Football is a sport that is designed to entertain, unite people, and spread joy, even if it is centered on competitiveness and driven sportsmen pushing their bodies to the limit to create fine margins, placing them in the upper echelons of football players.
A game in which eleven participants, together with willing and able substitutes, work together to try to win. Although the roles in a particular system are frequently diverse, they are all equally significant. As the roles in football continue to change, with flying fullbacks and dynamic midfielders becoming more common, there remains one classic, adored model that draws spectators in.
Platforming skilled players is the way to get fans off their feet and appreciate the beautiful game, despite the fact that the game is sometimes criticized by expert managers for its inflexible tactics and labeled robotic. Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has previously ranked the most skilled players of all time, has now ranked the 15 most skilled players in international football, leaving no room for Lionel Messi, a fan favorite, whose impromptu flair is still entertaining to watch.
15Cristiano Ronaldo
Name:
Ronaldo Cristiano
Country of origin:
Portuguese
Participated in:
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Sporting CP,
Al-Nassr and Juventus
There is space for Cristiano Ronaldo even if his G.O.A.T. rival, Lionel Messi, has not been included. Notably left off of AI’s ranking of the greatest players of all time, they manage to place him there, albeit in 15th place. In his prime, Ronaldo was a beloved trickster. Since then, he has controlled the stepover, a technique that has come to be associated with him.
According to AI, Ronaldo’s skill is still exceptional, as seen by the Saudi Pro League’s continued use of his two-footed wizardry and dribbling. Even though he is now more of a clinical finisher, his legacy as a flair player endures.
14Michael Olise
Name:
Olise, Michael
Country of origin:
French
Participated in:
Crystal Palace, Reading, and Bayern Munich
Michael Olise, 23, is the next person on the list, representing the opposite end of the age span. The Frenchman is a gifted player whose career has flourished, as evidenced by his transfer transfers. His skill is a major factor in his exceptional performances in the Premier League and Bundesliga.
Olise, who usually plays on the wing, excels in the Champions League thanks to his smooth dribbling. In 2025, he scored his first goal and provided an assist for France, demonstrating his increasing impact.
13Bukayo Saka
Name:
Saka Bukayo
Country of origin:
English
Participated in:
The Arsenal
Bukayo Saka, the only Englishman on the list, is regarded by AI as the benchmark for smooth skills among England’s top players. Saka, a mainstay of Arteta’s right-hand side, has never looked back since rising through the ranks at Arsenal, where he started out as a full-back.
Saka is an important member of Arsenal because of his dynamic dribbling, ability to create in crucial situations, and technical consistency. His flair is enhanced by his adaptability. Not only does Saka perform for the Gunners, who Arsenal supporters call “Starboy,” but he also represents England with the same style as he does for his team.
12Florian Wirtz
Name:
Wirtz, Florian
Country of origin:
German
Participated in:
Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen
Football purists around the world have been talking about Florian Wirtz since he just moved to Merseyside, leaving Bayer Leverkusen in a transaction worth over £100 million. The German international’s skill set is an important component of his game, and he played a significant role in Leverkusen’s ascent under Xabi Alonso.
Wirtz is a creative force because to his dribbling and passing (he contributed 23 goals in 32 Bundesliga games last season). In Leverkusen’s high-pressing system, his technical prowess and vision are evident, and they should transfer well to an Arne Slot Liverpool team.
11Mohamed Salah
Name:
Salah Mohamed
Country of origin:
Egyptian
Participated in:
Chelsea, Basel, AL-Mokawloon,
Liverpool, Roma, and Fiorentina
AI now ranks Mohamed Salah as the 11th most skilled player in football, and Wirtz will soon be able to connect with him on the field. Having just finished an incredible season with Liverpool, when he scored 57 goals in 52 games, the Egyptian’s quality is a major factor in how frequently he scores.
Salah’s deft ball control and graceful dribbling are complemented by his technical skill and consistency. His performance in the middle of the season was crucial to Liverpool’s victory as they won the Premier League.
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