The sports magazine Kicker Sport Magazin, with a high reputation not only in Germany, but throughout Europe and the world, published in 1969 the results of a survey carried out among the great sports columnists of the European continent, aiming to identify the best players in each position, who, according to the magazine, played from 1923 onwards.

According to the magazine itself, the names are not in the correct order.

Goalkeepers: Zamora, Combi, Plánička, Hiden, Yashin and Swift.

Right full-backs: Crompton, Tarp, Hojer, Minelli, Janes and Djalma Santos.
Left full-backs: Nasazzi, Caligaris, Sesta, Hapgood, Quincoces and Nilton Santos.

Right half-backs: Kolenatý, Andrade, Nausch, Bozsik, Čajkovski and Beckenbauer.
Centre half-backs: Middelboe, Káďa, Meiklejohn, Monti, Ocwirk and Billy Wright.
Left half-backs: Samitier, Lázár, Netto, Hanappi, Masopust and Moore.

Right wingers: Meredith, Jackson, Matthews, Crooks, Kopa and Garrincha.
Right inside forwards: Buchan, Scarone, David Jack, Meazza, Gren, Eusébio and Didi.
Centre-forwards: Dr. Sárosi, Orth, Sindelar, Piola, Nordahl and Di Stéfano.
Left inside forwards: Alex James, Fritz Walter, Puskás, Suárez, Charlton, Leônidas and Pelé.
Left wingers: Morton, Orsi, Bastin, Vogl I., Labruna and Gento.

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Isaque Argolo: It is worth mentioning some interesting aspects of the published research, such as the fact that Ángel Labruna, Walter Nausch and others were out of position and some players — Bob Crompton, for example — had already retired before 1923. Billy Meredith was close to retiring.