The 5 Greatest Czech Footballers

The Greatest Ever Czech Footballers - Top Rankings

Gaining their independence in 1993, the Czech national team have achieved a lot in international football in quite a short period of time.

But who are the greatest Czech football players of all time? The Sporting Blog ranks Czechia’s top talent!

Czechia have played in 10 FIFA World Cups, including two as an independent nation in 2006 and 2026. Currently ranked 41st in the world by FIFA, the Czechs have still managed to produce some of the most talented footballers of the modern game, whilst also succeeding collectively on the biggest stage. Here are 5 of their best players.

1. Jan Koller

Position: Striker

Caps: 91

Goals: 55

Czechia’s highest goalscorer of all time, Jan Koller is a national icon. His senior international debut came in February 1999 at 25 years old. Koller was in his fifth season as a pro, and in his third for Belgian side Lokeren. The striker ended up scoring the winner on his debut, a 1-0 win against Belgium.

Following a stellar international scoring record, Koller became a starting member of the senior team instantly. This led to a call-up for Euro 2000. Playing in a two-man strike partnership alongside playmaker Vladimir Šmicer, Koller started all three Czech games as his side exited the group stages in an underwhelming fashion.

After Euro 2000, Koller continued to feature for the national side. The marksman was called up for Euro 2004. Once again playing as a striker in a 4-4-2, Koller started four out of his nation’s five games as Czechia reached the semifinals, earning a bronze medal for their efforts.

The striker scored two goals during the tournament. The first was the opening goal in the thrilling 3-2 win vs the Netherlands in the group, and the second was another opening goal in the 3-0 win vs Denmark in the quarterfinals.

By 2005, Koller was already Czechia’s highest goalscorer of all time. Due to his experience and presence, the striker’s place in the 2006 World Cup squad was all but guaranteed. At the World Cup, Koller only played in Czechia’s first game of the tournament, yet he still managed to score, netting the opening goal (again) in a 3-0 thrashing of the United States. His side ended up crashing out in the group stages, unfortunately. 

Koller’s last major international tournament was Euro 2008. Lined up as a sole striker in a 4-3-3, the marksman played all three of his nation’s games, scoring once as Czechia once again faltered in the group stage.

His last cap came in September 2009 at the age of 36. Having represented his country in four major tournaments in a decade-long international career, Koller achieved a lot in a short period of time.

Nicknamed ‘Dino’ due to his stature of six feet and eight inches, Koller dominated opposition defenders in the air throughout his career. His heading ability was second to none and his instinct as a poacher seemed inherent at times. The striker was the personification of a target man. 

2. Petr Čech

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 124

Czechia’s most-capped player of all time, Petr Čech is undoubtedly his nation's greatest-ever goalkeeper, as well as one of the greatest goalkeepers of the 21st century. The shot-stopper's senior international debut came in February 2002 at 19 years old in Čech's third season as a pro, and his first at Czech side Sparta Prague.

Later that year, Čech announced himself on the world stage with a dominant performance in the final of the U-21 European Championships, saving two penalties to confirm Czechia’s first triumph in a major international youth tournament.

After that world-class display, Čech became the senior team's starting ‘keeper, and he was called up to represent his country at Euro 2004. At the tournament, Čech played four out of five of his nation's games, keeping one clean sheet as the Czechs reached the semifinals and earned a bronze medal for their efforts. Čech was rewarded for his stellar displays by being named goalkeeper of the tournament.

His consistent excellence for the national team, in addition to his high-profile move to Chelsea in 2004/05, ensured Čech remained ever-present for his homeland after 2004.

The 2006 World Cup was Czechia’s first-ever appearance at the tournament as an independent nation, and Čech was called up as a starter. He started all three of Czechia’s games, keeping one clean sheet as the team exited in the group stages in disappointing fashion.

At Euro 2008, Čech started three of his nation's games (one clean sheet) as they dramatically crashed out of the group stages. The shot-stopper was partly at fault, conceding three goals in the last 15 minutes of a 3-2 defeat vs Turkey in the final group game, with his mistake from a cross leading to Turkey's equaliser.

Čech started all four games at Euro 2012, captaining the team in two games and keeping one clean sheet as the Czechs reached the quarterfinals. His last cap came during Euro 2016 at 34 years old, after a 14-year international career.

Standing at six feet and five inches, Čech naturally had presence and a great reach as a goalkeeper. His reflexes, anticipation and positioning were all world-class in his prime. Čech also gained a reputation for saving penalties in big games like the 2012 Champions League final.

Despite a serious head injury he suffered in 2006, Čech managed to play 13 more years as a pro at the highest level. A true professional.

3. Vladimír Šmicer

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 81

Goals: 27

An underrated midfielder in recent times, Vladimir Šmicer scored important goals for both club and country during an esteemed playing career. His senior international debut came in October 1993 at the age of 20. Šmicer was then in his second season as a pro for Czech side Slavia Prague.

At Euro 1996, Šmicer played five of his nation’s six games as the Czechs made it to the finals, earning themselves a silver medal. The playmaker played as either a forward in a 3-4-3, a striker in a 3-5-2 or a central midfielder in an avant-garde 3-3-3-1 formation. Coming off the bench in a group stage game vs Russia, Šmicer scored the equalising third goal of a thrilling 3-3 draw between the two sides.

His performance at the Euros solidified his place in the national team, and he was called up for the 1997 Confederations Cup soon after. Playing on the flanks of a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2, the playmaker had a fantastic tournament with five goals in his five starts in the competition. This included a hat-trick vs the UAE.

The Czechs reached the semifinals and ended up with a bronze medal for their efforts. Šmicer was awarded the Silver Shoe for his incredible performance.

The midfielder continued to be ever-present for his country in the new century, getting called up for Euro 2000 due to his experience and ability to change a game. Playing in a two-man strike partnership with Jan Koller in a 4-4-2, Šmicer started all three of his homeland’s games at the Euros as Czechia exited the group stages in an underwhelming fashion. Šmicer shone individually, though, scoring a game-winning brace vs Denmark in a 2-0 win. 

The playmaker’s last major international tournament was Euro 2004. Playing either in central midfield or on the flanks of a 4-4-2, Šmicer played three of his nation’s five games as they reached another semifinal, earning another bronze medal. He also scored the winning goal in a thrilling 3-2 game vs the Netherlands in the group stages.

Due to injury, Šmicer was unable to play at the 2006 World Cup. His last cap came in November 2005 at 32 years old.

A player for the big moments, Šmicer was capable of changing games through either his passing or shooting. The midfielder’s long-range shots and volleys were especially dangerous, as well as his ability from set-pieces. 

4. Pavel Nevděd

Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger

Caps: 91

Goals: 18

Czechia’s most talented player of all time, Pavel Nevděd, in his pomp, was an artist who seemed unstoppable at times. His senior international debut came in June 1994 at 21 years old. Nevděd was in his third season as a pro at the time, and his second at Czech side Sparta Prague.

A rotation member of the national side initially, Nevděd only garnered four caps in two years after his debut, but he was called up to the Czech Euro ’96 squad regardless.

At Euro ’96, Nevděd started five out of Czechia’s six games at the tournament as the Central European nation reached their first major international final, eventually losing to Germany 2-1.

Playing either as a left-midfielder in a 3-4-3 or as a central midfielder in a 3-3-3-1 formation, the playmaker dazzled on the big stage, opening the scoring in a vital group stage game vs Italy, which Czechia won 2-1 to qualify from their group. His Euro ’96 performance ensured his place in the squad for the Confederations Cup the next year. 

At the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, Nevděd started all five of his nation’s games, playing on the flanks of a 4-5-1, 4-4-2 and 3-5-2, as well as scoring two goals as Czechia clinched bronze. The Euro ’96 silver and Confederations Cup bronze were firsts for Czechia in major international tournaments.

By Euro 2000, Nevděd was a nailed-on starter for the national team and a household name in football, as he was then into his fourth season as Italian club Lazio’s maestro-in-chief.

Playing in central midfield of a 3-5-2, the midfielder started all three of Czechia’s games at Euro 2000 as they crashed out of the group stages in disappointing fashion. After the tournament, Nevděd was handed the captaincy.

At Euro 2004, Nevděd started four out of his nation’s five games as they reached the semifinals, earning bronze once again at the international stage. On the left flank of a 4-4-2 with the captain’s armband, Nevděd put in a man-of-the-match performance vs the Netherlands in the group stage, culminating in a 3-2 win for Czechia.

His Euro 2004 performance earned him a place in the team of the tournament. Nevděd initially retired from the national team after Euro 2004, but was persuaded to come back for the 2006 World Cup, his nation’s first post-independence. The maestro started all three of Czechia’s games at the WC as they crashed out in the group stages. His last cap came in August 2006 at the age of 33.

Nicknamed ‘Czech Fury’ by Italian fans, Nevděd was a technically astute player capable of the spectacular with both feet. He possessed extraordinary power in his shots, while his pace was also adequate enough to power past the opposition.

A fine dribbler as well, the Czech was the complete package as an attacking player. Nevděd won the 2003 Ballon d'Or, becoming only the second Czech footballer to win the accolade.

5. Milan Baros

Position: Striker

Caps: 93

Goals: 41

A player whose peak on the world stage was short yet significant, Milan Baros will always be remembered for almost dragging his homeland to European success in 2004 via his goals.

Baros’ senior international debut came in April 2001 vs Belgium in a friendly, where he ended up scoring the equalising goal as the game finished 1-1. At the time, Baros was 19 years old and in his third season as a pro at Czech side Banik Ostrava. The marksman then scored again in his second game for the national side, a 3-1 win vs Northern Ireland. 

With four goals in his first eight caps, Baros immediately cemented his starting place in the Czech side. At Euro 2004, Baros played all five of his nation’s games (four starts) as the Czechs reached the semifinals, finishing with a bronze medal.

Playing in a two-man strike partnership alongside the legendary Jan Koller in a 4-4-2, Baros ended up as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Three came in the group stages and two in the knockout rounds.

Along with the golden boot, his stellar performances earned him a place in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament. Afterwards, Baros continued to score prolifically for his country.

While the striker was called up for the 2006 World Cup, an injury affected his preparation. This led to Baros only starting one game at the tournament as Czechia exited in the group stages.

Baros appeared in Euro 2008, playing only once and failing to score as Czechia once again crashed out in the group stages. He made his final appearance at Euro 2012 at 30 years old, losing to Portugal in the quarterfinals.

A quick and strong striker with a good frame, Baros had all the physical attributes to be world-class. He also possessed a good first touch and underrated positioning. Baros is Czechia’s second-highest scorer of all time.

Honorable Mentions: 

• Tomáš Rosický

• Marek Jankulovski

• Karel Poborský

• Jaroslav Plašil

Who would you add to our list of the greatest football players from Czechia? Did we miss anyone? Tell us in the comments

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