Top 10 Greatest European Soccer (Football) Captains of All Time
Soccer captains are certainly underrated because some of them are not necessarily the best or most talented players on their teams. However, captains bring attributes that are essential on the pitch. Very often, teams look and play significantly worse without a certain captain.The greatest captains are associated with leadership, experience, decision-making, commitment, and diplomacy. They are able to motivate and inspire the players around them. In addition, captains have the responsibility of talking to referees and sometimes disciplining players.
There are two types of captains, and both can be equally effective. Captains of the first type are very vocal and imposing figures who make their presence and feelings known throughout the squad. Captains of the second type adopt a quieter, more subtle approach, choosing instead to lead by example on the pitch and allowing their football to do the talking.
Both club captains and national team captains are eligible.
Franz Anton Beckenbauer (born 11 September 1945, died 7 January 2024) was a German professional footballer and manager. Early in his playing career, he was nicknamed "Der Kaiser" because of his elegant style, dominance, and leadership on the field. His first name "Franz" is reminiscent of the Austrian... read more Der Kaiser. As a captain, Franz Beckenbauer won every trophy available at both club and international levels. He is also regarded as one of the greatest defenders ever to step onto a pitch.
Hendrik Johannes "Johan" Cruijff (25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and coach. As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Cruyff was a proponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football explored by Rinus Michels, and is... read more Johan Cruyff, the Dutch wizard, was captain of Ajax in the early 1970s. He is credited with dragging the Amsterdam club to the pinnacle of European football with his intelligence and forceful personality. Cruyff's leadership changed football forever.
At Ajax, the concept of Total Football was born - a philosophy that would make Cruyff and the Netherlands famous and feared. They utilized a fluidity and style unseen before in football, where every player could perform in every position.
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish football assistant manager and former professional football player. He is the joint-most successful Irish footballer of all time, having won 19 major trophies, 17 of which came at Manchester United, in his club career. One of the most passionate players to lace them up, the indomitable captain led one of the most talented and successful teams in history. Capable of being anything and everything the team needed him to be, Keano did it all - from bossing the midfield with his mesmerizing passing to breaking up play with his aggressive defense, and everything in between.
The ultimate big-game player, he was always good for putting his team on his back and single-handedly firing them to victory (see Man U vs. Juventus). Whatever you may think of him, there is no denying his ability or his one-of-a-kind leadership.
He was an extraordinary leader for Milan for 15 years and a man of great character. In 1989, Baresi took to the field for Italy against the Dutch and played the entire second half with a broken arm.
At the 1994 World Cup, Baresi was injured at the beginning of the tournament but refused to fly home. Instead, he went under the knife immediately and eventually recovered in time to play in Italy's final game, the World Cup final. Hands down, one of the toughest and most dedicated captains ever.
Paolo Cesare Maldini is a former Italian professional footballer who played as a left back and central defender. Maldini captained Italy for 8 years and AC Milan for 12, and was renowned for his leadership skills, earning him the nickname “Il Capitano”, or ‘The Captain’. Paolo Maldini learned from the very best: his teammate, Italy and Milan legend Franco Baresi. Maldini captained Italy for 8 years and AC Milan for 12, earning him the nickname "Il Capitano," or "The Captain."
Although he never led Italy to victory at a major tournament, he did take the team to two finals as captain - at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Without any doubt, Paolo Maldini is the greatest defender and captain to have ever stepped on a football pitch.
The lionheart himself. Puyol's resilience and captaincy symbolized loyalty and leadership skills for every defending player.
Although he was never made captain of the Spanish national team, he was still a leader on the pitch.
Deschamps wasn't the most talented man on the French team, but he provided the perfect foil for those more talented attacking players and made for an exceptional leader on the pitch.
His qualities for organization and inspiration tied together the outstanding talents of what became known as France's Golden Generation.
Steven George Gerrard (born 30 May 1980) is an English professional football manager and former Liverpool player who currently manages Scottish Premiership club Rangers. As a captain, he was both vocal and able to lead by example on the pitch. Without a doubt, his most iconic moment came in the 2005 Champions League final when Liverpool appeared dead and buried, 3-0 down at half-time to AC Milan.
However, Gerrard rallied the troops, scored the goal to get Liverpool back in the game, and inspired the team to a historic comeback, ultimately leading them to a famous Champions League trophy.
Captain fantastic! Inspirational and capable of carrying the whole team on his shoulders. Fell in love with football watching him play.
One of the most successful captains of all time and one of the most successful players of all time, Gento won 12 La Liga titles, six European Cups, two Copa del Rey titles, two Latin Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup.
Adams spent his entire playing career of 22 years as a defender at Arsenal. With Arsenal, he won four top-flight division titles, uniquely captaining a title-winning team in three different decades.
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He captained a Rosenborg side that won 13 league titles in a row and participated in the Champions League 11 times. He also scored in 21 consecutive top-flight seasons.
Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Popularly dubbed "San Iker" for his ability to produce spectacular saves, Casillas is widely regarded to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
Oliver Rolf Kahn is a German former football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team in 1975. Twelve years later, Kahn made his debut match in the professional squad. Kahn led both club and country to glory over what was a sparkling career. He was Bayern captain for six years, from 2002 to 2008. Over the course of his time in Bavaria, he lifted the Bundesliga eight times, four of those while leading his side.
Alessandro Del Piero Ufficiale is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a deep-lying forward.
Francesco Totti is a former Italian professional footballer who plays for Serie A club Roma and Italian national team. He was never made captain of the Italian national team, as the team was never starved for a leader, with Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro captaining the team during Totti's time with the Azzurri.
Andrés Iniesta Luján is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. Iniesta is very powerful! He should be number one.
Robert Frederick Chelsea "Bobby" Moore was an English professional footballer. He captained West Ham United for more than ten years and was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He captained West Ham United for more than ten years and was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup.
Moore's authority on the football pitch was assumed without any need to bellow or shriek, making him a true leader.
Gary Alexander Neville is an English football coach and former player who currently serves as assistant manager for the England national football team, and as co-owner of Salford City.
Bryan Robson is an English football manager and a former player. He began his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972 before moving to Manchester United in 1981 where he became the longest serving captain in the club's history. He captained Manchester United for 12 years and England for nine years.
