TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In the modern era, identifying the best football players in the world has become increasingly complex.
With a new generation of prodigious talents emerging, veteran stars reaching new heights, and the game itself evolving at lightning speed, the competition for football’s highest honors has never been fiercer.
To bring clarity to this debate, experts at GiveMeSport have curated an exclusive master list celebrating the best soccer players whose brilliance, skill, and consistency have defined their careers.
At the same time, ESPN has crafted its own ranking, spotlighting the top performers across every position, while also giving long-overlooked names the recognition they deserve.
Blending insights from both respected sources, we explore below the standout figures who continue to redefine greatness and solidify their place among the most exceptional footballers in the world today.
List of the Best Football Players in the World
1. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe’s long-anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid initially began with tempered performances, yet by the close of the 2024/25 season, he had emphatically reclaimed his brilliance.
Netting 43 goals in 56 appearances, Mbappe silenced doubts and reignited his claim as one of the best football players in the world.
In his debut season, he shattered multiple records, scoring in every final he featured in, delivering hat tricks in El Clásico and against Manchester City, and surpassing all previous debut goal tallies in Real Madrid’s history.
2. Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has swiftly risen among the most sought-after soccer players, displaying a rare blend of audacity, finesse, and intelligence that belies his youth.
Throughout the season, he evolved into Barcelona’s creative heartbeat, named as a fearless dribbler, visionary playmaker, and clinical finisher who thrives under pressure.
Having already scored in the Spanish Super Cup final and becoming the youngest player ever to net goals across all Champions League knockout stages, Yamal’s trajectory hints at a prodigious future.
3. Harry Kane
Harry Kane’s transition from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich has proven nothing short of triumphant.
Renowned for his precision, intelligence, and relentless consistency, Kane navigates playmaking finesse with lethal finishing, topping the Bundesliga in both goals and shots on target.
As a testament to his leadership and adaptability, the English striker has amassed 82 goals and 23 assists, in just two seasons with Bayern Munich.
4. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland continues to prove that even a quiet season by his standards is extraordinary by anyone else’s.
With 30 goals in 40 matches last term and an explosive start to the new campaign, the Norwegian phenomenon remains Manchester City’s most valuable weapon and one of the highest paid football players in the world.
His early tally of 15 goals in 11 appearances reaffirms his insatiable hunger for records, as he spearheads City’s renewed pursuit of silverware.
5. Lionel Messi
Even as he approaches 40, Lionel Messi continues to mesmerize the world, proving that genius defies age.
While his move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer may have shifted him from the global spotlight, his brilliance remains undimmed, evidenced by 29 goals and 17 assists in just 28 MLS appearances.
Fresh off captaining Argentina to another Copa América triumph in 2024 and leading Miami to a record-breaking season, Messi reinforces why he’s still one of the best football players in the world.
With eight Ballon d’Ors and 45 major trophies, he stands as the most decorated player in football history.
6. Ousmane Dembélé
Once hailed for his raw flair but criticized for inconsistency, Ousmane Dembélé has finally evolved into the complete footballer many envisioned years ago.
Under Luis Enrique’s guidance at Paris Saint-Germain, he reinvented himself as a false nine, delivering a jaw-dropping 48 goal contributions in 49 appearances and spearheading PSG’s historic Champions League victory.
In recent years, Dembélé has emerged as a leader for the post-Mbappé and Neymar era, earning a Ballon d’Or and firmly establishing himself among the best soccer players in the world.
7. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi has redefined the modern fullback role, competing defensive resilience with attacking brilliance in a way few can replicate.
During his time at Paris Saint-Germain, the Moroccan star delivered 11 goals and 16 assists, playing a decisive role in PSG’s 2025 Champions League triumph, including crucial strikes in both the semifinal and final.
Renowned for his blistering pace, with many soccer fans clocking him as one of the fastest football players of all time, Hakimi dominates the right flank with relentless energy, precision, and creativity.
8. Virgil van Dijk
Widely regarded as one of the best center-backs in Premier League history, Virgil van Dijk continues to embody elegance, composure, and dominance in defense.
Since joining Liverpool in 2018, his aerial prowess, pinpoint tackling, and effortless command of the back line have redefined the art of defending.
Even at 33, Van Dijk remains indispensable, scoring the extra-time winner and earning Man of the Match honors in the 2024 EFL Cup final, sealing one of Jürgen Klopp’s final triumphs.
9. Jude Bellingham
At just 21 years old, Jude Bellingham has already achieved what most footballers can only dream of: a La Liga and Champions League double in his debut season at Real Madrid, while excelling for England on the international stage.
His immediate impact at the Bernabéu was nothing short of sensational, as he seamlessly adapted to a false nine role and became the team’s unexpected chief goalscorer.
Even with injuries and tactical shifts testing his form, Bellingham’s position as one of the best football players in the world remains unchanging.
10. Thibaut Chortois
Thibaut Chortois rounds out the list, crowned as the best goalkeeper in today’s games. His 52 saves across 12 Champions League matches, coupled with a 71.2% save rate, highlight both his sharp reflexes and also his resilience under pressure.
These best football players in the world continue to redefine excellence on the global stage, delivering brilliance and consistency season after season.
As the competitive game evolves, these names stand as timeless testaments to skill, passion, and the pursuit of perfection.
Editor’s Choice: The Top 10 Best Defenders in the World of Modern Football
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