Best Overall International Soccer Sides

Someone asked me to once and for all rank who I think are the all-time great national sides in world soccer.

I not only considered basically the World Cup, overall records, championships, finals appearances, head to head but consulted various lists and publications of what are considered to be the greatest World Cup players and performers of all-time. I even look at general overall soccer pedigree like strengths of leagues and contribution of reputable referees as well as being part of what are regarded to be all-time great matches. Of the later, Italy definitely does very well and outperforms countries like Brazil and Argentina.

The metrics are non-scientific and therefore aren't necessarily entirely objective. 'Greatest players' is subjective but when the same names are repeated often you start to get a picture. I looked at how many Ballon D'or and Golden Boot winners nations have produced which also include silver and bronze winners so it gives you a a strong, idea of how countries do.

For example, Brazil has 7 Golden Ball to Italy's 3. 13 players from Brazil have been nominated and 8 from Italy. No one else comes close. Not even Germany. The Golden Boot (for top scorer) has 5 Brazilians, 3 Germans and 2 Italians and Argentinians. In total, 16 players from Brazil were among the top scorers in World Cup play, 12 Germans, 8 Italians, 6 Argentinians. These are the mighty four.

As for the Ballon D'Or for the best European player, Germany and Italy lead the pack with five players winning it. Germany has won the award seven times to Italy's five. The Netherlands have also won it seven times but by way of only three players. France is a six time winner with four players. Brazil and England each have five wins through four players, Argentina three and five (and not done with Messi), Portugal three and three, Spain two and three (which I think will improve moving forward) and finally the Czech Republic at two and two.

Finally, I looked at how many players from each country made the World Cup All-Star team each tournament.

1) Brazil 44
2) Italy 32
3) Germany 25
4) Uruguay 16
5) France 13
6) Spain 12
7) England 11
8) Argentina 9
9) Netherlands 8
10) Hungary 10
11) Portugal 6
12) Czechoslovakia 4

Heck, I could even get technical and point out how many Argentinians and Brazilians of Italian descent have led those countries as players and coaches. 

I hope to one day dissect the lists and give it some numerical weight and substance but that will have to wait for now.

For me, it goes something like this:

1) Brazil
2) Italy
3) Germany
4) Argentina
5) Spain
6) France
7) Netherlands
8) England

Some quick comments. Brazil and Italy tend to dominate all-time great players lists. Brazil's record and five World Cups speaks for itself. They've also won more than any team (Germany is in 2nd) Italy has four World Cups and six finals. The 'quattro stelle' factor was enough to give the nod over Germany; that and the fact no German side has ever beaten Italy. One thing Germany has going for it is consistency - seven finals, 13 times reaching at leas the quarters more than Brazil's 10 and Italy's 8. These three have gone further more times than any other country.

Spain's dominant run in the last five years has vaulted them from 8th to 5th. If they continue on this pace they'll catch Argentina. Assuming Argentina doesn't win along the way. Argentina's main strength - aside from its World Cup record - is they produced Diego Maradona and it remains to be seen if Lionel Messi enters the conversation for posterity.

That being said, Spain have a long way to go to catch the top three. France gets the nod over Holland because they have a longer track record and have won WC title as well as well as two European Championships. They've also produce two great sides from two different eras (1980s, 2000s) and had some solid teams in the 1950s. I don't think England in 8th will inspire much debate among people.