A time will come when today’s rising players will be carrying the torch at the pinnacle of the beautiful game, despite supporters’ propensity to focus solely on the present. In 2019, however, Xavi Hernandez was doing just that.
The four players mentioned by Barcelona’s former central midfielder and manager have the potential to overtake eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi as the greatest player in world football. Raheem Sterling was selected along with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Mohamed Salah.
According to The Mirror, the former engine room maestro asserted, “You look at young players who can be crowned the future best in the world and you still think of Neymar, [Kylian] Mbappe, [Mohamed] Salah, and of course Sterling.”
As of right now, Sterling is leading the race. He has always been a skilled and dangerous player, but Pep has elevated him to the top of the game.
“He would have worked closely with Pep since his arrival, so I know how he works,” he added. “I know what he has to focus on and where he needs to develop. He is still young and has the potential to be the greatest in the world, and we are already witnessing the results of that.
Sterling Raheem
Arsenal is currently on loan from Chelsea.
Let’s begin by discussing who Xavi predicted will be the greatest asset in football worldwide. Raheem Sterling, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, started his career in the development system of Queens Park Rangers before being drawn to Liverpool’s bright lights.
The 30-year-old, who became one of the most sought-after players in global football at Anfield, had most of his success, including four Premier League titles, at Manchester City, where he transferred in 2015.
But since then, the experienced Englishman’s situation has deteriorated. In 2022, a transfer to Chelsea, a team in the Premier League, offered him the opportunity to restore his career, but Cole Palmer’s arrival diminished his significance.
He is currently playing on loan for Arsenal in the northern part of the capital. Mikel Arteta has favored left-wing players like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, making a permanent swap all the more improbable.
Club Stats for Raheem Sterling
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
City of Manchester
339
131
73
37/1
Liverpool
129
23
17
14/0
Chelsea
81
19.
Twelve
13/0
The Arsenal
18
One
2.
4/0
Santos is Neymar’s current club.
The trajectory of Neymar’s career has been impressive. During his heyday at Barcelona, Brazil’s greatest scorer was a tricky and unpredictable player who was unbeatable at his best. However, his skill was frequently eclipsed by that of Luis Suarez and the previously mentioned Messi.
The Santos graduate, who is widely considered to be among the most talented football players in history, also played for Paris Saint-Germain from 2017 until 2023, scoring a staggering 195 goals (118 goals and 77 assists).
His time in France ended tragically due to disagreements with Messi and Mbappe. Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he succumbed to the pull of Saudi Pro League football and joined Al-Hilal, a period of his career tainted by a long list of injury issues.
The former Barcelona Champions League champion made a spectacular return to Santos in January 2025, and he thinks that his fame would persuade players like Paul Pogba, Thiago Silva, and Marcelo to join him in Brazil.
Club Statistics for Neymar
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Santos
227
136
64
66 out of 5.
Barcelona
186
105
76
43/1
Saint-Germain, Paris
173
118
77
49 out of 5.
Al-Hilal
7.
One
3.
1/0
Mbappe Kylian
Real Madrid is the current club.
In the summer of 2017, Kylian Mbappe, the gem in the crown of Monaco’s legendary academy ranks, joined Paris Saint-Germain, the dominant force in his native France. He scored a ton of goals for the team because to his flawless combination of cunning and strength.
Mbappe, who was born in Paris, has demonstrated his ability to score goals on the international front as well. He was crucial to his country’s World Cup victory in 2018, and when he hangs up his boots and quits, he will probably be Les Bleus’ greatest goal scorer ever.
Kylian Mbappé now has 500 career goal contributions.
He’s the youngest player in history to achieve this feat at just 26 years old ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/nkiOLN75CX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2025
The Frenchman’s move to Real Madrid, which had appeared inevitable for years, finally materialized in 2024 when he signed a free transfer to Los Blancos. Although there were initial concerns about his ability to adjust to Spanish football, his skill has since emerged.
Given his recent goal total, Mbappe—who is regarded by many as one of the best scorers in international football—is now singing from the same hymn sheet as Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham. He has scored 23 goals and provided four assists in 35 games for La Liga’s champions.
Kylian Mbappe: Statistics for the Club
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Saint-Germain, Paris
308
256
106
43/3
Monaco AS
60
27
15.
3/0
Real Madrid
35
23
4.
3/0
Liverpool is Mohamed Salah’s current club.
Since joining Liverpool from Roma in the summer of 2017, Mohamed Salah, a top-tier shooter, has been the team’s go-to guy in attack. He led the Merseysiders to a Premier League victory the following season and a Champions League title in 2018–19.
In his 383-game Reds career, the Egyptian King has amassed 237 goals and 106 assists, making him the team’s greatest goalscorer in the Premier League’s lengthy and illustrious history, which began in 1992. He is as clutch as they come.
His stats at his former clubs, Chelsea most notably, are consistently clinical and dwarfed. Before relocating to AS Roma, where he scored 34 goals in 83 games nine years ago, he scored twice in 19 games in west London.
Numerous records have beeongoing argument between him and Eden Hazard.
Mohamed Salah: Statistics for the Clubn destroyed at his feet, and he has a strong argument to be regarded as one of the best wingers in Premier League history, if not the best, despite the
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Liverpool
383
237
106
11/0
AS Roma
83
34
20
3/1
Basel FC 1893
79
20
14
5/0
El Mokawloon SC
45
Twelve
6.
2/0
Fiorentina ACF
26
9.
4.
1/0
Chelsea
19.
2.
3.
1/0
