World Soccer (magazine)
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
![]() | |
Editor | Stephen Fishlock |
---|---|
Categories | Sport |
Frequency | Monthly |
Circulation | 331,000 (Jan–Dec 2013)[1] |
Publisher | Kelsey Media |
Year founded | 1960 |
Based in | Farnborough, Hampshire, UK |
Language | English |
Website | worldsoccer |
World Soccer is an English-language football magazine published by Kelsey Media. The magazine was established in 1960 and is the oldest continually published football magazine in the United Kingdom.[2][3] It specialises in the international football scene. Its regular contributing writers include Brian Glanville, Keir Radnedge, Sid Lowe and Tim Vickery. World Soccer is a member of the European Sports Magazines (ESM), an umbrella group of similar magazines printed in other languages. The members of this group elect a European "Team of the Month" and a European "Team of the Year".
Since 1982, World Soccer has also organised "Player of the Year", "Manager of the Year" and "Team of the Year" awards.[4]
History[edit]
The magazine was first published in London in October 1960 by Echo Publications. The first edition featured an image of Titus Buberník and Svatopluk Pluskal on the front cover.[5] It was edited by Robert Bolle, with Graham Payne, editor of weekly sister publication Soccer Star, as features editor; Jack Rollin, who later edited The Football Yearbook for many years, as home editor; and Eric Batty as overseas editor.[6][7] Batty, who later edited the magazine, published an annual World XI from 1960 to 1992.[8] Brian Glanville has written a column for the magazine since April 1963.[9][10] In 1970, Soccer Star, which was first published on 20 September 1952 as Raich Carter's Soccer Star, was incorporated into World Soccer.[11] Keir Radnedge, who had been associate editor, took over from Philip Rising as editor in the late 1980s and was replaced by deputy editor Gavin Hamilton in January 1998 and became executive editor.[12] Radnedge continues to have a monthly column in the magazine.[13][14][15]
TI Media (formerly IPC Magazines, IPC Media and Time Inc. UK) published the magazine until the May 2020 issue with Kelsey Media taking over the following issue after acquired the title from Future plc, the successor of TI Media.[16] Hamilton, who had worked for World Soccer for 26 years, stepped down as editor after publishing the 60th anniversary edition in June 2020.[17]
Other regular contributors have included Paul Gardner, with a focus on football in the United States; David Conn; Jonathan Wilson; Mark Gleeson on African football; Tim Vickery, Brian Homewood and Eric Weil on South American football.
Award winners[edit]

Men's World Player of the Year[edit]
- 1982 –
Paolo Rossi (ITA), Juventus (23%)
- 1983 –
Zico (BRA), Udinese (28%)
- 1984 –
Michel Platini (FRA), Juventus (54%)
- 1985 –
Michel Platini (FRA), Juventus (21%)
- 1986 –
Diego Maradona (ARG), Napoli (36%)
- 1987 –
Ruud Gullit (NED), Milan (39%)
- 1988 –
Marco van Basten (NED), Milan (43%)
- 1989 –
Ruud Gullit (NED), Milan (24%)
- 1990 –
Lothar Matthäus (GER), Inter Milan (22%)
- 1991 –
Jean-Pierre Papin (FRA), Marseille (25%)
- 1992 –
Marco van Basten (NED), Milan (19%)
- 1993 –
Roberto Baggio (ITA), Juventus (14%)
- 1994 –
Paolo Maldini (ITA), Milan (27%)
- 1995 –
Gianluca Vialli (ITA), Juventus (18%)
- 1996 –
Ronaldo (BRA), Barcelona (17%)
- 1997 –
Ronaldo (BRA), Barcelona & Inter Milan (27%)
- 1998 –
Zinedine Zidane (FRA), Juventus (23%)
- 1999 –
Rivaldo (BRA), Barcelona (42%)
- 2000 –
Luís Figo (POR), Barcelona & Real Madrid (26%)
- 2001 –
Michael Owen (ENG), Liverpool (31%)
- 2002 –
Ronaldo (BRA), Inter Milan & Real Madrid (26%)
- 2003 –
Pavel Nedvěd (CZE), Juventus (36%)
- 2004 –
Ronaldinho (BRA), Barcelona (29%)
- 2005 –
Ronaldinho (BRA), Barcelona (39%)
- 2006 –
Fabio Cannavaro (ITA), Juventus & Real Madrid (40%)
- 2007 –
Kaká (BRA), Milan (52%)[18]
- 2008 –
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Manchester United (48.4%)[19]
- 2009 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (43.2%)[20]
- 2010 –
Xavi (ESP), Barcelona (25.8%)[21]
- 2011 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (60.2%)[22]
- 2012 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (47.33%)[23]
- 2013 –
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Real Madrid[24]
- 2014 –
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Real Madrid[25]
- 2015 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona[26]
- 2016 –
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Real Madrid[27]
- 2017 –
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Real Madrid[28]
- 2018 –
Luka Modrić (CRO), Real Madrid[29]
- 2019 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona[30]
- 2020 –
Robert Lewandowski (POL), Bayern Munich[31]
All-time wins[edit]By player[edit]
| By country[edit]
|
Young Player of the Year[edit]
- 2005 –
Robinho (BRA), Santos & Real Madrid (30%)
- 2006 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (36%)[32]
- 2007 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (34%)[33]
- 2008 –
Lionel Messi (ARG), Barcelona (44%)[19]
- 2009 –
Sergio Agüero (ARG), Atlético Madrid (45.1%)[20]
- 2010 –
Thomas Müller (GER), Bayern Munich (45.8%)[21]
- 2011 –
Neymar (BRA), Santos (29.2%)[22]
Men's World Manager of the Year[edit]
All-time wins[edit]
By manager[edit]
# | Manager | Wins |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 4 |
2 | ![]() | 3 |
3 | ![]() | 2 |
By country[edit]
# | Country | Wins |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() ![]() | 8 |
2 | ![]() | 6 |
![]() | ||
4 | ![]() | 4 |
![]() | ||
![]() | ||
7 | ![]() | 3 |
8 | ![]() | 1 |
![]() | ||
![]() | ||
![]() |
Men's World Team of the Year[edit]
|
By team[edit]
# | Team | Wins |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 5 |
2 | ![]() | 4 |
3 | ![]() | 3 |
![]() | ||
![]() | ||
6 | ![]() | 2 |
![]() |
Women's World Player of the Year[edit]
- 2020 –
Pernille Harder (DEN), Wolfsburg and Chelsea[31]
Women's World Manager of the Year[edit]
- 2020 –
Jean-Luc Vasseur (FRA), Lyon[31]
Women's World Team of the Year[edit]
Referee of the Year[edit]
- 2005 –
Pierluigi Collina (ITA) (31%)[32]
- 2006 –
Horacio Elizondo (ARG) (39%)[32]
Greatest XI of All Time[edit]
The list is based on the voting poll consisted of 74 experts (journalists, TV pundits, current and former players and managers) from around the world.[39]
(Published July 2013)[39]
Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Goalkeepers[edit]
Pos. | Name | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 31 | 41.89% |
2 | ![]() | 6 | 8.11% |
![]() | |||
4 | ![]() | 5 | 6.76% |
![]() | |||
6 | ![]() | 4 | 5.41% |
7 | ![]() | 3 | 4.05% |
8 | ![]() | 2 | 2.70% |
![]() | |||
![]() |
Full backs[edit]
Pos. | Name | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 48 | 64.86% |
2 | ![]() | 24 | 32.43% |
3 | ![]() | 18 | 24.32% |
4 | ![]() | 13 | 17.57% |
5 | ![]() | 11 | 14.86% |
6 | ![]() | 7 | 9.46% |
7 | ![]() | 6 | 8.11% |
8 | ![]() | 4 | 5.41% |
9 | ![]() | 3 | 4.05% |
10 | ![]() | 2 | 2.70% |
![]() | |||
![]() |
Central defenders[edit]
Pos. | Name | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 68 | 91.89% |
2 | ![]() | 23 | 31.08% |
3 | ![]() | 22 | 29.73% |
4 | ![]() | 4 | 5.41% |
5 | ![]() | 3 | 4.05% |
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
9 | ![]() | 2 | 2.70% |
Midfielders[edit]
Pos. | Name | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 64 | 86.49% |
2 | ![]() | 58 | 78.38% |
3 | ![]() | 28 | 37.84% |
4 | ![]() | 24 | 32.43% |
5 | ![]() | 18 | 24.32% |
6 | ![]() | 15 | 20.27% |
7 | ![]() | 12 | 16.22% |
8 | ![]() | 7 | 9.46% |
9 | ![]() | 5 | 6.76% |
![]() | |||
11 | ![]() | 4 | 5.41% |
![]() | |||
13 | ![]() | 3 | 4.05% |
![]() | |||
15 | ![]() | 2 | 2.70% |
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() | |||
![]() |
Strikers[edit]
Pos. | Name | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 56 | 75.68% |
2 | ![]() | 46 | 62.16% |
3 | ![]() | 11 | 14.86% |
4 | ![]() | 9 | 12.16% |
5 | ![]() | 5 | 6.76% |
6 | ![]() | 4 | 5.41% |
7 | ![]() | 2 | 2.70% |
![]() |
Greatest Managers of All Time[edit]


The list is based on the voting poll consisting of 74 experts (journalists, TV pundits, current and former players and managers) from around the world with each having been allotted 5 managerial picks.
Key
- Managers in bold are ranked by World Soccer, France Football and ESPN[41][42][43]
Pos. | Name | Years | Notable teams | Votes | % of Votes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 1974–2013 | Aberdeen, Scotland national team, Manchester United | 49 | 66.22% |
2 | ![]() | 1960–1992 | AFC Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands national team | 46 | 62.16% |
3 | ![]() | 2000– | Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham | 21 | 28.38% |
4 | ![]() | 1944–1970, 1973–1981 | Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan | 19 | 25.68% |
5 | ![]() | 2007– | Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City | 18 | 24.32% |
6 | ![]() | 1985–1999, 2001 | Parma, Milan, Italy national team, Atlético Madrid | 15 | 20.27% |
7 | ![]() | 1969–2002 | Dnipro, Dynamo Kyiv, Soviet Union national team, Ukraine national team | 14 | 18.92% |
8 | ![]() | 1974–1983 | Liverpool | 12 | 16.22% |
9 | ![]() | 1907–1918, 1921–1934 | Northampton Town, Leeds City, Huddersfield Town, Arsenal | 9 | 12.16% |
![]() | 1933–1939, 1945–1951, 1953–1962, 1964–1967, 1973 | Milan, São Paulo, Porto, Benfica, Peñarol | |||
![]() | 1962–1992 | Feyenoord, Sevilla, Netherlands national team, Hamburger SV | |||
![]() | 1966–1991, 1994–2001 | Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team, Vasco da Gama | |||
13 | ![]() | 1912–1922, 1924–1926, 1929–1948 | Italy national team, Torino, Milan | 8 | 10.81% |
![]() | 1987–1990, 1994, 1996, 1999–2005, 2008–2016 | Real Madrid, Beşiktaş, Spain national team | |||
![]() | 1982–2006, 2008–2010, 2012–2014, 2016–2019 | Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Italy national team, Guangzhou Evergrande, China national team | |||
![]() | 1969–1996 | Atlético Mineiro, São Paulo, Botafogo, Flamengo, Brazil national team | |||
17 | ![]() | 1965–1993 | Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest | 7 | 9.46% |
18 | ![]() | 1983–2004, 2007–2014 | Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Switzerland national team | 6 | 8.11% |
19 | ![]() | 1930–1942, 1945–1946, 1950–1964 | Germany national team, Eintracht Frankfurt | 5 | 6.76% |
![]() | 1949–1974 | Huddersfield Town, Liverpool | |||
![]() | 1974–2013 | Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Italy national team | |||
22 | ![]() | 1970, 1972–1984, 1986–1994, 1996–1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 | Argentina national team, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Boca Juniors, Independiente | 4 | 5.41% |
23 | ![]() | 1964–1986 | Italy national team | 3 | 4.05% |
![]() | 1910–1912, 1914–1921, 1924, 1924–1927, 1931–1939 | MTK Budapest, Netherlands national team, Fulham, Aston Villa | |||
![]() | 1948–1983 | Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona, 1. FC Köln | |||
![]() | 1952–1984 | Germany national team | |||
![]() | 1991–2015, 2017–2018 | Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus, England national team | |||
28 | ![]() | 1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1996 | Germany national team, Bayern Munich, Marseille | 2 | 2.70% |
![]() | 1971, 1973–1993, 1996, 1998–2000, 2003–2004 | Estudiantes, Colombia national team, Argentina national team, Sevilla, Boca Juniors | |||
![]() | 1985–1996 | AFC Ajax, Barcelona | |||
![]() | 1937–1942, 1947–1950, 1955–1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966 | São Paulo, Brazil national team, Boca Juniors | |||
![]() | 1955–1974, 1977–1978 | Ipswich Town, England national team | |||
![]() | 1940–1946, 1949–1957 | Hungary national team | |||
![]() | 1960–1985 | Celtic Glasgow, Scotland national team, Leeds United | |||
![]() | 1982–2019 | Brazil national team, Portugal national team, Grêmio, Palmeiras, Chelsea | |||
36 | ![]() | 1974-2009 | Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Barcelona, Sevilla, Spain national team | 1 | 1.35% |
![]() | 1965– | AFC Ajax, Netherlands national team, Real Madrid, Feyenoord | |||
![]() | 1993– | Valencia, Liverpool, Internazionale, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle United | |||
![]() | 1990– | Newell's Old Boys, América, Vélez Sarsfield, Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, Leeds United | |||
![]() | 1981– | Chicago Fire, MetroStars, United States national team, Egypt national team, Los Angeles FC | |||
![]() | 1945–1969, 1970-1971 | Manchester United | |||
![]() | 1973–1996 | Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United, Republic of Ireland national team | |||
![]() | 1959–1985 | Legia Warsaw, Poland national team, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos | |||
![]() | 1979–2018 | Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Schalke | |||
![]() | 1973–2011 | Paris Saint-Germain, France national team, Liverpool, Lyon | |||
![]() | 1967-2004 | Hajduk Split, Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia national team, Ajax, Anderlecht, Standard Liège, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Porto, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Marseille | |||
![]() | 1952-1987 | Steaua București, Ajax, France national team, Romania national team, Panathinaikos, Monaco | |||
![]() | 1970-2000 | Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Barcelona | |||
![]() | 1912-14, 1919-37 | Austria national team | |||
![]() | 1972-2010, 2012 | Fortuna Düsseldorf, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Greece national team | |||
![]() | 1968-2010 | Fluminense, Brazil national team, Valencia, Fenerbahçe, Corinthians, South Africa national team | |||
![]() | 1973-1990, 1993-1997 | Polish national team | |||
![]() | 1947-1977 | Padova, Milan | |||
![]() | 1926-1940 | Internazionale, Bologna | |||
![]() | 1984-2018 | Monaco, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Arsenal | |||
![]() | 1946-1962 | England national team |
The Greatest Players of the 20th century[edit]
In the December 1999 issue, a readers' poll listing the 100 greatest football players of the 20th century was published.[44]
|
|
|
|
Eric Batty's World XI[edit]
Season | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
---|---|---|---|---|
1960[45] |
|
|
|
|
1961[45] |
|
|
| |
1962[45] |
|
|
|
|
1963[45] |
|
|
| |
1964[45] |
|
|
| |
1965[45] |
|
|
| |
1966[45] |
|
|
| |
1967[45] |
|
| ||
1968[45] |
|
|
| |
1969[45] |
|
|
|
|
1970 | Did not publish | |||
1971[46] |
|
| ||
1972[46] |
|
|
| |
1973[46] |
|
|
| |
1974[46] |
|
|
|
|
1975[46] |
|
| ||
1976[46] |
|
|
|
|
1977[46] |
|
|
|
|
1978[46] |
|
|
|
|
1979 | Did not publish | |||
1980 | Did not publish | |||
1981 | Did not publish | |||
1982[47] |
|
|
| |
1983[47] |
| |||
1984[47] |
|
|
|
|
1985[47] |
|
| ||
1986[47] |
|
|
| |
1987[47] |
|
| ||
1988 | Did not publish | |||
1989[47] |
|
|
| |
1990[47] |
|
|
| |
1991[47] |
|
|
| |
1992[47] |
|
|
|
|
By player[edit]
Appearances | Player | First | Last |
---|---|---|---|
11 | ![]() | 1966 | 1977 |
8 | ![]() | 1969 | 1978 |
7 | ![]() | 1960 | 1966 |
6 | ![]() | 1964 | 1969 |
![]() | 1978 | 1990 | |
5 | ![]() | 1960 | 1965 |
![]() | 1963 | 1967 | |
![]() | 1965 | 1974 | |
![]() | 1968 | 1973 | |
![]() | 1982 | 1986 | |
4 | ![]() ![]() | 1960 | 1963 |
![]() | 1963 | 1967 | |
![]() | 1966 | 1969 | |
![]() | 1968 | 1973 | |
![]() | 1972 | 1976 | |
![]() | 1982 | 1985 | |
![]() | 1982 | 1985 | |
![]() | 1984 | 1987 | |
3 | ![]() | 1960 | 1962 |
![]() | 1961 | 1965 | |
![]() | 1962 | 1965 | |
![]() | 1962 | 1968 | |
![]() | 1963 | 1965 | |
![]() | 1964 | 1968 | |
![]() | 1967 | 1969 | |
![]() | 1969 | 1972 | |
![]() | 1971 | 1977 | |
![]() | 1972 | 1975 | |
![]() | 1974 | 1978 | |
![]() | 1978 | 1983 | |
![]() | 1982 | 1984 | |
![]() | 1984 | 1986 | |
![]() | 1984 | 1987 | |
![]() | 1986 | 1989 | |
![]() | 1989 | 1991 | |
![]() | 1989 | 1992 |
See also[edit]
- FIFA World Cup All-Time Team
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team
- FIFA 100
- FIFA Player of the Century
- World Team of the 20th Century
- ESM Team of the Season
References[edit]
- ^ "ABC Certificates and Reports: World Soccer" (PDF). NRS Readership Estimates - General Magazines. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Ballard, John; Suff, Paul (1999). World Soccer The Dictionary of Football. Boxtree Ltd. p. 650. ISBN 0-7522-2434-4.
- ^ Stewart Coggin. "Top 5 Soccer Magazines". About Sports. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "World Soccer Awards: Previous Winners". World Soccer. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "This Month's Front Cover". World Soccer. October 1960. p. 3.
- ^ "The International Magazine". World Soccer. October 1960. p. 5.
- ^ Hamilton, Gavin. "From the Editor". World Soccer. No. 60th Anniversary Issue 2020. p. 4.
- ^ "Eric Batty's World XIs - Football in a smooth and cultured groove". Beyond The Last Man. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ Glanville, Brian (October 2010). "The World This Month". World Soccer. pp. 10–11.
- ^ "1963". World Soccer. October 2010. p. 34.
- ^ Garrick, Frank (2003). Raich Carter The Biography. SportsBooks Limited. p. 217. ISBN 1-899807-18-7.
- ^ "Contents". World Soccer. January 1998. p. 3.
- ^ "More Glory for Italy's Cup heroes". World Soccer. December 1982. p. 3.
- ^ Radnege, Keir (May 1989). "Hillsborough Horror". World Soccer. pp. 2–3.
- ^ Radnege, Keir (Summer 2020). "Keir Radnege The Insider". World Soccer. pp. 8–9.
- ^ Twitter, Freddy Mayhew (20 April 2020). "Future completes £140m takeover of TI Media as coronavirus hits both businesses". Press Gazette. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ Hamilton, Gavin (Summer 2020). "From the Editor". World Soccer. p. 6.
- ^ "World Soccer Awards: Previous Winners". World Soccer. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Cristiano Ronaldo wins World Soccer award". World Soccer. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Messi voted World Soccer Player of the Year". World Soccer. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Xavi voted World Soccer Player of the Year". World Soccer. 16 December 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Lionel Messi voted World Soccer's Player of the Year". World Soccer. 15 December 2011.
- ^ a b "Lionel Messi wins World Soccer Player of the Year award!". World Soccer. 14 December 2012.
- ^ a b c "Cristiano Ronaldo is World Soccer's Player of the Year 2013". World Soccer. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.