# World Soccer (magazine)

World Soccer is an English-language football magazine, published by Kelsey Media. The magazine was established in 1960 and is the oldest continually published football magazine in the United Kingdom. It specialises in the international football scene. Its regular contributing writers include Brian Glanville, Keir Radnedge, Sid Lowe, Tim Vickery, and Henry Winter. World Soccer is a member of the European Sports Media (ESM), an umbrella group of similar magazines printed in other languages. The members of this group elect a European "Team of the Month" and a European "Team of the Year".
Since 1982, World Soccer has also organised "Player of the Year", "Manager of the Year" and "Team of the Year" awards.

## History

The magazine was first published in London in October 1960, by Echo Publications. The first edition featured an image of Titus Buberník and Svatopluk Pluskal on the front cover. It was edited by Robert Bolle, with Graham Payne, editor of weekly sister publication Soccer Star, as features editor; Jack Rollin, who later edited The Football Yearbook for many years, as home editor; and Eric Batty as overseas editor. Batty, who later edited the magazine, published an annual World XI from 1960 to 1992. Brian Glanville has written a column for the magazine since April 1963. In 1970, Soccer Star, which was first published on 20 September 1952 as Raich Carter's Soccer Star, was incorporated into World Soccer. Keir Radnedge, who had been associate editor, took over from Philip Rising as editor in the late 1980s and was replaced by deputy editor Gavin Hamilton in January 1998 and became executive editor. Radnedge continues to have a monthly column in the magazine.
TI Media (formerly IPC Magazines, IPC Media and Time Inc. UK) published the magazine until the May 2020 issue with Kelsey Media taking over the following issue after they acquired the title from Future plc (owner of competing title FourFourTwo), the corporate successor of TI Media. Hamilton, who had worked for World Soccer for 26 years, stepped down as editor after publishing the 60th anniversary edition in June 2020.
Other regular contributors have included Paul Gardner, with a focus on football in the United States; David Conn; Jonathan Wilson; Mark Gleeson on African football; Tim Vickery, Brian Homewood and Eric Weil on South American football.

## Award winners
### Men's World Player of the Year

| Year | Player | Club |
| 1982 | Paolo Rossi (ITA) (23%) | Juventus |
| 1983 | Zico (BRA) (28%) | Udinese Calcio |
| 1984 | Michel Platini (FRA) (54%) | Juventus |
| 1985 | Michel Platini (FRA) (21%) | Juventus |
| 1986 | Diego Maradona (ARG) (36%) | S.S.C. Napoli |
| 1987 | Ruud Gullit (NED) (39%) | A.C. Milan |
| 1988 | Marco van Basten (NED) (43%) | A.C. Milan |
| 1989 | Ruud Gullit (NED) (24%) | A.C. Milan |
| 1990 | Lothar Matthäus (GER) (22%) | Inter Milan |
| 1991 | Jean-Pierre Papin (FRA) (25%) | Olympique de Marseille |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten (NED) (19%) | A.C. Milan |
| 1993 | Roberto Baggio (ITA) (14%) | Juventus |
| 1994 | Paolo Maldini (ITA) (27%) | A.C. Milan |
| 1995 | Gianluca Vialli (ITA) (18%) | Juventus |
| 1996 | Ronaldo (BRA) (17%) | FC Barcelona |
| 1997 | Ronaldo (BRA) (27%) | FC Barcelona & Inter Milan |
| 1998 | Zinedine Zidane (FRA) (23%) | Juventus |
| 1999 | Rivaldo (BRA) (42%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2000 | Luís Figo (POR) (26%) | FC Barcelona & Real Madrid |
| 2001 | Michael Owen (ENG) (31%) | Liverpool F.C. |
| 2002 | Ronaldo (BRA) (26%) | Inter Milan & Real Madrid |
| 2003 | Pavel Nedvěd (CZE) (36%) | Juventus |
| 2004 | Ronaldinho (BRA) (29%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho (BRA) (39%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) (40%) | Juventus & Real Madrid |
| 2007 | Kaká (BRA) (52%) | A.C. Milan |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) (48.4%) | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (43.2%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2010 | Xavi (ESP) (25.8%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (60.2%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (47.33%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) | Real Madrid |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi (ARG) | FC Barcelona |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) | Real Madrid |
| 2018 | Luka Modrić (CRO) | Real Madrid |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi (ARG) | FC Barcelona |
| 2020 | Robert Lewandowski (POL) | Bayern Munich |
| 2021 | Robert Lewandowski (POL) | Bayern Munich |
| 2022 | Lionel Messi (ARG) | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2023 | Erling Haaland (NOR) | Manchester City |
| 2024 | Rodri (ESP) | Manchester City |

### Young Player of the Year

| Year | Player | Club |
| 2005 | Robinho (BRA) (30%) | Santos FC & Real Madrid |
| 2006 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (36%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2007 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (34%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2008 | Lionel Messi (ARG) (44%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2009 | Sergio Agüero (ARG) (45.1) | Atlético Madrid |
| 2010 | Thomas Müller (GER) (45.8) | Bayern Munich |
| 2011 | Neymar (BRA) (29.2%) | Santos FC |

### Men's World Manager of the Year

| Year | Manager | Team |
| 1982 | Enzo Bearzot (ITA) (49%) | Italy |
| 1983 | Sepp Piontek (GER) (29%) | Denmark |
| 1984 | Michel Hidalgo (FRA) (30%) | France |
| 1985 | Terry Venables (ENG) (30%) | FC Barcelona |
| 1986 | Guy Thys (BEL) (15%) | Belgium |
| 1987 | Johan Cruijff (NED) (25%) | Ajax Amsterdam |
| 1988 | Rinus Michels (NED) (48%) | Netherlands & Bayer Leverkusen |
| 1989 | Arrigo Sacchi (ITA) (42%) | AC Milan |
| 1990 | Franz Beckenbauer (GER) (53%) | Germany |
| 1991 | Michel Platini (FRA) (42%) | France |
| 1992 | Richard Møller-Nielsen (DEN) (28%) | Denmark |
| 1993 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) (21%) | Manchester United |
| 1994 | Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA) (17%) | Brazil |
| 1995 | Louis van Gaal (NED) (42%) | Ajax Amsterdam |
| 1996 | Berti Vogts (GER) (28%) | Germany |
| 1997 | Ottmar Hitzfeld (GER) (17%) | Borussia Dortmund |
| 1998 | Arsène Wenger (FRA) (28%) | Arsenal |
| 1999 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) (60%) | Manchester United |
| 2000 | Dino Zoff (ITA) (18%) | Italy |
| 2001 | Gérard Houllier (FRA) (28%) | Liverpool F.C. |
| 2002 | Guus Hiddink (NED) (28%) | South Korea |
| 2003 | Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) (20%) | A.C. Milan |
| 2004 | José Mourinho (POR) (36%) | FC Porto & Chelsea |
| 2005 | José Mourinho (POR) (34.1%) | Chelsea |
| 2006 | Marcello Lippi (ITA) (36%) | Italy |
| 2007 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) (26%) | Manchester United |
| 2008 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) (38%) | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Pep Guardiola (ESP) (62.1%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2010 | José Mourinho (POR) (48.3%) | Inter Milan & Real Madrid |
| 2011 | Pep Guardiola (ESP) (33.1%) | FC Barcelona |
| 2012 | Vicente del Bosque (ESP) (28.49%) | Spain |
| 2013 | Jupp Heynckes (GER) | Bayern Munich |
| 2014 | Joachim Löw (GER) | Germany |
| 2015 | Luis Enrique (ESP) | FC Barcelona |
| 2016 | Claudio Ranieri (ITA) | Leicester City |
| 2017 | Zinedine Zidane (FRA) | Real Madrid |
| 2018 | Didier Deschamps (FRA) | France |
| 2019 | Jürgen Klopp (GER) | Liverpool F.C. |
| 2020 | Hansi Flick (GER) | Bayern Munich |
| 2021 | Roberto Mancini (ITA) | Italy |
| 2022 | Lionel Scaloni (ARG) | Argentina |
| 2023 | Pep Guardiola (ESP) | Manchester City |
| 2024 | Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) | Real Madrid |

#### All-time wins
##### By manager

| # | Manager | Wins |
| 1 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) | 4 |
| 2 | José Mourinho (POR) | 3 |
| 2 | Pep Guardiola (ESP) | 3 |
| 3 | Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) | 2 |

##### By country

| # | Country | Wins |
| 1 | Germany | 8 |
| 1 | Italy | 8 |
| 3 | France | 6 |
| 4 | Spain | 5 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 4 |
| 5 | Scotland | 4 |
| 7 | Portugal | 3 |
| 8 | England | 1 |
| 8 | Belgium | 1 |
| 8 | Denmark | 1 |
| 8 | Brazil | 1 |
| 8 | Argentina | 1 |

### Men's World Team of the Year

1982 –  Brazil (30%)
1983 –  Hamburger SV (GER) (29%)
1984 –  France (45%)
1985 –  Everton (ENG) (42%)
1986 –  Argentina (15%)
1987 –  Porto (POR) (38%)
1988 –  Netherlands (43%)
1989 –  Milan (ITA) (51%)
1990 –  West Germany (28%)
1991 –  France (20%)
1992 –  Denmark (37%)
1993 –  Parma (ITA) (24%)
1994 –  Milan (ITA) (33%)
1995 –  Ajax (NED) (50%)
1996 –  Nigeria (31%)
1997 –  Borussia Dortmund (GER) (20%)
1998 –  France (35%)
1999 –  Manchester United (ENG) (61%)
2000 –  France (33%)
2001 –  Liverpool (ENG) (26%)
2002 –  Brazil (24%)
2003 –  Milan (ITA) (23%)
2004 –  Greece (25%)
2005 –  Liverpool (ENG) (27%)
2006 –  Barcelona (ESP) (42%)
2007 –  Iraq (22%)
2008 –  Spain (41%)
2009 –  Barcelona (ESP) (75.9%)
2010 –  Spain (63.3%)
2011 –  Barcelona (ESP) (44.2%)
2012 –  Spain (47.4%)
2013 –  Bayern Munich (GER)
2014 –  Germany
2015 –  Barcelona (ESP)
2016 –  Leicester City (ENG)
2017 –  Real Madrid (ESP)
2018 –  France
2019 –  Liverpool (ENG)
2020 –  Bayern Munich (GER)
2021 –  Italy
2022 –  Argentina
2023 –  Manchester City (ENG)
2024 –  Spain :

#### By team

| # | Team | Wins |
| 1 | France | 5 |
| 2 | Barcelona (ESP) | 4 |
| 2 | Spain | 4 |
| 4 | Liverpool (ENG) | 3 |
| 4 | Milan (ITA) | 3 |
| 6 | Brazil | 2 |
| 6 | Germany | 2 |
| 6 | Bayern Munich (GER) | 2 |
| 6 | Argentina | 2 |

### Women's World Player of the Year

| Year | Player | Team |
| 2020 | Pernille Harder (DEN) | Wolfsburg Chelsea |
| 2021 | Alexia Putellas (SPA) | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Beth Mead (ENG) | Arsenal |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí (ESP) | Barcelona |
| 2024 | Aitana Bonmatí (ESP) | Barcelona |

### Women's World Manager of the Year

* 2020 – Jean-Luc Vasseur (FRA), Lyon
* 2021 – Lluís Cortés (ESP), Barcelona
* 2022 – Sarina Wiegman (NED), England
* 2023 – Sarina Wiegman (NED), England
* 2024 – Emma Hayes (ENG), Chelsea/USA

### Women's World Team of the Year

* 2020 – Lyon (FRA)
* 2021 – Barcelona (ESP)
* 2022 – England (ENG)
* 2023 – Spain (ESP)
* 2024 – Barcelona (ESP)

### Referee of the Year

Source:
| Year | Rank | Referee | Points |
| 2005 | 1st | Pierluigi Collina | 30.6% |
| 2005 | 2nd | Kim Milton Nielsen | 19.7% |
| 2005 | 3rd | Markus Merk | 16.3% |
| 2006 | 1st | Horacio Elizondo | 38.7% |
| 2006 | 2nd | Benito Archundia | 30.5% |
| 2006 | 3rd | Ľuboš Micheľ | 8.5% |

## Greatest XI of All Time

The list is based on the voting poll consisted of 74 experts (journalists, TV pundits, current and former players and managers) from around the world.
(Published July 2013)
| Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
| Lev Yashin (URS) | Cafu (BRA) Franz Beckenbauer (GER) Bobby Moore (ENG) Paolo Maldini (ITA) | Alfredo Di Stéfano (ARG) Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Diego Maradona (ARG) Johan Cruyff (NED) | Lionel Messi (ARG)  Pelé (BRA) |

### Goalkeepers

| Pos. | Name | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Lev Yashin (URS) | 31 | 41.89% |
| 2 | Gordon Banks (ENG) | 6 | 8.11% |
| 2 | Dino Zoff (ITA) | 6 | 8.11% |
| 4 | Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) | 5 | 6.76% |
| 4 | Peter Schmeichel (DEN) | 5 | 6.76% |
| 6 | Iker Casillas (ESP) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 7 | Sepp Maier (GER) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 8 | Pat Jennings (NIR) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 8 | Oliver Kahn (GER) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 8 | Edwin van der Sar (NED) | 2 | 2.70% |

### Full backs

| Pos. | Name | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Paolo Maldini (ITA) | 48 | 64.86% |
| 2 | Cafu (BRA) | 24 | 32.43% |
| 3 | Carlos Alberto Torres (BRA) | 18 | 24.32% |
| 4 | Roberto Carlos (BRA) | 13 | 17.57% |
| 5 | Djalma Santos (BRA) | 11 | 14.86% |
| 6 | Giacinto Facchetti (ITA) | 7 | 9.46% |
| 7 | Nílton Santos (BRA) | 6 | 8.11% |
| 8 | Berti Vogts (GER) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 9 | Lilian Thuram (FRA) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 10 | Ruud Krol (NED) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 10 | Víctor Rodríguez Andrade (URU) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 10 | Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (GER) | 2 | 2.70% |

### Central defenders

| Pos. | Name | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Franz Beckenbauer (GER) | 68 | 91.89% |
| 2 | Bobby Moore (ENG) | 23 | 31.08% |
| 3 | Franco Baresi (ITA) | 22 | 29.73% |
| 4 | Daniel Passarella (ARG) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 5 | Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 5 | John Charles (WAL) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 5 | Marcel Desailly (FRA) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 5 | Paul McGrath (IRE) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 9 | Giuseppe Bergomi (ITA) | 2 | 2.70% |

### Midfielders

| Pos. | Name | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Diego Maradona (ARG) | 64 | 86.49% |
| 2 | Johan Cruyff (NED) | 58 | 78.38% |
| 3 | Zinedine Zidane (FRA) | 28 | 37.84% |
| 4 | Alfredo Di Stéfano (ARG) | 24 | 32.43% |
| 5 | Michel Platini (FRA) | 18 | 24.32% |
| 6 | Garrincha (BRA) | 15 | 20.27% |
| 7 | George Best (NIR) | 12 | 16.22% |
| 8 | Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) | 7 | 9.46% |
| 9 | Bobby Charlton (ENG) | 5 | 6.76% |
| 9 | Lothar Matthäus (GER) | 5 | 6.76% |
| 11 | Andrés Iniesta (ESP) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 11 | Xavi (ESP) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 13 | Didi (BRA) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 13 | Sócrates (BRA) | 3 | 4.05% |
| 15 | Roberto Baggio (ITA) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Toninho Cerezo (BRA) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Francisco Gento (ESP) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Ryan Giggs (WAL) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Stanley Matthews (ENG) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Johan Neeskens (NED) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Rivellino (BRA) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 15 | Zico (BRA) | 2 | 2.70% |

### Strikers

| Pos. | Name | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Pelé (BRA) | 56 | 75.68% |
| 2 | Lionel Messi (ARG) | 46 | 62.16% |
| 3 | Ferenc Puskas (HUN) | 11 | 14.86% |
| 4 | Ronaldo (BRA) | 9 | 12.16% |
| 5 | Marco van Basten (NED) | 5 | 6.76% |
| 6 | Gerd Müller (GER) | 4 | 5.41% |
| 7 | Oleh Blokhin (URS) | 2 | 2.70% |
| 7 | Eusébio (POR) | 2 | 2.70% |

## Greatest Managers of All Time

* Alex Ferguson
* Rinus Michels
* Helenio Herrera
* Valeriy Lobanovskyi
The list is based on the voting poll consisting of 74 experts (journalists, TV pundits, current and former players and managers) from around the world with each having been allotted 5 managerial picks.
(Published July 2013)
Key
    Managers in bold are ranked by World Soccer, France Football and ESPN
    Managers ranked top 10 by World Soccer, France Football and ESPN
| Pos. | Name | Years | Notable teams | Votes | % of votes |
| 1 | Alex Ferguson (SCO) | 1974–2013 | Aberdeen, Scotland national team, Manchester United | 49 | 66.22% |
| 2 | Rinus Michels (NED) | 1960–1992 | AFC Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands national team | 46 | 62.16% |
| 3 | José Mourinho (POR) | 2000– | Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma | 21 | 28.38% |
| 4 | Helenio Herrera (ARG) | 1944–1970, 1973–1981 | Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan | 19 | 25.68% |
| 5 | Pep Guardiola (ESP) | 2007– | Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City | 18 | 24.32% |
| 6 | Arrigo Sacchi (ITA) | 1985–1999, 2001 | Parma, Milan, Italy national team, Atlético Madrid | 15 | 20.27% |
| 7 | Valeriy Lobanovskyi (UKR) | 1969–2002 | Dnipro, Dynamo Kyiv, Soviet Union national team, Ukraine national team | 14 | 18.92% |
| 8 | Bob Paisley (ENG) | 1974–1983 | Liverpool | 12 | 16.22% |
| 9 | Herbert Chapman (ENG) | 1907–1918, 1921–1934 | Northampton Town, Leeds City, Huddersfield Town, Arsenal | 9 | 12.16% |
| 9 | Béla Guttmann (HUN) | 1933–1939, 1945–1951, 1953–1962, 1964–1967, 1973 | Milan, São Paulo, Porto, Benfica, Peñarol | 9 | 12.16% |
| 9 | Ernst Happel (AUT) | 1962–1992 | Feyenoord, Sevilla, Netherlands national team, Brugge, Hamburger SV | 9 | 12.16% |
| 9 | Mário Zagallo (BRA) | 1966–1991, 1994–2001 | Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team, Vasco da Gama | 9 | 12.16% |
| 13 | Vittorio Pozzo (ITA) | 1912–1922, 1924–1926, 1929–1948 | Italy national team, Torino, Milan | 8 | 10.81% |
| 13 | Vicente del Bosque (ESP) | 1987–1990, 1994, 1996, 1999–2005, 2008–2016 | Real Madrid, Beşiktaş, Spain national team | 8 | 10.81% |
| 13 | Marcello Lippi (ITA) | 1982–2006, 2008–2010, 2012–2014, 2016–2019 | Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Italy national team, Guangzhou Evergrande, China national team | 8 | 10.81% |
| 13 | Telê Santana (BRA) | 1969–1996 | Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team | 8 | 10.81% |
| 17 | Brian Clough (ENG) | 1965–1993 | Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest | 7 | 9.46% |
| 18 | Ottmar Hitzfeld (GER) | 1983–2004, 2007–2014 | Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Switzerland national team | 6 | 8.11% |
| 19 | Sepp Herberger (GER) | 1930–1942, 1945–1946, 1950–1964 | Germany national team, Eintracht Frankfurt | 5 | 6.76% |
| 19 | Bill Shankly (SCO) | 1949–1974 | Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool | 5 | 6.76% |
| 19 | Giovanni Trapattoni (ITA) | 1974–2013 | Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Italy national team | 5 | 6.76% |
| 22 | César Luis Menotti (ARG) | 1970, 1972–1984, 1986–1994, 1996–1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 | Argentina national team, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Boca Juniors, Independiente | 4 | 5.41% |
| 23 | Enzo Bearzot (ITA) | 1964–1986 | Italy national team | 3 | 4.05% |
| 23 | Jimmy Hogan (ENG) | 1910–1912, 1914–1921, 1924, 1924–1927, 1931–1939 | MTK Budapest, Netherlands national team, Fulham, Aston Villa | 3 | 4.05% |
| 23 | Hennes Weisweiler (GER) | 1948–1983 | Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona, 1. FC Köln | 3 | 4.05% |
| 23 | Helmut Schön (GER) | 1952–1984 | Germany national team | 3 | 4.05% |
| 23 | Fabio Capello (ITA) | 1991–2015, 2017–2018 | Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus, England national team | 3 | 4.05% |
| 28 | Franz Beckenbauer (GER) | 1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1996 | Germany national team, Bayern Munich, Marseille | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Carlos Bilardo (ARG) | 1971, 1973–1993, 1996, 1998–2000, 2003–2004 | Estudiantes, Colombia national team, Argentina national team, Sevilla, Boca Juniors | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Johan Cruyff (NED) | 1985–1996 | AFC Ajax, Barcelona | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Vicente Feola (BRA) | 1937–1942, 1947–1950, 1955–1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966 | São Paulo, Brazil national team, Boca Juniors | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Alf Ramsey (ENG) | 1955–1974, 1977–1978 | Ipswich Town, England national team | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Gusztáv Sebes (HUN) | 1940–1946, 1949–1957 | Hungary national team | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Jock Stein (SCO) | 1960–1985 | Celtic Glasgow, Scotland national team, Leeds United | 2 | 2.70% |
| 28 | Luiz Felipe Scolari (BRA) | 1982–2019 | Brazil national team, Portugal national team, Grêmio, Palmeiras, Chelsea | 2 | 2.70% |
| 36 | Luis Aragonés (ESP) | 1974–2009 | Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Barcelona, Sevilla, Spain national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Leo Beenhakker (NED) | 1965– | AFC Ajax, Netherlands national team, Real Madrid, Feyenoord | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Rafael Benítez (ESP) | 1993– | Valencia, Liverpool, Internazionale, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle United | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Marcelo Bielsa (ARG) | 1990– | Newell's Old Boys, América, Vélez Sarsfield, Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, Leeds United | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Bob Bradley (USA) | 1981– | Chicago Fire, MetroStars, United States national team, Egypt national team, Los Angeles FC | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Matt Busby (SCO) | 1945–1969, 1970–1971 | Manchester United | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Jack Charlton (ENG) | 1973–1996 | Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United, Republic of Ireland national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Kazimierz Górski (POL) | 1959–1985 | Legia Warsaw, Poland national team, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Jupp Heynckes (GER) | 1979–2018 | Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Schalke | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Gérard Houllier (FRA) | 1973–2011 | Paris Saint-Germain, France national team, Liverpool, Lyon | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Tomislav Ivić (CRO) | 1967–2004 | Hajduk Split, Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia national team, Ajax, Anderlecht, Standard Liège, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Porto, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Marseille | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Ștefan Kovács (ROM) | 1952–1987 | Steaua București, Ajax, France national team, Romania national team, Panathinaikos, Monaco | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Udo Lattek (GER) | 1970–2000 | Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Hugo Meisl (AUT) | 1912–14, 1919–37 | Austria national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Otto Rehhagel (GER) | 1972–2010, 2012 | Fortuna Düsseldorf, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Greece national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA) | 1968–2010 | Fluminense, Brazil national team, Valencia, Fenerbahçe, Corinthians, South Africa national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Antoni Piechniczek (POL) | 1973–1990, 1993–1997 | Polish national team | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Nereo Rocco (ITA) | 1947–1977 | Padova, Milan | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Árpád Weisz (HUN) | 1926–1940 | Internazionale, Bologna | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Arsène Wenger (FRA) | 1984–2018 | Monaco, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Arsenal | 1 | 1.35% |
| 36 | Walter Winterbottom (ENG) | 1946–1962 | England national team | 1 | 1.35% |

## Greatest Players of the 20th century

In the December 1999 issue, a readers' poll listing the 100 greatest football players of the 20th century was published.
| # | Player |
| 1 | Pelé |
| 2 | Diego Maradona |
| 3 | Johan Cruyff |
| 4 | Franz Beckenbauer |
| 5 | Michel Platini |
| 6 | Alfredo Di Stéfano |
| 7 | Ferenc Puskás |
| 8 | George Best |
| 9 | Marco van Basten |
| 10 | Eusébio |
| 11 | Lev Yashin |
| 12 | Bobby Charlton |
| 13 | Ronaldo |
| 14 | Bobby Moore |
| 15 | Gerd Müller |
| 16 | Roberto Baggio |
| 17 | Stanley Matthews |
| 18 | Zico |
| 19 | Franco Baresi |
| 20 | Garrincha |
| 21 | Paolo Maldini |
| 22 | Kenny Dalglish |
| 23 | Gabriel Batistuta |
| 24 | Eric Cantona |
| 25 | Gheorghe Hagi |
| # | Player |
| 26 | Romário |
| 27 | Jairzinho |
| 28 | Zinedine Zidane |
| 29 | Ruud Gullit |
| 30 | John Charles |
| 31 | Lothar Matthäus |
| 32 | Gordon Banks |
| 33 | Jürgen Klinsmann |
| 34 | Dennis Bergkamp |
| 35 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
| 36 | Gary Lineker |
| 37 | Giuseppe Meazza |
| 38 | Rivellino |
| 39 | Didi |
| 40 | Ian Rush |
| 41 | Peter Schmeichel |
| 41 | Paolo Rossi |
| 43 | George Weah |
| 44 | Michael Owen |
| 45 | Just Fontaine |
| 46 | Duncan Edwards |
| 47 | Dino Zoff |
| 48 | Hristo Stoichkov |
| 49 | David Beckham |
| 50 | Tom Finney |
| # | Player |
| 51 | Rivaldo |
| 52 | Claudio Caniggia |
| 53 | Tostão |
| 54 | Frank Rijkaard |
| 55 | José Luis Chilavert |
| 56 | Kevin Keegan |
| 57 | Paul Gascoigne |
| 58 | Roger Milla |
| 59 | Michael Laudrup |
| 60 | Andriy Shevchenko |
| 61 | David Ginola |
| 61 | Glenn Hoddle |
| 61 | Sócrates |
| 64 | Roberto Carlos |
| 64 | Alan Shearer |
| 66 | Daniel Passarella |
| 67 | Davor Šuker |
| 68 | Dixie Dean |
| 68 | Sándor Kocsis |
| 68 | Juan Alberto Schiaffino |
| 68 | Christian Vieri |
| 72 | Mario Kempes |
| 72 | Johan Neeskens |
| 72 | Luigi Riva |
| =75 | José Nasazzi |
| # | Player |
| =75 | Günter Netzer |
| 77 | Alessandro Del Piero |
| 77 | Carlos Valderrama |
| 79 | Ricardo Zamora |
| 80 | Enzo Francescoli |
| 81 | Edgar Davids |
| 81 | Francisco Gento |
| 83 | Jim Baxter |
| 83 | Falcão |
| 83 | Ryan Giggs |
| 83 | Sepp Maier |
| 87 | Zbigniew Boniek |
| 87 | Pat Jennings |
| 87 | György Sárosi |
| 90 | Giacinto Facchetti |
| 91 | Alan Hansen |
| 91 | Raymond Kopa |
| 91 | Bryan Robson |
| 91 | Matthias Sammer |
| 95 | Ladislao Kubala |
| 95 | Neville Southall |
| 97 | Gérson |
| 98 | Paulo Futre |
| 98 | Preben Elkjær |
| 100 | Bebeto |

## World Player of the Decade 2000s

In 2009, a World Player of the Decade was announced based on the reader's votes from 2000 to 2009 in the annual Player of the Year polls.
| # | Player | Points |
| 1 | Ronaldinho | 781 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | 759 |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 708 |
| 4 | Thierry Henry | 619 |
| 5 | Kaká | 567 |
| 6 | Fabio Cannavaro | 401 |
| 7 | Pavel Nedvěd | 394 |
| 8 | Michael Owen | 330 |
| 9 | Luís Figo | 290 |
| 10 | Zinedine Zidane | 270 |
| 11 | Raúl | 261 |
| 12 | Ronaldo | 260 |
| 13 | Andriy Shevchenko | 230 |
| 14 | Andrés Iniesta | 215 |
| 15 | Michael Ballack | 180 |
| 16 | Xavi | 163 |
| 17 | Rivaldo | 150 |
| 18 | Fernando Torres | 149 |
| 19 | Samuel Eto'o | 146 |
| 19 | Frank Lampard | 146 |
| # | Player | Points |
| 21 | Steven Gerrard | 134 |
| 22 | Deco | 130 |
| 23 | Francesco Totti | 107 |
| 24 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | 99 |
| 25 | Oliver Kahn | 90 |
| 26 | Paolo Maldini | 82 |
| 27 | Didier Drogba | 79 |
| 28 | Juan Román Riquelme | 77 |
| 29 | Adriano | 73 |
| 30 | Iker Casillas | 59 |
| 31 | Andrey Arshavin | 54 |
| 32 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | 53 |
| 33 | Gianluigi Buffon | 49 |
| 34 | David Villa | 46 |
| 35 | Roy Makaay | 40 |
| 36 | David Beckham | 37 |
| 37 | Wayne Rooney | 36 |
| 38 | Diego Forlán | 21 |
| 39 | Gabriel Batistuta | 20 |
| 39 | Henrik Larsson | 20 |

## Eric Batty's World XI

Since the first year of publication of World Soccer and over a 30-year period, overseas editor Eric Batty published his team selection of the best players over the season.
Eric Batty's World XI :
| Year | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
| 1960 | Gyula Grosics (HUN) | Orvar Bergmark (SWE)  José Santamaría (ESP)  Nílton Santos (BRA) | Martí Vergés (ESP)  Julinho (BRA)  Ante Žanetić (YUG)  Francisco Gento (ESP) | Pelé (BRA)  Alfredo Di Stéfano (ESP)  Ferenc Puskás (HUN) |
| 1961 | Gyula Grosics | Orvar Bergmark  Germano (POR) Nílton Santos | Danny Blanchflower (NIR)  Paul Bonga Bonga (DRC) Francisco Gento | László Kubala (ESP) Pelé Alfredo Di Stéfano Ferenc Puskás |
| 1962 | Gernot Fraydl (AUT) | Djalma Santos (BRA) Germano  Fahrudin Jusufi (YUG) | Zito (BRA)  Josef Masopust (TCH) Francisco Gento | Garrincha (BRA) Pelé Alfredo Di Stéfano Ferenc Puskás |
| 1963 | Lev Yashin (URS) | Djalma Santos  Cesare Maldini (ITA) Fahrudin Jusufi | Mário Coluna (POR)  Raymond Kopa (FRA)  Jim Baxter (SCO)  Luis Suárez (ESP) | Pelé Alfredo Di Stéfano Ferenc Puskás |
| 1964 | Lev Yashin | Tarcisio Burgnich (ITA)  Ján Popluhár (TCH)  Giacinto Facchetti (ITA) | Mário Coluna  José Augusto (POR) Josef Masopust Luis Suárez | Pelé Alfredo Di Stéfano  Denis Law (SCO) |
| 1965 | Costa Pereira (POR) | Djalma Santos Germano Giacinto Facchetti  Orlando (BRA) | Mário Coluna José Augusto Luis Suárez | Sandro Mazzola (ITA)  Eusébio (POR) Pelé |
| 1966 | Lev Yashin | Aleksandar Shalamanov (BUL)  Franz Beckenbauer (FRG) Giacinto Facchetti | Néstor Gonçalves (URU)  Dimitar Yakimov (BUL) Mário Coluna  Mario Corso (ITA) | Pelé  Ferenc Bene (HUN)  János Farkas (HUN) |
| 1967 | Lev Yashin | Mário Coluna Ján Popluhár Giacinto Facchetti | Franz Beckenbauer  Kálmán Mészöly (HUN) Dimitar Yakimov | Sandro Mazzola Ferenc Bene  Geoff Hurst (ENG) János Farkas |
| 1968 | Dino Zoff (ITA) | Fahrudin Jusufi Ján Popluhár Giacinto Facchetti | Franz Beckenbauer  Martin Peters (ENG)  Bobby Moore (ENG) | Ferenc Bene Sandro Mazzola Geoff Hurst  Włodzimierz Lubański (POL) |
| 1969 | Gordon Banks (ENG) | Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (FRG) Franz Beckenbauer Giacinto Facchetti | Martin Peters Bobby Moore  Dragan Džajić (YUG) | Ferenc Bene Geoff Hurst  Gerd Müller (FRG) Włodzimierz Lubański |
| 1970 | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish |
| 1971 | Gordon Banks | Carlos Alberto (BRA) Franz Beckenbauer Bobby Moore  Berti Vogts (FRG) | Sandro Mazzola  Gérson (BRA)  Rivellino (BRA) | Jairzinho (BRA) Gerd Müller  Gigi Riva (ITA) |
| 1972 | Gordon Banks | Paul Breitner (FRG) Bobby Moore  Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (FRG)  Karol Dobiaš (TCH) | Günter Netzer (FRG) Franz Beckenbauer | Włodzimierz Lubański Gerd Müller  Johan Cruyff (NED) Jairzinho |
| 1973 | Pat Jennings (NIR) | Dragoslav Stepanović (YUG) Bobby Moore  Barry Hulshoff (NED)  Petar Krivokuća (YUG) | Ladislav Kuna (TCH) Günter Netzer Franz Beckenbauer | Dragan Džajić Gerd Müller Włodzimierz Lubański |
| 1974 | David Harvey (SCO) | Paul Breitner Franz Beckenbauer  Luís Pereira (BRA)  Rolando García (CHI) | Jovan Aćimović (YUG)  Kazimierz Deyna (POL) Sandro Mazzola | Robert Gadocha (POL) Gerd Müller  Grzegorz Lato (POL) |
| 1975 | Dino Zoff | Rainer Bonhof (FRG)  Colin Todd (ENG)  Humberto Coelho (POR) Berti Vogts | Paul Breitner Günter Netzer Franz Beckenbauer | Jupp Heynckes (FRG)  Ralf Edström (SWE) Grzegorz Lato |
| 1976 | Ivo Viktor (TCH) | Paul Breitner Franz Beckenbauer  Anton Ondruš (TCH) Colin Todd | Branko Oblak (YUG)  Viktor Kolotov (URS)  Antonín Panenka (TCH) | Oleg Blokhin (URS) Gerd Müller  Ruud Geels (NED) |
| 1977 | Sepp Maier (FRG) | Ruud Krol (NED) Luís Pereira Franz Beckenbauer Berti Vogts | Johan Cruyff Rainer Bonhof  Jan Peters (NED) | Rob Rensenbrink (NED) Gerd Müller  Franco Causio (ITA) |
| 1978 | Peter Shilton (ENG) | Alberto Tarantini (ARG) Luís Pereira  David Watson (ENG) Ruud Krol | Teófilo Cubillas (PER)  Osvaldo Ardiles (ARG) | Rob Rensenbrink  Roberto Bettega (ITA) Gerd Müller Franco Causio |
| 1979 | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish |
| 1980 | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish |
| 1981 | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish |
| 1982 | Peter Shilton | Alain Giresse (FRA)  Jaime Duarte (PER)  Daniel Passarella (ARG)  Marius Trésor (FRA) | Sócrates (BRA) Osvaldo Ardiles  Michel Platini (FRA)  Falcão (BRA) | Paolo Rossi (ITA)  Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FRG) |
| 1983 | Peter Shilton | Alain Giresse Daniel Passarella Marius Trésor Jaime Duarte | Sócrates Osvaldo Ardiles  Toninho Cerezo (BRA) Michel Platini Falcão | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
| 1984 | Rinat Dasayev (URS) | Alain Giresse  Morten Olsen (DEN)  Maxime Bossis (FRA) | Allan Simonsen (DEN) Sócrates  Jean Tigana (FRA) Michel Platini  Diego Maradona (ARG) | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge  Bruno Conti (ITA) |
| 1985 | Peter Shilton | Morten Olsen  Antonio Maceda (ESP) | Ray Wilkins (ENG) Jean Tigana Alain Giresse  Carlos Manuel (POR) Michel Platini  Søren Lerby (DEN)  Khoren Oganesian (URS) | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
| 1986 | Rinat Dasayev | Manuel Amoros (FRA) Morten Olsen Antonio Maceda Maxime Bossis | Luis Fernández (FRA) Jean Tigana  Frank Arnesen (DEN) Alain Giresse  Míchel (ESP) | Gary Lineker (ENG) |
| 1987 | Rinat Dasayev | Manuel Amoros  Celso (BRA)  Glenn Hysén (SWE)  Giovanni Francini (ITA) | Luis Fernández Jean Tigana Diego Maradona Míchel | Gary Lineker  Hugo Sánchez (MEX) |
| 1988 | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish | did not publish |
| 1989 | Peter Shilton | Ronald Koeman (NED)  Franco Baresi (ITA)  Aron Winter (NED)  Luis Carlos Perea (COL) | Frank Rijkaard (NED) Míchel  Paulo Silas (BRA)  Rafael Martín Vázquez (ESP) | Ruud Gullit (NED)  Marco van Basten (NED) |
| 1990 | Peter Shilton | Stéphane Demol (BEL) Franco Baresi  Dunga (BRA)  Riccardo Ferri (ITA) | Paulo Silas  Jan Ceulemans (BEL)  Valdo (BRA) Rafael Martín Vázquez | Ian Rush (WAL) Marco van Basten |
| 1991 | Neville Southall (WAL) | Riccardo Ferri  Laurent Blanc (FRA)  Basile Boli (FRA) | Robert Prosinečki (YUG) Valdo Dunga Rafael Martín Vázquez  Dejan Savićević (YUG) | Mark Hughes Darko Pančev |
| 1992 | Peter Schmeichel (DEN) | Ronald Koeman Laurent Blanc  Mauro Silva (BRA)  Des Walker (ENG) | Frank Rijkaard  Brian Laudrup (DEN)  Srečko Katanec (YUG) | Attilio Lombardo (ITA) Marco van Basten  Bebeto (BRA) |
| World Soccer World XI |||||
| 2012 | Iker Casillas | Jordi Alba Sergio Ramos Vincent Kompany Philipp Lahm | Andrés Iniesta Andrea Pirlo Xavi | Cristiano Ronaldo Radamel Falcao Lionel Messi |

### By player

| Appearances | Player | First | Last |
| 11 | Franz Beckenbauer (FRG) | 1966 | 1977 |
| 8 | Gerd Müller (FRG) | 1969 | 1978 |
| 7 | Pelé (BRA) | 1960 | 1966 |
| 6 | Giacinto Facchetti (ITA) | 1964 | 1969 |
| 6 | Peter Shilton (ENG) | 1978 | 1990 |
| 5 | Alfredo Di Stéfano (ESP) | 1960 | 1965 |
| 5 | Mário Coluna (POR) | 1963 | 1967 |
| 5 | Sandro Mazzola (ITA) | 1965 | 1974 |
| 5 | Bobby Moore (ENG) | 1968 | 1973 |
| 5 | Alain Giresse (FRA) | 1982 | 1986 |
| 4 | Ferenc Puskás (ESP) | 1960 | 1963 |
| 4 | Lev Yashin (URS) | 1963 | 1967 |
| 4 | Ferenc Bene (HUN) | 1966 | 1969 |
| 4 | Włodzimierz Lubański (POL) | 1968 | 1973 |
| 4 | Paul Breitner (FRG) | 1972 | 1976 |
| 4 | Michel Platini (FRA) | 1982 | 1985 |
| 4 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FRG) | 1982 | 1985 |
| 4 | Jean Tigana (FRA) | 1984 | 1987 |
| 3 | Francisco Gento (ESP) | 1960 | 1962 |
| 3 | Germano (POR) | 1961 | 1965 |
| 3 | Djalma Santos (BRA) | 1962 | 1965 |
| 3 | Fahrudin Jusufi (YUG) | 1962 | 1968 |
| 3 | Luis Suárez (ESP) | 1963 | 1965 |
| 3 | Ján Popluhár (TCH) | 1964 | 1968 |
| 3 | Geoff Hurst (ENG) | 1967 | 1969 |
| 3 | Gordon Banks (ENG) | 1969 | 1972 |
| 3 | Berti Vogts (FRG) | 1971 | 1977 |
| 3 | Günter Netzer (FRG) | 1972 | 1975 |
| 3 | Luís Pereira (BRA) | 1974 | 1978 |
| 3 | Osvaldo Ardiles (ARG) | 1978 | 1983 |
| 3 | Sócrates (BRA) | 1982 | 1984 |
| 3 | Morten Olsen (DEN) | 1984 | 1986 |
| 3 | Rinat Dasayev (URS) | 1984 | 1987 |
| 3 | Míchel (ESP) | 1986 | 1989 |
| 3 | Rafael Martín Vázquez (ESP) | 1989 | 1991 |
| 3 | Marco van Basten (NED) | 1989 | 1992 |