Football is an ever-changing meritocracy, and determining the best player in the world at any given time is a challenging task. That title could conceivably change hands after any given match depending on the level of play of an individual footballer, but permitting opinions to fluctuate so quickly would result in nothing but subjective anarchy.
For those in that category, it comes down to clear evidence of perfect form – whether it’s goals, assists, clean sheets, or passing the all-around eye test – and, perhaps most significantly, who and in what competition that has been delivered against. But it’s also important to know how much you’ve accomplished by playing well. While ability, form, and overall influence are important factors, winning silverware is critical for these Ballon d’Or hopefuls.
Ranking factors:
So, how can we determine who the top player in the beautiful game is right now? We have the following criteria:
Recognized as world class: To be the finest player in the world right now, you must first and foremost.
Well-respected: Be recognized as a top-tier talent while simultaneously having.
Consistent: Produced the goods in a consistent manner over an extended period.
Top 25 footballers in the world right now.
Rank
Player
Club
Country
1.
Muhammad Salah
Liverpool
Egypt
2.
Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona
Spain
3.
Ousmane Dembele.
Paris Saint-Germain
France
4.
Kylian Mbappé
The Real Madrid
France
5.
Raphinha
Barcelona
Brazil
6.
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
England
7.
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
Poland
8.
Vinicius Jr
The Real Madrid
Brazil
9.
Pedri
Barcelona
Spain
10.
Vitinha
Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal
11.
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
England
12.
Desire Doue
Paris Saint-Germain
France
13.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool
Netherlands
14.
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
Norway
15.
Lionel Messi
Inter Miami
Argentina
16.
Rodri
Manchester City
Spain
17.
Joao Neves
Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal
18.
Declan Rice
Arsenal
England
19.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
England
20.
Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen
Germany
21.
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich
Germany
22.
Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan
Argentina
23.
Alisson Becker
Liverpool
Brazil
24.
William Saliba
Arsenal
France
25.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Paris Saint-Germain
Georgia
25Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia
If you ask any European defender whose winger is the most difficult to mark, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s name is sure to come up frequently. His mix of pure strength and pace makes him extremely dangerous on the left side, and even if he doesn’t score or assist, there’s a lot more to his game.
Kvaratskhelia is unrelenting. The Georgian, like his colleagues, is as fascinating as he is straightforward due to his team’s style of play, which is dictated by manager Luis Enrique. A real winger who enjoys the challenge of beating a man, the 24-year-old scored 12 goals and assisted nine times last season.
2024 & 2025 Achievements
Team
Ligue 1, Champions League, Serie A, and French Cup 2024-25
Individual
None
24William Saliba
Arsenal and France
William Saliba has been a key component in Arsenal’s comeback under Mikel Arteta in recent years. The Gunners conceded only 29 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League season, the lowest record in the competition, with the French defender forming a powerful partnership with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel. Saliba’s steady achievements won him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for two years in a row, but he will be looking to add more domestic and international titles to his resume in the near future.
He was one of France’s finest players at Euro 2024, although they were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winners Spain. Didier Deschamps’ team had a solid defensive in Germany, surrendering only three goals in six games. Saliba, 24, will have plenty of opportunity to win trophies for Arsenal and France, despite the Gunners’ reputation as serial bridesmaids.
2024 & 2025 Achievements
Team
None
Individual
PFA Team of the Year 23/24, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2024, and the Best FIFA Men’s 11 2024
23Alisson Becker
Liverpool and Brazil
Alisson is largely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world, and he has been the driving force behind Liverpool’s ongoing search for silverware in recent seasons. He often demonstrates his world-class abilities, and he is a very well-rounded keeper – not only is he an excellent shot-stopper, but he is also dominant in his box, fearless when coming off his line, and comfortable spraying passes around when necessary.
His calmness in the back helps Liverpool launch attacks, and his teammates and coaching staff know they can rely on him if things go wrong. Injuries have occasionally slowed the Reds’ number one, but as soon as he is fit, he returns to the starting lineup with good reason, especially now that Caoimhin Kelleher has finalized his transfer to Brentford. The No.1 shirt jersey will remain with the Brazilian until he makes a decision.
2024 & 2025 Achievements
Team
EFL Cup 2023-24; Premier League 2024-25.
Individual
None
22Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan and Argentina
Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan’s star striker, was at the forefront of the club’s assault to the Serie A title in 2024, having scored more than 20 goals for the third consecutive season. Of course, the Argentine’s success in the final third, scoring goals left, right, and center, is no surprise to those who have watched his career attentively over the years since he became one of the game’s deadliest marksmen.
‘El Toro’ has been a fantastic player for the Nerazzurri since he was signed from South American football in 2018, and he was also a member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad at the end of 2022, despite losing importance in Lionel Scaloni’s side as the competition progressed. This was followed by a Copa America victory last summer. When Martinez is at his peak, he is unstoppable, and the last 24 months have seen him improve his reputation.
2024 & 2025 Achievements
Team
Serie A 23/24, Italian Super Cup 23/24, and 2024 Copa America
Individual
Serie A Most Valuable Player 23/24, Top Scorer 23/24, Serie A Team of the Season 23/24, Copa America Golden Boot 2024, and Copa America Team of the Tournament 2024.
25Alexander Isak
Newcastle United and Sweden
It was unthinkable for Newcastle supporters five years ago that a player with this level of reputation would be leading the queue at St James’ Park. Since it’s difficult to tell how long Alexander Isak will stay at the club, the Magpies supporters must treasure him while they can.
After battling injuries in his early career, the Swede is currently among the Premier League’s top attackers and was recently among the league’s fastest players to achieve fifty goals. The former Real Sociedad star’s options are endless as major clubs vie for his signing.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not one
Individual
December 2024: La Liga Premier League Player of the Month and Premier League Goal of the Month
24Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid and France
Even though Antoine Griezmann has always been an incredible football player, his lacklustre seasons at Barcelona seemed to push him out of the discussion of the greatest players in the world, even though he placed third in the 2016 and 2018 Ballon d’Or. The former World Cup winner has been able to regain his best form since moving permanently to Atletico Madrid in 2023, and the past 18 months have been very productive for him, as he has set a new goal scoring record for the team.
Although winning the trophy to prove it has been more difficult with Atletico, he was the best player in La Liga for the entire prior calendar year. The capital club’s poor away performance has hurt their domestic hopes, and last season they lost to surprise finalists Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League knockout stages. Griezmann, however, looks like a player reborn at 33 and will continue to be an important member of Atleti for a little while more.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not one
Individual
Atletico Madrid’s all-time top scorer and the La Liga team of the 23–24 season
23 Lautaro Martinez of Argentina and Inter Milan
After reaching the 20-goal milestone for the third straight season, star striker Lautaro Martinez was at the forefront of Inter Milan’s push for the Serie A championship. For those who have closely watched the Argentine’s career, his success in the last third—scoring goals left, right, and center—is obviously nothing new.
Although he lost importance in Lionel Scaloni’s team as the tournament progressed, “El Toro” has been an incredible player for the Nerazzurri since he was signed from South American football in 2018. He was also a member of the Argentina team that won the World Cup at the end of 2022. Copa America triumph last summer came after this. In his prime, Martinez can be unstoppable, and during the last 24 months, he has improved his reputation at a location that has turned into his domain.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
2024 Copa America, Serie A 23/24, and the Italian Super Cup 23/24
Individual
Copa America Golden Boot 2024, Copa America Team of the Tournament 2024, Serie A Most Valuable Player 23/24, Serie A Top Scorer 23/24, and Serie A Team of the Season 23/24.
22 Rudiger, Antonio
Germany and Real Madrid
Since moving from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2022, Antonio Rudiger has undoubtedly surpassed expectations and is currently regarded as one of the top centre backs in world football. Few would have considered the unorthodox German centre-back to be the best player in his position at the time, but he did display flashes of becoming a top central defender at Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old Berlin native has had tremendous success at the Santiago Bernabeu and is a genuine leader on the pitch. Unfortunately, the Germany international, who has 77 caps, played a crucial role in Los Blancos’ 2023–24 La Liga and Champions League victories and has held the fort in the months that have followed.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Spanish Super Cup 2024, FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024, La Liga 2023-24, and Champions League 2023-24.
Individual
The Best FIFA Men’s 11 2024, La Liga Team of the Season 23/24, and Champions League Team of the Season 23/24.
21 Declan Rice
England and Arsenal
Declan Rice was unquestionably one of the best acquisitions of the previous campaign and, astonishingly, he still appears to be getting better every time he takes one of his big strides across the pitch. The England international has been a vital part of Arsenal’s dominant defensive record, playing tirelessly in the centre of the midfield.
The addition of Jorginho and/or Thomas Partey freed Rice during the second part of the previous season, and he has since become a two-way threat who adds final product to his bursts of effort. According to Mikel Arteta, Rice is Arsenal’s “lighthouse” because he makes his teammates shine. However, the Englishman will only be hoping that the Gunners can acquire a star striker so that he can win some hardware soon.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not Individual
PFA Team of the Year 23/24 and London Football Premier League Player of the Year 2024
20. Martin Odegaard
Norway and Arsenal
If you can call it such, Martin Odegaard and this current version of Arsenal have the same issue. The defensive work is frequently neglected since everyone is so enthralled with their talent and silk on the ball.
Odegaard has been quick to point out that “when you look at our counter-press, it’s so hard for opponents to win the ball back.” The most crucial component of Arsenal’s fierce off-ball strategy is undoubtedly the 25-year-old captain. Every time he steps onto the pitch, Odegaard runs himself into the ground out of duty. He sets an example for his teammates by directing them in a well-practiced strategy to regain possession and display his extraordinary talent. Although the Gunners are nothing without him, his ranking is impacted since he performed marginally worse during the 2024–2025 campaign than he did in prior years.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not Individual
PFA Team of the Year 23/24 and Arsenal Player of the Season 23/24
19 Alisson Becker, Brazil and Liverpool
Alisson, who is considered by many to be among the world’s top goalkeepers, has been the mainstay of Liverpool’s recent successful pursuit of trophies. He consistently demonstrates his elite abilities and is a very well-rounded goalie. In addition to being a superb goalie, he is also a dominant box player who is not afraid to come off his line and is at ease spraying passes about when needed.
Liverpool launches assaults thanks to his poise at the back, and his teammates and coaching staff know they can count on him in case something goes wrong. The Reds’ number one has occasionally been hindered by injury, but he quickly returns to the starting lineup when healthy, and with good cause.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
EFL Cup 2023–2024.
Individual
Not one
18 Valverde Federico
Uruguay and Real Madrid
Federico Valverde has given the Los Blancos midfield fresh energy as the Kroos and Modric era at the Santiago Bernabeu draws to a close. The Uruguayan has taken charge and is a vital member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team after learning from some of the best teachers in history.
Valverde offers both defensive steadiness and quality in possession despite his offensive prowess. His adaptability and willingness to play wherever is his biggest strength, though, as he frequently finds himself on the right side of midfield instead than in his more natural central position. When you watch him, you wouldn’t notice since he is that good.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Spanish Super Cup 2024, FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024, La Liga 23/24, and Champions League 23/24.
Individual
Season 23/24 La Liga Team, FIFA Intercontinental Cup Silver Ball 2024.
17 Florian Wirtz
Both Germany and Bayer Leverkusen
In the 2023–24 season, Florian Wirtz was a key member of Bayer Leverkusen’s victorious campaign. He won the league’s player of the season award after contributing 23 goals in 32 Bundesliga games. Under Xabi Alonso’s coaching, he also won the DFB-Pokal, which earned him a spot in the Germany squad for Euro 2024. Wirtz performed consistently throughout the competition, even though they lost to the eventual victors, Spain, in the quarterfinals.
In the first few games of the 2024–25 season, the midfield player has not displayed any symptoms of slowing down. Wirtz has participated in 36 games, recording 13 assists and 15 goals. Pulheim-born Wirtz will be essential if Leverkusen is to win again, but it has proven to be a difficult task to retain their crown because Bayern Munich has brought in some elite players who have allowed them to regain their supremacy.
2023 and 2024 Achievements
Group
DFB-Pokal 23/24, DFL-Supercup 2024, and Bundesliga 23/24.
Individual
UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season 23/24, UEFA Europa League Team of the Season, Bundesliga Player of the Season 23/24, Bundesliga Team of the Season 23/24, Bundesliga Goal of the Month (January 2025), Bundesliga Player of the Month (February 2024, December 2024, and January 2025).
16 Cole Palmer
England and Chelsea
Unquestionably, one of the biggest names in world football over the past year was Cole Palmer. The offensive midfielder scored 22 goals and recorded 11 assists in 33 Premier League games after joining Chelsea from City in the summer of 2023. He was included in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad as a result of these performances, albeit he played very few minutes. However, he did have an effect in the final, scoring against Spain off the bench.
Palmer’s contract with the Blues has already been renewed through 2033, and he has mainly maintained his previous level of play. The playmaker is at the centre of everything that looks potential at Stamford Bridge, as usual.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not one
Individual
London Football Awards: PFA Young Player of the Year 23/24, PFA Fans’ Player of the Season 23/24, Premier League Young Player of the Season 23/24, Chelsea Player of the Season 23/24, and Chelsea Players’ Player of the Season 23/24 England’s 2024 Men’s Young Player of the Year Premier League Player of the Month (April 2024, September 2024), Premier League Goal of the Month (April 2024, August 2024), Men’s Player of the Year 23/24,
15 Arsenal and England’s Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka deserves all the praise for his incredibly remarkable comeback after missing England’s game-winning penalty kick against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. The brilliant star has grown over the past two years and is currently among the most successful wingers in the world. Many players in his position would have fallen apart after going through such a devastating moment, especially since it was followed by some terrible abuse on social media.
The Hale End graduate has put another feather to his bow, becoming the key creator for his team, especially in Odegaard’s absence. In addition to being a top-tier wide forward, Saka is currently one of football’s most well-liked players. The humble, well-behaved 23-year-old Englishman is deserving of all the accolades he is now receiving.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not Individual
Not one
14. France and Arsenal’s William Saliba
One of the key players in Arsenal’s comeback under Mikel Arteta over the past two years has been William Saliba. The French defender was a member of a strong partnership with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel, and the Gunners gave up just 29 goals in the Premier League last season, the fewest in the league. Saliba has been named to the PFA Team of the Year for two years in a row due to his steady play, but he is eager to add more local and international awards to his resume soon.
Although France lost to eventual victors Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, he was one of their top players. Didier Deschamps’ team in Germany had no problems defensively, giving up just three goals in six games. Saliba, who is only 23, will have many chances to win trophies for Arsenal and France, but because of his efforts, the Gunners are closer than ever to ending a 20-year Premier League title drought.
2023 and 2024 Achievements
Group
Not one
Individual
The Best FIFA Men’s 11 2024, the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2024, and the PFA Team of the Year 23/24
13 Jamal Musiala
Germany and Bayern Munich
Jamal Musiala is undoubtedly the finest player in the league at the moment when it comes to dribbling past opponents. No one compares to the gifted German in this specific area of game, possibly with the exception of Messi, who at 37 is still able to ghost former teammates.
The 21-year-old’s direct, attacking style has supporters and TV watchers on the edge of their seats. He represented England at several junior levels before opting to play for his native nation at the senior level in 2021. With 15 direct goal involvements in 20 Bundesliga games and Bayern Munich sitting nicely at the top, this exceptional young talent is capable of making any defender on the planet look foolish.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Not Individual
The 2023–24 Bundesliga Team of the Year UEFA European Championship Top Scorer 2024, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament 2024, and Bundesliga Goal of the Month (March 2024, November 2024).
12 Lionel Messi, Argentina, and Inter Miami
Lionel Messi’s greatest football moment will always be the Qatar World Cup, beyond all else. However, because he currently plays Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, the greatest football player in history is no longer able to be regarded as the finest player in the world. Messi, who turned 37 in June, still often creates beautiful moments on the pitch with his current employers, but it doesn’t imply he can’t do it anymore. Because he led Argentina to World Cup triumph less than a year ago, he also deserved to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or award in October.
Before his career comes to an end, will he win another Ballon d’Or? Even while it doesn’t seem likely right now, you wouldn’t bet against him if he helps Argentina win the World Cup again in two years. The Barcelona legend’s attendance at that tournament is highly uncertain, but it is certain that he will want to be a member of the team that protects his nation’s world championship. Rule the GOAT out at your own peril because, even at 39, he will still be far superior to the great majority of professional football players worldwide.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
America’s Copa 2023-24
Individual
2024 MLS MVP
11 Brazil and Rhinha Barcelona
This is your biweekly reminder that Raphinha used to play for Leeds United, a team headquartered in Yorkshire. He is currently dominating one of the top teams in Europe on a weekly basis, and he certainly doesn’t look out of place in Barcelona’s all-star squad. But there was a moment when it seemed like his time at Camp Nou was coming to an end.
With 24 goals and 16 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions in 2024–2025, the critic-silencing Brazilian is in the best form of his life under manager Hansi Flick. He has every opportunity to lead Flick and company, along with players like Lewandowski and Yamal, to greatness.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
Super Cup Spain 23/24, 24/25
Individual
La Liga Player of the Month (August 2024), Copa America Team of the Tournament 2024, and Spanish Super Cup Player of the Tournament 2025
10Rodri
Manchester City and Spain
Since defensive midfielders frequently don’t receive the recognition they merit, you can tell they’re a unique player when they stand out enough to win the Champions League Player of the Season award and place fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Although Rodri’s performances are always of a high calibre, his almost constant presence during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign brought attention to his unsung heroes, and his winning goal in the Champions League final—a usually cool finish from the edge of the box—brought him to the forefront.
Rodri, who has performed admirably for club and country over the past two seasons, was also awarded the 2023 Nations League Player of the Tournament as Spain won the trophy. Rodri is a deserving recipient of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, having continuously delivered exceptional performances and contributed with significant goals for Man City. His absence is definitely noticed as he is currently sidelined due to a chronic knee problem, but his ranking is also significantly impacted.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
UEFA European Championships 2024, FIFA Club World Cup 2024, and Premier League 23/24.
Individual
The Best FIFA Men’s 11 2024, the 2024 Ballon d’Or, the 2024 UEFA European Championships Player of the Tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, and the PFA Team of the Season 23/24
9Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool and the Netherlands
Additionally, he was a reliable player in the Premier League, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year. The Dutch defence was disappointed, though, as they lost to England in the semi-final at the last minute of Euro 2024. Van Dijk’s long-term future in the Premier League is questionable because he has less than a year left on his Liverpool deal. However, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, his employers have proposed a new contract. Given that his team’s recent success has put them in a strong position to win the league for the twentieth time, it’s easy to assume that this is the proper move.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
EFL Cup 23–24
Individual
FIFPRO World XI 2024 and PFA Team of the Year 2023–2024
8 Jude Bellingham
England and Real Madrid
It’s difficult to recall a player, especially one who is still so young, joining Real Madrid and having such an instant impact as Jude Bellingham did the previous season. On the last day of 2022–2023, Borussia Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich, so the midfield virtuoso was unable to round out his career with a Bundesliga title. However, he celebrated his first season in Spain by winning La Liga.
Bellingham has frequently presented himself as Real Madrid’s de facto main goalscorer, performing brilliantly in a false nine role, in addition to continuously making an impression in the Champions League and scoring or helping while playing for England on international duty. Bellingham’s run of success since the beginning of the year was cut short by an injury, but he can still find moments of brilliance. The possibilities are endless for the English phenomenon, who is also considered to be among the top young players in the world.
2024 and 2025 Achievements
Group
FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024, La Liga 23/24, Champions League 23/24, and the Spanish Super Cup 2024.
Individual
Season 23/24 La Liga Player of the Year, The La Liga Season 23–24 Team Season 23/24 Champions League Team Young Player of the Season 23–24 in the Champions League 2024’s Top FIFA Men’s 11
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