FIFA 100

On March 4, 2004, at a gala ceremony in London, to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of football revealed the FIFA 100. The list contains the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". The figure 100 refers to the 100th anniversary of FIFA and not the number of players listed, which is actually 125. Apparently Pelé found it too difficult to list just 100. The list contains 123 professional men and 2 women players (Michelle Akers and Mia Hamm both from the United States). At the time the FIFA 100 was selected, 50 of the players were still active, with the remaining 75 retired from the game.

Europe (84)

Belgium (3)

• Jan Ceulemans
• Franky van der Elst
• Jean-Marie Pfaff

Bulgaria (1)

• Hristo Stoitchkov

Croatia (1)

• Davor ?uker

Czech Republic (2)

• Josef Masopust
• Pavel Nedv?d

Denmark (3)

• Brian Laudrup
• Michael Laudrup
• Peter Schmeichel

England (7)

• Gordon Banks
• David Beckham
• Bobby Charlton
• Kevin Keegan
• Gary Lineker
• Michael Owen
• Alan Shearer

France (14)

• Eric Cantona
• Marcel Desailly
• Didier Deschamps
• Just Fontaine
• Thierry Henry
• Raymond Kopa
• Jean-Pierre Papin
• Robert Pirès
• Michel Platini
• Lilian Thuram
• Marius Trésor
• David Trézéguet
• Patrick Vieira
• Zinédine Zidane

Germany (10)

• Michael Ballack
• Franz Beckenbauer
• Paul Breitner
• Oliver Kahn
• Jürgen Klinsmann
• Sepp Maier
• Lothar Matthäus
• Gerd Müller
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
• Uwe Seeler

Hungary (1)

• Ferenc Puskás

Republic of Ireland (1)

• Roy Keane

Italy (14)

• Roberto Baggio
• Franco Baresi
• Giuseppe Bergomi
• Giampiero Boniperti
• Gianluigi Buffon
• Alessandro Del Piero
• Giacinto Facchetti
• Paolo Maldini
• Alessandro Nesta
• Gianni Rivera
• Paolo Rossi
• Francesco Totti
• Christian Vieri
• Dino Zoff

Netherlands (13)

• Marco van Basten
• Dennis Bergkamp
• Johan Cruijff
• Edgar Davids
• Ruud Gullit
• René van de Kerkhof
• Willy van de Kerkhof
• Patrick Kluivert
• Johan Neeskens
• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Rob Rensenbrink
• Frank Rijkaard
• Clarence Seedorf

Northern Ireland (1)

• George Best

Poland (1)

• Zbigniew Boniek

Portugal (3)

• Eusebio
• Luis Figo
• Rui Costa

Romania (1)

• Gheorghe Hagi

Russia (1)

• Rinat Dasaev

Scotland (1)

• Kenny Dalglish

Spain (3)

• Butragueño
• Luis Enrique
• Raúl

Turkey (2)

• Emre Belözo?lu
• Rü?tü Reçber

Ukraine (1)

• Andriy Shevchenko