The 20 most overrated footballers of the 20th century – ranked

Football is full of legends, but not every player who’s hailed as a "great" actually deserves a spot in the conversation. Whether it’s hype from the media, a giant price tag, or a long-lasting reputation, some players got more credit than they really earned.

Here are the 20 most overrated footballers of the 20th century—whose names were bigger than their actual impact on the pitch. All stats sourced from Transfermarkt.

Van Basten’s brilliance in 1988 is legendary, but his career was ultimately short-lived due to injuries. With 90 goals in 147 Serie A appearances, his time at the top was brief and admittedly brilliant when he was firing, but we're not sure there's actually enough there to justify his status.

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Yes, he’s the Premier League’s all-time top scorer (260 goals). But let’s not pretend Shearer was a footballing genius. His game was simple—smash it in the net if it’s near him. The man had one move: goal-scoring. No assists, no flair, just a lot of tapping in. His lack of real contribution outside the box? Hardly legendary.

Brolin was once regarded as one of Sweden's brightest stars, especially after a standout 1994 World Cup. But despite his potential, his club career was disappointing. After a promising start at Parma, he struggled at Leeds United, and his 47 goals in 283 club appearances don’t quite live up to the status often attributed to him.

A fantastic free-kick taker, sure, but a world-class defender? Eh, not so much. Koeman’s reputation largely comes from his time at FC Barcelona, but he wasn’t exactly a rock at the back—his 62% tackle success rate is just okay, especially when compared to other defenders of his time.

Ballon d’Or winner in 1995—yes, but let’s be real. He was playing for AC Milan and a bunch of mid-table clubs, and his international career with Liberia was... limited. The man was a decent striker, but not quite the global icon people make him out to be. His world-class status is largely based on a couple of good seasons and that Ballon d'Or.

Rijkaard was a solid defensive midfielder, but the hype about his "greatness" doesn’t match his actual performances. At Barcelona in 1992, he was one part of a team full of bigger names—yet his role in their European triumph was often overstated.

Simeone was all heart and aggression, but his technical ability never really matched the hype. With only 2 goals in 106 international appearances, his reputation was built more on his fiery spirit than his ability to dominate games.

"Divine ponytail" or "Divine penalty miss"? Baggio was definitely talented, but when it counted, he often came up short (hello, 1994 World Cup final). A couple of nice goals don’t automatically make you a global legend—his inconsistency and lack of silverware tell a different story.

Stoichkov was key to Bulgaria’s 1994 World Cup run, but his FC Barcelona years were inconsistent. He scored some memorable goals, but with only 83 goals in 208 appearances for the Catalans, his legacy doesn’t quite match the adoration he gets.

Bergkamp’s touch was beautiful, but his 87 goals in 315 Premier League appearances aren’t exactly "unplayable" numbers, and his big-match performances were often inconsistent. He’s the guy who scored that wonder goal vs. Argentina, but also the guy who could disappear for months.

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Davids had the passion, but his actual technical contributions weren’t as impressive. Sure, he was a tough tackler, but his 6 goals in 74 appearances for the Netherlands don’t make him the midfield legend his reputation suggests. His influence was often overstated.

Vialli won trophies with Juventus and Chelsea, but let’s be honest—was he ever truly the star of those teams? He wasn't even the best striker in his own Chelsea team at the time. His total of 16 goals in 59 appearances for Chelsea isn’t too impressive for a man regarded as one of their finest-ever forwards.

No one crosses a ball like Beckham—let’s give him that. But let’s not confuse a few good free kicks with greatness. Sure, he got famous for his looks, but in terms of international impact, he was just average. Only 17 goals in 115 appearances for England don’t scream "world-class."

Vieira was strong, but not as impactful as his status suggests. He’s often remembered for Arsenal’s 'Invincibles,' but his 31 goals in 255 Premier League appearances hardly put him on the same pedestal as other elite midfielders of his time. He was a good player, but not an immortal one.

Redondo had elegance, but his career was more about style than substance. He was a bit of a luxury player, never quite reaching the heights expected for someone as beloved as he was. His 10 years at Madrid didn’t have the huge impact some people still associate with him.

Seedorf’s name comes up when talking about Champions League winners, but let’s be honest—his contribution was often underwhelming. Four Champions League titles with three different clubs is impressive, but with just 62 goals in 432 club appearances for AC Milan, he wasn’t as impactful as his status suggests.

Roberto Carlos was known for his free kicks and runs forward, but defensively he was often caught out of position. His lack of defensive discipline, coupled with his inconsistent performances at times, doesn’t support the claim that he was the "best left-back ever."

Giggs played 963 games for Manchester United, but with just 168 goals over 23 years, his numbers aren’t mind-blowing. While his longevity is impressive, his actual contributions in big matches—particularly finals—were often hit or miss.

Maradona’s talent was undeniable, but his actual career often didn’t match up to the myth. His time at FC Barcelona was disappointing, and despite his iconic 1986 World Cup, his club career wasn’t as stellar as people remember. Maradona’s legacy is more about what could’ve been than what he actually achieved.

Best was a natural talent, but his career was far from legendary. His off-field troubles and inconsistent form mean his reputation often exceeds what he actually delivered. With 137 goals in 474 appearances, Best’s legacy is mostly about what he could have been, not what he actually became.

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