In this article we are going to list the 5 countries that produce the best soccer players in the world. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list please take a look at the 15 countries that produce the best soccer players in the world.
5. France
Total number of Balon D’or winners from the country: 7
Total number of World Cups: 2
Total number of Euros : 2
France is currently dominating world football and is the reigning World Champion, achieving its second triumph in 2018. It is currently in the running for becoming the first country since 1962 to retain the World Cup. It is also home to perhaps the best talent in the world right now in Kylian Mbappe who is breaking records left and right, and is already at the age of 23, among the highest scorers in World Cup history. Of course, France has a history of producing class footballers such as Zinedine Zidane, one of the best midfielders in history, and Michael Platini, who won three Balon D’ors consecutively.
4. Italy
Total number of Balon D’or winners from the country: 5
Total number of World Cups: 4
Total number of Euros : 2
Italy has long been classed among the countries that produce the best soccer players in the world and is home to some amazing legends including Maldini, Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo among others. Italy has been facing a turbulent time since its World Cup triumph in 2006 with its most recent triumph being the Euros in 2021 while its biggest low has been that it failed to even qualify for the World Cup 2022. It will be interesting to see how the country rebounds from this disappointment as it still has a quality squad.
3. Germany
Total number of Balon D’or winners from the country: 3
Total number of World Cups: 1
Total number of Euros : 3
Germany is the most successful European nation ever with 7 World Cup / Euros triumph, more than any other nation. Germany is well-known for its success in producing incredible players across the decades, from Gerd Muller to Thomas Muller, from Franz Beckenbauer to Lothar Matthaus. However, the nation has struggled since its 2014 World Cup triumph, failing to reach even the knock-out stage in the next two editions. However, it is still home to incredible footballers.
2. Argentina
Total number of Balon D’or winners from the country: 7
Total number of World Cups: 2
Total number of Copa Americas: 15
Argentina is home to arguably the two greatest footballers in history in Maradona and Lionel Messi, with the latter alone being responsible for 6 of the 7 Balon D’or wins for Argentina. Currently, Argentina is now in the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup and winning the tournament would be its third such triumph and the first in more than thirty years. Another legend of Argentina is Sergio Aguero, even though he was unable to achieve much international success with the nation.
1. Brazil
Total number of Balon D’or winners from the country: 5
Total number of World Cups: 5
Total number of Copa Americas: 9
Was there anyone at all who doubted that Brazil would top the list of the 12 countries that produce the best soccer players in the world? As the saying goes, the English may have invented football but the Brazilians perfected it. Brazil has long been known for its dazzling, flamboyant football which has earned it admirers across the world. It is home to some of the most gifted and technical footballers of all time including Zico, Socrates, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romario and of course the legend himself with more than 1,000 goals and three World Cups, Pele. It is the country with the most World Cups in history. While the nation has been struggling in World Cups over the past two decades since its triumph in 2002, it still boasts some incredible footballers right now, none more so than Neymar Jr.
