The Top Soccer Cards Every Collector Should Own

As a true soccer fan and collector, you already know about the hot commodity cards like 2004 Upper Deck Lionel Messi or 2003 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Cristiano Ronaldo. But beyond these headline-grabbing giants, there are some under-recognized and underrated soccer cards that are truly worth adding to your collection. Here are some hidden gems you might want to consider.

1. 2005 Panini Fútbol Cristiano Ronaldo - Although Ronaldo's Fútbol Mega Cracks card from the previous year is more popular, this card from Panini's "Fútbol" collection makes a great addition to any collection. It's arguably Ronaldo's first "solo" card, featuring just him rather than being paired with a teammate.

2. 2010 Panini World Cup Kylian Mbappe - The French striker is one of the most promising talents in soccer. While it's not his earliest card or his most expensive, this card from the 2010 World Cup is an underappreciated find as it represents one of his first major international appearances.

3. 1986 Panini Supercrack Diego Maradona - Despite his legendary status, many of Maradona's cards remain surprisingly affordable. This card from the 1986 World Cup, where he famously led Argentina to victory, is a highlight of his playing career and a hidden gem in the world of soccer cards.

4. 1962 Pelé Gum Embossed - Known as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport, Pelé cards are always in high demand. This specific card, with its unique embossed design and somewhat limited release, is often overlooked but holds significant value.

5. 2018 Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League Christian Pulisic Red Refractor - Christian Pulisic is one of the rising stars of American soccer, and his cards are starting to gain traction with collectors. This particular card, featuring a red refractor design and limited to just 10 copies, is a highly underappreciated card worth seeking out.

6. 1992 Upper Deck Lothar Matthäus - Matthäus had an illustrious career with Inter Milan and the German national team. But his impact on the sport and, therefore, his cards are often overshadowed by other big-name players. This card from his time at Inter Milan is a hidden star in his collection.

In the world of sports card collecting, soccer cards are gaining a lot of popularity nowadays. Whether you are a newcomer to the hobby or a seasoned collector, there are several key soccer trading cards that you should be on the lookout for to build the cornerstone of your collection.

A good place to start is with the Lionel Messi 2004 Panini Megacracks rookie card. This card features a young Messi in his Barcelona jersey, just at the start of his phenomenal career. This card is a must-have for any serious soccer collector due to Messi's undeniable impact on the sport and its rarity as one of his first rookie cards.

Another essential card is the Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques card. Like Messi, Ronaldo is another game-changing player who has left an indelible mark on soccer. The card features Ronaldo in his Sporting Portugal kit, which adds an extra layer of intrigue and nostalgia, given his eventual move to Manchester United and subsequent success.

The Diego Maradona 1977 Panini Calciatori Rookie Card is another must-have. This card depicts Maradona in his early days with Argentinos Juniors before he achieved legendary status with Napoli and the Argentine national team. The card is a scarce find considering the late legend's immense global fan base and the era it was produced.

The 1958 Pele Alifabolaget rookie card is a renowned and much sought-after piece. Featuring the Brazilian icon at the start of his fruitful career, this card is in high demand due to Pele's unmatched legacy and the rarity of the card itself, being more than 60 years old.

If you are looking for a more contemporary addition, look no further than the Kylian Mbappe 2018 Panini World Cup sticker card. This card highlights Mbappe in his breakthrough performance at the 2018 World Cup, and has rapidly increased in value due to his rising status as one of the world's top players.

Lastly, the Erling Haaland 2020 Topps Chrome Bundesliga is a compelling card of a player who’s just begun his journey to potential soccer stardom. The young Norwegian striker has already shown signs of greatness, causing this card to be in high demand.

These aforementioned cards are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of valuable and essential items for a soccer card collection. Each one brings with it a piece of soccer history and can evoke the importance and excitement of the beautiful game.