Summary
AI has identified and ranked the top 20 footballers in the world right now.
Determining who the best footballer is is frequently subjective, with statistics, awards, and overall performance all taken into account.
Current world football conversations revolve around top players such as Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe.
In the midst of a new period beyond the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi duopoly, defining who the top player in world football is right now appears nearly impossible. While some voters depend on statistics such as goals, assists, and clean sheets, others rely only on the eye test, which assesses a player’s performance on and off the field even when he is not the star.
When it comes to Ballon d’Or voting, current brilliance frequently depends on team performance. Playing for top clubs that consistently win trophies offers certain players a distinct advantage in being officially recognized as the best during a 12-month span. In reality, there is no one way to evaluate who actually merits the title.
Perhaps this is why it makes sense to look to the new era of technology for a fresh viewpoint. In this post, we asked Grok, Twitter’s AI generator, to rank the top 20 footballers in the world right now. The results are undoubtedly intriguing.
20Lionel Messi
Inter Miami & Argentina
What AI had to say: “Though no longer at his European peak, Messi’s influence at Inter Miami and for Argentina remains immense, with his skill and vision still world-class.”
The Qatar World Cup will always be Lionel Messi’s highest achievement in sport, but the greatest footballer of all time can no longer be deemed the world’s top player, owing to his current affiliation with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. With 15 goals and six assists in just 20 games this season, he has swiftly established himself in another domestic league.
19Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting & Sweden
According to AI: “A deadly striker, Gyokeres’ pace, skill, and finishing have made him a standout in Portugal, with interest from top clubs.”
Viktor Gyokeres is one of the top strikers in a world where the classic striker, who can outmuscle, outpower, and outwit centre-backs on their own, is a disappearing artform. The Swedish forward scored an incredible 54 goals in 52 games in the 2024/25 season, and he is undoubtedly one of Europe’s hottest properties this summer as he looks to distinguish himself in one of the continent’s top five leagues.
18Florian Wirtz
Liverpool & Germany
This is what AI said: “A dynamic playmaker, Wirtz’s dribbling, passing, and goals have made him a star at Leverkusen and a reported target for Liverpool.”
After winning the Premier League last season to restore their title as England’s most successful team, Fenway Sports Group opted to mend the roof while the sun was still shining by signing Florian Wirtz for a British transfer fee record of £116 million (with add-ons).
The Bundesliga Player of the Year for the past two seasons, his climb to superstardom began at the age of 22, when he scored 21 goals and assisted 23 times in the league.
17Alisson Becker
Liverpool & Brazil
According to AI: “Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, Alisson’s shot-stopping and composure are crucial for Liverpool’s success.”
Alisson is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world right now, so it comes as no surprise that AI rates him so highly. When it comes to one-on-one scenarios, he’s a freak of nature, and the number of times he’s rescued Liverpool out of difficult situations to catapult them to some of the shiniest awards the beautiful game has to offer is probably close to an uncountable number. His last-minute stop against Napoli and goal against West Brom are just two examples of how crucial he has been to his team’s resounding triumph.
16Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool & The Netherlands
According to artificial intelligence: “Still one of the best defenders, van Dijk’s leadership, aerial ability, and composure anchor Liverpool’s backline.”
Virgil van Dijk, the third and not the last Liverpool player to make the grade, is a massive defender who exemplifies what it means to have ‘aura’. Undeniably the most consistent centre-back over the previous decade, he remains the driving force behind the Reds’ trophy-hunting success.
‘Captain, leader, legend’ is an appropriate cliche for someone who finished second only to Lionel Messi in the 2019 Ballon d’Or after famously lasting an entire season without being dribbled past.
15Declan Rice
Arsenal & England
According to AI: “A tireless midfielder, Rice’s defensive solidity and growing attacking threat make him integral to Arsenal’s success.”
Declan Rice, a real box-to-box midfielder, can be seen attacking the opposing penalty area to score vital goals as well as using his wits to snuff out threat at the opposite end of the floor. Arsenal and England would be a shadow of their former selves without him, and he will undoubtedly play a key role in any silverware either team wins in the coming years.
14Ousmane Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain & France
This is what AI said: “Dembele’s flair and ability to create chances have made him a leading light at PSG.”
If Grok is downplaying anyone’s influence and abilities, it must be Ousmane Dembele, who has risen to the top of the Ballon d’Or power rankings after scoring 14 goals in 15 games as Paris Saint-Germain won their first Champions League title in 2024/25.
From Barcelona castaway to the most lauded European prodigy, his redemption story has been sobering in a world where wonderkids rarely realize their potential.
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