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Legends of the Americas
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Legends of the Americas.
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The 33 of Legends of the Americas.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
Diego Maradona 
91 caps (Argentina) · 34 goals · FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1986At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton.
CAM1977–1994
Diego Maradona 91 caps (Argentina) · 34 goals · FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1986At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton.
CAM1977–1994
02
LM
Lionel Messi 207 (as of 5 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals · Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain · 8× Ballon d'OrLusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2.
RM2005–
207 (as of 5 October 2026) caps (Argentina) · 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals · Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain · 8× Ballon d'OrLusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2.
RM2005–
03
Pelé 
92 caps (Brazil) · 77 goals · Santos, New York Cosmos · FIFA World Cup 1958On 19 November 1969 the Maracanã stopped while photographers swarmed the pitch and 80,000 Vasco supporters cheered Pelé, who had just converted the penalty that was his thousandth goal.
SS1957–1971
Pelé 92 caps (Brazil) · 77 goals · Santos, New York Cosmos · FIFA World Cup 1958On 19 November 1969 the Maracanã stopped while photographers swarmed the pitch and 80,000 Vasco supporters cheered Pelé, who had just converted the penalty that was his thousandth goal.
SS1957–1971
04
G
Garrincha 50 caps (Brazil) · 17 goals · Botafogo F.R., Associação Atlética Portuguesa · FIFA World Cup 1958Brazil called him Alegria do Povo, and on 10 June 1962, with Pelé injured and watching, he took the quarter-final against England apart himself, heading in Zagallo's corner and then curling a second past Ron Springett.
RM1955–1966
50 caps (Brazil) · 17 goals · Botafogo F.R., Associação Atlética Portuguesa · FIFA World Cup 1958Brazil called him Alegria do Povo, and on 10 June 1962, with Pelé injured and watching, he took the quarter-final against England apart himself, heading in Zagallo's corner and then curling a second past Ron Springett.
RM1955–1966
05
R
Ronaldinho 97 caps (Brazil) · 33 goals · Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona · 1× Ballon d'OrTwice at the Bernabéu on 19 November 2005 he cut in from the left and scored in a 3-0 win, and at the final whistle the crowd rose to applaud him, an honour Madrid had given no Barcelona player since Maradona.
LM1999–2013
97 caps (Brazil) · 33 goals · Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona · 1× Ballon d'OrTwice at the Bernabéu on 19 November 2005 he cut in from the left and scored in a 3-0 win, and at the final whistle the crowd rose to applaud him, an honour Madrid had given no Barcelona player since Maradona.
LM1999–2013
06
RN
Ronaldo Nazário 98 caps (Brazil) · 62 goals · Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2× Ballon d'OrKahn had barely conceded all tournament when he spilled Rivaldo's shot in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, and Ronaldo, two knee ruptures behind him, tucked in the rebound before adding a second twelve minutes later.
ST1994–2011
98 caps (Brazil) · 62 goals · Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2× Ballon d'OrKahn had barely conceded all tournament when he spilled Rivaldo's shot in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, and Ronaldo, two knee ruptures behind him, tucked in the rebound before adding a second twelve minutes later.
ST1994–2011
07
R
Romário 70 caps (Brazil) · 55 goals · CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven · FIFA World Cup 1994In the Clásico of 8 January 1994 he dragged the ball a full turn around his marker, the move Spain calls the cola de vaca, and finished; two more goals followed in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid.
ST1987–2005
70 caps (Brazil) · 55 goals · CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven · FIFA World Cup 1994In the Clásico of 8 January 1994 he dragged the ball a full turn around his marker, the move Spain calls the cola de vaca, and finished; two more goals followed in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid.
ST1987–2005
09
D
Didi 68 caps (Brazil) · 20 goals · Madureira Esporte Clube, FluminenseOn 21 April 1957 he bent a folha seca free kick past the Peruvian goalkeeper Asca after eleven minutes at the Maracanã, the only goal of the night, and Brazil were on the plane to Sweden.
CM1952–1962
68 caps (Brazil) · 20 goals · Madureira Esporte Clube, FluminenseOn 21 April 1957 he bent a folha seca free kick past the Peruvian goalkeeper Asca after eleven minutes at the Maracanã, the only goal of the night, and Brazil were on the plane to Sweden.
CM1952–1962
10
JA
Juan Alberto Schiaffino 
21 caps (Uruguay) · 8 goals · Club Atlético Peñarol, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 1950The Maracanã fell quiet in the 66th minute on 16 July 1950, when he met Ghiggia's cross and put Uruguay level against a Brazil side already being called champions.
CM1946–1958
21 caps (Uruguay) · 8 goals · Club Atlético Peñarol, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 1950The Maracanã fell quiet in the 66th minute on 16 July 1950, when he met Ghiggia's cross and put Uruguay level against a Brazil side already being called champions.
CM1946–1958
11
Daniel Passarella 70 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, ACF Fiorentina · FIFA World Cup 1978When Argentina beat the Netherlands at the Monumental on 25 June 1978, the trophy went into his hands before anyone else's, and he finished a centre-back career with 134 goals in 451 matches.
CB1974–1986
Daniel Passarella 70 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético River Plate, ACF Fiorentina · FIFA World Cup 1978When Argentina beat the Netherlands at the Monumental on 25 June 1978, the trophy went into his hands before anyone else's, and he finished a centre-back career with 134 goals in 451 matches.
CB1974–1986
12
Falcão 28 caps (Brazil) · 6 goals · S.C. Internacional, AS RomaSarrià, 5 July 1982: Júnior rolled the ball to him twenty yards from Italy's goal and he drove it in with his weaker foot for 2-2, six minutes before Paolo Rossi settled the tie and sent Brazil home.
CM1976–1986
Falcão 28 caps (Brazil) · 6 goals · S.C. Internacional, AS RomaSarrià, 5 July 1982: Júnior rolled the ball to him twenty yards from Italy's goal and he drove it in with his weaker foot for 2-2, six minutes before Paolo Rossi settled the tie and sent Brazil home.
CM1976–1986
13
Luis Suárez 143 caps (Uruguay) · 69 goals · AFC Ajax, LiverpoolIn the final minute of extra time in Johannesburg on 2 July 2010 he stopped Adiyiah's header on his own goal line with both hands, walked off with a red card, and was gone when Gyan's penalty hit the crossbar.
ST2007–2024
Luis Suárez 143 caps (Uruguay) · 69 goals · AFC Ajax, LiverpoolIn the final minute of extra time in Johannesburg on 2 July 2010 he stopped Adiyiah's header on his own goal line with both hands, walked off with a red card, and was gone when Gyan's penalty hit the crossbar.
ST2007–2024
14
NS
Nílton Santos 75 caps (Brazil) · Botafogo F.R. · FIFA World Cup 1958Against Austria on 8 June 1958 he carried the ball out of his own half with Feola screaming at him to get back, ignored him all the way, and scored the second in a 3-0 win in Brazil's opening match. He won that World Cup and the next one in Chile, added the 1949 South American title, made the 1958 all-star eleven, won four Carioca championships and never once played for a club other than Botafogo.
LB1949–1962
75 caps (Brazil) · Botafogo F.R. · FIFA World Cup 1958Against Austria on 8 June 1958 he carried the ball out of his own half with Feola screaming at him to get back, ignored him all the way, and scored the second in a 3-0 win in Brazil's opening match. He won that World Cup and the next one in Chile, added the 1949 South American title, made the 1958 all-star eleven, won four Carioca championships and never once played for a club other than Botafogo.
LB1949–1962
15
Teófilo Cubillas 
81 caps (Peru) · 26 goals · Club Alianza Lima, FC PortoSix minutes after his penalty against Scotland in Córdoba on 3 June 1978, he curled a free kick into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.
CM1968–1982
Teófilo Cubillas 81 caps (Peru) · 26 goals · Club Alianza Lima, FC PortoSix minutes after his penalty against Scotland in Córdoba on 3 June 1978, he curled a free kick into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.
CM1968–1982
16
C
Cafu 142 caps (Brazil) · São Paulo, AS Roma · FIFA World Cup 1994Standing on the podium in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, he lifted the trophy in a shirt reading "100% Jardim Irene", the São Paulo neighbourhood he came from, his third World Cup final in a row.
RB1990–2006
142 caps (Brazil) · São Paulo, AS Roma · FIFA World Cup 1994Standing on the podium in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, he lifted the trophy in a shirt reading "100% Jardim Irene", the São Paulo neighbourhood he came from, his third World Cup final in a row.
RB1990–2006
17
Elías Figueroa 
47 caps (Chile) · Club Atlético Peñarol, S.C. InternacionalOn 14 December 1975 at the Beira-Rio, sunlight broke through the cloud as he rose above Cruzeiro's defenders to head in Valdomiro's cross, the only goal of the final and the one Brazilians call the Gol Iluminado.
CB1966–1982
Elías Figueroa 47 caps (Chile) · Club Atlético Peñarol, S.C. InternacionalOn 14 December 1975 at the Beira-Rio, sunlight broke through the cloud as he rose above Cruzeiro's defenders to head in Valdomiro's cross, the only goal of the final and the one Brazilians call the Gol Iluminado.
CB1966–1982
18
Roberto Carlos 125 caps (Brazil) · União São João, Atlético Mineiro · FIFA World Cup 2002Lyon, 3 June 1997: Deschamps fouled Romário 35 metres out, and the left back struck a free kick so far off line that Barthez never moved, before it bent back, clipped the post and went in.
LB1992–2006
Roberto Carlos 125 caps (Brazil) · União São João, Atlético Mineiro · FIFA World Cup 2002Lyon, 3 June 1997: Deschamps fouled Romário 35 metres out, and the left back struck a free kick so far off line that Barthez never moved, before it bent back, clipped the post and went in.
LB1992–2006
20
JZ
Javier Zanetti 145 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, Club Atlético BanfieldInter gave him the armband in 2001 and he kept it until he retired at forty, by then on 858 appearances for the club and two red cards in a twenty-two-year career.
RB1994–2011
145 caps (Argentina) · Club Atlético Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, Club Atlético BanfieldInter gave him the armband in 2001 and he kept it until he retired at forty, by then on 858 appearances for the club and two red cards in a twenty-two-year career.
RB1994–2011
21
José Santamaría 20 caps (Uruguay) · Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
CB1952–1962
José Santamaría 20 caps (Uruguay) · Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
CB1952–1962
22
Ángel Di María 145 caps (Argentina) · 31 goals · S.L. Benfica, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2022The 2021 Copa América final turned on a long ball he ran onto at the Maracanã, chipping Ederson to beat Brazil and end a twenty-eight-year wait for Argentina.
LM2008–2024
Ángel Di María 145 caps (Argentina) · 31 goals · S.L. Benfica, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2022The 2021 Copa América final turned on a long ball he ran onto at the Maracanã, chipping Ederson to beat Brazil and end a twenty-eight-year wait for Argentina.
LM2008–2024
23
Diego Forlán 112 caps (Uruguay) · 36 goals · Club Atlético Independiente, Villarreal CFOn 2 July 2010 in Johannesburg, with Uruguay a goal down to Ghana in the quarter-final, Forlán bent a free kick over the wall and into the corner, and Uruguay went through on penalties.
SS2002–2014
Diego Forlán 112 caps (Uruguay) · 36 goals · Club Atlético Independiente, Villarreal CFOn 2 July 2010 in Johannesburg, with Uruguay a goal down to Ghana in the quarter-final, Forlán bent a free kick over the wall and into the corner, and Uruguay went through on penalties.
SS2002–2014
25
FR
Fernando Redondo 29 caps (Argentina) · C.D. Tenerife, Real Madrid Club de FútbolAt Old Trafford on 19 April 2000 he carried the ball into the left corner, back-heeled it through Henning Berg's legs, ran onto it himself and squared for Raúl to make it 3-0.
CDM1992–1999
29 caps (Argentina) · C.D. Tenerife, Real Madrid Club de FútbolAt Old Trafford on 19 April 2000 he carried the ball into the left corner, back-heeled it through Henning Berg's legs, ran onto it himself and squared for Raúl to make it 3-0.
CDM1992–1999
26
HC
Héctor Chumpitaz 105 caps (Peru) · Club Universitario de Deportes, AtlasPeru's captain for the better part of fifteen years, he led an all-star Americas XI out at the Camp Nou on 31 October 1973 against Europe's best, converted the equalising penalty, and left Barcelona with the name that stuck, Capitán de América.
CB1965–1981
105 caps (Peru) · Club Universitario de Deportes, AtlasPeru's captain for the better part of fifteen years, he led an all-star Americas XI out at the Camp Nou on 31 October 1973 against Europe's best, converted the equalising penalty, and left Barcelona with the name that stuck, Capitán de América.
CB1965–1981
27
José Luis Chilavert 
74 caps (Paraguay) · San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real ZaragozaIn 1999 he stepped up three times for Vélez Sarsfield against Ferro Carril Oeste and converted all three penalties, the first goalkeeper in professional football to score a hat-trick.
GK1989–2003
José Luis Chilavert 74 caps (Paraguay) · San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real ZaragozaIn 1999 he stepped up three times for Vélez Sarsfield against Ferro Carril Oeste and converted all three penalties, the first goalkeeper in professional football to score a hat-trick.
GK1989–2003
28
Keylor Navas 
127 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Costa Rica) · Deportivo Saprissa, Real Madrid Club de FútbolTen men and level with Greece on 29 June 2014, Costa Rica went to a shootout, and Navas pushed away Theofanis Gekas's penalty, one of three man of the match awards he took that summer.
GK2008–
Keylor Navas 127 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Costa Rica) · Deportivo Saprissa, Real Madrid Club de FútbolTen men and level with Greece on 29 June 2014, Costa Rica went to a shootout, and Navas pushed away Theofanis Gekas's penalty, one of three man of the match awards he took that summer.
GK2008–
29
Rafael Márquez 
Atlas, MonacoSix minutes into the round of 16 against Argentina on 24 June 2006 he put Mexico in front with his right foot, and only Maxi Rodríguez's volley in the 98th minute ended it.
CB1997–2018
Rafael Márquez Atlas, MonacoSix minutes into the round of 16 against Argentina on 24 June 2006 he put Mexico in front with his right foot, and only Maxi Rodríguez's volley in the 98th minute ended it.
CB1997–2018
30
Arturo Vidal 147 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Chile) · Club Universidad de Chile, Juventus
CDM2007–
Arturo Vidal 147 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Chile) · Club Universidad de Chile, Juventus
CDM2007–
31
Carlos Valderrama 
111 caps (Colombia) · 12 goals · Millonarios, Deportivo CaliIn the 93rd minute against West Germany in Milan, 1990, Valderrama traded two wall passes and threaded the ball to Freddy Rincón, whose finish through Bodo Illgner's legs put Colombia into the last 16.
CAM1985–1998
Carlos Valderrama 111 caps (Colombia) · 12 goals · Millonarios, Deportivo CaliIn the 93rd minute against West Germany in Milan, 1990, Valderrama traded two wall passes and threaded the ball to Freddy Rincón, whose finish through Bodo Illgner's legs put Colombia into the last 16.
CAM1985–1998
32
Ubaldo Fillol 58 caps (Argentina) · Quilmes Atlético Club, Racing Club · FIFA World Cup 1978El Pato saved Kazimierz Deyna's penalty in Rosario on 14 June 1978, the first of three straight clean sheets that carried Argentina through the second group stage.
GK1974–1985
Ubaldo Fillol 58 caps (Argentina) · Quilmes Atlético Club, Racing Club · FIFA World Cup 1978El Pato saved Kazimierz Deyna's penalty in Rosario on 14 June 1978, the first of three straight clean sheets that carried Argentina through the second group stage.
GK1974–1985
33
D
Dunga 91 caps (Brazil) · ACF Fiorentina, VfB Stuttgart · FIFA World Cup 1994He captained the side Brazil accused of playing without joy, and on 17 July 1994 at the Rose Bowl he converted the fourth penalty of the shoot-out before lifting the trophy.
CDM1987–1998
91 caps (Brazil) · ACF Fiorentina, VfB Stuttgart · FIFA World Cup 1994He captained the side Brazil accused of playing without joy, and on 17 July 1994 at the Rose Bowl he converted the fourth penalty of the shoot-out before lifting the trophy.
CDM1987–1998
About this XI
Diego Maradona tops Legends of the Americas's all-time pool, ahead of Lionel Messi and Pelé. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1940s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Who is the greatest Legends of the Americas footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Diego Maradona. Its first five careers: Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Garrincha, Ronaldinho. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Legends of the Americas players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Legends of the Americas's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Legends of the Americas all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.