In this article, we will list the 5 countries that produce the best footballers in the world. For detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list, please see the 15 countries that produce the best footballers 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 currently dominates world football and are the reigning world champions, winning their second triumph in 2018. They are currently in the running to become the first country since 1962 to retain the World Cup. It is also home to perhaps the best talent in the world right now, Kylian Mbappe, who is breaking records left and right and is already at 23 one of the best scorers in the history of the Cup of the world. Of course, France has a history of producing high quality footballers such as Zinedine Zidane, one of the best midfielders in history, and Michael Platini, who won three consecutive Ballons d’Or.
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 ranked among the countries that produce the world’s best footballers and is home to some amazing legends, including Maldini, Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo, among others. Italy have faced a period of turmoil since their World Cup triumph in 2006, their most recent triumph being the Euros in 2021, while their biggest low point is that they failed to even qualify for the 2022 World Cup. It will be interesting to see how Italy The country recovers 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 of all time with 7 World Cup/Euro triumphs, more than any other nation. Germany is known for successfully producing incredible players over the decades, from Gerd Muller to Thomas Muller, from Franz Beckenbauer to Lothar Matthaus. However, the nation has struggled since its triumph at the 2014 World Cup, failing to even reach the round of 16 in the following two editions. However, it is still home to some 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, Maradona and Lionel Messi, with the latter single-handedly responsible for 6 of the 7 Balon D’or wins for Argentina. Currently, Argentina are in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and winning the tournament would be their third such triumph and first in over thirty years. Another Argentina legend is Sergio Agüero, although he failed 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 who doubted that Brazil would top the list of 12 countries that produce the best footballers 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 and flamboyant football which has won 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 over 1,000 goals and three World Cups, Pelé. It is the country with the greatest number of World Cups in history. Even though the nation has struggled at World Cups over the past two decades since its triumph in 2002, it still boasts some incredible footballers today, including Neymar Jr.
