Football has witnessed countless talented players throughout its storied history, but only a select few have left an indelible mark on the sport. These exceptional individuals have showcased unparalleled skill, unwavering dedication, and unrelenting passion, cementing their status as the strongest players in football history.
As we look back on the beautiful game's rich legacy, we've compiled a list of the top 10 strongest players in football history, taking into account their impressive feats, unyielding dominance, and lasting impact on the sport. From legendary figures to modern-day marvels, this list celebrates the crème de la crème of football talent, showcasing the players who have truly left their mark on the game.
1 Adebayo Akinfenwa
Saheed Adebayo Akinfenwa is a former English professional footballer with Incredible strength and a powerful presence on the field. Akinfenwa is one of the biggest footballers In football history.
He also gained widespread recognition as one of the strongest players in the game, weighing 102 kg. His career spanned across multiple clubs, starting with Doncaster Rovers, where he made his breakthrough.
Akinfenwa's career took him through the lower leagues of English football, including stints in Lithuania and Wales, before he joined Torquay United.
He was a prolific goal scorer during his time at Gillingham, where he spent six productive years. In 2014, Akinfenwa signed with AFC Wimbledon, then moved to Wycombe Wanderers in 2016, where he concluded his career in 2022.
Akinfenwa's imposing physique and ability to dominate opponents made him a formidable force on the pitch throughout his career.
2. George Elokobi
George Nganyuo Elokobi is a Cameroonian football coach and former player, currently managing Maidstone United. He's one of the most muscular players In football history, weighing 95 kg.
George moved to England to begin his career at 16, starting in non-League football with Dulwich Hamlet. He was later signed by Colchester United after a successful trial.
Elokobi made his professional debut during a loan spell at Chester City in January 2005, before returning to Colchester where he made 46 appearances.
In January 2008, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, contributing to their promotion to the Premier League. He played regularly for Wolves until 2014, including a loan stint at Nottingham Forest and a brief spell at Bristol City cut short by injury.
After being released by Wolves, Elokobi joined Oldham Athletic for a season before returning to Colchester United in 2015.
He also had loan spells at Braintree Town and Leyton Orient before signing with Aldershot Town in 2019, then moving to Maidstone United as a player/academy coach later that year.
Elokobi's career highlights include four promotions and scoring across different divisions, from the Premier League to the National League South.
3. Danny Shittu
I can only Imagine how it feels to play against Daniel Olusola Shittu. He weighs 95 kg and is one of the biggest players In the game.
Shittu enjoyed a 16-year career, playing for Queens Park Rangers, among other clubs, and earning 32 caps for the Nigerian national team.
He started his football career at Charlton Athletic before moving to Queens Park Rangers, where he became a fan favorite for his robust defensive performances.
He later played for Watford, Bolton Wanderers, and Millwall.
Shittu pushed QPR to the Division Two play-off final in 2003 and was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2008 while at Watford.
He was also instrumental in Millwall's FA Cup run in the 2012-2013 season, scoring crucial goals. Internationally, Shittu represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and was part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
4. Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini, an Italian forer professional footballer is one of the strongest players In football history. He's not robust like Akinfenwa or Shittu but he is that strong, weighing 87kg.
Chiellini's career spanned from 2000 to 2023 and he is regarded as one of the top defenders of his generation, known for his physical strength, tenacity, and ability to mark opponents.
He started his career with Livorno before moving to Juventus in 2005, where he achieved great success, winning nine consecutive Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia trophies, and five Supercoppa Italiana titles.
His contributions were instrumental in Juventus' dominance in Italian football during that period.
He also represented Italy's national team, participating in countless major tournaments including UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups.
Chiellini captained Italy to victory in UEFA Euro 2020. With 117 caps, Chiellini retired as Italy's joint fifth-highest appearance holder in 2022.
5. Victor Wanyama
Victor Mugubi Wanyama is a Kenyan professional footballer currently playing for the Major League Soccer club CF Montréal and represents the Kenya national team.
Wanyama weighs 87 kg, making him one of the most powerful players In football history.
He was the first Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League during Celtic's 2-1 victory over Barcelona on November 7, 2012.
His talents caught the attention of Premier League clubs, leading to a £12.5 million transfer to Southampton in July 2013, setting a record for the highest fee paid for a Scottish club player at the time.
Following successful stints with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, Wanyama moved to Major League Soccer in March 2020, joining Montreal Impact. He has earned over 60 caps for the Kenyan national team since his international debut at the age of 15 in May 2007.
6. Chris Samba
Chris Samba is one of the hefty players In the game, weighing 100kg. After enduring a challenging period following his release by Sedan, where trials with numerous clubs bore no fruit, Samba's perseverance led him to Hertha BSC II in Germany's Bundesliga.
Despite setbacks and injuries, his talent sealed him a contract extension with Hertha BSC. He had his breakthrough with Blackburn Rovers, where he became a fan favorite.
Samba also moved to Anzhi Makhachkala, where he became a key player. However, Samba faced adversity in Russia, enduring racist incidents that marred his experience.
He made a return to Queens Park Rangers to face the trials of relegation, but his dedication never wavered. Samba's second stint with Anzhi Makhachkala followed, but financial troubles and injuries hampered his time there.
7. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku weighs 93 kg, and he's one the most robust player In the game. He made his professional debut with Anderlecht in 2009, where he established himself as a prolific goal scorer.
Then he moved to Chelsea in 2011 but spent loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton. During his time at Everton, Lukaku was one of the Premier League's deadliest strikers.
In 2017, he joined Manchester United, before moving to Inter Milan in 2019. Then In 2021, he returned to Chelsea. However, he faced challenges, including a temporary loan to Roma in 2023.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimović has a strong presence on the field with his height and stamina, making him one of the strongest players In the game. He weighs 95 kg. However, his career is marked by several incidents of violence and controversy.
Throughout his time with clubs, including Ajax, Milan, PSG, and LA Galaxy, Ibrahimović has been involved in altercations with teammates and opponents.
These incidents range from physical altercations during training sessions to confrontations during matches, resulting in multiple suspensions and bans.
Notable cases include a fistfight with Milan teammate Oguchi Onyewu in 2010 and confrontations with other players like Rafael van der Vaart, Marco Materazzi, and Romelu Lukaku.
Also, his controversial remarks, such as belittling female footballers in comparison to male players, have sparked backlash. Despite his talents on the field, Ibrahimović's career is often overshadowed by these incidents.
9. Yaya Toure
Yaya Touré's physical attributes make him one of the strongest players In football history. This includes pace, stamina, and imposing presence, which earned him nicknames like "human train" and "colossus."
He is one of the toughest box-to-box midfielders and weighs 90 kg. Touré played for different clubs across Europe, including Barcelona and Manchester City, and he made noteworthy contributions to their success.
He was part of Barcelona's historic team that won six trophies in 2009 and was instrumental in Manchester City's first league title in 44 years. Touré also represented the Ivory Coast, earning 100 caps from 2004 to 2015.
He participated in multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments and Africa Cup of Nations, notably leading his nation to victory in the latter in 2015 as captain. Touré won the African Footballer of the Year for four consecutive years from 2011 to 2014.
10. Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke, a Belgian professional footballer, is recognized for his robust presence on the field weighing 83 kg. And we've seen that while playing for clubs like Aston Villa.
Benteke's physicality and scoring ability drew attention, leading to a transfer to Liverpool. Despite a promising start, he struggled to consistently fit into the team's style of play.
Eventually, he sealed a move to Crystal Palace, becoming their top scorer in his first season. He later moved to Major League Soccer's D.C. United, banging In goals like he did with Crystal Palace.
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