The 50 Greatest Individual Seasons in Football History – Ranked
While football is a team sport, certain players have elevated entire seasons with performances of legendary status. Whether through staggering goal tallies, clutch title-winning efforts, or individual awards, these campaigns define greatness. Here's a countdown of the 50 best single-season performances in football history.
50. Pelé – 1958
At just 17, Pelé scored 66 goals in all competitions for Santos. It marked the beginning of one of the greatest careers in football, capped that year with a World Cup win.
49. Sir Stanley Matthews – 1955-56
Matthews became the first-ever Ballon d'Or winner at age 41. The English icon set a standard for longevity and sportsmanship in football.
48. Franz Beckenbauer – 1972
Beckenbauer scored 15 goals from a defensive position while leading Bayern to Bundesliga glory. His elegance, vision, and command made him revolutionary.
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47. Kenny Dalglish – 1982-83
Dalglish scored 20 goals and was named PFA Player of the Year. His playmaking and leadership powered Liverpool’s attack and earned him Ballon d'Or runner-up.
46. Kevin Keegan – 1978-79
Keegan netted 17 goals and led Hamburg to a Bundesliga title. He became the first Englishman to win back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.
45. Lev Yashin – 1962-63
Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or. His performances for Dynamo Moscow and USSR changed the way people viewed the position.
44. Oliver Kahn – 2000-01
Kahn was instrumental as Bayern won the Bundesliga and Champions League. His leadership and shot-stopping earned him Germany’s Footballer of the Year award.
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43. Gordon Banks – 1966
Banks helped England win their first and only World Cup. His calm presence and iconic saves defined English football’s golden summer.
42. Sir Bobby Charlton – 1966
Charlton led England to World Cup victory and won the Ballon d'Or. His thunderous shooting and leadership from midfield were unmatched.
41. Michel Platini – 1984-85
Platini led Juventus to the European Cup while winning his third consecutive Ballon d'Or. His control of the game and clutch goals made him untouchable.
40. Ruud Gullit – 1986-87
Gullit scored 28 goals for PSV and lifted the Ballon d'Or. He was the heart of Dutch attacking football before his move to AC Milan.
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39. Louis Van Hege – 1914-15
The Belgian striker scored 22 goals in 20 games for AC Milan. He was one of the early foreign stars of Italian football.
38. George Camsell – 1926-27
Camsell recorded nine hat-tricks in a single season for Middlesbrough. His goal-scoring spree remains a benchmark in English football history.
37. Oleg Blokhin – 1975
Blokhin was the star of Dynamo Kyiv’s golden generation, helping them win the UEFA Super Cup. His blistering pace and dribbling earned him the Ballon d'Or, making him a Soviet football legend.
36. Michael Owen – 2000-01
Owen scored 24 goals and helped Liverpool win five trophies in one year. His speed and finishing earned him the Ballon d'Or.
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35. Eusébio – 1967-68
Eusébio struck 50 goals in 35 games for Benfica. His incredible scoring prowess terrorized defenses throughout Europe.
34. Lothar Matthäus – 1990-91
Matthäus scored 23 goals from midfield and won the Ballon d'Or. He led Inter Milan with versatility and power.
33. Filippo Inzaghi – 2002-03
Inzaghi hit 30 goals for AC Milan, including a Champions League brace in the final. His poacher’s instincts were at their peak.
32. Pavel Nedvěd – 2003
Nedvěd’s energy and playmaking carried Juventus to a Champions League final. His efforts were rewarded with the Ballon d'Or.
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31. Luis Figo – 2000
Figo dazzled for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the same calendar year. His explosive wing play earned him the Ballon d'Or.
30. Zinedine Zidane – 1997-98
Zidane orchestrated Juventus' midfield and led France to a World Cup title. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year.
29. Roberto Baggio – 1992-93
Baggio scored 30 goals for Juventus and inspired their European run. His creativity and finesse won him the Ballon d'Or.
28. Alessandro Del Piero – 1997-98
Del Piero scored 32 goals in 47 games and led Juventus to a Serie A title. It was the best season of his decorated career.
27. Giuseppe Meazza – 1929-30
Meazza netted 31 goals for Inter Milan. He was the face of Italian football during its formative years.
26. Raúl – 2000-01
Raúl scored 32 goals for Real Madrid, combining style and consistency. He was a leader of the Galacticos era.
25. Francesco Totti – 2006-07
Totti hit 32 goals and guided Roma to cup success. His loyalty and creativity defined his peak season.
24. Wayne Rooney – 2009-10
Rooney scored 34 times in 44 appearances for Manchester United. He was unstoppable during this prolific run.
23. Andriy Shevchenko – 2000-01
Shevchenko scored 34 goals in all competitions for AC Milan. He was a complete forward during this breakout campaign.
22. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 1999-2000
Hasselbaink scored 35 goals in his lone season in Spain with Atlético Madrid. His finishing was ruthless in La Liga.
21. Fernando Torres – 2007-08
Torres scored 33 goals in his debut season for Liverpool, immediately becoming a fan favorite. His lethal finishing and big-game impact made it one of the best debut seasons in Premier League history.
20. Jean-Pierre Papin – 1991-92
Papin scored 36 goals and won the Ballon d'Or with Marseille. He was among Europe’s top scorers at the time.
19. Robin van Persie – 2011-12
Van Persie carried Arsenal with 37 goals, winning the Golden Boot. It was his final and finest season in North London.
18. Alan Shearer – 1994-95
Shearer scored 37 goals and powered Blackburn to a league title. His finishing and physicality peaked this season.
17. Didier Drogba – 2009-10
Drogba tallied 37 goals and 12 assists, leading Chelsea to Premier League glory. He dominated defenses with strength and skill.
16. Gunnar Nordahl – 1950-51
Nordahl scored 38 goals for AC Milan and won Serie A. His record stood for decades in Italian football.
15. Radamel Falcao – 2010-11
Falcao scored 38 goals for Porto, leading them to European and domestic success. His performances earned a big-money move to Spain.
14. Telmo Zarra – 1950-51
Zarra netted 38 league goals for Athletic Bilbao. His La Liga record stood until Messi broke it decades later.
13. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 1980-81
Rummenigge scored 39 goals in 45 games for Bayern. He claimed his second Ballon d'Or that season.
12. Thierry Henry – 2003-04
Henry scored 39 and assisted 14 goals for Arsenal’s unbeaten "Invincibles". He was the Premier League’s deadliest player.
11. Johan Cruyff – 1966-67
Cruyff scored 41 goals in 41 matches for Ajax. His technical excellence defined Total Football.
10. Alfredo Di Stéfano – 1956-57
Di Stéfano scored 43 goals and inspired Real Madrid's dominance. He was the beating heart of their European dynasty.
9. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 2002-03
Van Nistelrooy scored 44 goals for Manchester United. He was the most clinical striker in Europe that season.
8. Marco van Basten – 1986-87
Van Basten scored 45 goals in 44 games for Ajax. He signed off in the Eredivisie with a record-breaking haul.
7. Ronaldo Nazário – 1996-97
Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 51 games for Barcelona. His pace, power, and flair changed the game.
6. Ian Rush – 1983-84
Rush scored 47 goals in 65 games for Liverpool. He fired them to domestic and European triumphs.
5. Ferenc Puskás – 1959-60
Puskás scored 47 goals in 36 games for Real Madrid. His left foot was pure magic and menace.
4. Dixie Dean – 1927-28
Dean scored an unmatched 60 goals in a single English top-flight season. His record still stands nearly a century later.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2011-12
Ronaldo scored 60 goals in one of his finest campaigns. His relentless drive and scoring touched new heights.
2. Gerd Müller – 1972-73
Müller scored 67 goals in 49 matches for Bayern Munich. Der Bomber was an unstoppable force.
1. Lionel Messi – 2011-12
Messi shattered records with 73 goals in all competitions. It remains the most goals ever in a European season.
