The Top 25 Male Soccer Players of the 21st Century: A Ranking Like No Other
In the world of soccer, opinions on the best players are always hotly debated. Who are the greatest of all time? How do you compare legends from different eras? And what about the stars of the present day? We’ve got the answers.
After collecting thousands of votes, we present to you our definitive ranking of the top 25 male soccer players of the 21st century. From the greats of the past to the superstars of today, we’ve got them all.
The Top 25
- Lionel Messi: 10-time LaLiga champion, seven-time Copa del Rey winner, four-time Champions League winner, six-time Champions League top scorer, 17-time FIFA FIFPro World XI, World Cup winner, two-time Copa América winner, two-time FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, record goal scorer for Barcelona (672) and Argentina (109)
Messi’s winning the World Cup in 2022 was perhaps the biggest Hollywood ending in soccer history. After losing the 2014 final, it looked like it would never happen for Messi, who had won everything else in the game for club and country.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, five-time Champions League winner, three-time Premier League winner, two-time LaLiga winner, two-time Serie A winner, record for most men’s international goals (130)
Ronaldo’s story is one of a supremely talented athlete, but matched with a drive and will to win. His career is best summed up by one of his own quotes: "If you don’t believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of."
…and so on.
Just Missed the List
- Andrea Pirlo: FIFA World Cup winner, two-time UEFA Champions League winner, six-time Serie A winner, three-time Serie A Footballer of the Year
Pirlo’s impact on the game was so great that the "Pirlo role" was recognized globally as the position its namesake perfected, picking inch-perfect passes for his teammates with a nonchalance and technique that etched his name among the greatest midfielders to have played the game.
- Wayne Rooney: Five-time English Premier League winner, UEFA Champions League winner, two-time PFA Young Player of the Year, 2004 Golden Boy Award, Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, Manchester United all-time top scorer
Rooney was widely regarded as one of the most complete strikers to grace modern soccer, looking the full package upon scoring in his Premier League debut at just 16 years old.
- Patrick Vieira: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, three-time English Premier League winner, four-time English FA Cup winner, five-time Serie A winner, Premier League Hall of Fame inductee
As captain of Arsenal, Vieira’s composure, leadership, and fearless spirit were central to the club’s unprecedented season in 2003-04, when "The Invincibles" went undefeated to lift the English Premier League title.
- Luis Suárez: UEFA Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, four-time Copa del Rey winner, Copa América winner, all-time goal scorer for Uruguay
Suárez found the net wherever he went, whether that was Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, or Atlético Madrid, making him one of the most fearsome strikers in the world during his heyday.
- Gianluigi Buffon: FIFA World Cup winner, FIFA World Cup Golden Glove Award (2006), 10-time Serie A winner, six-time Coppa Italia winner, 13-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award, most appearances in Serie A, most appearances for Italy, two-time UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year winner
Buffon’s trophy-laden career is a testament to his ageless class. He’s arguably the greatest player at his position, and his two UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year awards at 39 years old are a testament to his enduring excellence.
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