In the world of football, referees play an indispensable role, contributing to ensuring fairness and transparency in each match. Among the leaders in this field, Pierluigi Collina, who is considered the "best football referee in the world", is always honored for his talent and majestic demeanor on the field. With a career spanning from 1988 to 2006, Collina has refereed major finals, from the World Cup to the Champions League, and has become an icon not only in the refereeing world but also in the hearts of football fans around the world. Let's read the list of 10 best football referees in the world with Win Betting Tips through the following article!
Top 10 best football referees in the world
10. Pedro Proenca - Portugal
Pedro Proenca's refereeing career spanned from 1998 to 2015. Throughout his career, he has been involved in national competitions, especially the National Championship. In addition, Pedro Proenca has also taken part in major international tournaments, most notably as a referee at Euro 2012. He has also had the honor of officiating major finals, including the 2012 European Club Championship, Euro 2012, and the 2014 World Cup.
Portuguese football referee Pedro Proenca began his refereeing career in 1998 - and he is known as one of the best referees of modern times. Notably, he is the first referee to officiate both the UEFA Champions League final and the UEFA European Championship in the same calendar year.
He was named the World's Best Referee in 2012 by the IFFHS, and also received the Portuguese Football Federation's Best Referee award in 2007 and 2011. That speaks volumes about the respect people have for him, especially after he also officiated at the 2014 World Cup.
9. Viktor Kassai -Slovakia
Viktor Kassai's refereeing career spanned from 1990 to 2019. He began his career in domestic competitions, notably the Slovakian First League. Viktor Kassai also officiated at major international tournaments, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2012 and Euro 2016. One of the highlights of his career was his refereeing of the 2011 UEFA European Club Championship final.
Viktor Kassai began his full-time international refereeing career with FIFA in 2003 before retiring 16 years later. Originally from Slovakia, Kassai has made his mark on the football refereeing scene with his accurate decision-making, which saw him take charge of the 2011 UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United, demonstrating his ability to handle high-stakes encounters with composure.
He has also played at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. At the 2016 Club World Cup, he became the first referee to award a penalty after reviewing video. It has been an impressive career for the Slovakian.
8. Sandor Puhl - Hungary
Sandor Puhl's refereeing career spanned from 1988 to 2000. He started his career in domestic competitions, notably the Hungarian national championship Nemzeti Bajnoksag. Puhl also officiated at major international tournaments, including Euro 1992, the 1994 World Cup and Euro 1996. One of the highlights of his career was his refereeing of major finals, such as the 1993 UEFA Cup final, the 1994 World Cup and the 1997 Champions League.
Sandor Puhl rose to fame as the referee of the 1994 FIFA World Cup final - one of the best World Cups in the world. Meanwhile, the IFFHS named him World Referee of the Year four times in a row from 1994 to 1997.
A multilingual man, he was also selected to referee the 1997 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Juventus. But his career was not without controversy. Puhl was a much-criticised figure in Spain for his indiscretion in the 1994 World Cup quarter-final between Italy and Spain, where Mauro Tassotti elbowed Luis Enrique in the face in stoppage time in the penalty area. Puhl chose not to award a penalty or show a card.
7. Mark Halsey - England
Mark Halsey's refereeing career spanned from 1989 to 2013. He mainly refereed matches in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. Although he did not take part in major international tournaments, Mark Halsey had the honour of refereeing several important finals, including the 2008 League Cup final.
Mark Halsey is the first English referee on this list and although he rarely appeared in European matches, he was respected by the players. He mainly refereed in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013 and was on the Select Group Referees list of the competition from its inception in 2001 until his retirement.
The Englishman has officiated over 300 domestic games, including the 2008 League Cup final. His ability to make quick yet calm decisions has made him a steady figure at the top of the First Division, with some English referees only dreaming of earning his respect.
6. Kim Milton Nielsen - Denmark
Kim Milton Nielsen's refereeing career spanned from 1976 to 2006. He started his career in domestic competitions, notably the Danish Super League. Kim Milton Nielsen also officiated at major international tournaments, including Euro 1996, AFCON 1998, the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. Throughout his career, he officiated at several major finals, including the 1994 UEFA Cup Final and the 2004 Champions League.
Refereeing is not about dominating the picture, but it was always a struggle for Kim Milton Nielsen, given his towering 6ft 6in stature. You could literally see him on the pitch at all times. He officiated 154 international matches and 53 UEFA Champions League games during his career, taking on the global stage from 1988 to 2005.
The Dane took charge of two matches at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and officiated the semi-final between Brazil and Turkey at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. Coupled with consistent performances throughout Europe’s most prestigious tournament, few have impressed – or caught the eye – as Nielsen has.
5. Mark Clattenburg - England
Mark Clattenburg's refereeing career spanned from 1990 to 2019, with his work mainly in the Premier League. He has also had the opportunity to officiate at major international tournaments, most notably Euro 2016. During his career, he has refereed several major finals, including the 2016 UEFA Club Championship and Euro 2016.
Mark Clattenburg is a controversial figure. Some love him, others hate him, but he is trusted by organisations to take charge of the biggest games. Notably, he admitted during the 2016 Battle of Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Tottenham - one of the craziest games in Premier League history - that he let the visitors "self-destruct" because he didn't want to be blamed for costing them the title. Clattenburg kept the red card in his pocket throughout the 2-2 draw that sent Leicester City to the title.
The outspoken referee also took charge of the 2016 UEFA European Championship final between Portugal and France. As well as more than 250 Premier League games, the Englishman moved abroad in the twilight of his professional career, earning big money while overseeing competitions in Saudi Arabia and China.
4. Nicola Rizzoli - Italy
Nicola Rizzoli's refereeing career spanned from 2007 to 2017. He began his career in domestic competitions, notably Serie A, the top flight of Italian football. Nicola Rizzoli has also officiated at major international tournaments, including Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup. Throughout his career, he has officiated at several major finals, including the 2010 Europa League final, the 2013 Champions League and the 2014 World Cup.
The 2014 World Cup final is remembered for Mario Gotze and Germany breaking Lionel Messi's heart, as Argentina faltered at the final hurdle. However, the referee that day was Nicola Rizzoli, who was trusted on the biggest stage. He also played a part in Euro 2016, winning seven consecutive Serie A Referee of the Year awards between 2011 and 2017.
Taking charge of Serie A matches over the past decade, Rizzoli has built a reputation for exceptional match management and composure. The Italian’s expertise in handling high-stakes encounters has earned him widespread recognition on the mainstream stage.
3. Howard Webb - England
Howard Webb's refereeing career spanned from 1989 to 2014. He mainly officiated in the Premier League. Howard Webb also officiated at major international tournaments, including Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. During his career, he had the honour of officiating at several major finals, including the 2010 European Club Championship and the 2010 World Cup.
Howard Webb announced his retirement in 2014 to become the Technical Director of the Professional Game Referees Council. But before that, he had consistently received praise for his authoritative approach and was respected by football bodies, pundits, colleagues, players and managers.
He has refereed numerous high-stakes matches, including in 2010 when he became the first referee to officiate the Champions League and World Cup finals in the same calendar year. He was named FIFA Referee of the Year. The former policeman, who is married to respected German referee Bibiana Steinhaus, has also officiated the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
2. Markus Commerce - Germany
Markus Merk's refereeing career spanned from 1985 to 2008. He started his career in domestic competitions, notably the German Bundesliga. Markus Merk also refereed major international tournaments, including Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. During his career, he officiated several major finals, including the 1997 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, the 2003 Champions League and Euro 2004.
Second on our list is German referee Markus Merk, who holds the record for the most Bundesliga matches. A six-time German Referee of the Year, Merk's ability to officiate in Germany is impressive, especially considering he was their youngest ever referee in 1988 at the age of 25.
However, you would be mistaken if you thought the awards stopped there. The legendary referee has been named FIFA Referee of the Year three times. His many accolades are testament to his impressive career in Europe, where he took part in the first four major international tournaments of the 21st century.
1. Pierluigi Collina - Italy
Pierluigi Collina's refereeing career spanned from 1988 to 2006. He began his career in domestic competitions, particularly Serie A, the top flight of Italian football. Pierluigi Collina also officiated at major international tournaments, including Euro 1996, the 1998 World Cup, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. During his career, he officiated at several major finals, including the 1999 European Club Championship and the 2002 World Cup.
Pierluigi Collina is widely regarded as the greatest referee of all time. He embodied the idea of respect from the players in the most important matches, including the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany. It is rare to see footballers shouting and swearing at Italian referees on the pitch.
Those who did were dealt with quietly rather than causing an unnecessary incident. Referees were supposed to go unnoticed, but - after their appearance at the 2002 World Cup, Konami launched their Pro Evolution Soccer 3 game with a major twist. Collina was chosen as the face of the hugely popular video game, proving just how famous and important he was. There would never be another referee as impressive as him again.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the title of the best football referee in the world is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, authority, and fairness on the pitch. Figures like Pierluigi Collina and Markus Merk have become legends in the world of football refereeing, earning respect from players, coaches, and fans alike. Their ability to manage high-stakes matches and maintain control, even in the most intense moments, has set a benchmark for referees worldwide. These referees' careers highlight the crucial role they play in ensuring the integrity and smooth flow of the game, proving that a great referee can be just as influential as the players themselves.
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