Most loved football players of all time

Despite retiring a long time ago and facing all sorts of controversies, EL Diego is the most popular player in his homeland, Argentina as well as among the fans all around the world. He reached a god-like status in Argentina after restoring national pride against England in the 1986 world cup, when he scored two of the most memorable goals in the history of football.

Maradona scored the first one with his hand and the goal is famously known as the hand of god goal. Then scored the winning goal after dribbling the entire England defense and putting the ball into the net. No wonder there is an actual religion in Argentina in which people worship Diego Maradona. He is without a doubt one of the most loved football players of all time.

While even many of Messi and Ronaldo fans would rank the Brazilian wizard, Pele above their favorite stars, few would disagree that he is truly one of the most loved football players of all time. Pele achieved everything in football and many of his records, like winning the world cup three times and scoring more than a thousand goals are yet to be beaten.

In his prime, Pele was one of the most famous and loved world figures next to Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela. Pele was especially so popular in Brazil that when European giants tried to sign him, the president of Brazil canceled the move, labeling Pele as a national treasure. To this day Pele is considered one of the most loved soccer players ever.

The scorer of Spain's world cup winning goal in 2010 is considered as one of the most loved soccer players of all time. The pale-skin midfielder had a shy and reserved personality, but there was nothing shy about his magic on the football field. Iniesta was one of the few players who enjoyed a standing ovation from Real Madrid diehard fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Iniesta was somehow a one-club player. He helped his childhood club, Barcelona wins everything in his 16 years tenure with the Catalans. When he finally decided to call the time on his Barcelona career, he opted to move to Japan, so he would not have to face Barcelona in any tournaments.

Nicknamed as "The Saint", Spain and real Madrid legendary goalkeeper is rightly among the most loved football players ever. Casillas was always a gentleman on and off the field. He rarely argued with the referee and never disrespected any opponent. Like the other players in this list, Casillas enjoyed numerous successes as well as popularity.

The Spaniard was a key member in Spain's all-conquering golden generation which won two back-to-back European Cup and the World Cup from 2008 to 2012. He was a fan favorite around the world, though his time in Real Madrid had a sad ending. After a season-long dispute with then manager, Jose Mourinho Casillas was considered surplus by Los Blancos. He busted in tears in his last press conference as a Madrid player. A scene that still gives us goosebumps whenever we think of it.

Seriously, who would not love Gigi Buffon and his forever young personality? The 42-years-old has been in the game for more than two decades now and just recently signed another one-year contract with his beloved club, Juventus.

Like many players of his generation, Buffon was faithful to his club. He was one of the layers who decided to stick with Juventus when the Old Lady was relegated to Serie B. he stayed all his playing career in Turin except for one season which he played for Paris Saint Germaine. The veteran goalkeeper is among the most loved football players of all time and there will surely be tears in everyone's eyes when he finally calls and ends to his illustrated career.