Asian players have never been widely recognized by the general football public, but there is a long list of iconic figures who have left their mark on the sport. In this list of " The 10 Best Asian Players in History ," we'll review some of the names who helped raise the profile of football in their respective countries through their skill and talent, while also taking into account their individual and collective achievements.
10. Shinji Kagawa (Japan)
Currently, at 36, he plays for Cerezo Osaka, the club where he began his professional career in the Japanese League and from where he made the leap to Borussia Dortmund. He was a key player in Germany, even reaching the Champions League final with Dortmund, and he also played in the Premier League with Manchester United.
He had a season in Spain playing for Real Zaragoza, a signing that sparked excitement at La Romareda. With the Japanese national team, he won the Asian Cup in 2011.
9. Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Known as "The Pelé of the Desert," Majed Abdullah was a striker who spent his entire career with Al-Nassr, where he retired in 1994, having become the club's all-time leading scorer with 259 goals. He is also the all-time leading scorer for his national team and has won the Asian Player of the Year award three times.
Despite his height, he had a distinctly Brazilian style that captivated football fans of the time. With Al-Nassr, he won every title possible and with the Saudi Arabian national team, he lifted the Asian Cup twice.
8. Oliver Atom (World Cup)
A cult player if ever there was one, an idol for generations and imitated by every kid at recess. Born in Japan, his lifelong team was the famous New Team, where he began to shine alongside teammates like Benji Price, and managed to open the eyes of half the world.
One of his greatest virtues was always his curling shot, completely unstoppable for any goalkeeper, as well as his endless dribbling that managed to exhaust opponents and spectators.
7. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia)
"The magician of Yerevan," a figure who, even at 36, is enjoying his time at the top level and reached the Champions League final with Inter this season. He took his first steps in his homeland and soon caught the attention of the Ukrainian Premier League, where he played for several years with teams like Shakhtar Donetsk. In his final season in Ukraine, he scored 29 goals and quickly made the jump to one of the Bundesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund, where he ultimately showed his best form.
His superlative form allowed him to sign for Premier League teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal, and he later moved to Italy to play for Roma and Inter Milan. As a midfielder, he is Armenia's all-time leading scorer, and his most notable titles include the Europa League with the Red Devils and the first-ever Conference League with AS Roma.
6. Cha Bum-Kun (South Korea)
Considered one of the pioneers of Asian football in Europe, Cha Bum-Kun was a lethal striker who made his mark in the Bundesliga, where he played for teams such as Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen. With both clubs, he won the UEFA Cup and became the top Asian scorer in the history of the German league for decades.
He played over 120 matches with the South Korean national team and was instrumental in putting his country on the international football map in the 1970s and 1980s. His powerful style combined with his goalscoring ability made him a national idol, and he later also had a successful stint as a coach.
5. Park Ji-Sung (South Korea)
Nicknamed "Three Lungs" for his tireless dedication on the pitch, Park Ji-Sung is one of Asia's most successful players at club level. He was a key player for Manchester United during Sir Alex Ferguson's era, winning multiple titles under him, including four Premier League titles and a Champions League title in 2008.
Park Ji-Sung also had a distinguished international career, playing a key role in the South Korean team that reached the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup. He participated in three World Cups and is the first Asian player to captain a European team in the Champions League. His quality, discipline, and commitment made him a benchmark for Asian football in Europe.
4. Ali Daei (Iran)
For many years, Ali Daei was the national team's all-time top scorer with 109 goals, a record he held until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it. His impressive tally made him a living legend in Iranian and Asian football.
He played for European clubs such as Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin, becoming the first Iranian to participate in the Champions League. He was an Asian Cup winner and twice the tournament's top scorer. Off the pitch, he has had a distinguished career as a coach and also as a public figure, remaining an influential voice in his country.
3. Paulino Alcántara (Philippines)
The Top 3 is led by Paulino Alcántara, a Filipino and Spanish national, who was the first great idol in the history of FC Barcelona. He debuted with the Blaugrana at just 15 years old and for decades was the club's all-time top scorer with 395 goals in 399 matches, until being surpassed by Leo Messi in 2014.
He represented both the Philippine and Spanish national teams and was the first Asian-born player in history to play for a European club. With Barça, he won five Copa del Rey titles and twelve regional championships. In 2007, Paulino Alcántara was recognized by FIFA as the best Asian footballer of all time. He was a doctor and had combined his sports career with the practice of medicine since 1920.
2. Heung-Min Son (South Korea)
He is the greatest ambassador for South Korean football today and one of the best strikers in the world of the last decade. His career has developed primarily in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen, but his real breakthrough came with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
A multiple winner of the Asian Player of the Year award, Son has been his club's top scorer for several seasons and was instrumental in leading his team to the Champions League final in 2019. With the South Korean national team, he won the 2018 Asian Games, which earned him exemption from military service. He is a global icon for his demeanor, humility, and quality on the pitch.
1. Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)
Nakata was the first major global icon of Japanese football. His emergence in Italian football in the late 1990s marked a turning point for Asian players in Europe. He shone in Serie A with teams such as Perugia and Roma, with whom he won a Scudetto, and also played for Parma. He was known not only for his technical prowess and vision, but also for his charisma off the field.
He participated in three World Cups and led the Japanese national team to the Asian Cup in 2000. His influence transcended football, becoming a figure in Japanese culture globally.
This is the top 10 of the best Asian players in history. They all share a common characteristic: they have left a legacy and have managed to raise the profile of the beautiful game in their respective countries.
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