The prospect of playing on the pristine pitch of your national stadium or scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final are all things that children dream of when they kick a battered old football around in the street. International competitions remain the pinnacle of recognition for the best of the best in the history of the beautiful game, and over time, the greats of the beautiful game have contributed substantially to their respective countries prosperity. This week, as the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, approaches, we take a look at the greatest players of each participating country...

Luis Suarez- Uruguay

Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz is an Uruguayan professional footballer who plays for the Uruguayan national team and Nacional in the Primera División. Known as El Pistolero, he is exceptional at passing, finishing, and handling the ball. It is impossible to overlook the magic he delivers with his feet despite his famed use of his hands and teeth on the international stage. It is his otherworldly ability that has earned him 134 caps and 68 goals for his country, figures he will be looking to extend at this year's World Cup.

Samuel Eto’o- Cameroon

Former player and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o Fils is a Cameroonian football administrator. There is no doubt that Roger Milla has the best hips in the history of Cameroon, but the country's best footballer has to be four-time African Footballer of the Year winner Samuel Eto'o. There is only one player who has appeared for Les Lions Indomptables more times than Eto'o, and no one has scored more goals for the team than Eto'o. In his 17 years as an international footballer, he became the African Cup of Nations' all-time top goalscorer, winning the competition twice on the bounce in 2000 and 2002, scoring five goals on each occasion.

Abedi Pele- Ghana

Former Ghanaian professional footballer Abedi Ayew, also known as Abedi Pele, played as an attacking midfielder and served as captain of the Ghana national team. The greatest African footballer of all time is considered to be him. Abedi Pele was one of Africa's greatest footballers, winning three Player of the Year awards on the continent. With Marseille, Pele enjoyed a stellar club career, winning the Champions League and Ligue 1 twice, as well as an international career, earning 73 caps and scoring 19 times. In 1982, the Ghanaian won the Africa Cup of Nations, and 11 years later, he was named Player of the Year by his nation.

Son Heung-min- South Korea

It is important to note that Son Heung-min is a South Korean professional footballer who plays forward for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and is captain of the South Korean national team. For the past few years, Son Heung-min, six-time South Korean Footballer of the Year, has been at the top of world football, showcasing his purely staggering quality while proving to be a regular goal scorer in the Premier League with 40 goals in each of the last two full seasons. Having won 104 matches for his country, Son needs just one more to break into the top ten, while his 35 South Korean goals place him fourth on the country's all-time top scorer list. Son is 30 already, but don't bet against him scoring the 24 more he needs to be number one.

Cristiano Ronaldo- Portugal

Portuguese professional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM plays forward for Premier League club Manchester United and captains the Portugal national team. Ronaldo is considered by some to be the greatest footballer of all time, having scored a world-record 117 international goals. He held a ridiculous number of Portugal national team records and won its first major tournament at Euro 2016. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he defied the odds to lead Portugal to its first major tournament win. It would shock the world, however, if he ticked the final box on his bucket list and led the Portuguese to World Cup glory this winter.

Franz Beckenbauer- Germany

Former German professional footballer and manager Franz Anton Beckenbauer. Due to his elegant style, dominance, and leadership on the field, as well as the fact that his first name "Franz" is reminiscent of the Austrian emperors, he was nicknamed Der Kaiser throughout his playing career. The question of identifying the greatest German footballer ever is so cruel. Generation after generation of pure world-class talent has passed through the ranks of the four-time World Cup-winning nation. Despite the fact that he may offend some of the born winners, our champion is two-time Ballon d'Or winner Franz Beckenbauer - a personification of innovation in football and the only man to lead Die Mannschaft to World Cup and European success (and a World Cup-winning coach as well).

Alphonso Davies- Canada

Currently playing for the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Canadian national team, Alphonso Boyle Davies is a Canadian professional soccer player. The pace, dribbling, and creativity he possesses make him one of the best full-backs in the world. Despite the fact that the Canadians have had very little to cheer about on the football pitch for some time now, their fans can be very excited about the future - and the fervent passion that is bubbling in Canada is undoubtedly fueled in principle by young Alphonso Davies. Atiba Hutchinson has laid the foundation for the Maple Leafs to build upon, however, it is Phonzy, 21 years old, who has captured the attention of the country's previously hibernating footy fans. The left-back for Bayern Munich is an attacking force for both his club and country, and is already regarded as one of the most heroic figures in Canadian football.

Ahmed Faras- Morocco

Former Moroccan footballer Ahmed Faras played as a striker for Chabab Mohammédia at the club level and for Morocco at the international level. The African Footballer of the Year award was presented to Faras in 1975. Faras was named by CAF as one of the top 200 African football players in the last 50 years in 2006. In terms of Moroccan football, things aren't looking bad at the moment; Morocco hasn't qualified for consecutive World Cup finals since the 1990s, and the team heads to Qatar having narrowly missed out on the final four of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. To determine their greatest player, we have looked back to the 1970s. The nation's leading goal scorer is Ahmed Faras, who has scored 36 goals, three of which came during the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco's only major tournament victory.

Lionel Messi- Argentina

Argentine footballer Lionel Andrés Messi is a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captain of the Argentina national team. Lionel Messi has been named Argentina's greatest footballer over Diego Maradona in the face of an almost impossible dilemma. As the country's leading cap-earner and goal-scorer (and as a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner), the inimitable creator and delightfully elegant executioner emerge as the clear winner. After winning the Copa America in 2021, Messi will now attempt to emulate the feat achieved by Maradona in 1986 and captain Argentina to a World Cup triumph - the only honor missing from his lengthy resume.

Mansour Muftah- Qatar

Former Qatari footballer Mansour Muftah Faraj Bekhit Al-Abdullah, or simply Mansour Muftah, played as a forward. The Qatar Stars League ranked him as the top scorer 7 times, and the Qatar national team ranked him 42nd with 42 goals. As much as Hassan Al-Haydos and Mubarak Mustafa can claim the title of Qatar's greatest footballer, it is sensational goalscorer Mansour Muftah who takes the crown. Throughout his career, the striker earned seven golden boots in the Qatar Stars League and maintained a brilliant strike rate overseas. After retiring due to differences with Dino Sani in 1990, Muftah remains his country's all-time top goalscorer with 42 goals in 81 appearances.

Ivan Hurtado- Ecuador

A former professional player of Ecuadorian origin, Iván Jacinto Hurtado Angulo played as a center-back. As the most capped South American male footballer of all time, he ranks fifteenth in the history of male international football with 168 appearances for Ecuador between 1992 and 2014. In the history of the World Cup qualification process, no other South American player has accrued as many international caps as Ecuador's highest cap earner Ivan Hurtado. In his 168 appearances between 1992 and 2014, Hurtado became a cult figure in Ecuadorian football and a leader during a golden era. After becoming captain, he played an important role in leading the nation to its first-ever World Cup qualification.

Sadio Mane- Senegal

Senegal national football team forward Sadio Mané is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays for the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Known for his pressing, dribbling, and speed, he is considered to be one of the greatest African players of all time. In spite of the fact that there is a 'streets will never forget' style list of cult figures in Senegalese football, there can only be one choice when it comes to determining the Lions' all-time greatest player. An incredible performer, Sadio Mane's leadership and influence permeate Senegalese football as well as Senegalese society because of his infectious work rate and awe-inspiring quality on the field; an electric performer, his leadership and influence permeate both. It will not be long until the forward reach 100 caps, but it is also his inspirational humanitarian endeavors that make him a symbol of heroism in his homeland and abroad. Senegal's all-time best player, Mane, is a generous soul and a generational player.

Johan Cruyff- The Netherlands

The name Hendrik Johannes Cruijff was the name of a Dutch professional football player and manager. During his playing career, he won three Ballon d'Or awards, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. The Dutch player was an advocate of the total football philosophy developed by Rinus Michels, known as Total Football. It was not an easy task. There are many names on the list... for quite some time - Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Arjen Robben. Johan Cruyff, however, is undoubtedly the most enigmatic Dutch player to have donned the orange strip. As a member of Die Oranje for 48 years, the legend and pioneer scored 33 goals and guided his country to a World Cup runner-up finish in 1974 with one of the most impressive individual campaigns in the history of the competition. In describing the three-time Ballon d'Or winner, there are few ways to do him justice, but one of them is probably to describe the Netherlands' all-time greatest footballer.

Bobby Charlton- England

A former English footballer, Sir Robert Charlton CBE played as a forward or a midfielder. A member of the 1966 England team that won the FIFA World Cup, the year in which he won the Ballon d'Or, he was considered one of the greatest players of all time. The Ballon d'Or was awarded to him in 1967 and 1968. Over the years, many exceptional players have worn the Three Lions on their chests, but Bobby Charlton stands alone among them. As one of history's greatest players, the Manchester United legend became an icon of our beautiful game wherever he played. This award is given to Sir Bobby Charlton, who is the second-all-time goalscorer for the Red Devils, a winner of three First Division titles, a member of the first English team ever to win a European Cup in 1968, a winner of the Ballon d’Or award, and, of course, the only English side ever to win the World Cup.

Ali Daei- Iran

A former player and current manager, Ali Daei is an Iranian footballer. During the period 2000-2006, he served as captain of the Iranian national team and played in the German Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin. Among the most notable Asian football players of all time, he is considered one of the best. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei would still be the all-time leading goalscorer in international football. He will have to settle for being regarded as Iran's all-time greatest player due to his 109 goals in 149 international appearances. Besides winning the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 1999 and being inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame, Daei also captained his country more times than any other player, wearing the armband from 1998 to 2006.

Gareth Bale- Wales

A Currently playing for Los Angeles FC in the Major League Soccer and for the Wales national team, Gareth Frank Bale MBE is a Welsh professional footballer. Among the finest Welsh players of all time, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers of his generation. While we may be able to determine the greatest player of all time based on the flip of a coin, our selection goes to Gareth Bale. It is fair to say that during his prime, he was an unstoppable force of nature, whose exploits at the club level have been matched by his leadership and talismanic brilliance at the international level. Bale has been the key player for his country during its most successful period (making the semi-finals of a major tournament and qualifying for the first World Cup in 64 years). Despite a downward trajectory in his club career in recent years, Bale remains Wales' top goal scorer with 40 goals in 108 appearances.

Majed Abdullah- Saudi Arabia

During his playing career, Majed Ahmed Abdullah represented Al-Nassr and the Saudi national team. With 72 goals in 117 games, Abdullah holds the record for Saudi Arabia's all-time leading goalscorer. It is no secret that the man known as the Arabian Jewel was one of the most prolific strikers in the history of world football. Over the course of his 22-year career, Majed Abdullah scored 259 goals in just 266 appearances for Al-Nassr and finished as the league's top scorer six times, winning the award four times. Despite his heroics on the international stage, the marksman scored 72 goals in 140 appearances for his country.

Hugo Sanchez- Mexico

As a striker, Hugo Sánchez Márquez was a former professional footballer and manager from Mexico. Known for his spectacular strikes and volleys, Sánchez is widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican footballers of all time. The legendary striker Hugo Sanchez deserves this honor over the likes of Javier Hernandez, Jorge Campos, and Rafael Marquez - in the opinion of many Mexican fans, the greatest number nine in the history of the game. To be fair, the iconic striker has been recognized by the International Football Federation of History and Stats as the best CONCACAF player of the 20th century. Sanchez scored 195 goals and won five La Liga golden boots during his career, in addition to 29 international goals in 58 appearances.

Robert Lewandowski- Poland

A Polish professional footballer who plays for the La Liga club Barcelona and captains the Poland national team, Robert Lewandowski is a striker. With countless awards and honors to his name, Robert Lewandowski is Poland's greatest footballer. In 2020 and 2021, he was named FIFA's Best Men's Player of the Year. As a player, the inevitable striker embodies ruthlessness and has demonstrated his skill at taking down opponents repeatedly throughout his career. With 76 goals at the international level, he is miles ahead of any other Pole to play for their country, and that is not even close to the number of goals he scored for Bayern Munich during his 10-year career.

Zinedine Zidane- France

A French professional football manager and former attacking midfielder, Zinedine Yazid Zidane is commonly referred to as Zizou. A former coach of the Spanish club Real Madrid, he is considered one of the most successful coaches of all time. It takes an exceptional player to be able to beat the likes of three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini and France's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry in the race for the title of Les Bleus' greatest ever player. It would be inaccurate to call Zinedine Zidane 'very special. It was clear that Zizou was an elegant bulldozer and a sparkling battering ram of a midfielder, providing pace, strength, grace, skill, class, and efficiency. During his tenure, he made football appear as a dynamic, businesslike form of art. A winner of the Ballon d'Or and world champion in 1998, the Frenchman ended his career with an ugly headbutt in a World Cup final, but he continues to be remembered as a mesmerizing magician.

Tim Cahill- Australia

A former Australian professional footballer, Timothy Filiga Cahill AO also played as a striker on occasion, primarily as an attacking midfielder. A Cahill was recognized for his "aggressive and powerful approach, as well as his ability to head the ball in the penalty area". As a Premier League cult hero for his humor and antics with Everton, he is capable of topping Australia's all-time greatest list purely because of his celebration. His 108 caps are only surpassed by his fellow legend Mark Schwarzer, while no one else comes close to his half-century of Socceroo goals.

Christian Eriksen- Denmark

Danish professional footballer Christian Dannemann Eriksen plays as a midfielder for the Manchester United team and the Denmark national team. The skills of Eriksen include vision, technique, passing, and free kicks. There have been many sensational players who have worn the Danish national jersey. It may be the case that Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup are on many people's lists of the country's all-time greats, but for us, Christian Eriksen takes the top honor. He remains a stalwart despite undergoing an on-field cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 while playing for his country. It is a blessing that Manchester United's midfielder is once again displaying his impressive skills.

Sadok Sassi- Tunisia

A former Tunisian footballer known as "Attouga," Sadok Sassi played as a goalkeeper for Club Africain and the Tunisia national team. During the 1963 African Cup of Nations, he represented Tunisia in both matches. There is no doubt that goalkeeper Sadok Sassi, also known as Attouga, is Tunisia's greatest footballer. During his 15-year tenure with the Tunisian national team, Attouga won five Tunisian championships and eight Tunisian cups. In 1978, he missed his maiden World Cup appearance due to injury despite being the country’s first choice number one and represented them at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Andres Iniesta- Spain

As a professional footballer, Andrés Iniesta Luján plays as a midfielder for J1 League club Vissel Kobe. Known as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Iniesta spent most of his career at Barcelona, where he served as captain for three seasons. In recent years, there have been a number of players wearing the red of Spain who has captured the hearts and imaginations of football fans around the world. Andres Iniesta, however, stands out as the best player they have ever had. His 131 caps and the biggest goal in his country's history must have earned him the title, don't they? It was that extra-time winner against the Netherlands in 2010 that earned Spain their only ever World Cup triumph, in addition to being among the best footballers of all time. Without Ronaldo and Messi, it would have probably been a multiple Ballon d'Or winner.

Keylor Navas- Costa Rica

As a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Costa Rica national team, Keylor Antonio Navas represents Costa Rica as a professional footballer. It is rare for a goalkeeper to be considered the country's greatest-ever footballer; however, with Costa Rica, there is no question. His 107 caps during his five-year stint with Real Madrid made him a national hero and a domestic and European champion. A key component of Costa Rica's success in recent years, he was notably outstanding as the nation achieved its best-ever World Cup finish in 2014, reaching the quarterfinals.

Kunishige Kamamoto- Japan

Former Japanese football player, manager, and politician Kunishige Kamamoto. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, he won a bronze medal for the Japan national team, finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals, and is the all-time leading scorer for Japan. Kunishige Kamamoto was Japan's first true superstar, before the likes of Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Hidetoshi Nakata, and Kazuyoshi Miura (who, yes, is still playing soccer in his homeland today). During his career, the one-club man netted 262 goals in 311 appearances for Yanmar Diesel, and 80 goals in 84 caps for Japan, winning seven Player of the Year awards.

Eden Hazard- Belgium

Belgian professional footballer Eden Michael Hazard is a winger or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and captain of the Belgian national team. Hazard is considered one of the best players of his generation due to his creativity, dribbling, passing, and vision. While this is a tough debate, we've examined Eden Hazard as the greatest Red Devil ever, despite the fact that catalysts for future success such as Paul van Himst are often overlooked in conversations surrounding the Red Devils. Even though his career has been on a downward trajectory since his move to Spain, the wicked winger is undoubtedly one of the greatest in Premier League history and holds the torch for the majority of his country's other stars.

Luka Modric- Croatia

He plays for the La Liga team Real Madrid and captains the Croatian national team as a midfielder. While he primarily plays as a central midfielder, he is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or as a defensive midfielder. It was the first time a Croatian had won the Ballon d'Or in 2018. He is one of only two players other than Messi and Ronaldo to have won the award since 2007. The catalytic midfielder has been a legendary figure for Real Madrid since his transfer from Tottenham in 2012, winning 21 trophies with the club during his career. At the international level, his influence has been just as significant, leading them to a World Cup runner-up finish in Russia four years ago.

Pele- Brazil

The Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, played as a forward in his professional career. Among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century, he was considered one of the greatest players of all time. While Neymar is contending for the title of Brazil's greatest athlete, Pele simply must win. In three of Brazil's five triumphant World Cup campaigns, Pele played and starred, making him the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. The icon who has 77 goals in just 92 caps might not be the nation's all-time leading goalscorer for very long, but Pele will remain a role model for generations to come.

Branislav Ivanovic- Serbia

Ivanovi is a Serbian professional footballer who most recently played for West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League. An extremely versatile defender, Ivanovi played as a right-back, but he is also capable of playing as a center-back. Originally from Srem, Ivanovicć began his career with his hometown club FK Srem. There is a great deal of temptation to place Aleksandr Mitrovic in the top ten of Serbia's greatest footballers; the Fulham striker has scored 50 goals in 76 appearances, a Serbian record. Even though Nemanja Vidic and Dejan Stankovic have also donned the country's colors, we have opted to honor Branislav Ivanovic, the ever-dependable, two-time Serbian Player of the Year. The former Chelsea player has played more games for Serbia than anyone else, as well as scoring 13 goals in 105 appearances. Throughout his 13-year international career, Ivanovic served as the captain of his nation five times, playing his last game at the 2018 World Cup.

By Rashmi Goel