Time to talk about the best footballers who played their best football during the ’80s decade, we’ll talk about the biggest stars from that era.
The ’80s decade was one of the most interesting eras in football history, we had some of the most talented footballers who ever lives that played back then.
We decided to continue with our list of the best players by decade, and we are going to continue with this time era that gave us so much joy in football history.
10.- Bernd Schuster
One of the most talented German players from the ’80s decade, Schuster was actually one of the few players who performed for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid during his era.
He also succeeded with both squads and he is remembered as a standout player.
9.- Socrates
One of two Brazilian players who represented an era in their country’s football, Socrates was a very talented playmaker who had incredible creativity.
He was part of that squad that didn’t win the 1982 World Cup but is still remembered for the beautiful football he played during his prime.
8.- Franco Baresi
Arguably one of Italy and AC Milan’s greatest defenders of all-time, Baresi was Paolo Maldini’s mentor when the young defender was starting his career at the club.
Baresi was the captain of the Italy squad during that era and an integral part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
7.- Zico
The other great Brazilian player from the list was dubbed the ‘White Pele’ due t his goal-scoring capacity.
The man made a spectacular career both with Brazil and with Flamengo during his prime, he formed a unique bond with Socrates in the Brazil National Team during that era of the ’80s.
6.- Lothar Matthaus
Diego Maradona himself considers Lothar Matthaus as the greatest rival he ever faced, he lived a long career over the span of two decades.
However, his best times came during the final years of the ’80s and he crowned his run in 1990 with the FIFA World Cup.
Matthaus was a versatile player who performed equally well in many positions on the pitch, but he played his best football as a midfielder.
5.- Michel Platini
Before Diego Maradona came into the international scene, Michel Platini was considered the best player in the world.
The French forward played his best football during the first half of the decade and he even won the European Championship in 1984.
This man also won three consecutive Ballon d’Or trophies, an achievement that only a handful of players have accomplished in football history.
4.- Hugo Sanchez
The only offensive Mexican player who is considered on any list of the best players in football history.
Hugo Sanchez made a name for himself in Spanish football during the ’80s, a competition he dominated for the better part of the decade.
This man won five Pichichi trophies during his prime when he played at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
3.- Ruud Gullit
The first of two truly amazing Dutch players who are part of this list, Ruud Gullit was one of the most inventive players from that ’80s decade.
Always sporting an afro and playing for AC Milan during that era, Gullit was one of the trailblazers of his generation and one of the greatest players from that legendary AC Milan coached by Arrigo Sacchi.
He won the 1988 European Championship with his country, the only major trophy that the Netherlands ever won.
2.- Marco van Basten
The other great Dutch player from this list has to be the ‘Swan from Utrecht’, Marco van Basten is a striker who will be considered amongst the best centre-forwards in history.
His type of talent can only be compared to the same goal-scoring capacity that Ronaldo Nazario had during his prime.
He retired too early due to a nasty ankle injury but he also won three consecutive Ballon d’Or trophies during his best years.
1.- Diego Maradona
There is nobody quite like Diego Maradona from the ’80s decade, he is even considered as the best player in football history by many.
This man has a considerable advantage when you compare him to the other great players from this list, there was simply nobody better than Diego Maradona throughout the whole decade.
Even during his teenage years when he played at Argentinos Juniors, the ones who saw him perform believe he was always the best player in the world throughout the majority of his whole career.
His peak came in 1986 during the Mexico World Cup.
Which of these players from the ’80s decade do you like the most? Please share your opinion in the comment section down below.
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