Can You Name These Premier League Football Stars?

Raj Chander

Image: Wiki Commons by Granada

About This Quiz

Throughout the 1980s, there had been lots of talk of creating a "super league" in England. At the time, the best soccer teams were competing in the English Football League. Hoping to create a new association with the top clubs – headlined by the "Big Five" of Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – 22 of the best teams in England broke away from the EFL to start the Premier League in 1992.

The new league also famously helped one of England's modern cable fixtures, Sky Sports, grow to relevancy. Beating out BBC and ITV, Sky Sports became the exclusive broadcast partner of Premier League. Allegedly, founder Rupert Murdoch personally ordered his network to outbid every competitor to win the rights by any means necessary.

But besides one of England's largest cable conglomerates, the Premier League has also helped launch the successful careers of dozens of football stars. Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez are just a few of the massive names who played in the Premier League to help their star rise. Think you are a master of English football? See how many Premier League legends you can name when presented with their picture and a few hints about their accomplishments on the pitch. Game on!

An Arsenal legend, this French striker who also had stints with FC Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls is considered one of the best goal scorers of all time – who is he?

Henry was also on the French international team that won the World Cup in 1998, though he was a backup who didn't enter the match. With Arsenal, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year in the 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and 2005-2006 Premier League seasons--his three awards are still the most by any individual.

Known equally for his on-field prowess and off-the-field star power, this famous Portuguese footballer starred at Manchester United in the Premier League but now plays for Juventus. Who is the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner pictured below?

"Ronaldo," as he is commonly known, is one of the most decorated footballers in history. He was FWA Footballer of the Year with Manchester United for two seasons in a row from 2006 to 2008. With his star power, Man. U won the Premier League every year from 2007 til 2009.

One of the best non-Europeans to ever play in the Premier League, this forward from Trinidad & Tobago led the league in scoring in 1999 and won multiple championships with Manchester United and Aston Villa – who is he?

Yorke is one of the few players to win the treble, three championships in the same year: in 1999 with Manchester United, he won the Premier League championship, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League title. Yorke scored over 70 goals in 232 appearances with Aston Villa.

The best-known footballer from the Ivory Coast, this star striker led the Premier League in goals playing with Chelsea in the 2006-2007 and 2009-2010 seasons. Who is this player?

Drogba won 4 Premier League championships with Chelsea in 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2015. He also won African Footballer of the Year in 2006 and 2009. He is now Vice President of Peace and Sport, an international organization that uses sports as a way to promote peace in foreign relations.

This French star won a FIFA World Cup with the 1998 France national team and Premier League titles with Arsenal in 2002 and 2004. Who is he?

Pires also won the Football Writer Association's Footballer of the Year award in the 2001-2002 season and helped France win the 2000 UEFA Championship. He also played for the French team at the 1996 Olympics.

England's current national captain and heir apparent to stars like Beckham and Gerrard, this young Tottenham Hotspur phenom is already the fourth-leading scorer in club history while still in his 20s – who is he?

In 2018, the rising star Kane hitched himself to Tottenham for the long haul, signing a six-year deal that keeps him on the team through 2024 and could pay him over 62 million pounds, or about $78 million.

This Dutch centre-back played for Southampton but signed with Liverpool in 2018, helping them win their first UEFA Championship since 2005. Can you name this famous player who also serves as captain for The Netherlands?

van Dijk also won Premier League Player of the Season in 2018-2019. He joins Vincent Kompany of Belgium and Nemanja Vidic of Serbia as the only defenders to win the award since its inception in 1994.

Arguably the most decorated player in Manchester United history, this famous forward is an English legend who led Man. U to five titles in seven years and a FIFA Club World Cup win in 2009. Who is pictured?

In 2018, Rooney left the Premier club Everton and signed with D.C. United, ending a decorated English football career. He is second only to Alan Shearer for goals scored in the Premier League.

One of the best midfielders in English history, he is Chelsea's top goalscorer and appeared for the English national team over 100 times. Who is in the picture below?

Lampard's decorated career ended in 2017 when he retired with a long sheet of honors including 3 Premier League titles, 2 English League Cup titles, and one Europa League championship, all with Chelsea FC.

This midfielder from Hastings holds the record for most Premier League appearances, mostly with Aston Villa. He won the Premier League championship in 2012 with Manchester City--who is this footballer?

Besides his longstanding run in the Premier League, Bale has also appeared for the Welsh national team more than 70 times. He has received the Welsh Footballer of the Year Award six times, far more than any other player.

He's a legendary goal scorer known best for his time with Newcastle United, where he scored 206 goals in 10 seasons. Who is the leading goal scorer in Premier League history, pictured below?

Although he had some problems with injuries that interrupted his career, Shearer had brilliant seasons with both Newcastle United and the Blackburn Rovers. In the 1993-1994 season, he scored 31 goals, earning him a nod as the Football Writers Association's Best Footballer of the Year.

Before joining the Blackburn Rovers in a record-setting deal, this striker starred with Huddersfield Town in the EFL. With the Rovers, he scored over 20 goals in three of his four seasons – who is this star goal scorer?

Rhodes now plays for Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship league team. He has also represented Scotland in international competition since 2011, with 14 caps (appearances) for the Scottish national team.

This Welsh legend played his entire Premier League career with Manchester United, winning 13 championships between 1990 and 2014 – who's this midfielder with 64 caps for the Wales national team?

Giggs is one of the sport's most decorated--in addition to his baker's dozen Premier League titles, he also has 4 English FA cup titles and 2 Champions League titles to his name. He now manages the Wales national team.

A Belgian centre-back considered one of the best defenders in league history, he played for Manchester City between 2008 and 2019, where he won Premier League Player of the Season in 2012. Who is the star player pictured?

Kompany's defensive talents helped Manchester City win its first-ever championship, in the 2011-2012 season. Kompany also played on the Belgian national team that came third in 2018's FIFA World Cup, the country's best finish since it began participating in 1930.

A star forward hailing from France, this attacker spent time with both Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League, winning titles with each team. He led the league in scoring with Chelsea in 2008-2009 – who is this striker?

Anelka also represented France in international play, but his career ended poorly: after a verbal dispute with coach Raymond Domenech, he was sent home from the 2010 French World Cup team and banned for 18 games. Anelka never served the ban, claiming he had already decided to retire from international play.

A longtime star for Crystal Palace first and then Arsenal in the '90s, he led the league in goals in the 1991-1992 season and helped Arsenal win the Premier League in 1998. Who's in the picture below?

Wright was a big part of Arsenal's dominance in the '90s – he also helped the club win the English FA Cup in 1993 & 1998 and a Football League Cup in 1993. He also has 33 caps for the English national team.

Known best in the Premier League for his time with Manchester United, this star is arguably the world's most famous footballer. He won the Premier League title 6 times with Man. U and added three MLS Cup Championships with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2010 - 2013 – who is this player?

Beckham is also famously married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham (known by the stage name "Posh Spice") and has been a sex symbol for quite some time – in 2015 he was named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.

A legend for both the Scotland National team as well as Everton in the Premier League, this 1980s star of the Premier League won an FA Cup in 1984 and League championships in 1985 and 1987, all with Everton. Who is he?

Sharp earned 12 caps with the Scotland national team from 1985 to 1988, but never had as much success as he enjoyed in the Premier League. He has the second-most goals in Everton FC history, with 159.

Hailing from Egypt, this Liverpool forward led the Premier League in goals for both 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Who is this skilled goal-scorer?

Salah's 32 goals scored in 2017-2018 set a Premier League record for most goals scored in a season – the last person to top his count was Alan Shearer, but in those days the Premier League season had four extra games.

Another young Belgian star in the Premier League, this forward spent time with Chelsea and scored 25 goals for Everton in the 2016-2017 season. Who is this striker who now plays for Manchester United?

Lukaku also has over 80 caps with the Belgium national team and has scored 48 goals in those appearances, making him the all-time leader in goals scored for Belgium. The previous benchmark (30) was set back in 1972.

Many of the top players come from Spain, but this midfielder who has played for Manchester City since 2010 may be the most famous. Who is this Spanish star who has been a part of four Premier League championship teams?

Silva is one of the football stars who has had success on both the club and international stages, winning a FIFA World Cup with the Spanish national team in 2010 and a UEFA European Championship in 2012.

Hailing from France, this defensive midfielder began his career with Leicester City but now plays for Chelsea, where he won the league in 2016-2017. Who is the soccer player below?

Kante also played a key role in France's victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, appearing in 16 games during the team's championship run. He has a total of 38 caps for the France national team since 2016.

This young winger and midfielder from Germany is one of the Premier League's top new faces. He joined Manchester City in 2016 and scored ten goals in his second and third seasons with the team. Who is this player?

Though he is still in his early 20s, Sane is already putting up impressive statistics. He has racked up 21 caps with Germany since 2015, scoring 5 goals and helping lead his team to the 2016 EUFA Euro semifinals.

He starred with several Premier League teams including Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United, winning championships in 2001, 2003 and 2010. Who is the English striker below who also won the Ballon d'Or in 2001?

Owen also tied the record for most goals scored in the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 Premier League seasons, receiving the league's Golden Boot award. Off the field, he is interested in horse racing and breeding.

He now stars for FC Barcelona in La Liga, but this Uruguayan legend played for Liverpool from 2010-2014, taking home the Golden Boot in his final year with the club. Who is he?

Suarez is a decorated player on the international stage, with 111 total caps including three FIFA World Cup appearances for the Uruguay national team. He is also the country's all-time leading goal scorer.

This Brazilian midfielder played in France before landing in the Premier League with Liverpool in 2018, helping them win the Champions League in 2019. Who is this player?

Prior to playing in the Premier League (outside of a loan to Real Madrid), Fabinho was best known for success with the AS Monaco FC club in Ligue 1 – he scored 31 goals and helped the team win the league in 2017.

A Dutch striker who starred for Manchester United in the early 2000s, this prolific scorer took home the Golden Boot for the 2002-2003 season. Who is he?

Van Nistelrooy won the league championship with Manchester United in 2003, along with an English FA Cup in 2004 and an English League Cup in 2006. He also has 70 caps and 35 goals for the Netherlands national team.

A fixture in the league since his time in the early 2000s with West Ham United, this English football legend is the only player besides Wayne Rooney to win a Premier League title, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, FA Community Shield, EUFA Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup championship. Who is he?

Carrick also played for the England national team in two different FIFA World Cups in 2006 and 2010, acquiring 34 caps. After retiring in 2018, he joined the Manchester United coaching staff.

This star midfielder from Belgium played with Chelsea from 2012 until 2019, winning Premier League Player of the Season in 2014-2015. Which star player is pictured?

Although he now plays for Real Madrid, Hazard won the Premier League with Chelsea twice: once in 2017 and once in 2015. He also has over 100 appearances with the Belgium national team and is tied for second-most goals in team history with 30.

This Serbian centre-back won three consecutive Premier League titles with Manchester United and is the only defender in league history to win Player of the Season multiple times. What's his name?

After joining the club in 2006, Vidic became part of a dominant Manchester United team that won the Premier League three times in a row in 2007, 2008 and 2009. He now plays for the Serie A Italian powerhouse Inter Milan.

A famous British striker who has played for Newcastle United, Manchester United and Blackburn, this attacking forward won the Golden Boot in 1994 and is the third-leading goal scorer in Premier League history. Which player is in this image?

In addition to his Premier League success, Cole has won an FA Cup and UEFA Champions League title attacking with Manchester United. He also led the league in assists in the 1993-1994 season.

Starring for Manchester United for nearly two full decades, this decorated midfielder has won almost every title in English football, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Football League Cup, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. Which Man. U star is in the picture?

Scholes also has the distinct honor of being named the best player in Premier League history by the legendary striker Thierry Henry, who was asked the question by a reporter in a 2015 interview.

A team centerpiece literally and figuratively as a midfielder for Arsenal between 1996 and 2005, this star won three FA cups and three Premier League titles with the club before moving on to play in Italy. Which French Arsenal star is this?

Vieira also had an accomplished international career, with over 100 caps including an important role with the France national team that captured the 1998 FIFA World Cup in the team's home country.

Born in Chile, this star forward made over 120 appearances with Arsenal before becoming one of the league's highest-paid players in 2018 when he signed with Manchester United. Which star player is pictured?

Sanchez is not only a massive star in the Premier League, but he has also been successful on the international stage: With 130 caps and 43 goals, he has the most goals and appearances in the history of the Chile national team.

This famous Spanish goalie has manned the net for Manchester United since 2011. This past offseason, he signed a massive six-year deal with the team worth over $146 million. Which goalkeeper is in this picture?

de Gea has won the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup with Manchester United. For the 2017-2018 season, he was awarded the Premier League Golden Glove, given to the goalie with the most shutouts.

This centre-back started his Premier League career with West Ham United but made his name with Manchester United, where he won the league title six times. Which star defender in this picture also has 81 caps for the England national team?

In the summer of 2002, Ferdinand set the British record for most expensive player transfer. He signed to Manchester United for £30m. After retiring in 2015, he briefly pursued a career in boxing, but gave up the sport after being denied a license.

An attacking midfielder with Arsenal since 2013, this German star helped his team win the FA Cup in 2014 and also played on Germany's national team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Which player is in this image?

Before joining Arsenal, Ozil had successful seasons with the La Liga club Real Madrid, including a 2011-2012 year where he was a finalist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. He retired from international competition in 2018 after accusing the German national team of "disrespect and racism."

A Czech legend considered one of the best goalies to ever play the game, this star keeper finished his career with Arsenal but made his name at Chelsea. Can you name this star goalie?

With four of the annual trophies given to outstanding goalies--three with Chelsea, one with Arsenal--Cech is tied with Joe Hart for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards in league history.

One of the few Middle Eastern stars in the Premier League, this winger now plays for Manchester City but had several successful seasons with Leicester City, winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 2016. Who is he?

Mahrez is also a decorated player on the Algerian national team, choosing to represent his family lineage despite being born in France. Mahrez has 53 caps for Algeria and helped the team win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

This English goalkeeper has been guarding the net for over a decade, mainly for Manchester City. Which goalie is in the picture, tied for most Golden Glove awards in league history?

Hart has over 100 clean sheets to his name and over 70 caps with the England national team, putting him in the running to be one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the history of English football.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes