The term footballer is ambiguous, as there are several games known as football. The word is not used in American English; the terms football player and soccer player are used instead.

For the lists of noted footballers in the various games of football, see:

• List of footballers (soccer)
• List of American football players
• List of footballers (Canadian football)
• List of footballers (football eight or arena football)
• List of footballers (Australian rules football)
• List of footballers (international rules football)
• List of footballers (Gaelic football)
• List of footballers (Rugby Union)
• List of footballers (Rugby League)
• List of footballers (Rugby sevens)