Best Soccer Players by Country
West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer, left, kicks the ball away from advancing Polish player Robert Gadocha during a 1974 World Cup game at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.AP Photo
What constitutes true greatness in a soccer player? It can be many things: sheer number of goals, unmatchable skills, leadership ability and inspirational character. The greatest players in soccer history possess at least one of these qualities. Some exhibit them all.
But who is the greatest player from a country?
The answer can be an endless debate. Argentina has both Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. France produced Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. Whoever is chosen depends on the eye — or age — of the beholder.
Other countries are easier. The Netherlands has produced many great soccer players, but all bow down to Johan Cruyff. Much the same goes for Franz Beckenbauer in Germany, while the likes of Austria’s Matthias Sindelar and Uruguay’s Obdulio Varela speak to a football era before worldwide television.
Today, FIFA has 211 teams around the world. They represent 191 of the 193 United Nations-member states. And one footballer still can inspire millions.
To evaluate the game's most legendary talents, we have condensed the globe to 60 nations, based on FIFA's current world rankings.
Meet the best soccer player ever from each of these countries.
But who is the greatest player from a country?
The answer can be an endless debate. Argentina has both Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. France produced Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. Whoever is chosen depends on the eye — or age — of the beholder.
Other countries are easier. The Netherlands has produced many great soccer players, but all bow down to Johan Cruyff. Much the same goes for Franz Beckenbauer in Germany, while the likes of Austria’s Matthias Sindelar and Uruguay’s Obdulio Varela speak to a football era before worldwide television.
Today, FIFA has 211 teams around the world. They represent 191 of the 193 United Nations-member states. And one footballer still can inspire millions.
To evaluate the game's most legendary talents, we have condensed the globe to 60 nations, based on FIFA's current world rankings.
Meet the best soccer player ever from each of these countries.
Bolivia — Marco Etcheverry
Bolivian national team captain Marco Etcheverry, right, battles for the ball against Venezuela during a World Cup qualifying game in 1996.Diego Giudice/AP Photo
Born: Sept. 26, 1970, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Clubs: Destroyers, Bolivar, Albacete, Colo Colo, American de Cali, DC United
Position: Forward
Bolivia has qualified for just one World Cup tournament (United States in 1994), but its star player, Marco Etcheverry, was recovering from a serious injury.
After just four minutes on the field as a substitute, Etcheverry, a player of combustible temperament, was red-carded for a foul.
The American World Cup missed out on a player who went on to become one of the greatest players in Major League Soccer history
Clubs: Destroyers, Bolivar, Albacete, Colo Colo, American de Cali, DC United
Position: Forward
Bolivia has qualified for just one World Cup tournament (United States in 1994), but its star player, Marco Etcheverry, was recovering from a serious injury.
After just four minutes on the field as a substitute, Etcheverry, a player of combustible temperament, was red-carded for a foul.
The American World Cup missed out on a player who went on to become one of the greatest players in Major League Soccer history
André Rieu - Opera Potpourri (Live in Amsterdam)
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