Prepare yourself for a ride in time, since we are going to name the Canadian footballers who made it into our legendary best Canadian soccer players of all time!
What makes a footballer to become legendary for a nation or to make people shout their names?! Memorable goals, defends, or a certain behavior?
We have considered them all and without any further a due let’s jump into it and introduce the
best Canadian soccer players of all time
.
Top Canadian Soccer Players of all Time
Canada is mostly known for the Sport, Ice Hockey, but even yet the Country has given birth to some of the most memorable names in the soccer industry and here we are going to introduce the
best Canadian soccer players of all time
.
Our list starts with the famous Goalkeeper who spends his whole career in England.
20- Randy Samuel
Position:
Defender
Date of Birth:
23 December 1963
Origin:
Trinidad-born Canadian
Randy, the Trinidad-born Canadian, as one of the
top Canadian soccer players ever
, participated in 82 international caps alone! This honor was later on taken by Paul Stalteri in 2010.
He joined many different clubs throughout his career all as a defender and some of the most mentionable names would be the FC Volendam, PSV Eindhoven. He played many years for Netherland and England as much as he did for Canada.
Still, he made it into one of the most respected players in the CONCACAF.
19- Scott Artfield
Position:
Central Midfield
Date of Birth:
01 November 1988
Origin:
Canadian
The seventh mention of our top Canadian footballers ever is in fact the current captain of the Canada national team.
The Canadian Captain is also playing for the Scottish side and participated in the
premier leaguefor
Burnley, which was at the top for 3 seasons.
Artfield has by far appeared in 86 games throughout his career. He made his national team debut against Mexico on March 25, 2016.
18- Jonathan David
Position:
Forward
Date of Birth:
January 14, 2000
Origin:
American-Canadian
Canadian soccer player who plays as a forward for
French Ligue 1club Lille OSC and the Canada national team. So far he has made 12 national team appearances, while his team debut goes back to September 9, 2018, when Canada went against US Virgin Islands, starting and netting a brace in an 8–0 victory.
David began playing organized soccer at age ten and only one year later joined Ottawa Gloucester SC, where he would play for the club's Hornets team. Later in 2016, he joined Ottawa Internationals SC, Gent, and eventually, in August 2020 he joined Ligue 1 side Lille on a five-year contract, until 2025.
During the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup David scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 win in Canada's final group game against Cuba and set the record for most Canada senior international goals in a single year with eight goals.
The young player has achieved a lot so far, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot in 2019, being named the 2019 Canadian Men's Player of the Year, and winning the Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy in 2019–20.
17- Jason de Vos
Position:
Center-back
Date of Birth:
January 2, 1974
Origin:
Canadian
As the next on our list of the
top Canadian players of all time
, we want to talk about Jason de Vos.
Commonly known as Jason de Vos, Jason Richard de Vos is one of the most famous international footballers for Canada.
Jason de Vos started playing football in 1990 and when he was 15 years old with his hometown club the London Lasers. He later joined Kitchener Kickers in 1991, moving back to the reformed London Lasers in 1992. Montreal Impact, Darlington, Dundee United, and Wigan Athletic were his next destinations. Eventually, the great Canadian player joined Ipswich Town in 2004, where he kicked the ball for the next four years and before his retirement in 2008.
At the International level, De Vos represented Canada first in 1997 in a 1–0 home loss friendly to Iran.
Jason de Vos has captained the Canadian team from 1999 until his retirement from international football in 2004.
De Vos was named a tournament all-star for both the 2000 and 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments, in which Canada was placed first and third respectively.
As a number of his individual achievements we can point out to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI in 2000 and 2002, the CONCACAF Gold Cup Fair Play Award in 2000, being named the Canadian Player of the Year in 2002, and many more.
16- Samuel Piette
Position:
Defensive Midfielder
Date of Birth:
12 November 1994
Origin:
Canadian
The young Canadian player started playing football when he was only four years old. In 2013, he joined Fortuna Düsseldorf II, joining the first team one year later in 2014. His next destinations were Fortuna Düsseldorf, Deportivo La Coruña B, Racing de Ferrol on loan, Izarra, and
Montreal Impactwhere he is kicking the ball since 2017.
Being a part of Canada's U17 and the U19 soccer team on the international scale, Piette made his debut in 2012, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Julian De Guzman in a 0–0 draw with the United States at BMO Field. This cap made Piette the third-youngest player to ever suit up for the Canadian senior side.
So far, he has been one of the
best Canadian soccer players ever
, having still a long way to go.
15- Lucas Cavallini
Position:
Forward
Date of Birth:
December 28, 1992
Origin:
Canadian
Currently, a
Vancouver Whitecaps FCplayer, Lucas Cavallini started playing football back in 2010 for Nacional youth club.
Known as one of the best Canadian players of all time, the Toronto-born forward made his national team debut for Canada back on August 15, 2012, in their match versus Trinidad and Tobago.
Why do we say he is one of the bests? Here is your answer! Interestingly, Cavallini's first goals for the team were a brace that he scored in an 8–0 victory over the U.S. Virgin Islands in a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier back in September 2018.
There is no doubt that with 27 years of age, he still has a long time opportunity to be known as one of the best football players not only in Canada but also in the world!
Let’s move forward to the next on our list of best Canadian soccer players of all time.
14- Pedro Pacheco
Position:
Defensive midfielder
Date of Birth:
27 June 1984
Origin:
Portuguese
Being born to Portuguese parents in Portugal, Pedro Pacheco moved to Canada with his family at a young age, which is the reason for him to be known as one of the
Best Canadian players ever
.
He started his senior career in the regional leagues and soon moved to one of the biggest clubs in the territory, C.D. Santa Clara. Not much after, he joined Lusitania and later Operario. In 2007, he moved back to Santa Clara where he kicked the ball for the next 2 years. In 2009, he joined Nacional, but soon he again left the club for
Santa Clara, where the manager, Bruno Moura, appointed him as the team captain.
Finally, after nine years, in 2019, the 35-year-old left and joined Sporting Clube Ideal of the Portuguese third tier.
As we have mentioned the Captain moved to Canada as a child and so represented Canada internationally.
13- Jonathan Osorio
Position:
Midfielder
Date of Birth:
June 12, 1992
Origin:
Canadian
Known as one of the best Canadian soccer players of all time, Jonathan currently kicks the ball for Toronto FC and the Canadian national team.
Osorio began playing soccer with the Brampton Youth Soccer at age 10. He started his professional career with SC Toronto back in 2012. One year later, he joined Toronto FC where he still is playing a key role for the team.
On an international scale, he made his debut for Canada at the 2011 CONCACAF under-20 championship in Guatemala. Later in 2013, he was called up to the Canadian senior team for a friendly against Costa Rica, where they lost the match 1–0 against the team.
12- Dwayne De Rosario
Position:
forward / attacking midfield
Date of Birth:
15 May 1978
Origin:
Canadian
The 42-year-old football player spent most of his career as the attacking midfielder for Toronto in MLS.
Dwayne also managed to collect many honors and awards for himself as the great clutch Finisher that he is, ever since his professional debut with the Toronto Lynx of the A-league at the age of 18.
The Canadian also was the recipient of the MLS Golden Boot after managing 16 goals and 12-assist back in 2011.
He also participated in Canada’s CONCACAF Gold Cup Win back in 2000.
11- Paul Stalteri
Position: Right Back
Date of Birth: 18 October 1977
Origin: Canadian
The Former soccer football played most of his life for Germany and that resulted in winning the League and Cup Double for Werder Berman alone.
The retired soccer star mostly played as the Defender and the Midfielder for many European Clubs such as the Spurs, Werner Bremen, and played for
Tottenhamand Fulham in Premier League. He also played for Clemson Tigers of US.
With attending 84 Canada international Caps, he is one of the most notable names on our list till now.
10- Junior Hoilett
Position:
Left Winger
Date of Birth:
06 June 1990
Origin:
Canadian
Born in the early ’90s, this Canadian Player is one of the youngest names mentioned among the Top Canadian Soccer players ever.
The Left Winger has joined clubs such as Blackboned Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, and has is now currently in the Cardiff City and also played for them in the Premier League and yes, he made the Cardiff’s Promotion in the Premier league possible.
The young player has shown recognizable potential and has appeared in the 161 games in the past 10 years.
9- Craig Forrest
Position:
Goalkeeper
Date of Birth:
age 53 years
Origin:
Canadian
Next on our list of the
best Canadian soccer players of all time
, is actually a goalkeeper! Born in 1967, Forrest has been active from the ’80s all the way to the 2000s.
This Goalkeeper played his whole active years in English clubs such as the Ipswich and west ham united.
In the late years of his career, Forrest, who is currently retired helped Canada back in 2000 to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup after blocking two penalties.
That’s it for our Goalkeeper, let’s go through the next names listed as top Canadian Footballers of all time.
8- Patrice Bernier
Position:
Midfielder
Date of Birth:
September 23, 1979
Origin:
Canadian
The retired Canadian soccer player is one of the best Canadian soccer players of all time with no doubt.
He started his professional career back in 2000 with Montreal Impact and continued his job with Moss FK, Tromsø, Kaiserslautern, FC Nordsjælland, Lyngby BK, and Montreal Impact again. He finally announced his retirement in 2017.
He made his senior debut for Canada in 2003 in a friendly match against the Czech Republic.
He finished his international career after the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he captained the team.
It has to be mentioned that Bernier has won the Danish Cup with FC Nordsjaelland in 2009–10 and 2010–11. He has also won the 2013 and 2014 Canadian Championship with Montreal Impact.
7- Owen Hargreaves
Position:
Midfielder
Date of Birth:
20 January 1981
Origin:
Canadian
Hargreaves is one of the boldest mentions in the best Canadian footballers of all time since as a Canadian he played for England national team about 42 times!
Owen faced an early retirement despite the many success he scored due to his knee injury.
Yet he managed to prove himself a very potential player in many notable clubs such as
Bayern Munichand Manchester United and Manchester City and won many titles and shined in the Premier League and
Champions Leaguethroughout his career.
Unfortunately, he faced an early retirement despite his effort in 2012 due to the knee injury as we mentioned.
6- Alex Bunbury
Position:
Striker
Date of Birth:
18 June 1967
Origin:
Canadian
Originally from Plaisance, he got so many honors such as the all-time top 4 Canada’s Goalscoring of all Time by scoring 16 goals in 66 national appearances alone.
He even gained the title of top foreign player of the year, playing for maritime Portugal back in 1994.
One of the best Canadian soccer players of all time also played for clubs such as the West Ham and Wizards.
5- Alphonso Davies
Position:
Left Back / Winger
Date of Birth:
2 November 2000
Origin:
Canadian
Yes! It’s a surprise, Alphonso is only 19 years old but he is already playing as the left-back for the one and only Bundesliga Club Bayern Munich and has been of great help for this team.
Davis also plays for Canada’s National Team.
His fresh reputation has made him known as the best Canadian football player by TSN Soccer and the best Canadian soccer players of all time by many other sources.
All it’s left to say is that it is guaranteed that we will hear a lot of his name in the future as he has proven the fact that he is highly potential and would be around for the years to come.
is worldly known as one of the best legendary teenage players and his fame well spread beyond the borders of Canada, in Short, he might be the best in the world.
4- Julian de Guzman
Position:
Right Back
Date of Birth:
25 October 1981
Origin:
Canadian
The 39 years old Canadian retired from the name of a professional soccer player and is currently working as the sporting CEO of the Ottawa Fury FC Club.
For two years straight, the Canadian Star managed to gain the title of the Deportivo La Coruña Player of the Year back in 2007 and 2008.
Most of his career he struck the ball for the German clubs such as Saarbrücken II, Hannover 96, and Jahn Regensburg.
3- Atiba Hutchinson
Position:
Midfielder
Date of Birth:
February 8, 1983
Origin:
Canadian
Third, on our list of
Best Canadian Footballers of All Tim
e, we have Atiba Hutchinson.
He started kicking the ball for York Region Shooters back in 2002 and continued kicking the ball for Toronto Lynx, Öster, Helsingborg, Copenhagen, PSV, and finally Beşiktaş, where he still kicks the ball for.
He made his senior debut for Canada on 18th January 2003 in a match against the United States and so far has made 84 appearances for the team. Interestingly, Hutchinson has represented Canada in 12 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and four years of CONCACAF Gold Cups. In December 2010 Atiba was awarded the Canadian Men's Player of the Year, while he has also become the first Canadian to win the Danish Superliga Player of the year.
2- Daniel Fernandes
Position:
Goalkeeper
Date of Birth:
September 25, 1983
Origin:
Canadian
Counting down, here is Daniel Márcio Fernandes, the second on our list of the best Canadian soccer players ever. The professional footballer, who currently guards the Tarxien Rainbows net, started his senior career back in 2001 with Porto B. So far, he has kicked the ball for many other clubs including PAOK, Panthrakikos, San Antonio Scorpions, Rayo OKC, Lillestrøm, and Farense.
At the international level, Fernandes played a role for Canada at under-20 level but then decided to play for the country of his father, Portugal.
He was first called up to the Portugal senior team in November 2006 as the third goalkeeper behind Ricardo and Quim. Doing his best, he finally was named in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but did not play in the tournament in South Africa. Let’s move forward to the first on our list of the best Canadian soccer players of all time.
1- Fernando Aguiar
Position:
Defensive midfielder
Date of Birth:
18 March 1972
Origin:
Portuguese
The first and the best on our list of the best Canadian soccer players of all time is Fernando Aguiar.
Commonly known as Fernando Aguiar, Fernando João Lobo Aguiar was born on 18 March 1972.
Possessing both Portuguese and Canadian citizenship, he grew up in Canada and started his professional career by Toronto Blizzard back in 1991. Up to 2014, when he announced his retirement from football, he kicked the ball for many other clubs including Maritimo, Nacional, Maia, Benfica, Gondomar, and Pedrouços.
On the other side, on an international scale, he has kicked the ball for Canada from 1995 to 1999, making his debut for the team in a match against Portugal in January 1995. His final international appearance was in a match against Saudi Arabia, back in July 1999.
Whom else do you think is missing on our list of the best Canadian soccer players of all time? Let us know in the comment section below!
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source: SportMob
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