Today, I am going to tell you about the top 7 English footballers. England has really interesting footballers. You might call it soccer, but no, it’s football. Did you know that England founded football? Yes, in 1863 it was founded in London, so have some respect for the word football. American football is called rugby, so get that through your head. Like, why would you call a sport football when you run with an egg in your hand? If you use logic, it’s clearly not football. News: here are the top 7 footballers in England.
1. Bobby Charlton
When Charlton was just little, he used to play for local teams and his school’s side. He played for East Northumberland Schools and caught the attention of football scouts with his technical ability and goal-scoring prowess. He then joined Manchester United in 1953 under the guidance of the legendary coach Jimmy Murphy.
Sir Bobby Charlton was born on October 11, 1937 in Ashington, United Kingdom, and he died on October 21, 2023 at age 86. Rest in peace, legend. Charlton spent most of his career in Manchester United, from 1956 to 1973. He scored 249 goals. He was an integral part of the team that rebuilt after the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958, which he survived. He scored 49 goals for the England national team between 1958 to 1970. He helped England win the 1966 World Cup, where he scored crucial goals in the semi-final against Portugal.
He is also a Ballon d’Or winner. He won the Ballon d’Or in the year 1966. He was awarded this because he was the best European footballer and he was a hero in the 1966 World Cup. After retiring, Charlton was involved in promoting football globally and supporting charitable causes.
Charlton was known for his fair play. He gained respect off and on the pitch. His influence extended beyond football, symbolising resilience and sportsmanship during challenging times for both Manchester United and England. Did you know Old Trafford’s South Stand was renamed the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand in 2016? So respect to this player.
2. George Best
George Best grew up in the Cregagh estate, a working-class area of Belfast. In his free time he used to play football in the streets and local parks. He did all of this in his childhood. He went to Grosvenor High School, but later transferred to Lisnasharragh Secondary School after being deemed more focused on football than academics. I have all my respects for him. He played in a youth football club with Cregagh Boys Club, where his exceptional dribbling caught attention.
In 1961, a Manchester United scout, Bob Bishop, watched Best play and was stunned by his dribbling and performance. Bishop sent a message to Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby stating, “I think I’ve found you a genius.” George Best and his friend Eric McMordie travelled to Manchester for a trial with United. When he took the trial, the coaches were impressed by his intelligence in football. After that, he was homesick, but he was persuaded to continue his journey.
Later, he joined Manchester United youth club in 1961. After continuing his journey, he scored in the final against Benfica, helping United to a 4–1 victory in extra time. At 22, he was named Man of the Match and played a pivotal role in securing United’s first European Cup. He is also a Ballon d’Or winner. He won the Ballon d’Or in the year 1968. His Manchester United status: 470 appearances and 179 goals. Famous footballer Pelé said, “George Best was the greatest player in the world.” Eric Cantona said, “An artist. Football lost a genius.”
His position was winger and he was known for his extraordinary dribbling, balance, speed, and flair. He also had a nickname: The Belfast Boy. He was born 22 May 1946 and passed away on 25 November 2005. Rest in peace, legend.
3. Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer was born on 13 August 1970. He is one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. He is known for his incredible physical strength, his leadership, and his clinical finishing. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in the Premier League.
He was born in Newcastle and he also supported this club when he was a little boy (Newcastle United). He played for a youth team, showing early promise as a powerful forward. He played for Wallsend Boys Club, a famous youth club that produced several professional footballers. He was scouted by several clubs, but he chose to be in Southampton. He joined their youth academy at age 16. He made his professional debut at age 17. He scored a hat-trick against Arsenal in 1988, becoming the youngest player to do so in the top division. His record for this club is 118 appearances and 23 goals.
He played for Blackburn Rovers from 1992 to 1996. The transfer fee was £3.6 million. Kenny Dalglish brought him to Blackburn to spearhead their title ambitions. He scored 34 goals in the 1994–95 Champions League. That season, he helped Blackburn win their first top-flight title since 1914. At this team, he won three consecutive seasons (1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97). His status for this team was 138 appearances and 112 goals.
He also played for Newcastle. His transfer fee was £15 million. He was a captain for this team. He led the team with passion and became a club legend. Helped the team to FA Cup finals (1998 & 1999), though they finished as runners-up. Remained loyal despite offers from bigger clubs, including Manchester United. Became Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer with 206 goals in all competitions.
He finished his career with 260 Premier League goals, a record that still stands today. He also scored 30 goals for England. This guy was insane!
4. David Beckham
David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 in Leytonstone, London, England. His father was a passionate Manchester United fan, which influenced Beckham’s love for the club. He played for Ridgeway Rovers in his early years. He also attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer School, where he won a training stint with Barcelona.
He joined Manchester United at age 14 in 1989. His first team debut was on 23 September 1992, in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Breakthrough season: 1995–96 season, scoring a stunning goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon on the opening day. He won 6 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, and the 1999 UEFA Champions League (part of the historic Treble: Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League). His total Manchester United status was 394 appearances, 85 goals.
He also played for Real Madrid. His transfer fee was €37 million. He joined this club in 2003. Joined the Galácticos alongside legends like Zidane, Ronaldo, and Figo. He helped Real Madrid win La Liga in his final season (2006–07). Known for work ethic, vision, and adaptability to Spanish football. His total status for Real Madrid was 155 appearances, 20 goals.
He played for LA Galaxy from 2007 to 2012 (including loan spells at AC Milan). He joined for $250 million. His achievements for LA Galaxy were 2 MLS Cup titles (2011, 2012), Supporters’ Shield (2010, 2011). He played for AC Milan (2009 & 2010) to maintain fitness and compete at a high level. Demonstrated his commitment to top-tier football. His total status for LA Galaxy was 98 appearances, 18 goals.
Later he joined Paris Saint-Germain. He joined for a 5-month contract and donated all his salary to charity during his stint. He also helped PSG secure the Ligue 1 title before retiring. He also played for England and scored 17 goals in 115 appearances. There are also famous quotes about David Beckham, like Sir Alex Ferguson said, “David Beckham was a professional in every sense—dedicated, disciplined, and incredibly gifted.” Zinedine Zidane said, “He’s a great player, not just for his crosses but for his all-around ability.”
5. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney was born in 1985, October 2024, in Liverpool, England. Rooney grew up in Croxteth, Liverpool, and he really liked the team Everton, so when he was just 9 years old he started his football life. He joined Everton Academy. He then joined the professional Everton team at just 16 years old in August 2002. He became one of the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history at the time when he scored an amazing long-range goal against Arsenal.
He transferred to Manchester United in August 2004 for approximately £25.6 million, a record for a teenager at the time. He scored a hat-trick on his debut in a Champions League match against Fenerbahçe. While he was in Manchester United he won 5 Premier League titles: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13. He also won the Champions League in 2007–08. He was also Manchester United’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals in all competitions. After all of this, he then returned to Everton for one season. In this one season he scored a hat-trick against West Ham. He played for DC United from 2018 to 2020.
In his international career with England, Wayne Rooney is England’s all-time top scorer. He scored 53 goals in 120 appearances, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record. He retired from his international team in 2016, briefly returning for a farewell match in 2018. After retiring, Rooney focused on management, notably with Derby County during challenging financial times. He managed DC United in the MLS and later took over at Birmingham City but faced mixed results.
6. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard was born into a football family. His father, Frank Lampard Sr., was a West Ham United legend. When he was just little, he joined West Ham United’s youth academy in 1994, following in his father’s footsteps. He had high GCSE results but chose the football path instead of working a 9 to 5. He started playing professionally at age 17. He joined West Ham Football Club in 1996. While he was in this team, he helped West Ham achieve a 5th-place finish in the 1998–99 Premier League.
After his West Ham career, he joined Chelsea in 2001 for £11 million. While he was in this team, he won 3 Premier League titles: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10. He also won the Champions League: 2011–12 winner (captained Chelsea in the final). He is also Chelsea’s all-time top scorer. He scored 211 goals in all competitions, a remarkable feat for a midfielder.
In his international career with England (1999–2014), he had 106 appearances for the England national team. He had 29 international goals. He is known for his disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup, which reignited calls for goal-line technology.
7. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard was born on 30 May 1980 in Whiston, Merseyside, England. He was raised in Whiston and grew up in Huyton, near Liverpool. He then joined Liverpool’s youth academy at the age of 9 in 1989. He started his professional career in 1998 and made his senior debut on 29 November 1998 against Blackburn Rovers.
While he was playing for Liverpool FC, he won a Champions League title in 2004–05. It was a heroic comeback vs. AC Milan in the final (he scored the first goal of the comeback). He also won the FA Cup twice.
In his international career, he had 114 appearances as the fourth-most capped English player and scored 21 goals for the national team. He played in the FIFA World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014) and also participated in the Euro (2000, 2004, 2012).
These legends weren’t just footballers, they were monsters on the pitch, breaking records, scoring incredible goals. From Bobby Charlton surviving a plane crash and lifting the World Cup, to George Best dribbling past defenders like they were traffic cones, to Alan Shearer smashing goals (oh wait, it was), these guys were unreal. And let’s not forget David Beckham bending it better than anyone (yes, the movie was inspired by him), Wayne Rooney scoring absolute rockets at 16, Frank Lampard turning midfield into his personal goal fest, and Steven Gerrard dragging Liverpool to Champions League glory like a superhero with a Scouse accent.
These players didn’t just play, they defined football eras. Records? Broken. Memories? Made. Legends? Forever. Football without them? Like tea without biscuits, just not the same.