The greatest England internationals of all time - ranked

England has produced some of the most legendary and iconic footballers ever to play the game.

While the nation continues to dream of another crowning moment of glory, having only ever heard of the success of the 1966 World Cup squad, top quality Three Lions stars have been and gone without managing to lead the country to another international title. That doesn't mean England haven't had some of the best players ever, however.

It's a difficult ranking to put together, but here are 90min's greatest England men's internationals ever.

33. Raheem Sterling

Sterling endured the lows of 2016 but was hugely responsible for England's successes at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.

The winger perpetually divided opinion, often unjustly, but there was a time when he constantly delivered for his country on the biggest stage. He worked wonderfully well alongside Harry Kane in Russia, but his crowning moments arrived two years later. Sterling scored the winner against Croatia in England's group opener, broke the deadlock in a historic round of 16 triumph over Germany before winning the penalty which led to England's progression into the Euro 2020 final.

His international career may not be over just yet, with Sterling so far netting 20 times in 82 caps.

32. Jordan Pickford

People have long thought that England must have a better goalkeeper than Jordan Pickford at their disposal, but the Sunderland-born shot-stopper has proven to be a defining figure during the Three Lions' most prosperous period of modern times.

Aided by Gareth Southgate's caution and a sound backline, Pickford's recorded 33 clean sheets in 71 caps - the fifth-most by an England goalkeeper. However, a third of these arrived at major tournaments. Error-free and immensely passionate, Pickford has won over an overwhelming number of doubters.

His heroics in shootout triumphs over Colombia and Switzerland will live long in the memory.

31. Kenny Sansom

Sansom is best remembered for his eight-year spell at Arsenal, with the majority of the full-back's 86 England caps arriving when he was strutting his stuff in north London.

Sansom typified the reliable nature of full-backs at the time, with the former Gunner being revered for his consistency. There was little by way of exuberance, but he boasted a swift turn of pace and was adept at both ends of the pitch. He scored just once for his country.

30. David Platt

England's dreams of winning the 1990 World Cup arguably became more realistic when David Platt hooked in an astonishing volley in the last 16 against Belgium.

That was his first ever Three Lions goal and he would go on to strike against Cameroon and Italy in that tournament. Platt was also known for his heading ability despite not being the tallest midfielder.

29. Kyle Walker

Few players are able to keep up with Kyle Walker when he hits top gear. The rapid full-back has been part of England's more successful squads in recent times, playing out wide or in a back three.

He's had to deal with some of the world's most dangerous attackers on international duty and has rarely come out of those duels looking worse for wear.

28. Viv Anderson

Viv Anderson was Sir Alex Ferguson's first ever signing as Manchester United boss and earned plaudits for his hard-line, effective approach to defending.

He was the first ever black man to play in a full international for England and made 30 caps, travelling for both the Spain and Mexico World Cups in the 1980s. A massively underrated player who was unfortunate not to feature more regularly.

27. Paul Ince

The tenacious midfielder splits opinion for returning to England with Liverpool following a spell in Serie A having previously played for Man Utd, but Ince was undoubtedly one of the greats of the 90s.

When not being de-pantsed by Paul Gascoigne while trying to climb walls, he was covering for him in midfield at tournaments for the Three Lions.

26. Terry Butcher

We've all seen the picture, haven't we?

A bloodied and bandaged Terry Butcher donned a crimson mask after splitting his head open against Sweden in 1989. His England career spanned across ten years as an always reliable centre back, even when likely concussed.

25. Glenn Hoddle

Before he was a part of a questionable commentary panel on television, Glenn Hoddle was a really good footballer.

A seriously creative and technical player which put him ahead of the curve in the 80s, Hoddle was somewhat overlooked in an era that prioritised work rate. When given the chance, though, he excelled and brought the flair and technical grace England needed more often than not.

24. Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand won the lot at club level with Man Utd and thrived for England throughout the 2000s, racking up 81 caps and going to four World Cups - all while rocking some questionable haircuts along the way.

Injuries meant his England appearances became less frequent in his later years, but there's no denying Ferdinand was an incredible defender in his pomp.

23. Michael Owen

Ironically, it was injuries suffered while away with England that basically ended Michael Owen's career.

The striker was electric in his earlier years and won a Ballon d'Or in 2001 following his incredible rise in the late 90s, but an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered at the 2006 World Cup seemed to be the undoing of him at the top level.

Still, he's the country's sixth highest goalscorer ever which is pretty damn impressive.

22. Billy Wright

It's difficult to truly compare footballers from the early 20th century to those who play today's game. But while Billy Wright played his football around the Second World War, nobody can deny his legacy.

A traditional centre-half, Wright was the first footballer to reach 100 international caps and captained England a whopping 90 times.

21. Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell earned 73 caps throughout an incredible international career that lasted over a decade and represented the Three Lions at six consecutive major tournaments.

The greatest of those 73 caps? The one against Croatia in 2007 that resulted in his infamous, never-ending slide tackle.

20. John Terry

A physical presence and a true leader of men, John Terry was one of several talented defenders England had at its disposal in the 2000s.

Nobody loved a classic England shirt and a pair of Umbro football boots more than JT, who ended his Three Lions career with 78 caps.

19. Bryan Robson

"They don't make 'em like that anymore" is what English dads say about everything that ever happened in the past. They're right when they say it about Bryan Robson, though.

The leader of all leaders, Robbo scored what was once the fastest goal ever at a World Cup when he bagged after 27 seconds against France in 1982. Injuries blighted the midfielder's later years, but he still brought a lot to the squad.

18. Ashley Cole

There's little doubt that Ashley Cole is England's greatest ever left-back. In a decade when most of the country's best players failed to turn up in decisive moments, the same accusation couldn't be levelled at the former Chelsea and Arsenal defender.

He nullified a young Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004 and was rarely caught out of position, boasting excellent recovery pace and good skill on the ball.

17. Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan might have won four British Home Championships, but there's no denying his England career was disappointing considering how good he was at club level.

A two-time Ballon d'Or winner, the former Liverpool star still bagged 21 goals in 63 appearances but made only one appearance at World Cup finals.

16. Sir Tom Finney

Again it's difficult to place footballers from way back in the day, but no one can deny Tom Finney was one of the best of his generation.

Finney bagged 30 goals from 76 England caps after the Second World War and retired from the professional game as a one-club man, having only played for Preston North End competitively.

15. Sir Geoff Hurst

The man who replaced an injured Jimmy Greaves for the 1966 World Cup final, Hurst scored a hat-trick to help England to a 4-2 victory and their only World Cup to date.

Fans have the former West Ham United striker to thank for the iconic piece of commentary: "Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over! It is now!"

14. Frank Lampard

One of the most complete midfielders to ever play the game, Frank Lampard loved a goal and could always be called upon for England.

Society would definitely have flying cars by now had his goal versus Germany at the 2010 World Cup not been wrongly disallowed.

13. Peter Shilton

Peter Shilton's 125 England caps is an unbelievable feat and a testament to just how reliable he was for the Three Lions from 1970 to 1990.

The goalkeeper played for modest club sides during his career, including Leicester City, Stoke City and Southampton, but was also part of the glorious Nottingham Forest side that won two European Cups.

He remains England's most capped player ever with 125 appearances, though he's also remembered for being out-jumped by Diego Maradona.

12. Sir Stanley Matthews

Dubbed 'The Wizard of the Dribble', Sir Stanley Matthews put together an incredible 23-year long England career that still sees him hold the record for the oldest player to turn out for the Three Lions at 42 years and 104 days.

He was the inaugural Ballon d'Or winner in 1956, with his excellent technique and blistering pace making him almost impossible for defenders to contain.

11. Steven Gerrard

Lampard and Steven Gerrard were England's sweethearts throughout the 'golden generation'. And while no manager could work out how to play them alongside one another, Gerrard still enjoyed a wonderful career for the Three Lions.

He eventually became captain and racked up 21 goals in 114 international appearances, scoring at two World Cups.

10. Alan Shearer

30 goals from 63 England caps is one hell of a record for Geordie hero Alan Shearer.

The former Newcastle United star's finest hour in an England shirt came at Euro 96, where his five goals won him the Golden Boot and dragged his country to the semi-finals.

9. Gordon Banks

Gordon Banks was between the sticks for every game in England's 1966 World Cup campaign and was always relied upon to pull out a top performance when needed.

Beyond that, he produced heroics in the 1970 World Cup to deny Pele on a number of occasions, including that save from the Brazilian's headed effort. Banks was truly one of the greatest.

8. Gary Lineker

Everyone's favourite Match of the Day host actually played football himself once upon a time. He wasn't bad, either.

Gary Lineker's six goals at the 1986 World Cup made him the first Englishman to win a Golden Boot at the tournament and he followed that up with four more efforts at the next edition four years later in Italy.

7. Paul Gascoigne

Arguably the most talented Englishman to ever play the game, Paul Gascoigne's extraordinary talents yielded ten goals from 57 caps.

He was an incredibly brave and whole-hearted player, putting in a brilliant performance in the 1990 World Cup semi-final that featured tears and ended in penalty shootout heartbreak.

His England career is an iconic one.

6. Jimmy Greaves

Among all of the England greats, Jimmy Greaves' name slips under the radar a fair bit.

It's completely unfair, though. Greaves has scored six hat-tricks for the Three Lions and was denied a place in the 1966 final only through an injury. It was bitterly unlucky for such a talented player, who racked up 44 goals in 57 caps.

5. Harry Kane

Pernickety fans continue to claim Harry Kane is holding England back, but one simple look at the statistics and the team's results at major tournaments show that's a load of hogwash.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker's goals have powered the Three Lions to respectable finishes at the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. He's always been a deadly finisher and became England's all time leading scorer in 2023.

4. David Beckham

England fans went through pretty much everything with David Beckham.

He was cast as public enemy number one following a red card at the 1998 World Cup but then provoked unbridled joy with the most unbelievably amazing free kick ever against Greece and his penalty against Argentina.

Becks was one of the purest ball-strikers world football has ever seen and delivered countless moments of quality when England needed it most.

3. Wayne Rooney

Few players can claim to have burst onto the international scene in more emphatic and exciting fashion than Wayne Rooney.

The former Man Utd star was an otherworldly talent when he started bossing it at Euro 2004 and, while he would never hit the same heights for the Three Lions at a major tournament, Rooney dragged the nation through various qualification campaigns and was the men's leading goalscorer from 2015 to 2023.

2. Sir Bobby Moore

Cited by Pele as the greatest defender he ever played against, West Ham United legend Bobby Moore is undeniably the greatest England captain of all time.

Graceful in possession and patient in the tackle - just look up his tackle on Jairzinho in 1970 for proof of that - the defender earned 108 caps, a World Cup and put in an ungodly number of heroic performances throughout his England career.

1. Sir Bobby Charlton

The iconic Bobby Charlton tops the lot.

The goalscoring midfielder was the third greatest goalscorer in the country's history and it was his dynamism from the middle of the park that made the 1966 triumph possible.

As a leading figure in an as of yet unrepeated success, few can argue they made greater contributions to English football than the Manchester United legend.

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