And he can play on either flank; no wonder teammate Phil Foden has called him the world's best attacking full-back. With his relentless attacking style and stamina that sees him hardly ever tire, Guerreiro is perfectly suited to Dortmund's high-energy football. Can Everton stay up? Scouting report: Equally adept at playing in defensive midfield, Marquinhos' main forte is his control of the ball and understanding of the game. Age: 26 Age: 48 Messi and Argentina beat France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar with Messi scoring a brace and converting his penalty in the decisive shootout. Pedri is both so well-developed and naturally talented that it's hard to find any weaknesses in his game; his distribution is quick, crisp and positive (1.25 key passes per game in 2021), he's tactically smart and has the discipline to win defensive challenges and track back to cover for full-backs who have moved forward. 2020 rank: Not ranked. Age: 29 At 34, he's also as passionate and as good a finisher as he ever was, especially taking the ball past an outrushing goalkeeper; few do that better than him. Who is the best player in the world? Scouting report: Had it not been for injuries the France international may already have settled as the long-term successor to Marcelo, but instead he is struggling to get his Bernabeu career going. Club / country: Paris Saint-Germain / Brazil A leader from the front. 2020 rank: 1. High point of 2021: Kante was man of the match in four of Chelsea's seven Champions League knockout games, including both semifinal legs against Real Madrid and the final against Man City. That's a scary thought for the rest of the Bundesliga. While still able to participate with precise passes in the last third, he's also allowed to pick up the ball from the centre-backs, often starting the attacking moves. We also don't know the quality of the opposition faced by Di Lorenzo, compared to all of the other players in the world. High point of 2021: There have been some vital goals for club and country, but the defensive side of Casemiro's man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool displayed his best qualities as Madrid held Jurgen Klopp's side to a goalless draw to reach the Champions League last four. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019 with 22 goals, has been named to the PFA Team of the Year in three consecutive seasons, the UEFA Team of the Year in 2019 and the Champions League Squad of the season for 2018-19. Age: 36 When not in possession he presses and closes down relentlessly, nipping in before the opponent to pick up loose balls, and his tireless effort can be documented in the high number of short sprints he performs every game. While not being particularly productive in the constructive side of the game when crossing the halfway line (his crossing rarely leads to goals or chances in the area), he is undoubtedly among the best one-vs-one defenders around. Whether it's short or medium passes with the right pace and angles, pinpointing a long diagonal or even spotting a run in behind, Neuer can do it all. Age: 43 Club / country: Chelsea / Germany Positional awareness, pinpoint crossing and high speed separate the best from the rest. Scouting report: In his 10th year in the role, Simeone's side showed more tactical flexibility (even playing with a back three on occasion) and controlling the possession more than had previously been the case. The France international -- one of the frontrunners for this year's Ballon d'Or -- barely had a kick, with one Silva overhead-kick clearance especially impressive. 2020 rank: 3, Scouting report: Guardiola might still be chasing the Champions League trophy at Manchester City -- having tried to attack too much in the final against Chelsea last year when he finally had a shot at it -- yet he is edging closer to winning it year by year. WebBarcelona(opens in new tab)-bound Kessie is another Ivorian who makes the cut. WebNow TV; Kick It Out; Black Lives Matter; British South Asians in Football; Sky Zero; Podcasts; Mobile; Latest Football News and Gossip updates Due to your consent preferences, High point of 2021: What better way is there to make yourself a hero to Real Madrid fans than by scoring against Barcelona on your Clasico debut? 2020 rank: 8. The Germany international is tough to stop in one-vs.-one situations, helps out defensively and communicates well with his full-backs. While great No. High point of 2021: Klopp's greatest achievement looked to have been securing Champions League football for the 2021-22 season despite the long-term absences of several key players, but then came that day in October when Liverpool went to Old Trafford and scored five times to humiliate Man United. Age: 26 Now 30, the Manchester City star is a technically brilliant playmaker who is so practical and direct in the execution of his ideas that it's almost impossible for opponents to keep up. (2:10), ESPN FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski among No. But any kind of rating -- transfer values, a club's in-house grades, a quantified "eye test" -- can be used as the prior. Scouting report: Still one of the best forwards in the world when dribbling at defenders with the ball, Sterling has a deceptive running style and is able to navigate his way out of congested areas with skill. Scouting report: A multifunctional central midfielder who guarantees maximum levels of commitment and tenacity regardless of his duties or position. His signature moment came in October, when he scored his 400th career league goal with a free kick against Roma. Scouting report: Without doubt the No. High point of 2021: Navas was already guaranteed a place in Sevilla history: The club's appearance record holder, no player has lifted more trophies. Scouting report: The Portugal international arrived with tremendous impact two years ago, immediately scoring and providing assists in high quantities. These are the 20 best men's soccer players under 21 on the planet right now Barnaby Lane Jude Bellingham. One of the best headers of the ball in the world with a huge leap and unparalleled conditioning. He scored seven goals in Villarreal's Europa League-winning campaign, including one against Manchester United in the final when he touched Dani Parejo's free kick past David De Gea to help deliver Villarreal's first trophy. High point of 2021: Robertson's emotional high point might have been captaining Scotland at a first international tournament in 23 years. Stream now. There is a host of players in the current scenario, and picking a player from the current roster is unattainable. 2020 rank: 1, Scouting report: A classy and composed player who pulls the strings centrally for Bayern. Of course it's the third option. Despite being a good link-up player and having a solid record as an impact substitute, the Algeria international has been used sparingly by City this season. He reads things so well that he can position himself to break up an opponent's attacks, while he sees the movements of his own teammates early enough to pick out passing options centrally, often finding his forwards with one line-breaking pass (he has 2.2 key passes per game in 2021.). 8," a supporting forward or even a holding midfielder, Pogba has the ball-carrying ability, the variation of passing, athleticism and power to make a devastating impact. They did not make it out of the group at Euro 2020, but did draw with eventual finalists England at Wembley. High point of 2021: Chiesa arguably became Juventus' go-to player, but truly came to the fore with Italy. High point of 2021: Having featured sparingly under Frank Lampard, Rudiger's transformation under Thomas Tuchel has been extraordinary. 2020 rank: Not ranked. As for no. He's arguably among the quickest centre-backs in the game, is excellent in the air and good enough on the ball to play out efficiently from the back. Who made it? Joshua Kimmich, the man who will lead Bayern Munich into its next era, has jumped onto this list with his sterling play over the past few years. Liverpool still play with the confidence, dominance and intensity that's usually associated with a new manager's honeymoon period. After being ignored by Joachim Low for three years, Muller's club form led to his comeback against Denmark on June 2 -- 927 days since his previous national-team game -- and he has remained integral under Hansi Flick. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was the best player in Qatar, and he led Argentina to the only major trophy that was missing from his already sterling rsum. Dumfries delivers a high number of crosses, but can struggle with accuracy. He produced a hat trick of saves in the semifinal penalty shootout win over Colombia, then kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 final win against Brazil. For the sixth consecutive year, ESPN presents its annual ranking of the best men's players and coaches in world soccer! Then there's the like's of the best soccer players in the world The club won the domestic treble that year, but was an unstoppable force when De Bruyne was on the field. Club / country: Bayern Munich / Germany Possibly the most hyped youth player in history, Neymar has largely lived up to the billing as a game-changer. He was the first visiting player to score a hat trick at Old Trafford since Ronaldo Nazario in 2003. Against all odds, Immobile has managed to not only lead the scoring charts in Serie A but also have the best season of his long career. Man United's Fernandes on blocking Man City's treble, gaining Ten Hag's trust and success next season, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Maybe they no longer operate with the "chalk on their boots" maxim, but wingers' pace and persistence on the flanks gives their teams another angle of attack, while the ability to cut infield and shoot adds a further dimension. Club / country: Paris Saint-Germain / France He's creative on the ball and is much stronger than his 5-foot-10 frame would indicate. He has performed well in one of the best defensive units in European football at Atletico Madrid. 2020 rank: 7. An agile, and technically superb, winger -- who is at his most dangerous when allowed to shift the ball onto his right foot -- he is wonderfully creative and has not let his lack of size (at 5-foot-4) stop him. Age: 26 Age: 23 -- and he's still generated more total xG (16.43) than any other player. Out of the 68 saves he has attempted, Ramsdale has managed to successfully complete 51 with a success ratio of 80.9%. Age: 26 Which manager deserves top spot in FC 100? Scouting report: From a slightly deeper role than he previously played with AC Milan, the Brazilian looks a completely new player at Lyon. He has transformed fortunes at Stamford Bridge and that night in Porto, in which where he outmanoeuvred Pep Guardiola, goes down as the greatest feat of his career. High point of 2021: Pavard won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and was part of France's UEFA Nations League-winning side. Neymar will be a big part of that charge. BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images After the World 2020 rank: Not ranked. Club / country: Borussia Dortmund / Norway In 2019 he was named the the PFA Players' Player of the Year, the Premier League Player of the Season, the UEFA Defender of the Year and UEFA Men's Player of the Year. 2020 rank: Not ranked. And he more than deserved the bubbly, having scored two fine goals in a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig that secured BVB's first major trophy in four years. 2020 rank: 4, Scouting report: Despite bossing the Napoli defence for years, the Senegal international is yet to get proper recognition outside of Italy. 'He's the best!' Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate who deserves the No.1 right-back spot in the FC 100. As for the dominant competitions, the Premier League leads the way with 41 representatives, followed by LaLiga (21), Serie A (14), Bundesliga (10) and Ligue 1 (10). Who Scouting report: Although the France international hasn't had the best year for Real Madrid or Man United, it's hard to find clear downsides in his game. Deep in extra time, Kane saw his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but he kept his nerve to convert the rebound. 9" in a January win at Chelsea, he conjured arguably the pass of the season a month later to tee up Ruben Dias against West Ham, then produced a left-footed goal against Monchengladbach in March that was just special. He's a wildly-skilled striker who is only going to improve. An example of his brilliance was seen in May when he played a 60-yard pass in the build-up to City's opening goal in the Champions League semifinal second leg against PSG. Scouting report: The Brazilian is possibly the most effective "enforcer" in world football. Almost always available on the left side during the build-up phase, he has good enough feet to involve himself in tight central areas, too. Club / country: Real Madrid / Brazil The bottom-up approach (individual event stats) suggests Haaland might be the best player in the world, and the top-down approach (inferring individual performance based on team performance) says the same thing. Club / country: Manchester City / Belgium Club / country: Sampdoria / Denmark Ranking Premier League title, top four, relegation races, Why your favorite soccer player might be playing the wrong position, No, Manchester United are not in the Premier League title race. At no. High point of 2021: He helped Spain reach the Euro 2020 semifinals, scored in the Olympic men's and UEFA Nations League finals and is riding high with Real Sociedad in LaLiga, but Oyarzarbal's standout moment was the penalty that settled an all-Basque Copa del Rey final to earn La Real's first major trophy since 1987. Scouting report: A reliable right-back with a balanced attacking vs. defensive game. Club / country: Aston Villa / Argentina High point of 2021: The first trophy of his career, when Atletico won LaLiga, vindicated the 2019 decision to leave his comfort zone of England and test himself with a move to Spain. The 2020-21 campaign was not a vintage season, but Koulibaly has been crucial to Napoli's incredible start to the current season, which sees them riding high in Serie A. Age: 37 High point of 2021: Ahead of Norwich's visit to Chelsea in October, Mount had not registered a goal or assist in the 2021-22 season. He can play all over the field in the attack, and his pace and creativity allow him to conjure scoring opportunities from everywhere. So there we have it: From goalkeeper to striker and everywhere in-between -- as well as the guys in charge -- this is FC 100! Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne comes in at number one. Though the Uruguayan does not roam as frequently as before, he's still exceptionally good at timing his runs in behind the opposing defensive line. Bernardo Silva (Man City) Scouting report: The Denmark international matched a fine Serie A season with some inspiring displays at Euro 2020. He knows how to break down opponents and finds gaps and lanes no one else sees. Scouting report: After being let go by Barcelona somewhat unceremoniously, Suarez immediately contributed heavily to Atletico Madrid's successful LaLiga title campaign with 21 league goals. According to sources, the Philadelphia Eagles have acquired Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift and the No. A constant, relentless threat, though his enthusiasm can make him prone to run into blind alleys. Age: 22 He's a classic forward with incredible speed, dribbling ability, overall skill on the ball and impeccable timing on his runs. High point of 2021: Gundogan unexpectedly became City's main goal source from midfield in the club's title push. Jun 2, 2023 4:04 PM EDT In this story: Dallas Cowboys JUNE 2 WILSON AVAILABLE The Dolphins have themselves some of the best wideouts in the game in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Scouting report: While he regularly played left-back or even wing-back in his early days, in his later years the Italy veteran has become most noted for his diligent and resolute defending. Nikola Jokic is the best. Barnaby Lane. He was named to his second PFA Team of the Year and won his second Premier League Playmaker of the Season award as well. Now, we don't have a good way of parceling that all out. Its previous winners include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and most recently, FC Barcelona's Pedri. Few other goalkeepers are as comfortable in dealing with the ball at their feet. 2020 rank: 3. He probably needs more time to adapt to the movement of his new teammates but his raw talent is obvious. The Argentinian forward uses his small stature (5-foot-7) to his advantage, with incredible balance, leverage and a low center of gravity. Age: 25 When at his best, the former Sporting CP star is a high-energy midfielder who is often the team's dynamo in the last third, always wanting to get on the ball or make runs into the box. Scouting report: A rare type of defensive midfielder who combines mobility and high work rate with simple, efficient passing and first-class ball-carrying abilities (especially in transitional plays). Who is the best defender in Chelsea 2022/2023? Explore Ratings Get FIFA 21 Ratings Database Ratings Highlights As always, rankings are broken down into Top 10 lists for positions, plus a countdown of managers, in order to present the most meaningful look at talent on the pitch and the sideline. France. When not in possession, he works hard to regain it. High points written by Andrew Cesare Richardson, Club / country: Liverpool / Netherlands Kimmich began as a full-back but moved into midfield and his strategical mind makes him stand out in both phases of the game. He took that form with him to Euro 2020 where he was a standout in Sweden's last-16 run. He reads the game so well to make interceptions, and is a vocal commander of his teammates. High point of 2021: Despite winning Serie A with Inter, it was Barella's quarterfinal performance at Euro 2020 that lingers in the memory. 2020 rank: 3. Juls left baffled by Soucek's FC 100 inclusion. Scouting report: Though only 19, Pedri plays with the intelligence and maturity of someone 10 years his senior. High point of 2021: There are few goalkeepers with Ederson's vision and distribution, which is so important to a Guardiola side. High point of 2021: Neymar has been instrumental in Brazil's World Cup qualification but had a mixed start to PSG's season, as he developed understanding with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. High point of 2021: Perhaps Muller's greatest moment was his Germany recall. 2020 rank: 1. That's exactly the type of response you want to hear from your franchise superstar. Age: 27 As for the Gunners, they've outscored their opponents by 37 goals while Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White were on the field. Tall, compact and good in the air, Shaw is keen to join the attack through incisive runs, making himself available through overlaps or finding space inside the box. Attack-minded and fearless, perhaps too much at times as he frequently ends up in the referee's book. Still, if we're searching for the best player -- the player who has contributed the most to winning so far this season -- then we could do worse than looking at the players who have been on the field the most for the teams who have won the most. High point of 2021: You might think that leaving Barcelona for PSG was the moment, but the sight of Messi finally getting his hands on a major international trophy -- after beating hosts Brazil in the Copa America final, no less -- banished the ghosts of multiple near misses and delivered Argentina's first success since 1993. I know I'll take some flak for not putting Lewandowski at the top of this list. He also earned the Bronze Boot at the 2014 World Cup in his home country. From often being sacrificed halfway through the second half, the winger is now increasingly being seen as a difference-maker and a big-match player. He is able to score from all positions and unlock defences with the most delicate of through balls, while his dribbling makes it look as if the ball is glued to his foot. Ronaldo led Serie A with 29 goals in 33 matches this season. The tall, elegant centre-back plays with such authority that it's quite fascinating to watch (though he can be too nonchalant at times.). Scouting report: Neymar's goal tally has been dropping every season since joining PSG (28, then 23, 19 and 17 last campaign) and from being the No. A great finisher who is able to convert his chances from most angles or positions, he has an almost gymnastic balance and control over his body. Scouting report: Alaba's goal for his new club Real Madrid in El Clasico against Barcelona in October summed him up as a player: Having made the initial interception in defence, he darted up the pitch to finish the move with a clean left-footed strike. Throw in Liverpool's struggles without Mane this year, and you can start to see how this way of looking at the game might start to un-blur some of the less-clear aspects of which players contribute to winning. His stunning semifinal effort against Spain was one of the goals of the tournament. Unlike basketball, where there are more than 100 points scored per team per game, or hockey, where teams make some 400 subs per game, there isn't enough scoring or enough interchange among players to be anywhere near confident that you know who is contributing what to a team's goal differential. Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman bumps up to no. Lewandowski continued his unbelievable run in the Bundesliga this season, as he scored a ridiculous 41 goals in 29 matches. To many Scots, it felt like a famous win. Among the quickest players at elite level football, the Canada international is tremendously fast both over the first few meters and also on longer sprints. The Belgian star was instrumental in Man City's 2020-21 EPL title as he racked up seven goals and 12 assists in league play. Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns Horan was the USWNTs standout performer in 2020 with seven goals and three assists in eight caps, and shes continued to 2020 rank: 3. And at this point in the season, no one has a better case than Haaland. Alaba turned in a superb display in another sign that he has settled into life in Spain after signing as a free agent, having left Bayern Munich. He's underrated from a technical standpoint as well, as he is quick in short areas, can dribble and possesses excellent timing and vision. Club / country: Manchester United (moved from Juventus in August) / Portugal Scouting report: One of the unsung heroes of a wonderfully talented Bayern Munich side, Gnabry is versatile enough to play on either wing, occasionally through the middle, or sometimes alternate between the three positions to create havoc across the defensive line. Scouting report: At 6-foot-7, Courtois is one of the tallest goalkeepers at elite level and his presence in goal makes him hard to beat. He's always been an underrated passer thanks to his next-level vision. 2020 rank: 4. Age: 32 Manchester United duo Bruno PSG as a whole had an underwhelming campaign as Lille took home the Ligue 1 title. Club / country: Real Madrid / France He scored two and won a penalty in a 3-0 win over Tottenham in February, a week after netting a brace against Liverpool. Age: 29 Team: Tottenham (with Inter Milan until May) A respected leader too. 24,286 votes. Age: 21 He excels through perfect positioning, coolness of execution (usually with one or two touches) and resourceful use of his head, or either foot. 249 pick in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and the No. 2020 rank: 5. Neymar led PSG to a Champions League runner-up showing in 2020, as well as 10 domestic trophies in four seasons. Who knows how long Ronaldo will hold on to a spot in the top two of this list, but for now, he's keeping a grip on it. 2020 rank: Not ranked. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was the best player in Qatar, and he led Argentina to the only major trophy that was missing from his already sterling rsum. Kevin De Bruyne is the best player in the Premier League right now and it's not particularly close. Gab Marcotti explains why he included West Ham's Tomas Soucek in his vote for the top attacking midfielders. After winning goals in quarterfinal and semifinal away legs against Borussia Dortmund and PSG, respectively, his second-leg double against the French club sealed City's first-ever final place. A world-class goalkeeper and deserving of the No. 2020 rank: 5. Club / country: Bayern Munich / Canada Scouting report: Previously a roaming forward who would pop up everywhere with a decisive touch, Ronaldo mostly expresses his quality from one set position these days. He is the maestro of the team's attack and City simply isn't the same without him. Scouting report: A true legend of the modern game, Modric is an idol for many up-and-coming central midfielders and has been the one that makes the Real Madrid midfield tick for years. A position traditionally associated with flair and imagination, attacking midfielders can crack a robust defence with a piece of magic. Club / country: Barcelona / Netherlands High point of 2021: Verratti returned from injury at Euro 2020 against Wales and was arguably the best player on the pitch, having more touches (136), completing There is a good argument to be made that Robert Lewandowski should be No. Van Dijk helped lead Liverpool to the 2020 Premier League title, a runner-up finish in the 2018 Champions League and a Champions League title in 2019. He's alert enough to position himself well for rebounds or crosses when the attack is on the opposite flank, while his opportunism sees him make productive runs past his marker to look for a finish at the back post. 2020 rank: Not ranked. but right now Swiderski is the best on a team full of role players. Moments of magic like that separate Mane from other footballers. He's now one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. While his trademark bursts past multiple opponents may have dwindled with age, Messi is still a playmaker of the highest order (he made 3.4 key passes per game in 2021). Scouting report: Over recent months the Brazilian has gone from being a source of frustration to one of Real Madrid's key players. Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate which manager should be placed at No.1 in the FC 100. WebDiscover the best team in the world from those listed below. Aside from his distribution under pressure, Oblak is the complete No. He's been named to four straight Ligue 1 Teams of the Year and has been named to the Champions League Squad of the Season in both 2017 and 2020. He's scored 777 times for club and county in his career, and is only the second male player to top 100 international goals (Ali Daei of Iran is the other). Much like with Borussia Dortmund previously, the Morocco international -- who can also play on the left -- was an uncontainable presence, causing a constant attacking threat with his strong running and winger-esque dribbling skills. Getty/David Ramos Tuttosport's "Golden Boy" award is the prize given to the best soccer player under the age of 21 in Europe each year. Age: 21 Neymar only made 17 league appearances, scoring nine goals, but his otherworldly skill lands him on this list as at any point he can be the most entertaining player in the world. High point of 2021: This was the year Moreno came to worldwide attention. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Xavi, Iniesta, and Roberto Carlos are among many of the 21st century footballing greats. 1. Age: 30 High point of 2021: Dumfries scored in successive matches at Euro 2020 against Ukraine and Austria -- his late, headed winner in the former game provided the final, decisive twist in a five-goal thriller -- and those displays helped his profile skyrocket and earn him a move to Inter. High point of 2021: Resurgent under Carlo Ancelotti, Vinicius' importance was never more evident than at Valencia in September. There were goals against Germany and Ukraine, but his finest moment came in the semifinal against Denmark. He netted 23 league goals for Villarreal last season. Age: 28 He made a point-saving goal against the U.S. in September and then, a month later against Panama, reached a speed of 23 mph in an 80-yard sprint, then beat several defenders before scoring a ridiculous goal. And, perhaps more than other central defenders, he engages in the attack often. 2020 rank: 6. His antics on the sidelines don't lie: he's every bit as passionate and obsessive about football as he appears. He has been named to four straight Bundesliga Teams of the Season, was named the Champions League Defender of the season in 2020 and has made the Champions League Squad of the Season for both the 2017-18, and 2019-20 campaigns. High point of 2021: Foden's year can be bookended by two matches against Liverpool. His success ratio from challenges in the air and on the ground remains above 70%, and he's still an expert organiser of a defensive line and set pieces alike. Now he gets a chance to do the same for the Germany national team. So, instead, we'll look at expected assists, which values every pass by the likelihood that it'll be converted into a goal. As is compulsory for any Barcelona goalkeeper, Ter Stegen is always available for his defenders and contributes in moving the ball around at the back well. Watch this space, because he could be jumping up the list next year. Gundogan is a highly intelligent footballer with an extraordinary timing to his actions, whether in his own movement or his passes to teammates. Scouting report: Having struggled after his 9m move from his native Sweden and club AIK to Borussia Dortmund in 2017 as a teenager, Isak is slowly edging towards the status of an elite level centre-forward. The majority of his goals are scored from few touches as he loves to drift into space on the right side of the box, placing the ball in the far corner with a left-footed finish. Go to: Goalkeeper | Right-back | Centre-back | Left-back | Central midfield | Attacking midfield | Winger | Forward | Striker | Manager, Read FC 100 in: Spanish | Portuguese | Dutch, Previous editions: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016. 2020 rank: Not ranked. 2020 rank: 1. Age: 29 Kevin de Bruyne (Man City) 3. High point of 2021: A stunning hat trick against Barcelona in February was his best Champions League performance. Scouting report: One of the most productive full-backs in European football, Guerreiro has registered an impressive 32 goals and as many assists during his time at Dortmund (168 games). The Juventus man brings massive experience and leadership qualities, while he adapts his game to his defensive partners, whether it's Chiellini or Matthijs de Ligt. The Nuggets host the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. Increasingly composed and measured in his distribution, from which he often starts attacks, he has become a key component of Chelsea's defence. M. We'll start here. He also has a fine goal-scoring record, with almost 100 in the Premier League since making his debut for Liverpool in 2011-12. Last season he dropped deeper and made 14 assists in the league, while still scoring 23 goals himself, and can bring his teammates into prime attacking positions by way of quick touches, lay-offs and flicks, generally performed with high tempo and precision. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder might be the most well-rounded player in the world and is certainly one of its best playmakers. His nose for the net is surpassed by only a few in the world and he's only going to get better. He's already won the award a record six times. Cancelo wins an impressive percentage of defensive challenges (60%) and is strong in the air for a full-back. Tyler Adams, RB Leipzig (1) Weston McKennie. Age: 30 Haaland's goals certainly give him a stake in the ongoing conversation of who's the best men's player right now. De Bruyne followed up his injury-marred 2018-19 campaign up by being named Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2020 after scoring 13 goals and logging 20 assists. Drill down to non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes, and both Osimhen (0.74) and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (0.73) are ahead of Haaland's 0.70. Club / country: Atalanta / Germany He's an incredible goal-scorer who is nearly impossible to dislodge once he gets on the ball. His excellent touch and ability to control/progress with the ball make him hard to dispossess, while he is often a target for pressing and fouls. Age: 29 If you're able to score more goals than anyone else on the planet, you automatically have a claim to being the best soccer player in the world. Here's what happened next for him, Real Madrid, LaLiga, Barca's Champions League heartbreaks fuel win over Wolfsburg. I don't think it can happen for me': Controversy follows Djokovic everywhere, Verstappen eases to Spain win ahead of Mercs, Rain or sweat? High point of 2021: Alonso fell out with Frank Lampard and seemed on his way out of Chelsea, but has been a key cog in Thomas Tuchel's finely-tuned machine. Nationality: Belgium. He set up the first two goals, then later scored the fifth himself. He was an XFL standout in Seattle this spring. No matter the formation or position, the Spain international defender tends to put in a fine shift, having arrived mainly as a full-back but found himself used in the centre as well. When fit, Mendy has all the attributes to be considered the complete full-back. Club / country: Manchester United / France Age: 27 Though injuries have kept Ibrahimovic out for longer periods, he remains the leader and talisman of this resurgent AC Milan side. 2020 rank: 7. Di Maria kept his cool on 22 minutes to clinch a first major trophy since 1993 and secure himself a place forever in national folklore. Besides being a fantastic man-manager, the German has also struck up a strong bond with the supporters and genuinely understands the club and city's culture. Club / country: Juventus / Italy During Mbappe's four seasons in Paris, PSG has lifted 10 trophies, including three Ligue 1 championships. Club / country: Barcelona (moved from Lyon in July) / Netherlands Beyond stopping shots and acting as "sweeper-keeper," goalkeepers are the first step in building attacks; be it with a long, accurate throw or raking crossfield pass. Team: Bayern Munich (with RB Leipzig until June) This position's key is a sense of rhythm; knowing when to speed up in transition and when to slow down. A potent mix of attacking midfield, winger and striker, forwards have intelligence and speed of thought to find dangerous spots. Age: 36 That followed a 2019-20 campaign in which he scored 55 goals in 47 club matches. Nagelsmann, who began his career as a head coach at the age of 28, has by and large stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation but has made a free-flowing team even sharper and smoother. Age: 29 High point of 2021: De Jong was everywhere in April's Copa del Rey final as Barcelona crushed Athletic Bilbao. The 10 best players in every position in world soccer right High point of 2021: A key figure in Spain's run to the semifinals at Euro 2020, Pedri he was named Young Player of the Tournament. Club / country: Paris Saint-Germain (moved from Inter Milan in July) / Morocco While Barcelona failed to win La Liga during the 2020-21 season, Messi was not the problem. The late Brazilian player Pele said, "the history of football is replete with teams that have demonstrated the enthusiasm and artistry of "the beautiful game." 2020 rank: 3. Age: 28 - He's a very good player with very good teammates who are all contributing to one of the best collective team performances in the world this season. Typically, Tadic makes things happen when he wanders into the middle of the pitch to look for the ball. In this curated list of the 63 Best Current Soccer Players Since joining The Reds in 2018, the 29-year-old Van Dijk has been a rock at the back. Age: 29 High point of 2021: Having taken RB Leipzig to the Champions League semifinals in 2020, Nagelsmann was the clear successor to Hansi Flick at Bayern and has already slotted comfortably into his new role, with notable results including a 4-1 victory over his former employers and winning 3-0 win at Barcelona. He's also made four fewer appearances, so on a per-90 basis, it's even closer between the Nigerian (0.93) and the Norwegian (0.98) in terms of expected goals. Scouting report: There are few head coaches who've experienced the same extreme highs and lows as Emery. Varane has the ideal physique for a centre-back -- tall and athletic, yet mobile over short spaces -- and has developed the nous to make decisive interceptions in the box. The Brazil veteran always plays with 100% focus, while he moves, acts and defends with world-class expertise. High point of 2021: Since joining Atletico, Suarez has made a habit of scoring late winners and his most important may have come in May. Plus, we're now on year four of Haaland scoring significantly more goals than expected. 2020 rank: 4. He is exceptionally quick over short and medium distances and simply glides past opponents with the minimum of effort. Kevin De Bruyne. He was on the PFA Team of the Year in both 2019 and 2020, and was named to the Champions League Team of the Season in 2018, 2019 and 2020. He netted 28 goals in 58 games across all competitions last season, though recently Fernandes has found it hard to reproduce that form. Scouting report: The Netherlands wing-back drew plaudits with some impressive performances during Euro 2020 this summer, scoring two goals in the process. Scouting report: Already close to being the finished article, Foden is so lively and always either wants the ball played in to his feet or behind the defence to chase. Scouting report: Chiesa's status for Juventus and Italy has grown over recent months. Some are not even left-footed, but positional awareness and know-how sees them drift infield to central defence or midfield. 2020 rank: Not ranked. As a "False No. Club / country: Juventus / Italy Vinicius Junior confronted fans who racially abused him. His early performances were exuberant and carefree and his first competitive goal for the club -- a nonchalant, left-footed near-post rocket against Athletic Bilbao -- was spectacular, Club / country: Tottenham / South Korea He stayed with the team and, after the final and on crutches, was sent up first by his triumphant teammates to receive a winner's medal. Those four goals took his tally to an incredible 11 in 12 league games. He's good in the air for a wide defender, tackles well and is composed on the ball. He captained them to a fourth-place finish in LaLiga with 77 points -- another all-time high -- and is part of a title push in the ongoing campaign. It was El Submarino Amarillo's first piece of silverware since a 2004 Intertoto Cup triumph and showed their manager's tactical abilities. Club / country: Manchester City / England A versatile, defensive-minded player, Kimmich is one of the world's best right backs, but his move to midfield under manager Hansi Flick has taken his game to another level. Age: 40 Haaland roared as Borussia Dortmund celebrated winning the German Cup in May. One of the most effective counter-attacking forwards in Italy, he progresses so quickly with the ball and can decide matches singlehandedly with his precise left foot. The Belgium international, who is closing in on his 100th cap, is incredibly consistent and hardly ever misses a game or commits glaring errors. The greatest playmaker in soccer history continues to amaze after 18 seasons as a professional. From just inside the Belgians' half, he ran forward, then cut inside Youri Tielemans into open space and curled a stunning effort past Thibaut Courtois. Age: 29 Club / country: Barcelona / Spain 2020 rank: 3. Additionally, he finished second behind Lionel Messi for the 2019 Ballon d'Or. He enjoys receiving the ball behind the opposing back line and his early movements in wide areas are often a clever way for Manchester City to establish possession high up the pitch. Age: 31 2020 rank: Not ranked. Club / country: Chelsea (moved from Inter Milan in August) / Belgium Jude Bellingham. It's hard to pick out a similarly tactically adaptable player at the highest level over the past 30 years. Club / country: Chelsea / Senegal High point of 2021: Four assists in a Man United win over Leeds was a remarkable feat, but Pogba's best performance of the year came for France against Germany at Euro 2020. Scouting report: Though he's yet to hit top form for new club PSG, the now seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was breathtakingly brilliant for Barcelona during the first part of the year and has been as good as he's ever been for Argentina. Age: 31 12. Scouting report: With well over 400 league appearances for Sevilla and Manchester City, Navas -- who permanently switched to right-back from a winger two years ago -- covers the right flank with expertise. One flicked header later, the goalkeeper had scored an improbable winner that helped seal a Champions League place. High point of 2021: He has impressed for Lyon, but his best moment came in the Copa America semifinals when scoring the goal that guided Brazil past Peru. Guardiola's team play some of the most fluid, easy on the eye football at the highest level. High point of 2021: Whatever Havertz goes on to achieve, it will be hard to beat scoring a Champions League final winner at the age of 21. The Italy international is excellent at controlling the pace of the game, often circulating the ball across the defence while waiting to find the right options in midfield. 2020 rank: 10. 2020 rank: Not ranked. For Di Lorenzo in particular, basically one of three things has to be true: - He's a bad player with amazing teammates who are making up for his negative contributions 9.". This is not simply a "best players in the world" megalist; The aim is to isolate specific areas of the pitch so comparisons can be made between those with similar roles. Rank: Player: Position: Club: Age: 1. These days he also seems to relish taking on players more than he did in his youthe. And if a player doesn't rate well in the video game, but his Serie A-leading team clearly performs better when he's on the field, he's still going to rate quite well -- just not as well as a teammate with a better prior. Modric's vision is acute and he always plays with his head up, while his dribbling skills and ball control are also world-class. High point of 2021: Upon his Man United return, 12 years since departing for Real Madrid, Ronaldo wasted no time in giving fans something to cheer as he scored twice on his (second) debut against Newcastle in September. He's at his best when countering, which allows him to pick out and lead teammates with perfectly weighted passes. FC 100: Messi or Ronaldo for top forward spot? Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate who deserves to be voted the best forward in the FC 100. Scouting report: A centre-back who leads verbally, by presence and by example. Age: 25 However, after contributing just one goal in his first seven Ligue 1 games, a brace at Bordeaux in November quieted his critics. He picks the right spaces and makes sure that his team's possession flows by keeping the ball clear of congested areas on the pitch. High point of 2021: Mane's 100th Liverpool goal, against Crystal Palace in September, also saw him set a Premier League record of scoring in nine straight games against the same opponent. Age: 34 Unfortunately, he only made five league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign after an ACL injury back in October. 2020 rank: 5. His improvement was shown by a dominant display in September's 3-0 win at Tottenham, where he scored Chelsea's third goal with a fine finish. Di Maria is a quality player who has put his poor season at Man United in 2014-15 behind him and now guarantees excellence and effort. Club / country: Atletico Madrid / England Excellent at beating defenders, Salah displays possibly the best high-speed dribbling skills in world football -- even when he has a bad touch or takes on one defender too many, he miraculously reappears with the ball. Age: 50 In seven seasons at Bayern, Lewandowski has scored 203 goals in 219 league matches and 294 goals in 329 total appearances. High point of 2021: Lukaku got his dream move, returning to Chelsea seven years after his first stint in London ended. Club / country: AC Milan / France He's fast, a technical marvel, excellent with his ball-placement and is one of the best ball-challengers in the world. Photo: canva.com (modified by author) Source: UGC. A fine well-rounded attacker with an excellent right foot, Depay is a top finisher in his own right and also equally skilled at setting up his teammates -- often with few touches (he averages a respectable 2.5 key passes per game.) Club / country: Manchester United / Portugal High point of 2021: Mendy almost single-handedly earned Chelsea three points at Brentford in October. He's been flat-out incredible. Ranked: The 10 best soccer players in the world right now 1. The greats combine timing and power with elegance and poise under pressure. Age: 24 In the final, his pass led to Karim Benzema's winner against Spain. His recent performances have dropped along with the rest of the United team, but he was a star at Euro 2020. Club / country: Real Sociedad / Spain High point of 2021: Italy's captain and leader produced one of Euro 2020's iconic images when he pulled back Bukayo Saka by his shirt as the England substitute threatened to break away late in the final. In terms of "good"-ness, what we're really looking for is how much you contribute to winning. 9s have ruthless determination to seize any opportunity, true masters of the art are as adept at linking play as they are finishing it. Of course, how many goals you score and create doesn't really come close to providing a comprehensive summary of how good of a player you are. High point of 2021: Sterling was arguably England's main man at Euro 2020, with three goals in addition to countless attacking forays. Age: 52 Whether as a "No. It was his seventh piece of silverware in just 19 months at the Allianz Arena. Among all his other admirable skills, the Catalan still manages to turn decent players into brilliant, all-round footballers. Midfielder. Age: 27 Age: 34 His performance index is 92, he scored 0 goals and provided 2 assists. Club / country: Manchester City / Algeria Who is the best player in the world? Everything that happens on the field contributes to a team's overall performance, and we'll never be able to perfectly quantify the value of each thing, on and off the ball, that a given player does. Scouting report: Providing the focal point in the middle of Chelsea's back three, the ex-AC Milan and PSG defender is still one of the most incisive defenders in world football. Club / country: Villarreal / Spain Increasingly becoming a big-game player for Manchester City, he has been used in a host of different positions up front this season. Simply put, he's a perfectly constructed striker. 2020 rank: 9. 2020 rank: 10 (attacking midfield). Age: 29 With four minutes remaining, Madrid trailed 1-0 only for their Brazilian star to first equalise and then produce a stunning cross for Benzema to head the winner. Its previous winners include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and most recently, FC Barcelona's Pedri. 2020 rank: Not ranked. Agility and reflexes are a given, but confidence and vision and are vital. WebBest Soccer Players in the World Right Now [2023] Football fans across the world are always in constant debate about who is the best footballer in the world, and the answer to this question will never be one. By being able to beat his opponents with quick, creative footwork or clever one-twos, it's easy to see why the England international is highly rated by City boss Guardiola for his capacity to create numerical advantages in key attacking areas. An animated manager on the touchline, Conte is known for his passion and ability to motivate his players. His career numbers are staggering, as he's scored 674 goals in 896 club matches, holds the records for most goals (134) and assists (42) in Champions League history and has won the Ballon d'Or five times. He's strong on the ball at 6-foot-1 and is still in phenomenal shape. His measured, calm style resembles a seasoned defender in his peak years (usually between 28-32). And with Mbappe and Messi limping out of the Champions League round of 16 for the second year in a row -- and doing it together -- it feels like all kinds of different players could make a reasonable claim to being the best player in the world for the 2022-23. The switch to a 3-4-3 brought a better balance to the side and suited almost every member of the squad, who all looked like players reborn as they strode to Champions League success. 2020 rank: 3. He is also an excellent communicator and quite a character off the field too. That doesn't mean it isn't fun to think about, though. Club / country: Manchester City / Germany Faoliu impressed during a tryout and now gets a contract. For their prior, the researchers used ratings from the video game FIFA, with the assumption that the ratings are essentially a crowd-sourced scouting system for the entire planet. It all adds up to a level of ball control we've never seen before. Club / country: Chelsea / Spain Age: 29 Atleti never looked back. Juventus (3) Timothy Weah, Lille (10) Yunus Musah, Valencia (9) Still just 19, Musah is harvesting minutes as he grows in La Liga Antonee Robinson, Fulham (7) Scouting report: With high, intense pressing, flexibility in attack and quick, well-executed transitional play, the popular Flick never seemed to pull on the brakes when in charge of Bayern. Scouting report: From mostly trading on his sprinter-like pace as an orthodox right-back, the England defender has developed into a flexible, tactically smart, all-around defender under Guardiola. He flourished at Real Sociedad, scoring 17 league goals last season and winning his first silverware with the club, the Copa del Rey. High point of 2021: Memphis got his dream move to Barcelona and looked unfazed by the mammoth task of replacing Lionel Messi. What do the lists say about the game's balance of power? It's Napoli fullback Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who has been on the field for 60 goals scored and 16 conceded. In addition to a passing and movement clinic at Hampden Park, he scored one of the tournament's best goals, finding the top corner with the outside of his right boot from 20 yards. 50-41 40-31 30-21 20-11 10-4 3-1 Who are men's football's best players in the world as 2021 comes to a close?
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