Field hockey is one of the oldest team sports in the world, and it has produced some of the greatest athletes in history. From European and North American superstars to Asian and African champions, field hockey has been graced by some of the greatest players the world has ever seen. Here, we take a look at the 10 greatest field hockey players of all time.
10- Luciana Aymar
(Argentina)
Luciana Aymar is widely regarded as one of the best field hockey players of all time. She is an Olympic gold medallist, eight-time FIH Player of the Year, and four-time World Player of the Year. She has also been honored with the Argentine Sports Merit Award and the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport. Aymar has scored over 200 goals in her international career, the most of any Argentinian player. She has also won a record seven World Cup medals, including four gold medals. She was a key member of the Argentinian team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Aymar has also led her team to several Pan American Games medals. She was the top scorer at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, and was also named the tournament’s best player. Aymar has been an ambassador for field hockey, promoting the sport across the world. She has also been involved in various social and environmental causes, including working with UNICEF. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of field hockey players, and she will remain one of the greatest athletes of all time.
9- Jamie Dwyer
(Australia)
Photo Credit: Courier Mail
Jamie Dwyer is an Australian field hockey player widely regarded as one of the best in the world. He is the only hockey player to win the FIH World Player of the Year five times. Dwyer has scored over 200 international goals, making him the most prolific scorer in the history of the sport. He has also been part of four Olympic medals for Australia, including gold at the 2004 Athens Games. Dwyer is an all-time great, having won the Champions Trophy six times and the World Cup four times.
He also helped Australia to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2014. Dwyer has won numerous individual awards throughout his storied career, including the FIH Player of the Year award four times and the Hockeyroo of the Year award six times. He is known for his extraordinary speed, agility and skill on the ball, and his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities. Dwyer is a role model for aspiring hockey players and a symbol of excellence in the sport.
8- Teun de Nooijer
(Netherlands)
Photo Credit: DNA India
Teun de Nooijer is widely considered one of the best field hockey players of all time. He has earned three Olympic gold medals and two World Cup titles. He has also won four Hockey World League medals, four European Championship medals, and one Champions Trophy medal. Nooijer holds the record for the most goals scored at the Olympics and the most World Cup goals. He has scored over 200 goals in all major competitions. And has also won the prestigious FIH Player of the Year award five times.
He has been a stalwart for the Dutch national team for more than two decades, captaining them to gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His skill, vision, and leadership have made him one of the greatest hockey players of all time. He is currently the technical director of the Dutch men’s team, ensuring that the next generation of players can benefit from his experience.
7- Sohail Abbas
(Pakistan)
Photo Credit: Tribune
Sohail Abbas is universally recognized as one of the best field hockey players of all time. He has scored second most international goals than any other player in the history of the sport at 348. During his career, he has represented Pakistan in four Olympic Games, four World Cups, four Champions Trophies, and six Asian Games. He was also the top scorer in the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Champions Trophy.
He was named Player of the Year in 2002 by the International Hockey Federation. At the 2004 Olympics, he was the captain of the Pakistan team and led them to the gold medal. He was also the top scorer at the 2006 Asian Games with 9 goals. His achievements and contributions to the sport have earned him the nickname “The Magician”. Sohail Abbas continues to inspire young players around the world and is a true legend of the game.
6- Stephen Jenness
(New Zealand)
Stephen Jenness is one of the best field hockey players in the world. He has won gold medals at the Olympic Games and World Cup. With an impressive record of 55 goals and 40 assists, Jenness has been a key contributor to the success of the New Zealand national team. He is known for his technical ability and excellent ball control. Jenness is also a versatile player, capable of playing in various positions on the field. He has an impressive passing range and is a great set-piece taker. He is also renowned for his leadership qualities, helping to motivate his team-mates.
Jenness is a highly experienced player, having played over 200 international matches in his career. He has also played professionally in Europe, Asia, and Australia. With his excellent skills and experience, Jenness is one of the top field hockey players in the world. He is a great asset to any team, and his influence can be seen in the success of the New Zealand team.
5- Moritz Furste
(Germany)
Photo Credit: FIH
Moritz Furste is one of the best field hockey players in the world today. He has been a regular member of the German National Team since 2002. Moritz won gold medals at 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games. He has also won five European Championships with Germany in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2013. Furste has scored over 112 international goals and is widely considered one of the most complete players in the game. He is renowned for his accurate passing, great vision, and superb control of the ball. Furste is also an excellent defender, using his speed and agility to close down opponents. His impressive record of achievements makes him one of the best field hockey players of all time.
4- Balbir Singh
(India)
Photo Credit: Stumps and Bails
Balbir Singh is one of the greatest field hockey players in history. He won three Olympic gold medals with India and was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Balbir Singh was the only player to score five goals in a single Olympic final, a feat he achieved in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He also scored six goals in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, which was a record for most goals in an Olympic hockey match. And also was the first Indian hockey player to be honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award.
He was the vice-captain of the Indian team at the 1960 Rome Olympics and led India to its fourth consecutive gold medal. He was also the manager of the Indian hockey team that won the 1975 World Cup. Singh was a three-time All-India Hockey Player of the Year and was inducted into the International Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975. He is remembered as one of the greatest field hockey players ever, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of hockey players.
3- Ric Charlesworth
(Australia)
Photo Credit: The Australian
Ric Charlesworth is widely regarded as one of the best field hockey players of all time. He represented Australia in over 250 international matches and scored over 80 goals. He captained the Australian men’s team for more than a decade and coached the women’s team for nearly eight years. His legacy is firmly entrenched in the sport. He was the first player to win the World Player of the Year Award in 1993, and he was inducted into the International Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2011.
Charlesworth’s tactical acumen was legendary; he was known for his ability to read the game and make strategic adjustments on the fly. His vision, creativity, and leadership helped him lead Australia to numerous international titles. His record of excellence and accomplishments as a player and coach are unmatched in the sport. He truly was one of the greatest players of all time.
2- Mink van der Weerden
(Netherlands)
Photo Credit: Omroepbrabant
Mink van der Weerden is widely regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. He has won numerous individual awards and accolades, including the FIH Player of the Year Award in 2012. Weerden was also the top goalscorer at the 2012 Olympic Games, scoring seven goals in six matches. He has played a total of 184 international matches and scored 110 goals, making him the highest-scoring Dutch player in history.
His stellar performances in major tournaments have led to him being named in the All-Star Team of the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 World Cup, and the 2016 European Championship. He has also been part of the Dutch team that won the 2017 World League Final and the 2018 Champions Trophy. His impressive career has seen him win four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Olympics, as well as three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the World Cup. His leadership and skill have made him one of the best field hockey players of all time.
1- Dhyan Chand
(India)
Dhyan Chand is undoubtedly the greatest field hockey player of all time. He made his debut in 1926 and went on to become India’s leading goal scorer at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. He scored 14 goals in 5 matches, including the final match against hosts Netherlands. His performance at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics was even more remarkable, as he scored 12 goals in just 5 matches. He was acclaimed for his amazing dribbling skills and ball control, which earned him the title ‘The Wizard of Hockey’. Dhyan Chand’s international career spanned 22 years, during which he scored 578 goals in over 80 matches. He also led the Indian team to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in 1956. Dhyan Chand’s legacy lives on, as his name is still synonymous with field hockey in India.
