Since its inaugural season in 2005, the A-League has hosted some outstanding players, including both Australians and New Zealanders, as well as those from around the world. These are the players who've defined eras, won silverware, smashed records, and stoked rivalries. Here are the best A-League players of all time, combining brilliance, consistency, and unforgettable performances.
Thomas Broich
Thomas Broich is a German playmaker who joined Brisbane Roar in 2010 and quickly became one of the finest and most influential players in the league. His vision, elegant passing, and composure on the ball made him instrumental in Roar's back-to-back Championships and record-setting unbeaten run. He won the Johnny Warren Medal twice and is one of the A-League's few foreign players to earn wide admiration from many different fans, despite playing for just one A-League club.
Besart Berisha
Besart Berisha was the A-League's all-time leading goalscorer and its most iconic striker. The forward made an instant impact when he joined Brisbane Roar in 2011 and scored 19 goals in his debut season, helping the club to Championship glory. When he moved to Melbourne Victory, his prolific goalscoring continued, and he won more silverware.
An intense player with a killer instinct in front of goal, Brisha showed up in big games, especially in the Grand Finals. Over the decade he spent in the A-League, he scored 142 goals, winning four Championships in the process. Loved by fans (of the teams he played for), he was a controversial player, but the stats speak for themselves, and he helped shape the modern era of the A-League.
Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero signed for Sydney FC in 2012, which was huge for the A-League. After all, Del Piero is one of the most celebrated footballers of his generation, a World Cup winner, UEFA Champions League icon, and Juventus Legend. His arrival boosted crowds and media coverage, lifted the standard of play, and, despite joining late in his career, he still managed to net 48 goals in 24 appearances. While Sydney FC didn't win any silverware during his stint, Del Piero's legacy marked a change for the league, legitimising it for other great foreign players.
Milos Ninković
Milos Ninković was one of the A-League's most influential midfielders. He arrived at Sydney FC in 2015, and his exceptional technical ability, composure under pressure, and knack for unlocking defences made him dangerous. His intelligence on the ball helped Sydney FC through one of its most dominant eras, winning multiple Championships and Premierships. He also picked up the Johnny Warren Medal in 2016-17. His high standard of playing earned him respect across the league, but his switch to Western Sydney Wanderers in 2022 was pretty controversial.
Bruno Fornaroli
When Bruno Fornaroli joined the A-League in 2015, he became one of its most lethal and beloved strikers. He brought flair, tenacity, and an innate ability to find the net, winning the Golden Boot in his debut season with Melbourne City with 23 goals! Instantly a fan favourite, his technical brilliance, clever movement, and confidence in front of the goal helped him to create chances from almost nothing. Injuries set him back, and so did moves to Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory, but he consistently scored over several seasons.
Archie Thompson
Archie Thompson is one of the most recognisable figures in A-League history. He brought goals, charisma, longevity, and infectious energy to Melbourne Victory and the formative years of the A-League. Scoring 90 goals in 224 appearances for Victory, he was pivotal in the club's three Championships and three Premierships. In the 2007 A-League Grand Final, he scored five goals in a record-breaking 6-0 over Adelaide United, a feat that remains to be matched. In addition to his speed, dribbling, and sharp finishing, his loyalty to the A-League and to Melbourne Victory earned him a lot of respect.
Jamie Maclaren
Jamie Maclaren is an Australian striker and the competition's all-time top scorer. He regularly finishes seasons in the double digits. His positional awareness and timing make him a threat to defenders, and he's earned five Golden Boots and multiple Premierships.
Craig Goodwin
Craig Goodwin is one of the most complete and respected players in A-League history. He's a technically gifted left-winger with a strong work ethic. At Adelaide United, he utilised his pace, crossing, and goalscoring ability to significant effect across multiple stints at the club. Goodwin's leadership and ability to lift the team made him a talisman for the Reds. He capped off an excellent 2022-23 season by winning the Johnny Warren Medal.
Aaron Mooy
Aaron Mooy was one of the most technically complete midfielders in the A-League. During his time with Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City, his passing, vision, and tactical intelligence were particularly impressive. His 2015-2016 season with Melbourne City was outstanding, matching double-digit assists, scoring vital goals, and dictating play. City would win the Premiership that season, and Mooy would end up with a successful career in Europe at English Premier League teams Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.
While Brighton & Hove Albion are still in the Premier League, Huddersfield Town are in League One, which is two divisions below. Given that the A-League doesn't have promotion and relegation, none of the current teams have to worry about that.
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke's arrival at Sydney FC was a landmark moment for Australian football and the league itself. A global star from Manchester United, with whom he won the historic treble in 1999, he brought credibility to the new league. He was Sydney's marquee player and captain, leading by example with crucial goals and mentoring young players. In the very first Grand Final, he scored and helped Sydney FC win the Championship in front of over 41,000 fans.
His presence helped attract sponsors, boost media attention, and gave the A-League a profile it wouldn't have had without him. He played just one season before moving into coaching, but his impact was massive and immediate.
While there are certainly more players we could have included (add any suggestions you like in the comments), we feel these stand out for their impact, whether on or off the pitch. We've tried to include the best international and homegrown talent, not just focusing on players for their scoring. However, picking the best football player will always be subjective and dependent on which aspect of play is most important to you.
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