Today, we present a list of the greatest Wales players of all time, covering individuals from various eras, not just from the Premier League.
Honourable Mentions
Some amazing players missed the top ten. Here are a few honourable mentions.
John Hartson narrowly missed the list. A strong striker, Hartson earned 51 caps for Wales and played for clubs like Arsenal, West Ham United, and Celtic.
Billy Meredith, Wales’ first superstar, is worth noting as well. He earned 48 caps between 1895 and 1920.
Lastly, John Charles is mentioned for his scoring prowess at Leeds United and Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles.
10. Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders had a varied career, winning the FA Cup with Liverpool and the League Cup with Aston Villa. He was a natural scorer but faced eight relegations.
Despite this, he was a notable striker, particularly at Oxford United, Derby County, and Galatasaray.
9. Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey ranks as the ninth-best Wales player. His nine years at Arsenal brought three FA Cups and two Community Shields.
As a midfielder, he was a skilled passer and earned 86 caps for Wales.
8. Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy was a controversial figure, but his talent on the field is often overlooked. His standout season was in 2005/06 with 13 Premier League goals for Blackburn Rovers.
He also played for Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
7. Cliff Jones
Cliff Jones is one of the best Welsh and Tottenham Hotspur players, part of Spurs’ top team in the 1960s.
He made 318 appearances, scoring 135 goals, and won the First Division title and the FA Cup in 1961, along with 59 caps for Wales.
6. Gary Speed
Gary Speed was a dynamic midfielder, popular for his energy and resilience. His passing in 2011 at age 42 shocked the football community.
5. Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes, known for his managerial roles, was also a top striker in his playing days.
He scored 120 league goals for Manchester United and had successful stints at Chelsea, Barcelona, and Everton.
4. Neville Southall
Neville Southall is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers, with a 29-year career and 710 league appearances, mainly at Everton where he won two First Division titles and two FA Cups.
He represented Wales 92 times over a span of 15 years.
3. Ian Rush
Ian Rush is celebrated as one of Liverpool’s finest strikers, with an impressive trophy collection.
He won five league titles, three FA Cups, and two European Cups at Anfield, in addition to earning 73 caps for Wales and scoring 28 goals.
2. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs, a one-club player, made 672 league appearances for Manchester United, scoring 114 goals.
His list of achievements includes 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League titles.
1. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is not only the best Welsh player but also among the football greats. His impressive physicality set him apart.
Bale gained fame at Tottenham and became a superstar at Real Madrid, winning three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies. He also played a key role in Wales’ Euro 2016 semi-final run.