Sport’s Enduring Greats
The Pantheon
Twenty-three careers that changed how their sports were played — from the first World Cup icons to the athletes still writing their chapters today.
Golden Era
1950s – 1970sPelé
Santos / Brazil
1956–1977
The Man Who Made Football Beautiful
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Real Madrid / Spain
1953–1966
The Blond Arrow
Franz Beckenbauer
Bayern Munich / West Germany
1964–1977
Der Kaiser
Johan Cruyff
Ajax / Barcelona / Netherlands
1964–1984
Architect of Total Football
Eusébio
Benfica / Portugal
1961–1975
The Black Panther
Bobby Charlton
Manchester United / England
1956–1973
The Gentleman of English Football
Modern Greats
1980s – 2000sDiego Maradona
Napoli / Argentina
1976–1997
El Diego
Zinedine Zidane
Juventus / Real Madrid / France
1988–2006
Zizou
Ronaldo Nazário
Barcelona / Inter / Real Madrid / Brazil
1993–2011
O Fenômeno
Ronaldinho
Barcelona / AC Milan / Brazil
1998–2015
The Magician
Roberto Baggio
Juventus / AC Milan / Italy
1982–2004
Il Divin Codino
Paolo Maldini
AC Milan / Italy
1984–2009
Il Capitano
Contemporary Icons
2000s – PresentLionel Messi
Barcelona / PSG / Inter Miami / Argentina
2004–Present
La Pulga
Cristiano Ronaldo
Man United / Real Madrid / Al Nassr / Portugal
2002–Present
CR7
Xavi Hernández
Barcelona / Spain
1998–2015
The Metronome
Andrés Iniesta
Barcelona / Spain
1999–2018
Don Andrés
Thierry Henry
Arsenal / Barcelona / France
1994–2014
Titi
Iker Casillas
Real Madrid / Spain
1999–2020
San Iker