50 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
But for a pesky Icelandic volcano and its ash cloud preventing the Pole from flying to England, Lewandowski might have signed for Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn in 2010. Instead, he joined Dortmund, fired them to two Bundesliga titles, scored 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern Munich and now bangs them in for Barcelona. Good work, Eyjafjallajokull.
Career highlight Conquering Europe with Bayern in 2020 – the Ballon d’Or was his, if France Football hadn’t cancelled it.
49 DIDI
The elegant Brazilian nearly had his leg amputated as a teenager, but went on to win two World Cups, play for Real Madrid and invent the ‘falling leaf’ knuckleball free-kick. “I’m nothing compared to Didi – I’ll never be anywhere near as good as he is.” The words of Pele.
Career highlight Being named the 1958 World Cup’s best player, ahead of Pele, Garrincha and the 13-goal Just Fontaine.
48 GIANLUIGI BUFFON
Footballers tend to wane at 30, but Buffon balanced quality and longevity like a 1970s Coppola movie, adding another eight scudetti to his Juventus tally. He’s the only keeper to be in the Ballon d’Or top two since 1973 and, at 45, is still in Serie B and closing in on 1,200 career appearances.
Career highlight Starring in Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph.
47 GUNTER NETZER
One of the game’s great passers, able to put the ball on a Deutsche Mark from any distance, Netzer won four trophies with Real Madrid but was at his stylish, dashing, playmaking best as the leader of a Monchengladbach team that won two German titles.
Career highlight Running the show as West Germany were crowned kings of Europe in 1972.
46 PAOLO ROSSI
Only nine players have won the Ballon d’Or, European Cup and World Cup; Rossi is one, despite having his best club spell with little Vicenza and failing to score in Italy’s first four games at Spain 82. Six goals in their next three brought the Juventus star the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball and a world title.
Career highlight Netting a famous World Cup hat-trick against Brazil in 1982, then titling his autobiography I Made Brazil Cry.
43 MICHAEL LAUDRUP
A seamlessly silky playmaker, and stalwart of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team that won four successive La Liga crowns for Barcelona, the Dane then inspired Luis Figo by joining Real Madrid – and took the championship trophy with him. Andres Iniesta called him “the best player in history”.
Career highlight Wembley, ’92: lifting Barça’s first European Cup.
42 BOBBY MOORE
A footballing centre-half long before the concept was seen as fashionable, Moore remains the yardstick against whom all Engl
