20 Best Football Player In The World

Lionel Messi, widely considered the Best Football Player In The World, has consistently astounded both fans and experts alike with his remarkable skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability. Over his illustrious career with Barcelona and later Paris Saint-Germain – breaking numerous records while receiving multiple Ballon d’Or awards along the way.

Messi has established himself as an exceptional talent with remarkable dribbling prowess, pinpoint passing accuracy, scoring from virtually any position on the pitch and remarkable goal-scoring ability. Additionally his humility, work ethic dedication have cemented him a place as one of history’s greats – cementing his legacy and cementing one of history’s greatest players ever seen on-field.

Who is the best football player in the world?

Best Football Player In The World is often highly subjective and debated; opinions can differ widely on this matter. Pele, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff have often been mentioned during such debates.

Recent discussions about footballing legends often center on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo; both players have enjoyed tremendous success over a 10-year span and performed at an elite level for that entire period. Messi is known for his incredible dribbling, vision, playmaking abilities, while Ronaldo stands out with speed, strength, and goal scoring prowess.

Whoever one considers the greatest footballer depends heavily on personal preferences and when they first started watching football. Some may argue Messi is superior while others might favour Ronaldo; the debate continues within football circles worldwide.

Football is an ever-evolving sport and new talents emerge every day, leading to different opinions as to who should be considered the greatest players ever in terms of talent, influence, and impact. As more stars join and make their mark on football, its evaluation can likewise change over time.

Here is List of Best Football Player In The World

• Lionel Messi
• Kylian Mbappé
• Kevin De Bruyne
• Harry Kane
• Erling Haaland
• Karim Benzema
• Robert Lewandowski 
• Vinicius Junior
• Luka Modric
• Jude Bellingham
• Sadio Mane
• Virgil van Dijk
• Hakim Ziyech – Chelsea/Morocco
• Mohamed Salah — Liverpool FC/Egypt
• Jorginho – Arsenal/Italy
• N’Golo Kante – Chelsea/France
• Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal
• Ruben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal
• Niccolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy
• Rafael Leao — AC Milan/Portugal

20 Best Football Player In The World

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

First time in over a decade, we truly struggled to select our No.1 player but ultimately did so based on VAR rules; no clear reason could be seen against Messi being named top dog.

Messi has certainly progressed. His speed may have declined slightly, yet his intelligence and manipulation of the ball means his control over games remains as firm. While Messi may no longer participate in every dirty work job himself, that should not count against him as part of his gameplan.

Messi continues to dominate games both subtly and explicitly for club and country, his performances inspiring Argentina to Copa America and World Cup titles and catapulting rock-bottom MLS team Inter Miami into cup finalists within one month of signing him as their player.

Messi’s time at the top will likely come to an end soon enough; but for now we cannot find an adequate justification to cast him aside based on talent, impact and recent success alone – the magician reigns supreme!

2. Kylian Mbappé (PSG)

Mbappe emerged as a global superstar through the discipline and experience gained at the World Cup. While such tournaments may no longer hold their traditional place of greatness in football’s hierarchy, Mbappe has made his international exploits an irrefutable statement of ability and mental strength.

Neymar has made a name for himself by dominating Ligue 1, yet his form on the global stage for both club and country puts him ahead. His World Cup final hat-trick will go down as legendary; an outstanding display from an incredible player.

Mbappe is often depicted as the lead player in the ongoing power struggle between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, his attention often focused on off-field politics. Yet Mbappe has shone throughout this World Cup tournament by showing his resilience, steely determination, and strong mentality to drag his team all the way to glory. These qualities have elevated Mbappe into one of football’s more revered figures.

He’s one of the fastest footballers we’ve ever witnessed on the pitch, boasting an unrivalled range of shooting. Mbappe can strike the ball either from run-ups or standing starts, finesse low corners shots or launch powerful drives into the roof of the net – when Mbappe has possession in your half, don’t underestimate him!

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

Kevin De Bruyne had an uneven season overall in 2022/23… yet still managed to score 22 goals and create 22 in 42 Premier League and Champions League matches between Premier League and Champions League combined. Due to injury concerns, De Bruyne may not have dominated our screens as frequently, yet still made extraordinary achievements seem ordinary.

KDB may well be one of the premier League’s greatest crossers of a ball ever, while his vision and penchant for producing defence-splitting passes have often proven terrifyingly effective on numerous occasions.

De Bruyne stands out as one of the premier midfielders because he offers all-around excellence. A lethal set-piece taker, unexpectedly physical and quick off the mark – without these traits KDB would remain an exceptional player; with them at his disposal he becomes a multifaceted playmaker.

4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Foreign leagues tend to inflate players’ reputations due to their relative mystery; we only ever get exposed to the highlight reel of players we see from those leagues, while rarely witnessing any 4/10s, days they would rather forget, misses and failures that occur there. Unfortunately, in England’s Premier League with its hyperexposed, tribal glory there are often too many fans from rival clubs who cannot appreciate world class talent when they see it; we may have reached that peak with Kane in 2023 and then he went off and left us for good – only then to leave for another league in 2024!

Kane continues to finish his seasons nearing 30 goals per season with numerous assists and contributions that place him amongst almost every other striker in the world.

His finishing is impeccable, his positioning to compensate for his lack of raw pace is superb and his playmaking ability truly outstanding; yet what made him truly unforgettable was his uncanny playmaking prowess; picking passes out of deep, swinging in crosses or playing No 10/No 9 roles simultaneously and effectively in teams which rarely match up to his level and standard. He is deadly for club and country, starting life off perfectly in Munich.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Haaland has established his status as an extraordinary player. Perhaps the Norse titan’s only fault in 2022/23 was setting an unachievable standard from the outset – from starting out strong to finding the net 22 times in just 15 Premier League games (an astonishing total which would have won him seven Golden Boot awards!), even while playing less regularly post Christmas than previously. He still played exceptional soccer.

Physically unrivaled, Haaland stands out with his uncanny finishing ability – including instinctive finishes at any cost – and incredible turn of pace that few in the Premier League could match. We may yet witness Haaland at his absolute peak; next few years should prove explosive as we witness him demonstrate his consistency over multiple seasons – surely cementing him at number one on this list?

6. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) Best Football Player In The World

Karim Benzema experienced what could only be described as the ultimate Indian summer in 2022/23; he simply followed in the footsteps of all great players who come before him: leading from the front, scoring goals, winning trophies and repeating this cycle.

Real Madrid have achieved almost everything during Benzema’s 14 year stint at Real Madrid. He may not always been treated with respect; Real Madrid have attempted to replace him with various strikers but none has managed to fill his No.9 role quite like him.

Benzema puts in an incredible effort in 90 minutes, from deftly digging deep to serving as an invaluable pivot point to build attacks around. His play behind goal often proves just as dangerous for opponents; play one, dart past one opponent, make two darting runs – you will always receive two goals from this complete striker before departing for Saudi Arabia.

7. Robert Lewandowski  (Barcelona)

Lewandowski has consistently led his side to glory through an impressive goal scoring streak during an entire decade of false nines, inside forwards, inverted thingamajigs and counter strikers. Lewandowski has always championed natural out-and-out strikers.

Lewandowski is an unapologetically effective player; he knows where and when the ball will flow; knows his positions and when they need to be filled; understands every inch of goal frame measurement to ripple the net with ease. When faced with one-on-one situations in world football, Lewandowski would likely be your go-to guy as both player most likely and desired choice to take control.

Lewandowski excels at orchestrating attacks and creating chances, but his ability as the go-to guy for others to find means he’s at his most effective at the top end of the pitch.

8. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid might no longer dominate world football, but this ominous image should send out a signal: Real Madrid have shed their older skin in recent transfer windows while an equally dangerous team led by Vini Jr. is slowly but surely creeping forward into view.

Since 2018, the 23-year-old has amassed more than 200 appearances for the club in all competitions – an achievement which puts him among a select few who could, without delusion, hope to sit atop this list in several years’ time.

Vincius’ pace is unrelenting, his explosive acceleration enabling him to quickly whirl past any fearful defender at will. What makes Vincius stand out further still is how well he uses this speed with quick feet and ball control comparable to any player worldwide.

9. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Best Football Player In The World

Ageless, timeless and magnificent; Luka Modric will never get old or retire – we refuse to believe it! Now 20 years on since his professional debut with Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnian Premier League over 800 games into his career and many people trust few players more to take charge in midfield than him.

Modric is the epitome of silk. He never appears flustered or overexerted; his movements are always effortless. A deft touch, a drop of the shoulder to gain space or an unstoppable artful pass are hallmarks of Modric’s game; we all recognize them, yet no opponent can stop him.

At 37 years old, Madrid should be seeing his star player slip away; their management of his minutes has been superb ensuring he remains fit and fresh for those massive Champions League nights, continuing running the show until his curtain call.

10. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Some might say it’s a season too soon to include him on this list of behemoths, but Bellingham has already shown enough to convince the world of his obscene talent at Dortmund and on the international stage.

Bellingham’s all-action, dynamic presence saw him transform from teenage wildcard to instant starter for England at the World Cup 2022 and his displays for Dortmund put them firmly in title contention against the Bayern Munich juggernaut, spurned only by goal difference.

He is the complete package in midfield already. Physically imposing, an immense ball carrier, with precision passing skills, Bellingham will soar in 2023/24, buoyed by enough confidence to claim Zinedine Zidane’s No.5 shirt at the Bernaodricbeu.

11. Sadio Mane

Mane is a Senegalese professional footballer currently representing Bayern Munich and Senegal National Team. Considered one of the greatest footballers ever seen on a field, Mane won 2018-19 Premier League Golden Boot award as well.

Sadio signed with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund for an estimated transfer fee of 35 million euros in 2023, leaving Liverpool after making quite an impression while playing there despite many incredible young talents being added to its ranks now. His departure certainly felt notable.

Mane is well-known for his incredible pace, finishing, and control on the pitch. Over his career he scored some incredible goals which you can watch in numerous highlight videos.

12. Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional footballer who currently represents Liverpool in England’s Premier League and leads his national team as captain.

“Neymar’s efforts helped Liverpool win both the Champions League title and Premier League crown, earning him The Best FIFA Men’s Player award.” Unfortunately, one of the world’s finest defenders missed out on being honored with the Ballon d’Or award.

Since his move from Southampton in January 2018, Virgil has become one of Liverpool’s best investments ever, becoming a top Premier League defender and an essential cornerstone in the Reds’ defense.

van Dijk made headlines throughout the 2020/21 Premier League season for conceding only 22 goals and keeping 20 clean sheets, along with his remarkable 74 percent tackle success rate – earning him the title of Player of the Year in his respective competition.

Van Dijk led Liverpool to their first championship title in three decades that year, but although last season wasn’t as fruitful for him personally or the club as a whole Virgil still enjoyed an outstanding year and their season finished second behind Manchester City for second place overall in Premier League standings.

At the 2022 World Cup, Virgil served as captain for Netherlands national team. They advanced effortlessly through group stage play and defeated USA in round of sixteen; quarterfinal match up was thrilling against eventual champions Argentina!

After regular and extra time, the score remained 2-2 before Argentina advanced in a penalty shootout victory. Although Argentina lost, this match proved one of the most entertaining matches at the tournament – especially thanks to Virgil who consistently gave impressive performances throughout every game he participated in.

13. Hakim Ziyech – Chelsea/Morocco (Best Football Player In The World)

Ziyech, 29, is a Chelsea midfielder who has become an essential component of both his club team and Morocco national squad. At 29 he had witnessed great success both locally and abroad due to his outstanding ball control, versatility, vision speed and overall skill – which are all among the finest available worldwide.

Hakim achieved many notable victories during his career, including being named champion of both UEFA Champions League in 2020/2021 and UEFA Super Cup 2021/2022 as well as FIFA Club World Cup in 2021 and making an outstanding impression at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Morocco was one of the biggest surprises at Euro 2016. They managed to reach the semifinals, losing to France. Croatia beat them 2:1 in a battle for third place but it was still an amazing journey that included Ziyech as one of its key figures.

14. Mohamed Salah — Liverpool FC/Egypt

Egyptian professional footballer Amro El-Shennawy currently represents both Premier League club Liverpool and Egypt national team.

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Mohamed Salah has become one of the best male footballers worldwide. Known for his calmness, finishing, dribbling and speed he excels when the game becomes fast and dynamic. Salah’s playing style is known to be very specific, being most successful when the pace increases dramatically.

Though not known for his all-round game like some players on our list, Liverpool icon and pride Mo Salah makes invaluable contributions on the court. As captain of Egypt national team he also commands immense respect.

Although he reached his full potential later than some other superstars, he will go down as one of the Premier League greats and will forever remain one of Liverpool’s finest players in its storied history.

15. Jorginho – Arsenal/Italy (Best Football Player In The World)

Jorge Luis Frello Filho Cavaliere OMRI, commonly referred to by his nickname Jorginho, is a professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Chelsea in England’s Premier League. Although initially unreliable under Frank Lampard’s management and with connections to Sarriball still strong associations linger; no longer are their skills or class questioned by opponents or coaches alike.

Jorginho took his game to another level once Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lambard as Chelsea head coach, helping the Blues win the Champions League in 2018. Additionally, he was one of Italy’s key members during Euro 2020 where they reached the final against England – showing an exceptional display during this game!

Jorginho recently signed for Arsenal – currently number-one seed in English Premier League – as a one-and-a-half year contract with an option of an extension at 12 million pounds transfer fee. This move was quite surprising from Arsenal given their title ambitions this season; Jorginho will surely prove instrumental to their victory!

Like Partey, Jorginho excels at anchoring the middle and dispensing the ball efficiently with exceptional positional sense. These skills could prove extremely valuable in Arsenal’s title battle and seem like the perfect addition for Arteta’s squad which has experienced such remarkable turnaround this season and moved towards the very top of one of the toughest leagues worldwide.

16. N’Golo Kante – Chelsea/France

N’Golo Kante is an exceptional midfielder that plays for Chelsea, and was instrumental in their recent victory in the Champions League. He helped overcome both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on their journey to reach the finals, where he earned Man of the Match honors against Manchester City under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.

Kante has struggled to stay fit and healthy since 2019, often coming and going from Chelsea’s midfield lineup. Yet he was ready for Manchester City as they advanced all the way to Champions League finals – making the 2023/23 campaign truly exciting for fans at Stamford Bridge.

At the World Cup in Qatar, Kante’s injuries once more got in his way and ultimately led him out of contention. Undergoing an operation for a hamstring issue forced him out, meaning that France made it back into the finals but did not repeat their success from 2018 in Russia.

17. Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal

At first glance, it seems unfair that this Portuguese midfielder appears so low on this list of the world’s greatest players, given his talents are undeniable. At one point it seemed as if his best days had come and gone as he struggled for starting spots at his respective club. However, they may well return soon!

Pep Guardiola made the most of Silva’s opportunities and today he is an integral member of Manchester City under Silva who won the English Premier League last season. Silva played a pivotal role in that campaign; his experience and skills proved pivotal. It seems Manchester City are only getting stronger; we eagerly anticipate what awaits them this coming season!

Silva played an essential part in Portugal’s World Cup squad last year. Although he did not score, his presence anchored their defense throughout their run into the quarterfinals before they lost to Morocco.

18. Ruben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal

Manchester City is not shy about spending big, but they conduct exhaustive research into each player they bring on board to ensure that he or she will fulfill his or her role effectively. That was certainly evident with Dias’ signing from Benfica at 61.2 million pounds who quickly established himself as team captain on and off the field.

Dias was also captaining his team – an impressive feat for such a young player at that time. His elegant yet determined defending contributed greatly to Pep Guardiola’s championship run last season.

Dias was an integral member of Portugal’s World Cup team in Qatar. Portugal breezed through their group stage matches relatively comfortably before crushing Switzerland in round 16. Unfortunately, they were then shocked to lose in quarterfinals against Morocco; ultimately finishing fourth after losing to Croatia in third-place play-offs.

19. Niccolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy

Italian professional footballer who currently plays midfield for both Inter Milan in Serie A and Italy’s national team. Renowned for his energy, work-rate and range of passing ability.

Barella has been an invaluable player for Inter Milan during the 2022/23 season, scoring goals and providing assists as a cornerstone player, leading them to compete at the top of Serie A and reach the UEFA Champions League Final.

Barella began his career at Cagliari and has made over 100 appearances before making the switch to Inter Milan in 2019. Since joining them he has established himself as one of Italy’s premier midfielders.

Barella has become a mainstay for Italy since making his debut in 2018, playing an instrumental part in helping secure victory at UEFA Euro 2020.

20. Rafael Leao — AC Milan/Portugal

Leao is a Portuguese professional footballer currently playing as a forward for AC Milan and Portugal’s national team. Renowned for his pace, agility, and finishing capabilities; Leao is considered one of the most promising young talents in football.

Leao made 32 appearances and scored 15 goals and provided 6 assists during 2022/2023 season, becoming an indispensable member of AC Milan, helping the team compete at the top of Serie A while also helping guide them to win it last season, garnering them Player of Year honors as part of this process.

Though he may not yet boast as many accolades as some of the other players on this list, AC Milan and Portugal’s international team performances have shown him to possess talent to reach the very pinnacle. His speed, skill, and goal-scoring prowess make him an asset on any defense; at 24 years old, there is plenty of time left for further improvement.

How We Compare Best Football Player In The World

Comparing the best football player in the world is a subjective process, and there is no definitive answer. However, several factors and criteria can be considered when making this comparison. Here are some common ways to compare the best football players:

Skills and Abilities:

Assess the player’s technical skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control. Consider their physical attributes, such as speed, strength, agility, and balance.

Consistency:

Evaluate the player’s ability to perform at a high level consistently over a long period of time.

Impact on Matches:

Analyze how the player influences matches, both individually and by elevating the performance of their team.

Versatility:

Consider a player’s ability to excel in different positions or roles on the field.

Achievements and Titles:

Take into account the number of trophies, titles, and individual awards the player has won.

Statistics:

Examine statistical data, such as goals, assists, and other performance metrics, to compare players objectively.

Performance in Big Matches:

Assess how the player performs in important matches, such as domestic league title deciders, international tournaments, and derbies.

Leadership and Mentality:

Consider the player’s leadership qualities, work ethic, and mental toughness.

Influence on the Team:

Evaluate how the player elevates the performance of their teammates and contributes to the overall success of the team.

Longevity and Adaptability:

Consider how the player has adapted to changes in the game, maintained their performance as they age, and remained relevant.

Global Impact:

Examine the player’s global fan base, marketability, and influence beyond the football field.

Subjective Preference:

Acknowledge that personal preferences and biases can play a significant role in one’s assessment.

Best Football Player In The World Conclusion

As football evolves and expands, so too has its definition. We have examined both historical icons who made an indelible mark on football as well as modern legends who continue to impress us with their extraordinary skill and achievements.

Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and other greats of football history have earned their places amongst football greats; however, much debate centers on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as two modern rivals who continue to dazzle with remarkable careers marked by unparalleled consistency, breathtaking goalscoring feats, individual and team awards – providing football fans with plenty of fodder for discussion.

At the core, choosing who should hold the title of best footballer comes down to personal choice, historical context and how one grew up watching football. Both Messi and Ronaldo have captured hearts through their distinctive styles and continued to amaze with extraordinary performances that leave us breathless.

Football is an ever-evolving sport that constantly surprises us; every year new stars emerge on the scene and redefine who should be considered “best”. As time progresses, definition of who constitutes “the best” player may change too. Yet another beautiful aspect of this sport is engaging in lively discussions and passionate debates to celebrate all its diverse talents that make this game so captivating.

Best Football Player In The World FAQ