15 Coolest Players in Soccer History

How exactly do you define coolness? On the football pitch, the players you would tend to associate it with are those who are not fazed by big games, usually those too who play with a certain style and swagger.

The level of attention directed football's way means fans and journalists especially absorb so much more than what happens on the pitch. Just as much a part of the sport is the character of the players and how they conduct themselves when they aren't playing.

We live in a time where football is synonymous with increasing commercialisation, a re-emergence of player-supporter interaction through social media and in many ways (rightly or wrongly depending on your viewpoint) is a reflection and reaction of many elements of society. Depending on your stance, coolness in football players might be defined by how they embrace or reject such things.

Perhaps in this respect, football is the same as it ever was but just coloured by different fashions or trends. The players that make up this list of the 15 coolest players in soccer history are all united by the kind of on-the-field style described at the top here, something that is pretty much unarguable.

Some though have found themselves listed here for what they are about outside of 90 minutes once or twice a week. Those of you who think endorsement deals, tattoos, fake tans and R&B music are cool might want to look away now.

Zinedine Zidane

The last image we have of Zinedine Zidane on the football field is one of the French maestro's not-so-cool moments. Not for the first time, but definitely the most infamous, Zidane lost his cool. He head-butted Marco Materazzi after an alleged offensive comment by the Italian defender and left his side down to 10 men in the World Cup final.

These moments do most to serve that idea of genius having its flaws, but while there were quite public examples of the latter, there were far more of the former. When Zidane wasn't seeing red, he was as cool as they come.

The nonchalance with which Zidane could control and manipulate a football was at times staggering, leaving players in his wake as he glided past them with what seemed like ease. It was an extension of his calm vision in the eye of a storm, in the way he could pick out a teammate with a pass and often score outstanding goals out of what might have seemed nothing.

Bobby Moore

Some of the most famous images in the history of English football, and indeed one of the most lauded performances in the colours of the national team, came from Bobby Moore against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup. While winning the World Cup as captain four years earlier had already ensured his place among the greats of the game, it was his calmness in the tackle in the face of the marauding runs of Jairzinho and Pele that so epitomised this great leader.

Before that same World Cup Moore had been arrested but for a bogus, unsubstantiated claim of thievery while the England team prepared in Colombia. Despite the frightening nature of being locked up in a foreign country, Moore by all accounts kept as calm as could be. What was truly impressive was the way he got on with the football when his release was secured.

For both England and West Ham United, Moore was one of the finest defenders of his era and a true class act too.

Dimitar Berbatov

The swagger of Dimitar Berbatov has endured something of a roller-coaster ride at Manchester United. But even so, when at his best at Old Trafford, and definitely so throughout his time at Tottenham Hotspur and Bayer Leverkusen, Berbatov is as cool as they come with the ball at his feet.

The biggest misunderstanding of Berbatov is that he is lazy, when actually he is one of those players who is blessed with the ability to pay at his own pace. That languid style has enabled him to so often bamboozle players while he glides past them. Even the way in which he scores many of his goals has this sense of an artist painting with the most delicate of brush strokes.

Other players are able to achieve a more consistent and useful use of their talents perhaps, but there aren't many as joyful to watch as Berbatov in his pomp.

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is probably as arrogant as they come in football. But when you are as talented and successful as he is, both as a player and manager, it is understandable.

The main on-field interpreter of Rinus Michels' vision of "Total Football," Cruyff was a big reason in establishing Ajax as one of the most prestigious names in European football and also one of its most successful teams in the 1970s. Though the success did not extend to the international scene with Holland, besides the great Brazil teams and Argentina's Diego Maradona, arguably no one is more synonymous with the World Cup than Cruyff and the 1974 Dutch team.

Cruyff's emergence in the late 1960s/early 1970s came at a time of emerging youth culture in Europe. This long-haired, stylish attacker who brought such beauty to football undoubtedly appealed to such a crowd. Even watching old highlights now, he still remains an undeniably cool performer.

David Ginola

David Ginola charmed England throughout his time in the Premier League, and continues to do so to do this day with regular appearances on various sports shows. He brought a touch of French glamour and suaveness both on and off the pitch, but it was as a player he was coolest.

The former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur winger wasn't the first of the foreign invasion to light up English football in the Premier League era, not even the first Frenchman. But when he came along he was pure entertainment from day one.

His swashbuckling runs down the wing, inside and out, were a regular feature for a good five years or so. There was a carefree enjoyment in Ginola's playing style that translated well with supporters who embraced his showman side. But make no mistake, this was a top player. He was a significant member of the Newcastle team that came so close to the title in 1995/96. In the 1997/98 campaign he was pivotal in keeping Spurs in the league before once more playing a key role as they won the Worthington Cup a year later.

Thierry Henry

As for describing David Ginola in the previous slide, Thierry Henry is also another player in possession of that French suaveness. Despite the handball incident that all but denied the Republic of Ireland a place in the World Cup, Henry has generally retained the goodwill of most in football.

The current New York Red Bulls star is cocky, but he brings with it a certain charm that offsets the less-appealing aspects of that arrogance.

This is something evident in Henry's game. There are moments like the aforementioned handball (and in particular the cringe-worthy attempts at consoling Richard Dunne), but then there are goals like the flick-up-and-volley against Manchester United or the backheel against Charlton Athletic where you can't help but applaud his creativity and audacity.

Franz Beckenbauer

Anyone who is nicknamed "Der Kaiser" definitely has to be pretty cool, and the imperialistic Franz Beckenbauer was most definitely that.

As with Bobby Moore, Beckenbauer played with a calm elegance that was an impressive sight to behold. It was a quality that meant he seemingly so effortlessly transitioned from one of the most highly touted midfielders around to a supreme defender.

Combined with his great leadership, Beckenbauer was the difference-maker that made both West Germany and Bayern Munich so dominant through a yet unmatched period in the 1970s.

George Best

The sad ending to George Best's life should be noted with a celebration of the manner in which he lived his life. The battles with alcoholism and other demons proved too much in the end, and while to a certain extend they robbed some years off his career decades earlier, they ultimately robbed his family and friends of a quiet-spoken, charming and beloved man.

But still, Best, the man so often regarded as the greatest player to never play in a World Cup, was undoubtedly a star. When he played he dazzled, playing his part in making Manchester United one of the best sides in Europe and indeed a significant role in making them one of the world's most famous clubs.

Along with most notably Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, Best helped restore a club that had been so ravaged by tragedy the previous decade. And they did it with style. Best in particular scored goals and performed feats still described and watched to this day.

Northern Ireland's favourite son became known as "The Fifth Beatle." Making the most of the swinging '60s, there are many, many tales to be found of Best's embracing of the women, clothes and music that were all around him. Do not confuse this enjoyment of life totally with what would come. Because for a time Best was truly living the dream, and bringing a smile to so many while doing so.

Ledley King

Ledley King has suffered with a knee problem that for the best part of five years now has hampered his professional career, restricting his playing opportunities. Peak fitness for him now means only getting out on the training pitch, at best, the day before a game and usually playing only one full 90 minutes per week.

Yet he plays and leads his Tottenham Hotspur team from central defence with a class and confidence that surely very few professionals could achieve with such little training time.

Talk about impressive.

King might not have achieved the volume of playing honours and international caps his talent warrants; perhaps even he might have moved on from Spurs to bigger things by now. But what is clear is that King remains a defender of great ability. Combining great awareness with near-impeccable timing, for a player beset with such a troublesome injury he too has retained impressive speed and a conviction in the tackle.

To a certain extent, definitely the greatest defender England never had.

Sócrates

It is quite apt that Sócrates the footballer shares his name with Socrates the ancient Greek philosopher, because the former is pretty darn smart too. And being smart is cool kids—don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Focusing solely on the footballer, Sócrates was definitely a little different than most of his professional peers. The Brazilian international became a doctor of medicine while still a pro, and all throughout his life has embraced academic, or at least more intelligent, pursuits. As well as commenting on football, he also writes on politics and economics. Throughout his life he has also embraced the revolutionary leanings and lessons of Che Guevara and John Lennon among others.

Sócrates was also a tough, skillful and clever operator as a player; his style was imbued with a swagger that represented a person who embraced what he was about as an individual.

Robin Friday

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"Everytime he got the ball you knew something special was going to happen. There was always a buzz around Elm Park when the ball was at Robin Friday's feet."

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As described by a Reading fan in the attached YouTube video, Robin Friday was one of those truly special players. But if you haven't heard of him, you would not be alone—after all, the book his life prompted was titled The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw (a great read).

That this book was co-authored by Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, former bass guitarist of Oasis, says something about Friday's rock 'n' roll credentials. This was a player who lived life to the full, lighting up the lower leagues of England with performances that have become folklore with Reading and Cardiff City fans in particular.

Though he achieved notoriety for his "extra-curricular" activities, it was what he did on the pitch that has ensured he remains remembered to this day. Through his peak years from around 1973-77, he did the sort of things that the fans who witnessed will remember their whole lives. Unfortunately for Friday the chance to play at the top level never came his way for a variety of reasons.

Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio was a Buddhist in Catholic Italy, a footballer who left Fiorentina for Juventus and craved the forgiveness of his former fans, and the Italian that inspired his side to a World Cup final before missing the penalty kick that lost them it.

"The Divine Ponytail" always had an air of marching to a different beat of those around him, and was all the more captivating for it. One of those true individuals that is so rare in football, but who should be cherished for the differences they bring.

The fact is Baggio was a special player. On his travels around the clubs of Italy he more often than not lit up his various homes on many frequent occasions. If it could not ultimately bring the level of team success his talent deserved, then it certainly created truly wonderful memories for so many supporters.

Edgar Davids

Edgar Davids was a tremendous midfielder. His aggressive, tough tackling and dominance of the midfield saw him given the nickname of "The Pitbull." The Dutchman was more than just a player who could win the ball back; like so many of the best of his countrymen, he was also a skillful and technically gifted performer more than capable of holding his own with great attacking teammates such as Dennis Bergkamp, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho.

All this is mentioned first because it is most important for his recognition as a player. But alongside his talent, Davids became one of the iconic footballers of his generation through the image that complemented this all-conquering midfielder.

Suffering from the eye condition glaucoma, Davids wore protective goggles, which along with his dreadlocked hair certainly made him stand out. Again, this would have meant nothing without him being the player he was, but this certainly added to his coolness. Especially in the eyes of many kids whose formative football years came during Davids' peak.

Gigi Meroni

After the 1949 Superga tragedy that wiped out the legendary Il Grande Torino, the club lost another star when almost two decades later Gigi Meroni was killed in a car accident. Prior to this, 24-year-old Meroni was a player many regarded as the Italian equivalent of George Best.

Like Best, Meroni wore his hair long and was a generally stylish guy not beholden to the old school of football or society. He was also a purveyor of a stylish way of playing, his tremendous dribbling skill and ability to link up quickly with his teammates making him an evasive and tricky player to deal with.

In Italian football history, that James Dean syndrome of a life lost too young has meant Meroni's legend has grown and grown. But just because it is a legend does not mean it is not true; those who witnessed the like of Meroni ensure we know that much.

Eric Cantona

Tempestuous, arrogant, bewitching, mysterious, violent, spectacular, brilliant, genius—Eric Cantona was a footballer not simply defined, and that made him all the more enchanting a watch.

The more negative sides of his personality told of a character who did not speak in half-truths and unfulfilled possibilities; for better or worse Eric Cantona was 100 percent in all he did. All this combined to make a player that, when you look back on the 1990s, was truly one of the defining figures of the decade.

With his collar up, and his striding, authoritative style, Cantona could not be ignored as he inspired his Manchester United team to greatness. The goals he scored and created were truly sublime, and the celebrations sometimes were just as remarkable.

A goal he scored against Sunderland in 1996 summed this all up in one perfect package. With the ball on the halfway line, Cantona proceeded to skip between two opposition players before driving forward and exchanging a one-two with Brian McClair, then chipped the helpless goalkeeper. A brilliant goal as it was, topped off by his celebration where he slowly turned around as if to bask in the adoration of the Old Trafford crowd before deciding to appease them with his raised arms.

Cool as they come.