream Team (2000)

Bobby Moore was selected as one of the three defenders in the 20th Century World XI.

<table><thead><tr><th>Continent</th><th>Goalkeeper</th><th>Defenders</th><th>Midfielders</th><th>Forwards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>World</td><td>Lev Yashin</td><td>Bobby Moore Franz Beckenbauer Franco Baresi</td><td>Lothar Matthaus Michel Platini Diego Maradona Johan Cruyff</td><td>Ferenc Puskas Pelé Alfredo Di Stefano</td></tr><tr><td>Europe</td><td>Lev Yashin</td><td>Bobby Moore Franz Beckenbauer Franco Baresi</td><td>Bobby Charlton Michel Platini Johan Cruyff Lothar Matthaus</td><td>Ferenc Puskas Gerd Müller Eusebio</td></tr><tr><td>South America</td><td>Amadeo Carrizo</td><td>Carlos Alberto Torres Elías Figueroa Daniel Passarella Nilton Santos</td><td>Didi Diego Maradona Zico</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano Pelé Garrincha</td></tr><tr><td>CONCACAF</td><td>Antonio Carbajal</td><td>Ramon Ramirez Gustavo Pena Marcelo Balboa Claudio Suarez</td><td>Thomas Dooley Luis de la Fuente Raúl Cárdenas</td><td>Julio Dely Valdés Hugo Sánchez Carlos Hermosillo</td></tr><tr><td>Africa</td><td>Thomas N'Kono</td><td>Samuel Kuffour Hany Ramzy Noureddine Naybet Taribo West</td><td>Lakhdar Belloumi Finidi George Abedi Pele</td><td>Roger Milla George Weah Rabah Madjer</td></tr><tr><td>Asia</td><td>Mohamed Al-Deayea</td><td>Yasuhiko Okudera Hong Myung-bo Masami Ihara</td><td>Kazuyoshi Miura Ali Parvin Kim Joo-sung Saeed Al-Owairan</td><td>Majed Abdullah Ali Daei Cha Bum-kun</td></tr><tr><td>Oceania</td><td>Mark Bosnich</td><td>Joe Marston Milan Ivanovic Antoine Kombouare Alan Davidson</td><td>Ned Zelic Paul Okon Robert Slater</td><td>John Kosmina Frank Farina Wynton Rufer</td></tr></tbody></table>

All-time Men's Dream Team (2021)

The XIs published by IFFHS cover the 1901–2020 period.

Lev Yashin was selected as the goalkeeper for the All-time Men's Dream Team as well as the Men Team of the Century, both times for the World's and Europe's first team.

The Argentine Diego Maradona was part of the World and South America team.

<table><thead><tr><th>Continent</th><th>Goalkeeper</th><th>Defenders</th><th>Midfielders</th><th>Forwards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>World</td><td>Lev Yashin</td><td>Cafu Franz Beckenbauer Franco Baresi Paolo Maldini</td><td>Xavi Diego Maradona Johan Cruyff</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo Pelé Lionel Messi</td></tr><tr><td>World B</td><td>Gianluigi Buffon</td><td>Carlos Alberto Torres Bobby Moore Daniel Passarella Roberto Carlos</td><td>Lothar Matthäus Zinedine Zidane Michel Platini</td><td>Ronaldo Gerd Müller Alfredo Di Stéfano</td></tr><tr><td>Europe</td><td>Lev Yashin</td><td>Philipp Lahm Franz Beckenbauer Franco Baresi Paolo Maldini</td><td>Xavi Zinedine Zidane Michel Platini</td><td>Johan Cruyff Gerd Müller Cristiano Ronaldo</td></tr><tr><td>South America</td><td>Amadeo Carrizo</td><td>Cafu Elías Figueroa Daniel Passarella Roberto Carlos</td><td>Didi Diego Maradona Zico</td><td>Alfredo Di Stéfano Pelé Lionel Messi</td></tr><tr><td>CONCACAF</td><td>Antonio Carbajal</td><td>Carlos Salcedo Claudio Suárez Rafael Márquez</td><td>Andrés Guardado Bryan Ruiz Raúl Cárdenas Luis de la Fuente</td><td>Julio Dely Valdés Hugo Sánchez Clint Dempsey</td></tr><tr><td>Africa</td><td>Thomas N'Kono</td><td>Samuel Kuffour Rigobert Song Noureddine Naybet</td><td>Yaya Touré Nwankwo Kanu Jay-Jay Okocha Abedi Pele</td><td>Samuel Eto'o George Weah Didier Drogba</td></tr><tr><td>Asia</td><td>Mohamed Al-Deayea</td><td>Mehdi Mahdavikia Hong Myung-bo Yasuhiko Okudera</td><td>Wu Lei Shinji Kagawa Mile Jedinak Park Ji-sung</td><td>Son Heung-min Majed Abdullah Cha Bum-kun</td></tr><tr><td>Oceania</td><td>Stefan Marinovic</td><td>Ryan Nelsen Tommy Smith Winston Reid</td><td>Ryan Thomas Steve Sumner Marco Rojas Roy Krishna</td><td>Rory Fallon Chris Wood Wynton Rufer</td></tr></tbody></table>

Dzsenifer Marozsán shares the fourth place for most appearances in the Women World Team (4) with Alex Morgan, behind Aitana Bonmatí (5), Lucy Bronze (6) and Wendie Renard (7).

Women's winners

In 2017, IFFHS started to nominate a world team of the year.

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Apps</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Wendie Renard</td><td>7</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Lucy Bronze</td><td>6</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Aitana Bonmatí</td><td>5</td><td>2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Dzsenifer Marozsán</td><td>4</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Alex Morgan</td><td>2017, 2018, 2019, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Sarah Bouhaddi</td><td>3</td><td>2017, 2018, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Pernille Harder</td><td>2017, 2018, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Sam Kerr</td><td>2017, 2021, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Alexia Putellas</td><td>2021, 2022, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Christiane Endler</td><td>2</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Ada Hegerberg</td><td>2018, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Amandine Henry</td><td>2018, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Jennifer Hermoso</td><td>2021, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Saki Kumagai</td><td>2018, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Lieke Martens</td><td>2017, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Lena Oberdorf</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Alexandra Popp</td><td>2020, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Caroline Graham Hansen</td><td>2021, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Salma Paralluelo</td><td>2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Leah Williamson</td><td>2022, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

All-time Women's Dream Team (2021)

Hope Solo was selected in the World and CONCACAF All-time Women's Dream Team.

Homare Sawa was selected in the World and Asia All-time Women's Dream Team.

<table><thead><tr><th>Continent</th><th>Goalkeeper</th><th>Defenders</th><th>Midfielders</th><th>Forwards</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>World</td><td>Hope Solo</td><td>Lucy Bronze Wendie Renard Christie Pearce Joy Fawcett</td><td>Dzsenifer Marozsán Homare Sawa Marta</td><td>Megan Rapinoe Ada Hegerberg Alex Morgan</td></tr><tr><td>World B</td><td>Nadine Angerer</td><td>Ariane Hingst Nilla Fischer Saki Kumagai Hege Riise</td><td>Michelle Akers Kristine Lilly Formiga</td><td>Abby Wambach Carli Lloyd Birgit Prinz</td></tr><tr><td>Europe</td><td>Nadine Angerer</td><td>Lucy Bronze Wendie Renard Nilla Fischer Linda Medalen</td><td>Nadine Keßler Dzsenifer Marozsán Camille Abily</td><td>Lotta Schelin Ada Hegerberg Birgit Prinz</td></tr><tr><td>South America</td><td>Christiane Endler</td><td>Fabiana Aline Elane Tamires</td><td>Formiga Sissi Roseli</td><td>Pretinha Cristiane Marta</td></tr><tr><td>CONCACAF</td><td>Hope Solo</td><td>Kelley O'Hara Joy Fawcett Christie Pearce Ali Krieger</td><td>Shirley Cruz Carli Lloyd Megan Rapinoe</td><td>Abby Wambach Mia Hamm Alex Morgan</td></tr><tr><td>Africa</td><td>Annette Ngo Ndom</td><td>Onome Ebi Janine van Wyk Florence Omagbeni Ngozi Ezeocha</td><td>Perpetua Nkwocha Mercy Akide Gabrielle Onguéné</td><td>Gaëlle Enganamouit Asisat Oshoala Tabitha Chawinga</td></tr><tr><td>Asia</td><td>Lydia Williams</td><td>Ellie Carpenter Cheryl Salisbury Saki Kumagai Fan Yunjie</td><td>Homare Sawa Ji So-yun Aya Miyama</td><td>Liu Ailing Samantha Kerr Sun Wen</td></tr><tr><td>Oceania</td><td>Erin Nayler</td><td>Rebekah Stott Rebecca Smith Abby Erceg</td><td>Ria Percival Hayley Bowden Katie Duncan Betsy Hassett</td><td>Ali Riley Amber Hearn Sarah Gregorius</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World Youth (U20) Team

IFFHS

Eduardo Camavinga is one of four players to have appeared three times in the Men's World Youth (U20) Team, the others are Jamal Musiala, Jude Bellingham and Warren Zaïre-Emery.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Apps</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Eduardo Camavinga</td><td>3</td><td>2020, 2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Jude Bellingham</td><td>2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Jamal Musiala</td><td>2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Warren Zaïre-Emery</td><td>2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Rodrygo</td><td>2</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Ansu Fati</td><td>2020, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Pedri</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Nuno Mendes</td><td>2021, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Gavi</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Alejandro Garnacho</td><td>2023, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Lamine Yamal</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Arda Güler</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Pau Cubarsí</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Guillaume Restes</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

Linda Caicedo is the only player to have appeared five times in the Women's World Youth (U20) Team.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Apps</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Linda Caicedo</td><td>5</td><td>2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Vicky López</td><td>4</td><td>2022, 2023, 2024, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Melchie Dumornay</td><td>3</td><td>2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Cata Coll</td><td>2</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Lena Oberdorf</td><td>2020, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Mary Fowler</td><td>2021, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Meritxell Font</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Andrea Medina</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Salma Paralluelo</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Tarciane</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Gisele Thompson</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Club Coach

IFFHS

José Mourinho, World's Best Club Coach with three different clubs (Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid).

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Coach</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>José Mourinho</td><td>4</td><td>2004, 2005, 2010, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>Carlo Ancelotti</td><td>2007, 2014, 2022, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Pep Guardiola</td><td>3</td><td>2009, 2011, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Marcello Lippi</td><td>2</td><td>1996, 1998</td></tr><tr><td>Ottmar Hitzfeld</td><td>1997, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Carlos Bianchi</td><td>2000, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Alex Ferguson</td><td>1999, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>Zinedine Zidane</td><td>2017, 2018</td></tr><tr><td>Luis Enrique</td><td>2015, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sonia Bompastor, first person to win the UEFA Women's Champions League as both a player and a manager.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2020</td><td>Jean-Luc Vasseur</td><td>Lyon</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Lluís Cortés</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Sonia Bompastor</td><td>Lyon</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Jonatan Giráldez</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Jonatan Giráldez</td><td>Barcelona</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Renée Slegers</td><td>Arsenal</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best National Coach

IFFHS

Joachim Löw, World's Best National Coach with Germany in 2014 and 2017.

Men's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Coach</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Vicente del Bosque</td><td>4</td><td>2009, 2010, 2012, 2013</td></tr><tr><td>Joachim Löw</td><td>2</td><td>2014, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Fernando Santos</td><td>2016, 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Didier Deschamps</td><td>2018, 2020</td></tr><tr><td>Lionel Scaloni</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Luis de la Fuente</td><td>2024, 2025</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sarina Wiegman, World's Best National Coach for Netherlands and England.

Women's winners

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th><th>National team</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2020</td><td>Sarina Wiegman</td><td> Netherlands</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Bev Priestman</td><td> Canada</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Sarina Wiegman</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Sarina Wiegman</td><td> England</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Emma Hayes</td><td> United States</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Sarina Wiegman</td><td> England</td></tr></tbody></table>

The World's Best Referee

IFFHS

Felix Brych, World's Best Referee in 2017 and 2021.

Men's winners

Felix Brych was awarded the prize for Men's Referee of the Decade 2011–20.

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1987</td><td>Romualdo Filho</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>Michel Vautrot</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Michel Vautrot</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>José Roberto Wright</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Peter Mikkelsen</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td>Aron Schmidhuber</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Peter Mikkelsen</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>Sándor Puhl</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Sándor Puhl</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Sándor Puhl</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Sándor Puhl</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Pierluigi Collina</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Markus Merk</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Markus Merk</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Horacio Elizondo</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Markus Merk</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Roberto Rosetti</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Massimo Busacca</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Howard Webb</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Viktor Kassai</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>Pedro Proença</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Howard Webb</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Nicola Rizzoli</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Nicola Rizzoli</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Mark Clattenburg</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Felix Brych</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Néstor Pitana</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Damir Skomina</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Daniele Orsato</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Felix Brych</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Szymon Marciniak</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Szymon Marciniak</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>François Letexier</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Clément Turpin</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Referee</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pierluigi Collina</td><td>6</td><td>1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Sándor Puhl</td><td>4</td><td>1994, 1995, 1996, 1997</td></tr><tr><td>Markus Merk</td><td>3</td><td>2004, 2005, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Michel Vautrot</td><td>2</td><td>1988, 1989</td></tr><tr><td>Peter Mikkelsen</td><td>1991, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Howard Webb</td><td>2010, 2013</td></tr><tr><td>Nicola Rizzoli</td><td>2014, 2015</td></tr><tr><td>Felix Brych</td><td>2017, 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Szymon Marciniak</td><td>2022, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table>

Stéphanie Frappart, World's Best Referee for five years in a row.

Women's winners

Bibiana Steinhaus was awarded the prize for Women's Referee of the Decade 2011–20.

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Winner</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2012</td><td>Jenny Palmqvist</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Bibiana Steinhaus</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Bibiana Steinhaus</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Kateryna Monzul</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Katalin Kulcsar</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Bibiana Steinhaus</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Bibiana Steinhaus</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Rebecca Welch</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Referee</th><th>Wins</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Stéphanie Frappart</td><td>5</td><td>2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Bibiana Steinhaus</td><td>4</td><td>2013, 2014, 2017, 2018</td></tr></tbody></table>