25. Gary Neville, defender
No right back in the history of England’s national team has made more appearances than Neville (85). The Manchester United legend was a Three Lions’ staple from 1995-2007. Always dependable, Neville was part of two England World Cup (1998, 2006) teams and three European Championship sides. Gary was also fortunate enough to represent England in international competition alongside his brother, Phil.
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24. Bryan Robson, midfielder
While Robson made a name for himself as a quality English manager during the 1990s and well into the 2000s, he also enjoyed some notable success as an England international. Robson played for England from 1981-1989, and totaled 26 goals. Nine of those goals came during World Cup competition. Robson is among 14 players to appear in three World Cups for England – doing so in 1982, 1986 and 1990.
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23. John Terry, defender
Sure, Terry might have had his issues with selection and some controversial off-field drama during his lengthy time (2003-2012) as an England international. However, Terry will go down as one of the most dependable players – when on the pitch — in the history of the national team. He’s long been considered one of the best central defenders of all time. The famed centre-back recorded six goals over 78 appearances for England, and served as captain off-and-on during his international career.
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22. Paul Gascoigne, midfielder
A key member of England’s fourth-place squad from the 1990 World Cup. Gascoigne is also responsible for one of the most memorable goals in national team history – an insurance score versus rival Scotland during the group stage of the 1996 European Championships. For his international career, Gascoigne recorded 10 goals – seven coming in World Cup play – through 57 matches. Though his life off the pitch has been problematic while battling alcoholism and dealing with mental illness, Gascoigne should be celebrated for his work as one of the best to suit up for England.
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21. Steve Bloomer, forward
We’re going deep into the annals of Three Lions lore to showcase Bloomer, who starred from 1895-1907. A lethal scorer, with either foot, who possessed the perfect combination of speed and strength. Bloomer registered 28 goals during his international career for England. He also scored in each of his first 10 international appearances (19 total goals), which remains an English record.
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20. Gordon Banks, goalkeeper
An integral part of England’s only World Cup-winning side from 1966. Banks started every match during the Three Lions’ run to that magical Cup triumph. Durable and focused, Banks was an inspirational leader for England’s national team. And, a prominent fixture for England while drawing 73 caps from 1963-72. That included being part of the England squad that finished third at Euro ’68, and his memorable save versus Pele during the 1970 World Cup.
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19. Sol Campbell, defender
Another legendary centre-back to grace the pitch for England. The East Londoner, born to Jamaican parents, debuted for England’s national team at age 21, and is still one of the youngest captains within the Three Lions’ legacy. Campbell is also the first England international to play in six consecutive major competitions (1996, 2000, 2004 European Championships and 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups. He was capped 73 times from 1996-2007, recording one goal during his national team tenure.
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18. Tom Finney, forward
One of the first English footballers to play in three World Cup events (’50, ’54, ‘58). Finney scored 30 goals during his time as an England international from 1946-1958. Interestingly enough, only two of Finney’s said goals came during World Cup play. However, he’s also the oldest English player to score during World Cup competition – doing so at age 36 against the USSR in 1958.
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17. Rio Ferdinand, defender
The renowned centre-back is one of the most beloved players in the history of English football. He made 81 career caps for the England’s national squad, and was a daunting physical presence at 6-foot-2. He recorded three goals during his international career for the Three Lions, the first of which came during the 2002 World Cup. Ferdinand also shares England’s record for most consecutive years of national-team service at 15.
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16. Geoff Hurst, forward
The beloved Hurst’s claim to fame, on the international front, is still the fact that he’s the only player to ever record a hat trick in a World Cup final. He did so during England’s historic 4-2 victory over West Germany in 1966. In all, Hurst scored 24 goals in 49 international caps for England. Five of those goals came during World Cup competition. He netted seven goals over 11 international matches during the 1969 campaign.
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15. Jimmy Greaves, forward
A London native, Greaves left his mark as one of the great strikers in the history of English football. He totaled 44 international goals (fifth in England’s history) in 57 matches, nine of which came during six matches in 1960. However, Greaves might be most notable to England football fans for missing out on the team’s run to the 1966 World Cup title due to injury – and losing his starting spot to the aforementioned Geoff Hurst. As matters would have it within FIFA, Greaves, still a member of the ’66 squad, didn’t receive his World Cup medal from that tournament until 2009.
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14. Stanley Matthews, forward
Matthews’ name is littered throughout the record books of England’s national football team. He scored 11 goals in 54 international matches spanning 1934-57. But, it’s that longevity to keep playing at a high level that stands out on Matthews’ football legacy. His 22-year, 228-day run as a member of England’s national squad is a record. He’s also the oldest player to don a Three Lions kit, at 42 years, 103 days in March 1957, and oldest England international to play in a World Cup (39 years, 145 days in June 1954).
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13. Billy Wright, defender
Wright owns the distinction of being the first footballer in the world to recorded 100 international caps — during the 1940s and ‘50s. His 105 international appearances for England rank among the most in national team history, and his 90 games serving as captain are tied for the most in the annals of Three Lions’ football. Wright was part of three England World Cup teams in ’50, ’54 and ’58. His stretch of 70 consecutive international appearances – from 1951-1959 – is also the longest by an England team member.
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12. David Beckham, midfielder
One of the greats to ever play the game in all of the world. Regardless of the competition, Beckham possessed the overall game to shine brighter than most. When it came to international play, Beckham’s 115 appearances for England’s national team ranks third all time. He made his Three Lions’ debut in September 1996, at age 21, and spent six years as team captain. Beckham was part of three World Cup teams (’98, ’02, ’06) and registered 17 goals during his time with the national squad.
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11. Ashley Cole, defender
The stellar left-back ranks sixth all-time in England national team history with 107 appearances (’01-’14). The success Cole enjoyed on the club level, notably with Arsenal, translated to international competition. A fearless defender, who also possessed an attacking nature, Cole was part of three England World Cup sides (’02, ’06 and ’10). Cole’s value to his country cannot be understated when it comes to the great defenders in international soccer history.
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10. Michael Owen, forward
A wunderkind of sorts — debuting with the team as an 18-year-old — Owen holds a special place in the hearts of England football supporters. Mostly for his performance during the 1998 World Cup, when he scored a dramatic goal against Argentina. Owen was capped 89 times for England during international competition, and scored 40 goals, including four during that debut ’98 campaign. A three-time World Cup participant (’98, ’02, ’06), Owen is the only England footballer to score in four major tournaments.
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9. Steven Gerrard, midfielder
When it comes to being revered and praised as a footballer from England, the love doesn’t get much greater than that bestowed on Gerrard. A legend at Liverpool, who has turned himself into a promising manager, Gerrard truly is the epitome of English football. He loves his country and left it all on the pitch every time he donned a national team kit. Gerrard’s 114 appearances (’00-’14) rank fifth in Three Lions’ history, and he played as captain nearly 40 times. Gerrard registered 21 goals, and was part of three Euro teams (’00, ’04 and ’12) and another three World Cup squads (’06, ’10 and ’14).
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8. Frank Lampard, midfielder
Lampard still might be trying to find his form as a manager. However, he certainly left his mark, in a positive way, as an England international. With 29 career international goals, he certainly left his mark on England’s national team. From 1999-2014, Lampard recorded 106 caps for England – tied for seventh all time. He was a teammate of Steven Gerrard on those ’06, ’10 and ’14 World Cup teams and remains quite popular with the Three Lions faithful – for the most part.
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7. Gary Lineker, forward
Another great scorer in the annals of England’s national team. In 80 international matches for England from ’84-’92, Lineker recorded 48 goals (15 in World Cup play) – the fourth-highest total in the history of the national team. At the 1986 World Cup, Lineker earned the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals. He posted four goals during the 1990 World Cup, when he helped England reach the semifinals.
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6. Harry Kane, forward
The only active member of England’s national squad to make this list. To say Kane has been special on the international scene would be an understatement. Sure, he’s underachieved in big matches at times, but nearly helped England win the delayed 2020 Euros, and his 49 international goals – in just 69 matches — ranks second in national team history. In 2021, Kane registered 16 goals in 16 matches — two years removed from his 12 in 10 games for England. His 23 World Cup goals are the most among England players. It might just be a matter of time before Kane becomes the greatest goal-scorer among all England footballers.
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5. Alan Shearer, forward
A feared striker, Shearer holds the record for the most career goals scored in Premier League play with 260 from 1992-2006. When it came to the English national team, Shearer certainly made the most of his opportunity. In 63 international appearances for England, spanning 1992-2000, Shearer recorded 30 goals – tied for seventh-most in Three Lions’ history. Shearer posted eight of those goals in just nine international contests in 1996. His seven goals during European Championship competition are a national record.
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4. Wayne Rooney, forward/midfielder
No player has scored more goals as an English international than Rooney’s 53. Eight of which came over 13 matches during the 2014 campaign. His 120 caps with the Three Lions rank second all time, and his 74 matches in World Cup and Euro events – including qualifiers – are also the most from any England national footballer. Rooney spent 15 years as an England international, but his national teams never seemed to match the individual success the superstar enjoyed in international competition.
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3. Bobby Moore, defender
Arguably one of the great centre-backs in the history of the game. Stout, intelligent and durable, Moore ranks fifth all-time with 108 national team caps. Perhaps even more notable, Moore was the youngest player in the history of the national club to be named captain – age 23 in 1964. Moore captained in the 1966 World Cup-champion team, one of three World Cup groups he was part of for England.
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2. Peter Shilton, goalkeeper
A little more love to the goalkeepers. And, Shilton is certainly one of the best in the world when it comes to all-time keepers. He appeared in the World Cup for England in 1982, 1986 (don’t bring up Diego Maradona to England fans) and 1990. His 17 World Cup finals match appearances are a national record, and his 10 clean sheets are tied for the most in the event. He was 40 when he played during the 1990 tournament. Shilton was also part of two Euro squads (’80, ’88), and his 125 national-team caps are the most of any English footballer.
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1. Bobby Charlton, midfielder/forward
Like others on this list, “Sir” can be added to Charlton’s moniker. He ranks among the country’s all-time leaders with 106 games played for the national squad. His 49 goals for England are tied with Harry Kane for second all-time. Three of which came during the Three Lions’ run to that 1966 World Cup triumph – the same year he won the Ballon d’Or. When it comes to soccer royalty in England, they don’t get much more renowned than Charlton, who is also among the top legends to sport a Manchester United kit.
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