33·Legends

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Finland

The thirty-three greatest. Build your eleven, then settle the duels.

The pitch 0 / 11

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The 330 on the pitch

The duels

Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Finland.

The 33 of Finland

Ranked by the almanac. Vote in the duels to build the people's version.

90 Jari Litmanen 137 caps · 32 goals · Reipas Lahti, Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi · 2× national Player of the Year (1994–1999)The legendary 'King' of Ajax, Litmanen was a silky playmaker whose vision and goalscoring prowess spearheaded their 1995 Champions League triumph. CM1990s

88 Sami Hyypiä 105 caps · MYPA, Willem II · 2× Hall of Fame (2021–2021)A no-nonsense centre-back and an inspirational figure, he led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005 with his aerial prowess and leadership. CB2000s

86 Teemu Pukki 133 caps · 43 goals · Brøndby IF, Norwich City · 3× national Player of the Year (2019–2020)The prolific "Pukki Party" brought electric pace and predatory instincts to Norwich City and Finland, becoming a fan favourite with his consistent goalscoring. SS

84 Jussi Jääskeläinen 56 caps · Mikkelin Palloilijat, Bolton WanderersThe Finnish shot-stopper was a consistent Premier League performer for Bolton Wanderers during their golden era, renowned for his agility and reliability. GK

84 Lukas Hradecky 103 caps · Esbjerg fB, Eintracht Frankfurt · 10× national Player of the Year (2016–2023)A commanding presence between the sticks and a fine shot-stopper who has anchored Bayer Leverkusen's defence for years. GK

84 Roman Eremenko 73 caps · Rubin Kazan, PFC CSKA MoscowA deep-lying playmaker, his technical quality and vision allowed him to dictate the tempo of games from the base of midfield. CDM

7 AN 83 Antti Niemi A legend in the English game, his acrobatic saves and unwavering commitment made him a cult hero at Southampton and Fulham. GK

8 MF 83 Mikael Forssell 87 caps · 29 goals · Chelsea, Birmingham CityA clinical finisher, Forssell showcased his predatory instincts at Chelsea and Birmingham City, where he became a key attacking outlet for club and country. SS

9 AR 82 Aulis Rytkönen 37 caps · 7 goals · Kuopion Palloseura, Toulouse · Hall of FameToulouse supporters called him Monsieur Magic, and the 1957 French Cup final earned the name, four assists in a 6-3 win over Angers. He had left Finland in 1952 as the country's first professional footballer, was voted Finnish player of the year in 1949, 1950 and 1952, played at the Helsinki Olympics and won 37 caps before returning to coach HJK Helsinki. CAM1950s

81 Aki Riihilahti 69 caps · 11 goals · Vålerenga Fotball, Crystal PalaceA tenacious and powerful midfielder, Riihilahti brought bite and boundless energy to the engine room for the likes of Crystal Palace and Finland. CM

81 Alexei Eremenko 57 caps · 14 goals · Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, US LecceThe Finnish-Russian magician Eremenko Jr. delighted fans with his dazzling close control, inventive passing, and spectacular long-range strikes. CAM

81 Teemu Tainio 64 caps · 6 goals · FC Haka, AJ AuxerreTainio was a versatile and combative midfielder, equally adept at shielding the defence or unlocking it with a killer pass during his time at Auxerre and Tottenham. CAM

80 Glen Kamara Arsenal, Southend UnitedA dynamic central midfielder, Kamara's elegant ball retention and sharp passing orchestrate play, driving Finland forward with conviction. CM

80 Hannu Tihinen 76 caps · Palloseura Kemi Kings, R.S.C. AnderlechtA towering and uncompromising defender, he brought a physical edge and aerial dominance to the heart of the defence for many years. CB

15 JJ 80 Jonatan Johansson A true poacher, Johansson possessed a keen eye for goal and a powerful shot, leading the line effectively for Rangers and Finland. ST

16 JK 80 Joonas Kolkka 99 caps · 12 goals · Willem II, PSV EindhovenA tricky wide player, Kolkka's pace and direct dribbling were a constant threat on the flanks, creating chances for Charlton Athletic and Finland. CAM

17 KU 80 Kari Ukkonen 59 caps · 4 goals · Cercle Brugge K.S.V., Royal AntwerpFinland sent him to the Moscow Olympics as a teenager, and from 1982 he spent fourteen years abroad, an unhurried passer through eleven Belgian seasons who could drop back into libero whenever his country asked. The Belgian title arrived with Anderlecht in 1991, on top of four Belgian Cups between 1985 and 1992, Finnish Footballer of the Year in 1983, 59 caps, and a place in the Finnish Football Hall of Fame. CM1980s

18 MP 80 Mixu Paatelainen 70 caps · 18 goals · Dundee United, AberdeenFinland's record goalscorer, "Mixu" was a formidable, bustling centre-forward renowned for his aerial prowess and prolific spell with Dundee United. ST

80 Tim Sparv Halmstads BK, FC Groningen · national Player of the Year 2015A true midfield general, his astute positioning and powerful tackling provided a crucial shield in front of the defence, leading Finland to Euro 2020. CDM2020s

79 Joel Pohjanpalo Klubi-04, Helsingin JalkapalloklubiA clinical Finnish striker, he has consistently found the back of the net across Europe, notably with Bayer Leverkusen and during his prolific Serie A loan at Venezia. ST

79 Joona Toivio Klubi-04, SC TelstarA robust central defender, known for his strong tackling and important contributions to the national team's back line. CB

79 Mika Väyrynen FC Lahti, SC HeerenveenVäyrynen was a technically gifted midfielder whose precise passing and intelligent movement dictated the tempo for Finland and PSV Eindhoven. CM

79 Rasmus Schüller 14 caps · FC Honka, Helsingin JalkapalloklubiA diligent midfield anchor, Schüller's robust tackling and intelligent positioning provided a crucial shield for Finnish defences. CDM

78 Jere Uronen 16 caps · Åbo IFK, TPS TurkuA modern full-back, constantly looking to surge forward and deliver dangerous crosses, while maintaining defensive discipline on the left flank. LB

25 JR 78 Jukka Raitala 61 caps · Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, CF MontréalA diligent and energetic defender, known for his work rate and ability to cover the entire flank for club and country. RB

78 Kari Arkivuo FC Lahti, Sandefjord FotballA reliable left-back for the national team, renowned for his defensive consistency and ability to contribute effectively from wide areas. LB

27 KH 78 Kaspar Hämäläinen Hämäläinen was a versatile attacking midfielder, capable of playing centrally or on the wing, known for his clever movement and clinical finishing. RM

28 MK 78 Markku Kanerva 59 caps · Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, IF Elfsborg · Hall of Fame 2023A steadfast defender from a bygone era, bringing a solid, no-frills approach to the Finnish backline. CB

78 Peter Kopteff 39 caps · 1 goals · FC Jazz, Viking FKKopteff, a tireless wide man, terrorized full-backs with his explosive pace and pinpoint crosses from the right wing for Finland and Stoke City. RM

78 Petri Pasanen 76 caps · FC Lahti, AFC AjaxA versatile defender who enjoyed a strong career in the Netherlands and for Finland, providing defensive solidity and tactical intelligence. RB

78 Shefki Kuqi 62 caps · 8 goals · Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, Sheffield WednesdayThe belly flop was rehearsed in a swimming pool: arms wide, hands taking the impact at the last moment so it only looked like he had landed chest-first on the turf. He won the Veikkausliiga with HJK in 1997 and the Finnish Cup a year later, topped the Finnish scoring charts with 19 for Jokerit in 2000, scored 20 in the Championship for Ipswich in 2004-05, and played 62 times for Finland, scoring 8. ST1997–2004

77 Niklas Moisander 62 caps · PEC Zwolle, AZ AlkmaarA ball-playing defender, he spent many successful years in the Eredivisie, noted for his composure and passing ability from the back. CB

33 AH 76 Ari Hjelm 100 caps · FC Ilves, Stuttgarter Kickers · Hall of FameA stalwart in the Finnish defence through the late 80s and 90s, he was a physically imposing figure in any backline. CB

About this XI

The three highest rated names in Finland's pool are Jari Litmanen, Sami Hyypiä and Teemu Pukki. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, spanning the 1950s to the 2020s. Jari Litmanen leads the pool at 90 overall. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.

Left out, and why

A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Finland's list. Every one of them has a case.

Roni PorokaraRated 78 in the almanac. The place went to Aulis Rytkönen.
Daniel SjölundRated 78 in the almanac. The place went to Kari Ukkonen.

Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.

Who is the greatest Finland footballer of all time?

In the 33 Legends editorial ranking, Jari Litmanen leads Finland with an overall rating of 90. The editorial top five: Jari Litmanen, Sami Hyypiä, Teemu Pukki, Jussi Jääskeläinen, Lukas Hradecky. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.

How were these 33 Finland players chosen?

The pool covers every position across Finland's football history. Ratings weigh peak level, longevity, honours and historical standing, then the full methodology page explains the tiers. Fan votes in the duels build a second, independent ranking.

Which Finland players reach the Immortal tier or higher?

None yet. Jari Litmanen leads the Finland pool at 90, in the Legend tier.

Can I build and share my own Finland all-time XI?

Yes. Pick one of eight formations, drag any of the 33 onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.