Coming this FIFA season, it’s time to extinguish the misconceptions that football players are not smart enough or are not well-versed in intelligence, academically or otherwise. The renowned World Cup is here to clear the air. It does so by bringing the factor of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) into the picture. With that clarity, we expand on the same.
In this article, we are here to provide you with a list of football players with the highest IQ. Scroll down to know more about the same.
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List of Top Football Players with the Highest IQ
Discover the top football players known for their exceptional intelligence, both on and off the field. This list starts with those who combine footballing talent with high IQ, academic achievements, and sharp decision-making skills.
First, we have presented the names of the football players we are putting the spotlight on in the table below.
| Name of Player | Position | Nationality |
| Petr Cech | Goalkeeper | Czech |
| Juan Mata | Attacking midfielder | Spanish |
| Mario Balotelli | Striker | Italian |
| Frank Lampard | Midfielder | English |
| Gerard Pique | Centre-back | Spanish |
Now, let’s take a look at each of these players in more detail.
1. Petr Cech

One of the football players with the highest IQ, this former goalkeeper is not your typical goalkeeper. The man has several trophies to his name. Winning four Premier League titles, four FA cups, the Europa League, and the Champions League, he also plays ice hockey semi-professionally as a goaltender for Chelmsford Chieftains. Previously, he played for Arsenal from 2015 to 2019. He speaks 7 languages in total. Moreover, he has graduated with a master’s degree in business administration.
| IQ | 140 |
| Educational Qualification | Master’s degree in business administration. |
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2. Juan Mata

One of the smartest attacking midfielders, Juan Mata, is also one of the most loved. He plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray but has been a part of top teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United. From Spain, he has earned a degree in journalism as well as in Sports Science and finance. In his spare time, Mata also enjoys playing table tennis.
| IQ | 142 |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Journalism, and also in Sports Science and Finance. |
3. Mario Balotelli

One of the players with the highest IQ, Balotelli, is also referred to as “Super Mario”. Currently, he’s a striker from Italy, playing for the Swiss Super League club Sion. His national team is Italy, and he has represented it in UEFA Euro 2012, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Moreover, Mario Balotelli is also a fan of mixed martial arts.
| IQ | 147 |
4. Frank Lampard

The manager of Premier League club Everton, Lampard, is a well-known superstar of the club Chelsea. He’s one of their greatest players and midfielders of his generation. The man graduated with a degree in Latin. He went to the Brentwood School in Essex, England. He’s one of the best English football players with a degree. With his phenomenal IQ, he is among the 0.1 per cent of people on planet Earth. No wonder he’s on this list of football players with the highest IQ.
| IQ | 150 |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Latin |
5. Gerard Piqué

Gerard Piqué is one of the only four players to ever win the UEFA Champions League twice, among football players. Considered one of the best defenders of the generation, the man played an important role in winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. He played for Barcelona until recently. Moreover, in terms of education, he has studied business economics at the prestigious ESADE business school, which is in Spain. Achievements seem to be in his bloodline, as his grandfather was the former vice president of Barcelona.
| IQ | 170 |
| Educational Qualification | Studied Business Economics |
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Football is not just about physicality; it is also a game of the mind. The football players with the highest IQ have proven that intelligence enhances performance, decision-making, and career longevity. From Frank Lampard’s unmatched game reading to Sócrates’ medical background, these players exemplify how brains and talent together create true legends.
If you’re an aspiring footballer, remember that sharpening your mind is as important as training your body. Intelligence, both on and off the pitch, is the secret to long-term success.
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FAQs
One of the football players with the highest IQ in the world is Balotelli. His nickname, Super Mario, was once thought to be among the world’s most talented football players. Mario Balotelli’s IQ score: 147.
The term “football IQ” describes a player’s mental acuity, comprehension of the game, and capacity for making prompt, wise decisions on the field.
According to Molloy, these scores show that even people with low IQs can excel in particular disciplines. He then talks about American football stars Dan Marino and Donovan McNabb, who have IQs of 92 and 88, respectively, and athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reported to have an IQ of 99.
Those were some of the names under the category of football players with the highest IQ of all time! Despite being successful in non-academic domains, they also have great academic backgrounds. Leverage Edu motivates you to realise your study abroad dreams and ambitions. Call us at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session. Follow our page for more such interesting articles about the upcoming FIFA season!
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i want to become the best footballer
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That’s awesome Tanush. Becoming a footballer is an ambitious goal and we’re here for it.
Some of the smartest players on the planet like Gerard Pique (IQ of 170!), Frank Lampard, and even Super Mario Balotelli—aren’t just talented on the field, they’re sharp off it too. It just goes to show that brains and brawn can definitely go hand in hand!
Seriously, focus on honing those skills, stay dedicated, and maybe brush up on those smarts too. You never know; you might just outwit the competition. Since you are interested in football, here are some of our other articles that you might find engaging:
- 19+ Interesting Facts About Football You May Not Know
- 43+ Most Famous Football Players in the World
- Best Sports Universities for Athletes and Sports Lovers
We would like to hear from you again. If you have any comments and feedback, please feel free to let us know or keep us updated on your journey. Cheers!
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2 comments
i want to become the best footballer
That’s awesome Tanush. Becoming a footballer is an ambitious goal and we’re here for it.
Some of the smartest players on the planet like Gerard Pique (IQ of 170!), Frank Lampard, and even Super Mario Balotelli—aren’t just talented on the field, they’re sharp off it too. It just goes to show that brains and brawn can definitely go hand in hand!
Seriously, focus on honing those skills, stay dedicated, and maybe brush up on those smarts too. You never know; you might just outwit the competition. Since you are interested in football, here are some of our other articles that you might find engaging:
We would like to hear from you again. If you have any comments and feedback, please feel free to let us know or keep us updated on your journey. Cheers!