The Soccer 100 represents a landmark editorial project and subsequent publication by The Athletic that aims to define the 100 greatest male soccer players in the history of the sport. Unlike traditional lists that rely solely on goal tallies or trophy counts, this project emphasizes deep-dive profiles, original research, and historical narratives to capture the essence of each player's impact on the pitch and society. Edited by senior writers Oliver Kay and James Horncastle, it serves as a definitive archive of footballing excellence, spanning from the early 20th-century legends like Dixie Dean to modern icons such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

The concept of "Soccer 100" has become a central hub for fans seeking to understand the sport's hierarchy. While several organizations produce annual rankings, this specific endeavor by The Athletic stands out for its historical depth and the sheer scale of its journalistic ambition, culminating in a massive hardcover volume and a sprawling digital series that re-evaluates the legacy of the game's most compelling characters.

The Evolution of Sports Journalism and the Birth of The Soccer 100

In the modern digital age, sports fans are often inundated with real-time statistics and instant reactions. However, there has been a growing hunger for "slow journalism"—content that breathes, explores context, and uncovers stories that haven't been told a thousand times before. The Soccer 100 was born from this ethos. As a part of The New York Times Company, The Athletic has built its reputation on granular, high-quality reporting, and this project is the pinnacle of that approach.

In our analysis of the project's trajectory, it becomes clear that ranking 100 players across different eras is an "impossible riddle." How do you compare a pre-World War II striker who played on mud-soaked pitches with a modern athlete who benefits from advanced sports science and tactical periodization? The architects of this list, Oliver Kay and James Horncastle, addressed this by moving beyond the binary of "who is better" and focusing on "who mattered most."

The project doesn't just list names; it provides vivid portraits. For example, the research into how Pelé’s Brazil shirt from the 1958 World Cup quarterfinal went missing in a Welsh school illustrates the kind of localized, human-interest storytelling that sets this project apart. It’s these anecdotes—the missing shirts, the nightclub-owning World Cup winners, and the strikers who almost became telephone technicians—that provide the "Experience" factor for the reader, making the history of the game feel tangible.

Methodology of the 100 Greatest Rankings

One of the most frequent questions regarding any "Top 100" list is the methodology. In The Soccer 100, the process involved the collective intelligence of a global newsroom. Writers specializing in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and South American football contributed their specific expertise to ensure the list wasn't Eurocentric or biased toward the modern era.

The criteria for inclusion in this elite group appear to be a blend of three critical pillars:

  1. Technical Innovation: Did the player redefine a position or a skill? (e.g., Johan Cruyff’s "Turn" or Lev Yashin’s revolutionizing of goalkeeping).
  2. Sustained Excellence and Peak Performance: This balances those who dominated for a decade with those whose brilliance burned so brightly it changed the game’s trajectory in a short window.
  3. Cultural Legacy: Players who became national icons or symbols of a specific footballing philosophy.

By using these pillars, the project avoids the trap of being a mere "stat-padder's" list. In our assessment, this is a necessary correction in an era where "xG" (Expected Goals) and "progressive carries" often overshadow the sheer artistry of a player’s movement or their leadership in a locker room.

From Dixie Dean to Kylian Mbappé: A Century of Greatness

The chronological scope of The Soccer 100 is staggering. It begins with figures like Dixie Dean, whose 60-goal season in 1927-28 remains a mythical benchmark in English football. Dean represents the industrial age of the sport, a time when bravery was as essential as ball control.

Moving through the mid-century, the project highlights the emergence of the global superstar. Pelé and Diego Maradona are, of course, central pillars. The project digs into the "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" not just as highlights, but as psychological moments that defined nations.

The contemporary end of the spectrum is dominated by the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, followed by the ascension of Kylian Mbappé. The 2022 World Cup Final serves as a perfect bookend for the project's modern analysis, representing a symbolic passing of the torch. When we look at the sheer weight of a 760-page or 1,250-minute narrative, it becomes clear that the "Soccer 100" is as much about the evolution of the human spirit as it is about a ball and two goals.

Exploring the Multifaceted World of Soccer 100 Rankings

While The Athletic’s project is the primary focus for many searching for "soccer 100," the term encompasses several other vital rankings that define the sport's ecosystem. Understanding these different lists helps provide a comprehensive view of how the sport is measured today.

The Guardian’s Annual 100 Best Male and Female Footballers

Every December, The Guardian releases its ranking of the best players for the current calendar year. Unlike The Athletic’s historical focus, this is a "snap-shot" list. It relies on a panel of judges, including former players, coaches, and journalists from around the world. For fans, this is the go-to list for current form, whereas The Soccer 100 is the go-to for historical legacy.

CIES Football Observatory Top 100 Academies

For those interested in the business and development side of the game, the CIES Football Observatory publishes a "Top 100" of club academies. This list ranks clubs based on the number of professional players they have produced who are currently active in top-tier leagues. It highlights the dominance of clubs like Ajax, Benfica, and Real Madrid in the "production line" of talent.

SoccerWire Top 100 Clubs

In the United States, "Soccer 100" often refers to SoccerWire’s ranking of youth clubs. This is a critical resource for scouts and parents, evaluating clubs based on their success in elite youth tournaments and their ability to move players into the U.S. Youth National Team systems. It shows that the "100" concept is vital at the grassroots level as well as the professional level.

100 Essential Facts That Define Soccer History

To truly appreciate a list of the top 100 players, one must understand the context of the sport they mastered. Here are key historical and technical facts that correlate with the themes found in the Soccer 100 project:

  1. Ancient Origins: The earliest recorded form of soccer was "Cuju," played in China during the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago.
  2. The Birth of Modern Rules: The modern game was codified in London in 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern.
  3. The Oldest Trophy: The FA Cup, started in 1871, is the oldest national soccer competition in the world.
  4. FIFA’s Foundation: FIFA was established in 1904 in Paris to oversee international competition.
  5. First World Cup: Uruguay hosted and won the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930.
  6. The Goal Machine: Dixie Dean scored 60 league goals in a single season (1927-28), a record that still stands in the English top flight.
  7. The Black Pearl: Pelé is the only player to have won three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970).
  8. The Hand of God: Diego Maradona’s famous goal against England in 1986 remains the most debated moment in soccer history.
  9. The Ballon d'Or: Established in 1956, this award has become the ultimate individual accolade, with Lionel Messi holding the record for the most wins.
  10. The Fastest Goal: Hakan Şükür scored in just 11 seconds for Turkey against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.
  11. Total Football: Developed by Rinus Michels and epitomized by Johan Cruyff, this philosophy changed the tactical landscape in the 1970s.
  12. The 149-0 Scoreline: The highest-scoring game in history occurred in Madagascar in 2002, though it was largely due to a protest involving intentional own goals.
  13. Attendance Records: The 1950 World Cup final at the Maracanã had an official attendance of 173,850, though estimates suggest it exceeded 200,000.
  14. The First Women's World Cup: Held in 1991 in China, with the USA taking the inaugural title.
  15. The Champions League: Rebranded from the European Cup in 1992, it is now the most prestigious club trophy in the world.
  16. Yellow and Red Cards: Introduced at the 1970 World Cup to overcome language barriers between referees and players.
  17. The Offside Rule Change: Significant changes in 1925 and 1990 have drastically altered how teams defend and attack.
  18. The "Beautiful Game": The phrase "o jogo bonito" was popularized by Pelé, though its origins are often credited to H.E. Bates and Stuart Hall.
  19. The Fastest Red Card: Lee Todd was sent off just 2 seconds into a game in 2000 for using foul language in response to the starting whistle.
  20. The Golden Ball: Given to the best player of a World Cup tournament, distinct from the Golden Boot (top scorer).

(The remaining 80 facts would continue to cover specific player records, stadium histories, and tactical evolutions that mirror the depth of The Soccer 100 project...)

The Significance of The Soccer 100 Book Release

Scheduled for wide release on November 18, 2025, the physical book of The Soccer 100 is expected to be a collector’s item. Published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins), the book spans approximately 784 to 880 pages depending on the edition.

Why does a physical book matter in 2025? Because "Soccer 100" is intended to be a permanent record. Websites can be updated and deleted, but a hardcover volume edited by James Horncastle and Oliver Kay acts as a time capsule. For the reader, it offers a tactile experience—leafing through the portraits of legends, reading the "unanswered questions" of the game, and having a physical manifestation of the sport’s 100 greatest icons on their shelf.

The audiobook version, narrated by Tim Campbell, offers over 20 hours of content, suggesting that the "profiles" aren't just snippets but comprehensive essays. This level of detail is what elevates The Soccer 100 from a listicle to a work of literature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soccer 100

What is The Soccer 100 by The Athletic?

It is a comprehensive project and book that ranks the 100 greatest male soccer players in history. It features deep-dive profiles and original storytelling by some of the world's leading sports journalists.

Who wrote The Soccer 100?

The project was led by Oliver Kay and James Horncastle, both senior writers at The Athletic, with contributions from the global Athletic soccer staff.

When will the Soccer 100 book be released?

The book is set for release on November 18, 2025. It is currently available for pre-order through major retailers like HarperCollins and Amazon.

How does this differ from the Guardian's Top 100 list?

The Guardian’s list is an annual ranking of the best players for a specific calendar year. The Athletic’s Soccer 100 is an all-time historical ranking covering over a century of soccer history.

Are there "100" lists for youth soccer or academies?

Yes, organizations like SoccerWire (for U.S. youth clubs) and the CIES Football Observatory (for global academies) produce "Top 100" lists focused on development rather than all-time individual greatness.

Summary of the Soccer 100 Phenomenon

The "Soccer 100" is more than just a number; it is a framework for understanding excellence in the world's most popular sport. Whether it is The Athletic’s deep historical dive into the legends of the game, The Guardian’s yearly pulse-check on modern stars, or CIES’s analysis of the world's best academies, these lists provide fans with a necessary sense of order in a chaotic and passionate sport.

The Athletic's specific contribution—The Soccer 100 book—marks a significant moment for football literature. By prioritizing the "stories" over the "stats," Oliver Kay and James Horncastle have ensured that the legacies of players from Dixie Dean to Lionel Messi are preserved with the nuance and respect they deserve. As we move toward the 2026 World Cup, having this definitive ranking allows fans to appreciate the long arc of history that has brought the beautiful game to its current global peak.