Football is a game played with 11 players and when you have a star playing in your team, you have someone who is left out, overshined by some other but deserves equal recognition and admiration alike the main player.
Today TheFootballSay team brings you the list of the top 11 most underrated football players of all time, and these have contributed equally to our beautiful game of football.
11. Claude Makélélé
Why Underrated: Known for redefining the defensive midfield role, Makélélé was the engine of every team he played for. His ability to shield the defence, recover possession, and dictate the tempo of the game made him indispensable, yet he was often overshadowed by flashier attacking players.
Makélélé’s performances at Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain laid the foundation for team success. At Real Madrid, he was the unsung hero behind the Galácticos, providing balance to a star-studded attack. His departure from Madrid in 2003
10. Miroslav Klose
Why Underrated: The all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history (16 goals), Klose remains one of the most clinical finishers. Despite this, he’s often overlooked in discussions about all-time great strikers.
Klose played a huge role for Germany in winning the 2014 World Cup, but players like James Rodrigues outshone his campaign with their performances.
9. Gheorghe Hagi
Why Underrated: Known as "The Maradona of the Carpathians," Hagi was a magician on the ball with impeccable vision, dribbling, and a thunderous shot. Yet, he rarely gets mentioned alongside football's legendary playmakers.
Hagi made a big contribution to the Romanian International team in 1994. Where he led his team to the quarter-finals, he was a star in that tournament and went on to play for clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
8. Garrincha
Why Underrated: While Pele often stole the limelight, Garrincha's incredible dribbling and creativity were instrumental in Brazil's World Cup triumphs in 1958 and 1962.
In the 1962 FIFA World Cup, with Pele injured early in the tournament, Garrincha single-handedly carried Brazil to glory. He scored crucial goals, including a brace in the quarterfinal against England, and was awarded the Golden Boot (top scorer) and the Golden Ball (best player of the tournament).
7. Ronald Koeman
Why Underrated: A defender with the scoring record of a forward, Koeman’s 227 career goals and his leadership make him a rare talent. His iconic free-kick in the 1992 European Cup final was legendary.
He was a defender with goal-scoring ability, A very rare talent that we see in modern football, he was especially talented because of his free-kick-taking ability. He was a star in Barcelona and one of Joan Laporta’s favourites.
6. Wissam Ben Yedder
Why Underrated: A goal-scoring machine with Monaco, Ben Yedder has consistently delivered in both Ligue 1 and European competitions but doesn’t receive widespread recognition compared to bigger league stars.
5. Michael Carrick
Why Underrated: A midfield maestro for Manchester United, Carrick dictated play and provided defensive cover with elegance. Despite his trophy haul, he’s often underappreciated compared to flashier midfielders.
4. Rudi Völler
Why Underrated: A prolific striker for Germany, Völler’s 47 international goals and role in the 1990 World Cup-winning side should earn him more recognition than he typically gets.
Known for his clinical finishing and ability to perform in big games, Völler was pivotal in Germany’s success during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, his partnership with Jürgen Klinsmann was instrumental in breaking down tough defences, culminating in Germany's victory in the final against Argentina.
3. Thomas Müller
Why Underrated: A master of positioning and intelligence, Müller’s ability to consistently score and assist for Bayern Munich and Germany makes him invaluable, yet his understated style often keeps him out of the spotlight.
A main reason why Bayern has been successful in recent years, he was instrumental in Bayern’s historic 2020 route to the treble thrashing Barcelona 8-2. He was also instrumental in the team’s success in the Bundesliga because of his versatility.
He could play anywhere in the attack and that was his very strong point.
2. Jordan Henderson
Why Underrated: A vital cog in Liverpool’s recent success, including their Premier League and Champions League triumphs. Henderson’s leadership and tactical discipline are frequently undervalued.
1. Nemanja Vidić
Why Underrated: One of the toughest defenders in Premier League history, Vidić was a rock for Manchester United, winning five league titles and a Champions League. His defensive brilliance is often overshadowed by flashier players.
Vidic remains a nightmare for some of the Premier League players but has been forgotten slowly with the influx of players like Sergio Ramos and other defenders who have impacted the overall playing style of a defender.
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