Top 10 best Australian soccer players of all time: PL legends dominate podium

Over the past two decades, Australian talents have enjoyed a greater global presence than they once did. Here we take a look at some of Australia’s most influential players throughout the years.

It goes without saying that Australia created some very interesting players so far this century, with their development aided in no small part by the switch from OFC (Oceanic) to AFC (Asian) zone World Cup qualifiers, which offer both a better challenge and a greater chance of guaranteeing qualification without a playoff.

Back in 2022, Australia’s 2-1 Round of 16 loss in the World Cup against eventual champions Argentina showed some real character, and demonstrated the kind of effort that the men in charge of Australian soccer have made to put the country on the soccer map.

Stay tuned to find out which Aussie players’ names are covered in fame and glamour. For those looking to follow Australian football more closely, platforms like Bet365 offer comprehensive coverage of both domestic and international matches—new users can reference a Bet365 code Australia during account setup. Find more options at the best betting sites Australia.

The best Australian soccer players of all time

Correct as of 12th September 2024. (*Indicates league appearances only).

#1 – Harry Kewell

In an interesting 2012 poll by former players and fans, Kewell was voted the greatest Australian soccer player ever. We’re inclined to agree, as he was the first Aussie to put his nation on the map in the modern era. Kewell’s first big break came with Leeds United, making some vital contributions in 1999/2000 as the Yorkshire side went from relative obscurity to the Champions League.

During that season, he was one of a new breed grown by a relatively young manager in the form of David O’Leary, which included strikers Alan Smith and Michael Bridges, along with defensive prodigy Jonathan Woodgate. Leeds even topped the table on Millennium Eve, and though they would eventually finish third, his sensational performances didn’t go unnoticed.

Kewell made a total of 181 official appearances during his seven-year spell at Elland Road, scoring on 45 occasions, before Liverpool came calling for his signature in 2003. There, he would not manage to hit quite the same heights, managing just 12 goals in 93 appearances, with his period on Merseyside blighted by injuries.

After his spell at Anfield ended, Kewell played for Galatasaray, Melbourne Victory, Al-Gharafa, and Melbourne Heart. We can only imagine the heights he could’ve accomplished had he not been constantly plagued by injuries.

#2 – Mark Viduka

Bet365 Australia and fans alike consider Viduka one of the best players that Australia has ever produced. For his country, Viduka scored 11 goals in 43 official appearances. And while he didn’t win anything of note beyond Celtic’s Scottish League Cup triumph in 2000, Viduka does have many fond memories to keep him satisfied.

At club level, it was with Leeds United’s UCL-participating class of 2000/01 that he would first make a name for himself on the biggest scene. Particularly memorable was an incredible four-goal haul against fellow title contenders Liverpool in November 2000, as the Whites fought back from 2-0 down in a rollercoaster game to run out 4-3 victors:

The good times didn’t last at Leeds though, with David O’Leary’s project unravelling after Leeds’ failure to clinch Champions League football for a second year running sparked financial armageddon. The Whites went down with a whimper in 2004, but Viduka wasn’t too badly affected, enjoying spells at Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

Viduka ultimately managed to score a total of 92 goals in 240 Premier League appearances. A true Premier League Aussie star, Viduka’s career stats include 319 games, 121 goals, and 24 assists.

#3 – Tim Cahill

With 555 official games, 141 goals scored, and 49 assists provided, Tim Cahill proved countless times that Australia can indeed produce world-class players. The Millwall and Everton legend is a true Premier League icon, having spent eight years as a fan favourite with the latter. He is well-remembered for his trademark celebration, which saw him charge towards the nearest corner flag and spar with it while the Goodison Park faithful erupted around him.

Throughout the years, Cahill also managed to become the best Australian goalscorer of all time. He scored 50 goals in 108 official appearances for the Socceroos, which is a record that stands to this day. Sure, his record will be shattered one day, but Cahill is indeed a pioneer in soccer for Australia. His sensational work ethic and trademark creativity is the reason neutral fans across the world fell in love with him.

#4 – Mark Schwarzer

Schwarzer may not be considered the greatest player in Australia, but he’s certainly the most prolific shot-stopper that the country has. All true fans of the game remember his catlike reflexes that nullified many prolific goalscorers throughout the years. Undoubtedly, Schwarzer’s lengthy career was one that all up-and-coming goalkeepers from Australia still aspire to.

During his 366 games for Middlesbrough and 172 matches for Fulham, Schwarzer easily became a fan favourite. With Middlesbrough, he was part of the squad that reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006, though the 4-0 drubbing they took from Sevilla would be one of his more forgettable moments. The Premier League shot-stopping legend also played for the likes of England giants Chelsea and shock 2015/16 title winners Leicester City.

Schwarzer put an end to his career at the age of 43, but his legacy will live on for all aspiring goalkeepers.

#5 – Mile Jedinak

Jedinak is a wonderful example of what a classic defensive midfielder looks like. Similar to the rest of the players on our list, Jedinak also enjoyed a Premier League career. But before he could pen his Crystal Palace contract, he managed to build up quite the portfolio, playing for teams such as A-League’s Sydney United and Central Coast Mariners, along with Turkish clubs Genclebirligi and Antalyaspor.

Jedinak’s unyielding character helped him become a fan-favourite at Selhurst Park during the 2012/13 season. He quickly adapted to the high standards of the Premier League and went on to stay in England before putting an end to a spectacular career at the age of 35.

#6 – Brett Emerton

A list containing the best Australian soccer players of all time couldn’t be complete without Emerton’s name on it. Born in Bankstown, Sydney, Emerton began his soccer journey playing for Gunners Soccer Club. His talent stood out and he went through the ranks of youth teams such as Macarthur Rams, Marconi Stallions, NSWIS and AIS, only to make his professional debut with Sydney Olympic back in 1996.

In the next two decades, Emerton’s box-to-box skills were used by plenty of teams. Perhaps his most memorable games were with Blackburn Rovers. Emerton made a staggering 247 appearances for the Lancashire side, bagging 13 goals as they grew from post-millennial Premier League newcomers to European aspirants.

#7 – Mark Bresciano

Playmaker-in-chief Bresciano handled the ball with extreme precision and finesse back in the day. His incredible ball control, through pass, and vision to create a goal were the reasons many Serie A teams wanted to have him in their ranks.

Without a doubt, his best days of a 20-year career were spent in one of Europe’s finest soccer leagues, namely Serie A. With 80 games for Empoli, 123 for Parma, 107 for Palermo, and 20 for Lazio, Bresciano sure left quite a mark in Italian soccer, thus earning the right to be among the greatest Australia gave birth to. His all-time stats include 447 games, 66 goals, and 25 assists.

#8 – Zeljko Kalac

The Sydney-born giant is understandably making the cut in our article regarding the best Australian soccer players of all time. Kalac made his first professional steps with boyhood club Sydney United. He was between the sticks with Sydney for six seasons, and he made a total of 92 appearances during that time, quickly becoming one of the fans’ favourite players of all time.

However, they had to know that a player of his calibre has to grow. Eventually, he did join Leicester City, but the Foxes weren’t too happy with what he brought to the table. Dutch side Roda then came calling, and after settling into the first team, he made the move of a lifetime to AC Milan in 2005, spending four years at the San Siro. During that time, he played with some of the finest soccer players in history, with Milan additionally winning the Champions League in 2007.

#9 – Aurelio Vidmar

Younger readers might not be familiar with Vidmar, but the attacking midfielder enjoyed receiving the ball, distributing passes, and scoring goals. Throughout his lengthy career, Vidmar played for 11 club teams and the Australian national team. For the Socceroos, Vidmar made a total of 44 appearances, during which he scored 17 goals. He also played for Australia during the 1996 Olympics, scoring on three occasions across four games.

Throughout his career, he played a total of 494 games and scored a massive 125 goals! It all began back in 1985 when he made his professional debut for Adelaide City. It took him 157 appearances over six years for a transfer to Europe to occur. However, he did join Belgian outfit Kortrijk eventually, and immediately caught the eye of some very prestigious clubs.

Perhaps the highlight of his career is the time he spent playing for Standard Liege and Dutch giants Feyenoord. He couldn’t quite make a name for himself in Eredivisie, but in the 15 games he played for Feyenoord, he did manage to score on two occasions.

#10 – Craig Goodwin

We had no option but to include Goodwin in our ranking. Yes, we know he is still an active soccer player, but his skills are undeniable and he is undoubtedly one of the finest players Australia has ever seen.

Throughout his career, Goodwin mainly performed for A-League teams, so you could say that he is one of the most famous domestic players Australia has ever had. Undoubtedly, his best days were with the Adelaide United jersey. After all, that’s where he began his tremendous career. He made multiple debuts for Adelaide United during his career.

Today, he plies his trade with Al-Wehda of the Saudi Pro League. He’s taken to this new challenge well, showing good efficiency with a goal roughly every four games in the Saudi top-flight as he went into the September 2024 international break.

Honourable mentions

Alex Paulsen

You don’t make it to the Premier League by accident. Following in Mark Schwarzer’s footsteps, Alex Paulsen signed for reputable Bournemouth last year. Sure, the Cherries opted to send him on a season-long loan at Mount Smart Stadium, but we are convinced that the 22-year-old goalkeeper will soon travel back to England where he can battle for his place as Bournemouth’s starting shot-stopper.

During their inaugural A-League season, Auckland performed admirably. The tremendous defensive record is largely due to Paulsen’s cat-like reflexes. His style of shot-stopping as well as his physique reminds us of Schwarzer. Only time will tell if Paulsen will be able to fulfill his potential.

Cameron Burgess

Cameron Burgess’ career began his professional career back in 2014. During the 2014-17 period, he was a Cottager, but could only make four official appearances for the club. Throughout his lengthy career, the defender played for the likes of Ross County, Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic, Bury, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, Accrington Stanley, and Ipswich Town. With over 100 games for the Tractor Boys, Burgess became a club legend, helping the team return to the Premier League. With his no-nonsense defending, Burgess could eventually make the list of the best Australian soccer players of all time.