11 Best Soccer Players of The 80s

#11: Roberto Baggio (1985 – 2004)

• Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
• • Height/Weight: 5’9″, 160 lbs
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Teams: Vicenza, Fiorentina

Roberto Baggio, known as “The Divine Ponytail,” began his professional career in the mid-1980s and quickly established himself as one of Italy’s most gifted and creative players. Baggio’s extraordinary dribbling skills, vision, and ability to score stunning goals made him a standout talent, even in his early years. 

Though he rose to greater prominence in the 1990s, Baggio’s influence and impact were already evident in the late 80s as he played for clubs like Fiorentina, where he became a fan favorite. Baggio’s technical brilliance and flair on the ball made him a joy to watch, and his ability to perform in clutch moments set him apart from his peers. 

Despite struggling with injuries throughout his career, Baggio’s determination and skill ensured he remained one of the most revered players of his generation. His legacy as a true footballing artist began in the 80s and only grew stronger in the years that followed.

#10: Franco Baresi (1977 – 1997)

• • Position: Sweeper / Center-Back
  • Height/Weight: 5’9″, 154 lbs
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Teams: AC Milan

Franco Baresi was the epitome of defensive excellence and leadership, spending his entire 20-year career with AC Milan. Known for his impeccable timing, tactical intelligence, and composure under pressure, Baresi was the heart of Milan’s defense throughout the 1980s. 

He captained the team to multiple Serie A titles and was integral to their dominance in Europe, including their European Cup victory in 1989. Baresi’s ability to read the game and organize the defense made him one of the best defenders the world has ever seen, and his influence at AC Milan set the standard for what it means to be a true leader.

#9: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1974 – 1989)

• • Position: Forward
  • Height/Weight: 5’11”, 168 lbs
  • Nationality: German
  • Teams: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Servette

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was one of Germany’s most prolific forwards, renowned for his speed, powerful shot, and clinical finishing. During the 1980s, Rummenigge was a dominant force in both the Bundesliga and Serie A, winning the Ballon d’Or twice (1980, 1981) and leading Bayern Munich to multiple league titles and European success. 

After a successful stint at Bayern, he moved to Inter Milan, where he continued to be a top scorer. Rummenigge also shined on the international stage, helping West Germany reach the World Cup final in 1982. His ability to score goals from almost any position made him a feared striker across Europe.

#8: Socrates (1974 – 1989)

• • Position: Attacking Midfielder
  • Height/Weight: 6’4″, 178 lbs
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • Teams: Botafogo-SP, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo, Santos

Socrates was more than just a footballer; he was a cultural icon known for his elegance on the ball and his intellect off it. Standing at 6’4″, Socrates was an imposing figure in midfield, blessed with exceptional vision, technique, and the ability to dictate the pace of the game. 

During the 1980s, he captained Brazil’s national team, leading them in two World Cups (1982, 1986) and being a key figure in the iconic 1982 squad, widely regarded as one of the best teams never to win the World Cup. 

Socrates was also a leader at club level, most notably with Corinthians, where he became a symbol of the club’s fight for democracy and social justice in Brazil. His influence transcended football, making him a beloved figure both on and off the pitch.

#7: Lothar Matthäus (1979 – 2000)

• • Position: Midfielder / Sweeper
  • Height/Weight: 5’9″, 163 lbs
  • Nationality: German
  • Teams: Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan

Lothar Matthäus is one of the most versatile and accomplished players in football history. During the 1980s, Matthäus was a dynamic midfielder known for his powerful shot, precise passing, and incredible stamina. He was the driving force behind both Bayern Munich and the West German national team, helping the latter reach the World Cup final in 1982 and 1986. 

Matthäus’ influence extended into the 1990s, where he won the Ballon d’Or in 1990 after leading Germany to World Cup glory. His ability to control the tempo of a game and his leadership on the field made him one of the most respected players of his generation.

#6: Ruud Gullit (1979 – 1995)

• • Position: Forward / Midfielder
  • Height/Weight: 6’3″, 176 lbs
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Teams: HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria

Ruud Gullit was a footballer who could do it all—score goals, create chances, and dominate the midfield. A key figure in Dutch football during the 1980s, Gullit’s versatility and physical presence made him one of the most feared players in the world. 

He won the Ballon d’Or in 1987 and played a crucial role in AC Milan’s resurgence, leading them to multiple Serie A titles and European Cups. Gullit also captained the Netherlands to their first major international trophy, the 1988 European Championship. 

His combination of skill, strength, and intelligence on the pitch set him apart as one of the defining players of the decade.

#5: Marco van Basten (1981 – 1995)

• • Position: Striker
  • Height/Weight: 6’2″, 180 lbs
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Teams: Ajax, AC Milan

Marco van Basten was the epitome of a complete striker, blending elegance with lethal finishing. Beginning his career at Ajax, van Basten quickly became known for his goal-scoring prowess, winning the Eredivisie top scorer title four times. 

His move to AC Milan in 1987 elevated him to global stardom. Van Basten’s technical ability, heading, and volleying skills were unparalleled, and he won the Ballon d’Or three times (1988, 1989, 1992). 

He was instrumental in Milan’s dominance in Europe, winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. Internationally, van Basten’s crowning achievement was his stunning volley in the final of the 1988 European Championship, leading the Netherlands to victory. Despite his career being cut short by injury, van Basten’s legacy as one of the greatest strikers in football history remains unchallenged.

#4: Paolo Rossi (1973 – 1987)

• • Position: Striker
  • Height/Weight: 5’9″, 150 lbs
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Teams: Juventus, Vicenza, Perugia, AC Milan, Hellas Verona

Paolo Rossi became a national hero in Italy for his exploits during the 1982 World Cup. Known for his exceptional positioning, quickness, and clinical finishing, Rossi led Italy to World Cup glory, scoring six goals in the tournament and earning the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball as the top player. 

His hat-trick against Brazil in the quarterfinals remains one of the most iconic performances in World Cup history. Rossi also had a successful club career, particularly with Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles, a European Cup, and other major trophies. 

Despite his relatively small stature, Rossi’s ability to find space and his knack for scoring in big games made him one of the most feared strikers of his time.

#3: Zico (1971 – 1994)

• • Position: Attacking Midfielder
  • Height/Weight: 5’7″, 154 lbs
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • Teams: Flamengo, Udinese

Zico, often referred to as the “White Pelé,” was one of the most gifted attacking midfielders of all time. 

Known for his incredible technique, vision, and playmaking ability, Zico was the centerpiece of the legendary Flamengo team of the 1980s, leading them to numerous domestic and international titles, including the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1981. He also had a successful stint in Italy with Udinese, where his flair and free-kick prowess dazzled fans. 

On the international stage, Zico was a key figure for Brazil, particularly in the 1982 World Cup, where he showcased his brilliance despite the team’s eventual elimination. Though Brazil did not win the World Cup during his era, Zico’s artistry on the field left an indelible mark on the sport.

#2: Michel Platini (1972 – 1987)

• • Position: Attacking Midfielder
  • Height/Weight: 5’10”, 159 lbs
  • Nationality: French
  • Teams: Nancy, Saint-Étienne, Juventus

Michel Platini was the driving force behind France’s rise to prominence in international football during the 1980s. As an attacking midfielder, Platini had an uncanny ability to score goals, leading him to win three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards from 1983 to 1985. 

His time at Juventus was particularly successful, where he won two Serie A titles and the European Cup in 1985. Platini’s defining moment came at the 1984 European Championship, where he captained France to their first major international title, scoring a record nine goals in five matches. 

Renowned for his vision, passing, and dead-ball expertise, Platini’s influence on the game was profound, making him one of the greatest players of his generation.

#1: Diego Maradona (1976 – 1997)

• • Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward
  • Height/Weight: 5’5″, 165 lbs
  • Nationality: Argentine
  • Teams: Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys

Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and the 1980s were the decade in which he truly established his legendary status. Maradona’s ability to control the game with his dribbling, passing, and vision was unmatched, and his performances on the world stage are the stuff of legend. 

The pinnacle of his career came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Maradona almost single-handedly led Argentina to victory. His two goals against England in the quarterfinals, including the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the mesmerizing “Goal of the Century,” are among the most famous moments in football history. 

At Napoli, Maradona achieved unprecedented success, leading the club to two Serie A titles and becoming a deity-like figure in the city. Maradona’s impact on the game, both on and off the field, remains unparalleled, making him the best soccer player of the 1980s and one of the greatest of all time.