11 Best Soccer Players from Canada, Ranked

If you’re wondering who the best 11 soccer players born in Canada are, come along for the ride as I detail and rank them. 

The individual at the top of the list, Owen Hargreaves, is the only one who didn’t play for the Canada national team. 

11 Best Soccer Players from Canada, Ranked

Greatest Soccer Players from Canada

1. Owen Hargreaves 

Hargreaves reached the pinnacle of the sport, playing for three of the world’s most elite and prestigious clubs: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Manchester City. 

He won two Champions Leagues, four Bundesliga crowns, and four Premier League championships. 

While he never played for Canada, Hargreaves featured for England and was named the Three Lions’ player of the tournament at the 2006 World Cup. 

2. Atiba Hutchinson 

Atiba Hutchinson defined the engine room in the heart of midfield. He was as strong in the tackle as he was intelligent, always patrolling the most important space on the pitch. 

Hutchinson was a five-time Canadian footballer of the year, having also been honoured with the same accolade in 2006 while playing for Copenhagen FC. 

3. Paul Stalteri

Paul Stalteri was one of the first Canadian-born players to flourish in the elite European leagues. 

The scrappy right-back won the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen in 2003-04 before tasting more glory, this time in England, when he won the League Cup in 2008 with Tottenham Hotspur. 

He was also instrumental in leading Canada, which was a mammoth soccer betting underdog, to its improbable Gold Cup triumph in 2000. 

4. Dwayne de Rosario

Dwayne de Rosario scored 21 goals for Canada, the third highest. 

De Rosario spent most of his career in North America, where he won four MLS Cups and added the MLS MVP award to his collection. He was also part of Canada’s historic Gold Cup run in 2000.

5. Cyle Larin

Cyle Larin has the second-most goals for Canada, with 30. 

He had the most goals during Canada’s World Cup qualifying campaign (13) and has won four club trophies, three of which were with Besiktas in Turkey. 

6. Stephen Eustaquio

Stephen Eustaquio’s growth and improvement throughout the years have been staggering. He can attribute most of that maturation to the experience he gained since joining FC Porto in 2022. 

Since signing for one of the most storied and successful Portuguese clubs, Eustaquio has won seven trophies, including a Primeira Liga title.

7. Junior Hoilett

Junior Hoilett, the embodiment of a journeyman, has played for nine teams throughout his 17-year career. He has won 65 caps for Canada and played in all three matches at the 2022 World Cup. 

8. Jim Brennan

Like Stalteri, Brennan was part of the old guard, helping pave a path for Canadians to take their exploits across the pond and into Europe. 

He played for five English teams and Toronto FC, winning the Canadian Cup in 2009. 

He was also an influential member of the 2000 Gold Cup-winning team. 

9. Craig Forrest

It wouldn’t be a best-of list without a goalkeeper making his presence felt. 

Craig Forrest did Canada proud, representing the nation while he plied his trade in the Premier League with West Ham United, Chelsea FC, and Ipswich Town. 

He put Canada’s goalkeepers on the map, inspiring the younger generation to follow in his footsteps. 

10. Julian de Guzman

Julian de Guzman won three Canadian Cups with Toronto FC. 

However, it’s the time he spent in La Liga with Deportivo de La Coruna and in Germany with Hannover 96 that increased his profile. 

He made 97 La Liga and 78 Bundesliga appearances. 

11. Jonathan Osorio 

The one-team legend, Jonathan Osorio, has spent his entire 15-year career with Toronto FC. You don’t see that loyalty much anymore in professional sport, making the tenure with his hometown team all the more impressive. 

He was rewarded for that loyalty in 2016-17, when he helped the club to its first MLS Cup. 

Who Is the Best Soccer Player Born in Canada?

Owen Hargreaves is the best player born in Canada.