Ranking the Top 5 Australia Men's National Team Players of All Time

This slideshow looks at the top five candidates considered the greatest players to ever represent the Australia men's national team. The likes of Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill look to battle it out for No. 1.

Many would see representing Australia as a great achievement. Scoring an international goal—even better. However, these candidates have demonstrated their willingness to put their careers on the line for Australia.

These players deserve their spot among the best to have ever played the great game of football for Australia.

They have broken records and made history on the international stage. Some more than others have demonstrated their willingness to put their country first when faced with tough decisions. These factors form the criteria in selecting our top five.

Discover the names, statistics and representative highlights from some of Australia's greatest ever national team players.

Honourable Mentions

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Craig Moore Celebrates Victory over Croatia World Cup 2006

All players mentioned in this article sit among the best names to have graced Australia's men's national team. However, with five spots available, these four great players just miss out. We rightfully acknowledge their great contributions for the national team:

• Craig Moore: 52 appearances for Australia, two World Cup finals, Australian Football Hall of Fame per PFA.net.au
• Ray Baartz: 48 appearances, scored 19 goals, helped Australia make its first-ever World Cup finals appearance in 1974, Australian Football Hall of Fame per SAHOF.org.au
• Ned Zelic: 34 appearances, Australian Football Hall of Fame per PFA.net.au
• Peter Wilson: 115 appearances, captained Australia at team's first-ever World Cup finals appearance in 1974 per Football Australia

5. Mark Viduka

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Mark Viduka Playing for Newcastle 2008

Mark has contributed to Australia's football journey through his success in leagues at home and abroad, along with his replication of form at international level.

His innate ability to hold up the ball, run at defences, and turn and shoot with venomous power made him stand out as a player and as a goalscorer.

As mentioned by Michael Cockerill of the Sydney Morning Herald, Viduka became a prominent figure in overseas leagues. He bagged three titles in Croatia, Scotland's player of the year for Celtic and also helped Leeds make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

Scoring a 173 goals over 376 games, Viduka made his mark in his club career. This had relevance for the Socceroos, because he replicated this form at international level.

Viduka became a key figure for the Socceroos. He played in three World Cup qualification campaigns (1998, 2002 and 2006). In 2005, when Australia smashed the Solomon Islands 7-0, Viduka made his mark.

He scored two goals early on and set them up for a two-legged clash with a South American team. Australia (Oceania winners) played off against fifth-placed Uruguay in a bid to reach the World Cup and eventually won on penalties.

Viduka played a key role in Australia's first ever progression to the round of 16 at a World Cup finals. He led the line for the national team in each game played.

In his final contribution, Viduka scored three goals for Australia in the 2007 Asian Cup and helped them progress to the quarter-finals against Japan. His contributions have helped Australia make history and this means he belongs in the top five.

Since this tournament, Viduka has gone missing and not made himself available for selection even when in form. For this reason, he sits just on the edge at No. 5, compared to the other candidates who clearly stated their willingness to play for the national team.

4. Johnny Warren

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Socceroo Legend Johnny Warren Honoured by Sepp Blatter 2004

Johnny Warren, remembered as an inspirational performer for Australia, contributed enormously to the success of the national team through his work on and off the pitch.

His nickname became "Captain Socceroo," and he managed to create history with football in Australia. 

As stated on Sahof.org.au, Johnny managed 46 international matches for Australia and contributed to three World Cup campaigns, finally succeeding in 1974, as Australia reached their first-ever World Cup finals. 

Johnny became a major player in this qualification, as he had earlier captained the national team through the first two campaigns from 1967-1970.

He then handed over the captaincy but played an inspirational role for Australia in their 1974 campaign. Warren, known as a tough, ever-present midfielder, became a leader on and off the pitch.

Warren received a lifetime achievement award by the Sports Commission and Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002.

Shortly before his death, he received the Centennial Medal of Honour from FIFA in 2004. He received this in recognition for his tireless work as a player, coach and for his work in setting up the Australian A-League. 

When looking back at iconic moments in Australia's sporting history, we remember Warren's heroic and inspirational contribution to football in this country. This means he sits just above Mark Viduka at No. 4.

3. Mark Schwarzer

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Mark Schwarzer Acknowledges Crowd Following World Cup Qualifying Match 2013

Mark Schwarzer, arguably the greatest goalkeeper Australia has ever produced, saved the nation from defeat many times with his heroics. He's remembered as one of the national team's best ever players.

Schwarzer has had a 14-year stint in England, with spells at Bradford City, Middlesbrough, Fulham and now still kicking on at Chelsea. His success at each club has not gone unnoticed, reaching UEFA Cup final twice, making legendary saves time and time again for every club he has played at.

This has proven the catalyst for a 20-year spell as Australia's No. 1 goalkeeper. 

As Fifa.com recounts, this 20-year career as No. 1 guarding the sticks has brought many memories to the fore. A record in itself, he has played 109 matches for his country, including three World Cup qualifying campaigns (2006, 2010, 2014).

Schwarzer was a prominent figure in qualification for the World Cup Finals of 2010 and 2014. Perhaps his finest moment—a heroic final penalty save against Uruguay to secure Australia's progression to the 2006 World Cup finals for just the second time. 

His glittering career has produced many fine moments, but as PFA president Simon Colosimo recalls to the ABC, one in particular stands out: 

"

The image of Mark celebrating after saving two penalties against Uruguay in the 2005 World Cup qualifier is one of Australian football's most iconic images but his contribution went far beyond this.

"

Schwarzer recently received the Alex Tobin Medal—the highest honour in Australian football—for his dedication and impact on the game.

Schwarzer eventually retired before the 2014 World Cup finals. His unimaginable effect on the game, and countless clean sheets for Australia, form the reasons why he sits at No. 3.

2. Harry Kewell

As recorded by Football Australia in 2012, Kewell was voted "Greatest Ever Australian Footballer." The selection criteria included club and international contributions, with a panel of players, commentators and fans voting on the final outcome.

Kewell's success begins at club level. He scored 45 goals for Leeds United as a pacey winger and eventually secured a dream move to Liverpool in 2003. Kewell won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool and contributed to their strong run in the Premier League. 

As FIFA.com recalls, Kewell's form replicated at International level, participating in three World Cup qualification campaigns. He notched up 56 appearances in his time in the green and gold.

Representing Australia at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup Finals, Harry scored one goal against Croatia, securing progression to the round of 16 for Australia. 

Kewell scored six goals in total throughout each qualifying campaign and also played a crucial role in the 2007 and 2011 Asian Cups.

Kewell also helped Australia progress to the final of the 2011 Asian Cup, scoring a goal in the quarter-final against Iraq and semi-final against Uzbekistan.

Although the award of "Greatest Ever Australian Player" belongs to Kewell, his contribution to the national team formed the selection criteria for this article. This means Kewell sits at No. 2.

1. Tim Cahill

Harry Kewell received the honour of greatest ever Australian footballer by Football Australia in 2012, but he just misses out on the top spot as the greatest ever Australia men's national team player.

So there's only other one name so deserving of this honour: Tim Cahill, arguably the greatest ever player to represent Australia's men's national team.

Over the years, he has developed a knack for scoring goals at the right time. He has saved Australia from defeat but also landed victory for his country against all the odds.

He holds the record for most number of goals scored by an Australian at international level (35). He has also made a huge contribution by declaring his loyalty for the national team at every opportunity.

He spoke with Fox Sports Australia to discuss his allegiance with the national team over his loyalty to his club the New York Red Bulls:

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It's always a sticky situation sometimes, because people say can you miss the games? Well not really, purely because the continuity is not there. The familiarisation of each other, and the football and if we want to win something, then we have to really take it seriously. 

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According to the Australian, Cahill has now racked up 74 appearances for the Socceroos and placed in the top 10 most appearances of all time for the green and gold.

Tim Cahill created history for Australia in the 2006 World Cup group stages. He scored Australia's first two goals at the knockout phase of a World Cup. This set the stage for Australia's progression to the round of 16, for the first and only time.

Cahill's achievements in 2006 form some of his most notable. He also appeared at the 2010 World Cup and scored against Serbia.

Perhaps the most recent, shining memory could prove the best yet. His wonder volley against the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—contender for goal of the tournament as recorded by Fifa.com. 

Cahill, the only player at the 2014 World Cup to have scored at three consecutive tournaments, has also scored more WC goals than Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as reported by Business Insider.

As fans of the national team, we can rely on Timmy, and he relies on us. Tim Cahill has demonstrated his loyalty and he has repaid the faith shown in him over the years, by setting records, making history for Australia and putting this country's football on the map.