Greatest one-club footballers of all time

Aditya SinghPublished: 07 Aug 2024 11:42 AM

Club football over the years has been built on transfer markets as players change clubs quite often. Either the clubs are looking for better players or the players are looking for better opportunities and the cycle keeps on going.

Even some players who achieved a lot at one club eventually moved elsewhere for a change or to extend their playing careers. Hence, the concept of a one-club footballer is quite rare. There are very few players who have stayed at one club, rejecting all other offers no matter what.

They have shown their loyalty to their respective clubs and most of them have achieved great things. They are not only legends in their clubs’ histories but also in the sport in general. On that note, let’s take a look at 10 such legends who spent at just one club in their entire footballing career:

10. Tony Adams

Tony Adams is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history. He came through Arsenal’s academy and made 628 appearances for them, scoring 45 goals and providing 11 assists.

The centre-back was also a brilliant captain and led the Gunners to huge success. Overall, he won four league titles and three FA Cups, among other honors, at the club.

9. Gary Neville

A Manchester United and regarded by many as the best right-back in Premier League history, Gary Neville came through the club’s academy. He made around 600 appearances, registering seven goals and 49 assists.

Neville won a whopping 12 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, among numerous other honors in his around two-decade stay at Manchester United.

8. Lev Yashin

For the unversed, Lev Yashin spent his entire club career at Dinamo Moscow and went on to become an absolute footballing legend. He won eight major trophies with the club, having made 358 appearances. He is one of the the best one club footballers.

He remains the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or (1963). France Football now have an award named after him – Yashin Trophy – which is given to the best goalkeeper every year.

7. Paul Scholes

Another Manchester United legend on the list is Paul Scholes. He came through the club’s academy and was at the club until his retirement in 2013.

Scholes made 713 appearances for the Red Devils, winning 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, among numerous other honors. He scored 153 goals and provided 81 assists.

Also Read: Top 10 Manchester United goal scorers of all time

6. Franco Baresi

An AC Milan and Italy legend, Franco Baresi’s senior career spread around 20 years from 1977 to 1997. He made over 700 appearances for the Rossoneri, winning three Champions League trophies and six Serie A titles, among other honors.

Baresi was not only known as a brilliant defender but also a respected captain. He also won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 1982.

5. Sandro Mazzola

From one Milan club to another, Sandro Mazzola is a club legend at Inter Milan. The former centre-forward made 566 appearances for the Nerazzurri, scoring 162 goals and providing 13 assists.

Mazzola helped Inter win four Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies, among other honors.

4. Carles Puyol

A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Carles Puyol had an illustrious career with the Spanish giants. The defender made over 680 appearances for them, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, among other honors.

Puyol was known for his dominant defensive style, where he bullied his opponents. He was also an excellent captain, leading Barcelona to great success.

3. Paolo Maldini

Another football legend, Paolo Maldini made 902 appearances for AC Milan, which is still a club record. He won five Champions League trophies and seven Serie A titles, among numerous other honors during his time at the club.

Many regard Maldini as the greatest defender of all time and it would be hard to argue that claim. He also holds the record for most appearances in Champions League finals with 8 and numerous other records. Having made his senior debut in 1985, he eventually retired in 2009.

2. Ryan Giggs

The former Manchester United winger is an all-time great of the Premier League. He holds the record for most assists in the league with 162. He is also third on the list of most appearances in the Premier League with 632, behind Gareth Barry (653) and James Milner (634).

Ryan Giggs came through Manchester United’s academy and made over 900 appearances for them across competitions. He scored 164 goals and provided 253 assists in that time, winning a record 13 Premier League titles, among numerous other honors.

Also Read: 10 Greatest English Managers of All-Time

1. Francesco Totti

He hasn’t won as much as some of the others on the list have but the first name when you think of a one-club footballer is Francesco Totti. The AS Roma legend came through the club’s academy in 1993 and announced himself to the world. He had many offers over the years from many big clubs but he chose to stay at Roma.

Totti made 783 appearances for the Italian side, contributing 307 goals and 206 assists. He won one Serie A title, among other honors.