These Are Top 10 Jamaican-Born Football Players of All Time
This list is based on Jamaican footballers who played for both a club and country at the highest level and are known and loved by an entire generation. On this list of top players, you will find players who did not represent Jamaica’s national team however all these players were born on the island and went on to make a name for themselves.
This list was created by YARDHYPE after much research online about the players, player tracker and popular opinions.
Luton Shelton
At number 10 is Jamaica’s top striker Luton Shelton who was born on the 11th of November 1985 in Kingston.
Shelton first played as a Reggae boy in 2004, he went on to earn 75 caps and is Jamaica’s current record goalscorer with a total of 35 goals, he played in three CONCACAF Gold Cups.
Leon Bailey
In the number 9 spot is Leon Patrick Bailey who is the youngest one on the list and even though he is yet to achieve accolades like several others on the list, Leon Bailey is currently regarded as one of the best young footballers in the world.
Leon Bailey in many respects is the Jamaican player of his generation.
Bailey was born on the 9 of August in 1997, he now plays for Aston Villa in the UK and the Jamaica national team. Bailey after a very long wait finally represented Jamaica for the first time a few years ago.
Ian Goodison
Number 8 is Ian “Pepe” Goodison, born in the year 1972. He was drafted into the national squad by then-coach Renee Simoes who saw his potential from minor Jamaican club matches.
He later went on to become a part of the World Cup 1998 squad where he played defence.
Ian Goodison is also widely known for his accomplishments at Tranmere Rovers in England where he played until he was over 40.
Walter Boyd
In number 7 is Walter Boyd, Walter Boyd was considered to be very controversial but a great player nonetheless. He accomplished an amount of 60 caps for the Jamaican National football team.
He also played for Swansea City as well as the Colorado Foxes at an international club level.
The now-retired player also referred to as “Black Pearl” made 3 appearances in the 1998 World Cup as a substitute.
Ricardo Fuller
In the number 6 spot is Ricardo Fuller who was born in the year 1979.
Fuller started his career locally with The Tivoli Gardens football club then went on internationally to play for teams like Crystal Palace, Portsmouth, Southampton and Stoke City.
Fuller has been involved with the Jamaican National team as a forward since the year 1998 where he has grown from an under-20 player to a senior who took part in World Cup qualification matches as well as the CONCACAF GOLD CUP.
Ricardo Gardner
In number 5 we have Ricardo Gardner affectionately known as “Bibi Gardner”. He was born in the year 1978.
Gardner has achieved an amount of 111 caps playing for Jamaica at the World Cup level as well as the CONCACAF GOLD CUP.
“Bibi Gardner” started his career at the early age of 14 for the Harbour View team in Kingston.
He was made captain of the National team from 2005 to 2009, at this time of his career, he played at the club level for Bolton Wanderers team in the English Premier League.
He is now retired from football, now actively coaching the game.
Allan “Skill” Cole
In at number 4 is Allan “Skill” Cole born in the year 1950. He was noted as one of the best players in the world cup qualifying games of his time.
He is also celebrated as a co-writer to Bob Marley on the 1976 released song “war”. He was also the tour manager for the reggae Legend. Allan also taught Bob Marley football, he is highly regarded by persons from his era. Allan is still the youngest player to represent the Reggae Boyz at age 15.
Theodore Whitmore
In the number 3 position is Theodore Whitmore the retired midfield player known as “Tappa”.
Making his debut in 1993 for the National team Theodore Whitmore has gone on to get 105 international caps with 24 goals. He represented Jamaica throughout the years becoming one of the key players for the National squad.
He is known for scoring the two goals that gave Jamaica their only win at the 1998 world cup.
He also played for several English teams and was the manager of the Jamaican National Football team.
John Barnes
In number 2 position is Jamaican-born John Barnes, the Espn commentator.
He played for Liverpool for several years earning league titles with them as a left-winger. He also represented the English team internationally in the Fifa World Cup even though he was of Jamaican Birth.
Raheem Sterling
In the number 1 position according to the player tracker is Jamaican-born Raheem Sterling who migrated to the Uk at an early age. He was born in the year 1994.
The footballer plays as a left-winger who started his career with Queens Park Rangers before he moved on to play for Liverpool, Manchester City and currently Chelsea. While at Liverpool he was awarded the Golden Boy title. He then moved on to play for Manchester City where he helped them to two premier league titles.
He is well known for his high-value transfer fee of $49 million dollars that Manchester City had agreed on.
