Back in 2004, FIFA published a list of the 100 greatest then-living players, which was allegedly compiled by the legendary Pele.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian, the well-meaning project was widely ridiculed thanks to some extremely questionable inclusions and notable exclusions.
It didn’t help, either, that despite being called the ‘FIFA 100’, there were in fact 125 players named: 50 who were active at the time, and 75 who had retired by 2004. Our challenge for you: how many of them can you name?
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The list was published in March 2004 and was limited to players who were alive at the time – so for instance, there is no Bobby Moore or Lev Yashin on the list.
We will also warn you, in the name of fairness, that there are two women on the list alongside 123 men. Also: some of the names are genuinely laughable, so don’t be afraid to try some joke answers, because you never know.
There’s 125 players to name (some appeared for more than one country) and 20 minutes in which to get through them.
Remember to comment your scores below and share with your mates.
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You’ve just proven your knowledge of football’s absolute elite by acing our FIFA 100 quiz – but we’ve got even more to whet the appetite…
First up, a look at England’s future on the grandest stage: can you name every England player under 21 to have gone to a major tournament? It’s a testament to precocious talent making their mark before truly hitting their stride. Then, for those who measure greatness in sheer volume of goals, a monumental challenge awaits. See if you can name the top 100 scorers in Premier League history. It’s a roll call of the legends who have consistently found the back of the net in England’s top flight, a true test of your memory for prolific finishers.
If the high-stakes world of transfers truly fascinates you, prepare for a deep dive into the turn of the millennium. Can you name the five biggest transfer fees for every year of the 2000s? It’s a fascinating look at how the financial landscape of football truly began to explode into the multi-million-pound industry we know today.
Finally, for the historians of English football’s top division, two distinct challenges. Can you name every Premier League top three ever in order? It’s a demanding recall of every title race, every runner-up, and every third-place finish since the league’s inception. And for a granular look at club economics, see if you can name every Premier League club’s record sale – a definitive list of those landmark deals that broke bank accounts and reshaped teams.
