The greatest British footballers to shine abroad, ranked from 16 to 1
British players haven’t always ventured far from home, but when they have, some made a lasting mark. From groundbreaking trailblazers to modern-day megastars, these are the 16 best British footballers to thrive overseas—ranked from Sancho to Bale.
16. Jadon Sancho – Borussia Dortmund
Sancho's time at Manchester United has been rocky, but his Bundesliga form with Dortmund was exceptional. With 50 goals and 64 assists, he left an indelible mark in Germany and is now rediscovering his spark on loan.
15. Trevor Francis – Sampdoria, Atalanta
Francis was a pioneer for English players in Serie A, winning the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria. His pace and mobility even earned high praise from Gianluca Vialli, who called him an inspiration.
14. Laurie Cunningham – Real Madrid, Lyon, Sporting Gijon, Charleroi, Rayo Vallecano
As the first British player to represent Real Madrid, Cunningham set a precedent for future generations. Despite injury struggles, his elegance and impact in Spain remain deeply respected.
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13. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Kane hit the ground running in Germany, racking up 44 goals and 11 assists in just 44 appearances for Bayern Munich. England’s all-time top scorer looks set to rewrite Bundesliga records.
12. Gary Lineker – Barcelona, Nagoya Grampus
Lineker impressed instantly at Barcelona, scoring a hat-trick in El Clásico and 21 goals in his debut season. He later rounded off his career in Japan with Nagoya Grampus, taking British football global.
11. Glenn Hoddle – AS Monaco
Under Arsène Wenger, Hoddle enjoyed a rejuvenated late-career spell in France, winning Ligue 1 and being named Foreign Player of the Year. His creative flair shone brightest in Monaco.
10. Owen Hargreaves – Bayern Munich
Though born in Canada, Hargreaves was a key figure for Bayern, winning four league titles and a Champions League. Injuries marred his time in England, but his German career remains widely underrated.
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9. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund
At just 20, Bellingham has become a force at Real Madrid, already claiming a La Liga title and scoring clutch goals. His meteoric rise suggests he’ll climb even higher on this list soon.
8. David Beckham – Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG, LA Galaxy
Beyond the brand, Beckham’s football spoke volumes—winning titles in Spain, France, and the U.S. His move to Real Madrid proved he could shine among football’s elite.
7. David Platt – Sampdoria, Bari, Juventus
Platt was a consistent performer in Italy, lifting the UEFA Cup with Juventus and Coppa Italia with Sampdoria. His four-year Serie A stint made him one of the league’s most respected midfielders.
6. Paul Lambert – Borussia Dortmund
Lambert only spent one year in Germany, but it was unforgettable. He helped Dortmund lift their first Champions League and even neutralized a young Zinedine Zidane in the final.
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5. Steve McManaman – Real Madrid
Often overlooked, McManaman delivered top-class performances in Madrid, scoring in a Champions League final and thriving despite fierce competition. A smart free transfer that paid off handsomely.
4. Chris Waddle – Marseille
Waddle was a sensation in France, winning three league titles and reaching a European Cup final. His flair earned him a spot in Marseille’s ‘Dream Team’—a nod to his brilliance on the wing.
3. John Charles – Juventus, Roma
Charles was a Serie A icon in the late '50s, topping the scoring charts and winning five trophies with Juventus. Revered in Italy, he finished third in the 1959 Ballon d'Or.
2. Kevin Keegan – Hamburger SV
Keegan overcame a shaky start to become a Hamburg legend, winning two Ballon d'Or awards and a Bundesliga title. His impact was so strong, he was named in Kicker’s Team of the Season every year.
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1. Gareth Bale – Real Madrid, Los Angeles FC
Despite a turbulent ending, Bale’s Real Madrid tenure was phenomenal—five Champions League titles, 106 goals, and countless memorable moments. In his prime, he was arguably the best British player abroad in football history.
