The Greatest Soccer Teams In History

Soccer is a team sport, and it’s not the brilliance of one player that wins titles and writes history. Instead, it takes the team as a whole. Here, we look at teams who have left an indelible mark in the sport and are hallowed in the world of football.

Arsenal (2004) 

Their name says it all. This squad from English Premier League regulars, Arsenal, is considered in some circles as the league’s best-ever. They managed to finish a whole season in the tournament, unbeaten, a feat only they’ve accomplished!
Although, it’s not a big surprise considering the gifted players the team had in its ranks back then. The likes of French maestro Thierry Henry and other big names like Roberto Pires and Patrick Vieira were gems for them.

Real Madrid (1955-1960)

Real Madrid’s 1955-1960 team was the best squad 

Real Madrid is arguably the biggest club in the world, and their success on the pitch attests to that. It might be hard to pick out the best squad in the club’s rich history, but if you have to, it should be the late 50’s squad. Marshaled by Alfredo Di Stefano, it was the team to beat for over five years.

Within that period, they made a record win of five consecutive European Cups, equivalent to today’s Champions League. So good were the team players that they even won FIFA’s coveted Puskas Award, named after the then Real Madrid striker Ferenc Puskas. It’s given to the player with the ‘most beautiful’ goal of the year!

Barcelona (2009)

Barcelona’s 2009 team won the Treble twice

Spanish soccer giant Barcelona is not new to success. It’s the only team in Europe that has won the treble twice – in 2009/2010 and 2014/2015 seasons. Under the stewardship of coaching genius Pep Guardiola and some of the world’s best players in their prime, it was only a matter of time till they made their mark.

Their style of play was ruthlessly efficient, and teams could not match up to this squad. The jury is still out on which crew of treble winners were better, but they all agree on one thing – they definitely stepped up the game!

Brazil (1970)

Brazil is a soccer powerhouse, no doubt, as they are the record winners of the World Cup with five titles. Among their epic squads, the 1970 World Cup-winning team is quite outstanding.

In the team were football greats such as Pele, Rivelino, and Jairzinho, who played a unique football style with thrilling performances. In the tournament, they scored with reckless abandon putting in 19 goals in six matches.

In the final, which is always a tight-knit affair, the team made easy work of opponents, Italy, with Carlos Alberto’s finish ranked among the best in the competition’s history.

Spain (2007–2012)

Spain’s 2007-2012 squad was the greatest in history

This team holds the mantle in the greatest squads of soccer history. The Spaniards won three successive titles of the major competitions – the 2008 European Championship, the World Cup two years later, and another European title just two years after.

The squad was oozing with flair and with renowned players, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol. The team’s dominance was undisputed for over half a decade as well.

Football is a team sport, and with the right leadership, resolve, and attitude, nothing is impossible. Although Croatia lost to France in the 2018 World Cup, their appearance in the final stage of the competition is a clear testament to that. Great players don’t always make great teams, but great teams make great players. Food for thought!