AI Names the Greatest Player in Football History For Every Letter of the Alphabet

Football fans spend unique ways trying to pass the time, which can even include games such as debating the best footballer in history based on the first letter of their respective surnames. The letter ‘R’ would undoubtedly spark arguments due to its plethora of talent that has taken the sport by storm.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, and Romario are just three of many legendary footballers who compete for R’s honour of being the best of all time. It all comes down to a matter of opinion, but if you ever wondered which player you share the same starting letter of your surname with is viewed as the greatest, AI has given its verdict.

GIVEMESPORT tasked Grok AI with deciding the best footballer in history based on the letter of the alphabet. There are bound to be obvious choices, surprises and one or two that perhaps leave you scratching your head.

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A:

Aguero, Sergio

Grok AI Said:

“Argentine striker, Manchester City legend, Premier League’s top foreign goalscorer.”

We start with Sergio Aguero, who cemented his legacy as one of the best centre-forwards of all time while at Manchester City in the Premier League. The Argentine was one of the most important players in the Cityzens’ transformation following the Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover in 2008, scoring the famous title-winning goal that helped them become more than just Manchester United’s noisy neighbours.

Aguero wasn’t just a fox in the box; he was the complete package up top for City, knowing when to make the right run and not afraid to fire at goal from long range. Pep Guardiola famously said, “We cannot replace him”, and while Erling Haaland hasn’t done half bad, he doesn’t have the skill that Kun possessed.

B:

Beckenbauer, Franz

Grok AI Said:

“German defender, revolutionised the sweeper role, won the World Cup as player and coach.”

If you were to ask most football historians who the best defender of all time is, you would often hear the name Franz Beckenbauer given. Despite playing as a pioneering sweeper centre-back, he was compared to greats such as Pele and Diego Maradona.

Beckenbauer was class personified on the ball. His elegance enabled him to break forward and assist West Germany in transition, including during their 1974 World Cup win. He was a two-time Ballon d’Or winner who transcended the game, paving the way for ball-playing defenders of the modern era.

C:

Cruyff, Johan

Grok AI Said:

“Dutch maestro, pioneered Total Football, won three Ballon d’Ors.”

Football wouldn’t be what it is today without the influence of Johan Cruyff, who helped pioneer “Total Football” with a style of play that was never seen before. The Ajax and Barcelona hero was a free-roaming playmaker who could read the game on another level compared to his peers.

Cruyff was dangerous in any attacking position and helped Ajax dominate Europe before turning to Barca, where he propelled the Catalans into one of the top teams on the continent. The Dutch master was a foundation of modern era football.

D:

Di Stefano, Alfredo

Grok AI Said:

“Argentine-Spanish forward, Real Madrid icon, dominated early European Cups.”

Real Madrid dominated European football in the 1950s, and Alfredo Di Stefano was at the heart of their incredible success, which included five consecutive European titles. The Spanish legend was a jack of all trades, able to surge towards goal and burst the net, but also tended to help his defence out.

Di Stefano had everything you want in a footballer, from the brains and the leadership to the talent with the ball at his feet. He was to his era what Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are to theirs.

E:

Eusebio

Grok AI Said:

“Portuguese striker, Benfica’s star, 1966 World Cup Golden Boot.”

There have been some breathtakingly quick players who have left their mark on the sport, but no speedster has been as physically dominant as Eusebio. The Portuguese icon was a physical phenomenon who tore defenders apart with his pace and physique.

Born in Mozambique, he earned the nickname “the Black Panther” for his exceptional speed, and there are even claims that he ran 100 meters in just 11 seconds. He was also deadly in front of goal, becoming Benfica’s hero while also holding Portugal’s goalscoring record at the World Cup, which Ronaldo is eager to break.

F:

Falcao, Radamel

Grok AI Said:

“Colombian striker, prolific at Porto and Atletico Madrid (though Ferenc Puskas could also fit).”

Radamel Falcao was a true fox in the box whose clinical finishing abilities saw him become the Europa League’s all-time top scorer until Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke his record in 2025. The Colombian was a menace at FC Porto and then Atletico Madrid, finding the back of the net with ease.

This is why it was so shocking just how poor Falcao was on loan at Manchester United and Chelsea, and both opted not to sign him permanently. His disappointing showing in the Premier League tarnished his reputation as one of the best strikers the sport has witnessed but at his peak he was unstoppable.

G:

Garrincha

Grok AI Said:

“Brazilian winger, dazzling dribbler, key to 1958 and 1962 World Cups.”

There would most likely be a gulp and acceptance that trouble was ahead for a defender when Garrincha burst forward on the ball. He was one of the toughest attackers to beat in one-on-one duels because of his exceptional dribbling abilities.

Garrincha was one of the stars of Brazilian football, helping the Selecao claim the trophy twice, including in 1962 when he scored a brace in a 3-1 win over England in the quarterfinals. Some who watched him in his prime suggest he actually outshone Pele, but that’s a conversation for another day.

H:

Henry, Thierry

Grok AI Said:

“French forward, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer, unmatched elegance.”

For many, Thierry Henry is considered the best Premier League player in history, and Grok’s description doesn’t fully capture just how extraordinarily gifted the Arsenal icon was. Even rival fans had to admire the Frenchman, whose pace, agility, and dribbling abilities helped Arsene Wenger’s revolution at Highbury.

Henry was a key man in the Gunners’ Invincibles season but also one of the leading charges throughout his World Cup-winning international career. He became the North Londoners’ all-time leading goalscorer, bursting the net 228 times but also taking his world-class talent to Barcelona for Champions League success.

I:

Iniesta, Andres

Grok AI Said:

“Spanish midfielder, scored 2010 World Cup final goal, Barcelona legend.”

If you were to ask ChatGPT who the best of Barcelona’s midfield trio that starred under Pep Guardiola was, they’d tell you Andres Iniesta was the “most gifted and decisive”. That much was true when he netted the most important goal in Spain’s history, firing La Roja to their first-ever World Cup in 2010.

Iniesta boasted a sublime first touch that allowed him to operate in tight spaces with aplomb. He thrived in midfield with Xavi and Sergio Busquets, a lead man in a Catalans side who AI think are the best team in history. If it weren’t for Lionel Messi, the Spaniard would quite possibly be a Ballon d’Or winner.

J:

Jairzinho

Grok AI Said:

“Brazilian forward, starred in 1970 World Cup, scored in every round.”

With a nickname like ‘the Hurricane,’ you can probably guess just how frightening Jairzinho was out wide for Brazil. The iconic former Botafogo winger was one of the Selecao stars who shone alongside the ‘King’ Pele.

Brazil were brimming with attacking talent at the time, but Jairzinho was one of the first names on the teamsheet. His exploits at the 1970 World Cup have led many to consider him more consistent during that tournament than Pele.

K: