Best Soccer Players of the 21st Century

The Top Ten

Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles. He... read more

It's tough to put one ahead of the other when you talk about the best footballers of all time. For me, Leo Messi is the only player from the 21st century who is in that conversation with Cruyff, Maradona, Pele, etc.
I've watched all of these players live many times. Watching them live repeatedly is where you can really tell the greats from the good ones. Messi is such a talented human being. He can do just about everything you can think of and can do it better than anyone else.
People talk about Pep, but without Messi, Barcelona would not have won a single Champions League title in the last decade. He is simply phenomenal and head and shoulders above Ronaldo, who is a fabulous striker, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a one-of-a-kind talent as well.
The only one I really had to think about on this list is Ronaldinho. For the years he was on his game for Paris, Barcelona, and Brazil, I thought we had the next Pele. I thought I was watching the person who would easily dethrone him! His ball control was and still is the best ever. Neymar is a great player but nothing next to him. However, Messi still tops him, just.
Luka Modric

Luka Modrić is a Croatian footballer who most recently played for Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2012, where he made nearly 600 appearances and contributed to winning six UEFA Champions League titles and 28 trophies overall. In July 2025, at the age of 39, Modrić... read more
Ronaldo

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian businessman, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed "O Fenômeno" ("The Phenomenon") in Portuguese, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers... read more

We are talking about a player who, before his knee injuries, was nothing other than a force of nature. He was simply too good for the game of football at that time. Everything was too easy. It was as if he found the perfect cheat code that made him quick, powerful, and incredibly skillful. Of course, that isn't possible, so we must think of him as an out-and-out football genius. Nothing less will do.

The best-ever player I've seen after Pele. Ronaldo can't be compared with any other player. He can play at any time. He is good even on the Brazilian national team. Ronaldo is better than Messi, Ronaldinho, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. He has collected five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards and countless major trophies over his storied career... read more

He said: "It's opinions, I respect the opinions. Maybe in your opinion, Messi is better than me, but in my mind, I am better than him. So it's simple."
"In my mind, I'm always the best. I don't care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I'm always the best," he added.
He is someone who can say "I am the best" and no one can deny it. I'm running out of words to describe this lad.

For he is the god of soccer. No one can compete with this Portugal-born soccer superstar. He's amazing at scoring goals, dribbling past defenders, and mind-blowing free kicks, and more. We just have to believe that he was sent by the soccer god. He is a precious gift to the soccer universe. He's the king of soccer. Simply the best of the best.
Ronaldinho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980, is better known by his nickname Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He is a Brazilian former professional footballer and a current ambassador for FC Barcelona.
He primarily played as an attacking midfielder but was also effective as a winger. Ronaldinho... read more

This is so true. Ronaldinho is the best player in the whole history of soccer. He is a genius, and when he plays, he has fun with it. He is the perfect example of how soccer should be looked at: as fun. You rarely see Ronaldinho angry. He always has a smile and a laughing face. This is because he does not worry about playing well or being benched. No, he plays to have fun and has his own style. He doesn't care what other people think of his style. I think he is one of the only players I've seen who demonstrates that creativity and fun experience in soccer.

Ronaldinho is simply the king of the game. His time at the top may have been short, maybe three to four years at Barcelona, but during that time he was like a god. Even after that, he stayed one of the best.
Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, nicknamed "Zizou," (born 23 June 1972) is a French former professional football player who played as an attacking midfielder. He received many individual accolades as a player, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, as well as winning the 1998... read more

A great player who won the World Cup outside of this period. He won the first FIFA Player of the Year award in the 21st century in 2000 and was robbed of the Ballon d'Or.
He scored his crazy and iconic goal in the 2002 Champions League Final to make it 2-1 and win Real Madrid the tournament. In 2006, in his last attempt at the World Cup, he guided his team to the final. After Materazzi showed off some clown behavior, Zidane was red-carded and France lost as a result. But guiding the nation to the final in his last tournament is incredible.

He managed the French team during the World Cup 2006 in Germany, replacing the coach Domenech. The French team was self-managed. Not only a good and complete player, but he has also been a good selectioner and good coach. He almost won the World Cup 1998 by himself as he beat Brazil by himself for World Cup 2006. He could have been the artisan of his victory as he has been the artisan of his own defeat in the final game.
Thierry Henry

Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional football coach and former player. In August 2016, he became the second assistant coach of the Belgium national team under head coach Roberto Martínez. Henry previously enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona, and the New... read more

355 club goals, 228 goals for Arsenal in 376 appearances, 406 in total. Both France's and Arsenal's record goalscorer, and that is just the stats. He could play with fierce speed and flair and ran the whole length of the pitch to score a goal at least twice.
And that goal against Manchester United in 2001, and that back-heel nutmeg goal on October 2nd, 2004, in the invincible season. Legend at Arsenal and Barcelona. There is much more to talk about. He is so underrated. At least the best Premier League striker. A football icon!

In his prime, he was unstoppable. The nightmare of every defender. He had everything: touch, speed, skill, intelligence, unselfishness, and the deadliest finishing ever brought to the game. Easily one of the best players ever.
Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born October 3, 1981) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a striker for multiple clubs during his career, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), FC Barcelona, and Manchester United. He scored over 500 career goals for club and country while winning league titles... read more

Greatest player of all time. Can score anywhere. Powerful, strong, acrobatic, physical, etc.

He is a real player, not like others.
Luis Suarez

Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz, born on January 24, 1987, is a Uruguayan professional footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Inter Miami CF, an American club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Suárez retired from international football in September 2024, concluding his tenure as Uruguay's... read more

I'm very surprised Suarez is not in the top 10. Leaving him as a person out of the equation, all I can see is one of the most gifted strikers in recent memory. No one since the days of the original Ronaldo and Henry has evoked such feelings of fear and fright in opposing defenders. He plays with his heart and is insanely gifted. His decision-making with and without the ball is extremely intelligent, and his finishing is devastating.
Andres Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta Luján is a retired Spanish professional footballer who most notably played for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. He won the FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands. The legendary midfielder also secured four Champions League... read more

Brilliant midfielder, brilliant team player.

Best vision in the world at the moment.

The Newcomers

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Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski, born August 21, 1988, is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and captains the Poland national team. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. Lewandowski has won numerous individual awards and league titles in Germany and Spain... read more

Robbed of a Ballon d'Or twice, Lewandowski won the Champions League with Bayern in 2020, the Bundesliga many times, the DFB-Pokal many times, and the Golden Boot of the Bundesliga many times.
He scored the most goals in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, broke many records - including Gerd Müller's record for the most goals scored in a Bundesliga season - and guided Poland to the knockout stage in 2022 with goals against Saudi Arabia and France. Although they lost to France and were knocked out as a result, he still had a great showing.
And after all that, he never even got a Ballon d'Or. How crazy is that?
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Manuel Neuer

Manuel Peter Neuer is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, known for his sweeper-keeper playing style. Neuer has won numerous domestic and international titles... read more

The best goalkeeper of this era, Neuer finished third in the Ballon d'Or in 2014 and won the World Cup and the Golden Glove. Neuer also led Bayern in goalkeeping very well - so long as he didn't have a skiing accident that caused him to be replaced by Sven Ulreich.

The Contenders

Frank Lampard

Frank James Lampard is a retired English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made over 600 club appearances, most notably with Chelsea, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer. He earned 106 caps for England and later became a manager for clubs including Derby County, Chelsea... read more

He broke so many records already! One is being Chelsea's all-time top scorer as a midfielder!
Erling Haaland
Fernando Torres

Fernando Jose Torres Sanz (born 20 March 1984) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a striker. He's currently the manager of Atletico Madrid B. Due to his consistent goalscoring as a young player, Torres earned the nickname El Nino (The Kid), which remained with him throughout... read more

Almost unstoppable when he hits top gear. Torres was the reason I liked Liverpool F.C. Since he plays for Chelsea now, I like Chelsea better.

Great eye for goal, can score from anywhere in his own half at the first sight of goal.

Unstoppable in his prime, could embarrass any defender.
Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was nicknamed "San Iker" for his consistent ability to make crucial and spectacular saves. Casillas is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport.... read more

Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper of the 21st century. He needs recognition for his great football skills and all that he has accomplished during his career.
KaKa

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder for clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Orlando City, as well as the Brazil national team. His exceptional vision and passing ability earned... read more

Kaka is an all-time great. His vision, skill, finesse, speed, and dribbling are unparalleled in world football. We saw him at his best during the 2006-07 season when he single-handedly dragged Milan to Champions League victory. Kaka is a living legend and my all-time favorite.

Kaka is the greatest. He was in the top ten best players in the world for six years and was named best player in 2007. Better than C. Ronaldo, who just hogs the ball and does all this fancy stuff whereas Kaka could simply just pass it off.

Better than CR7 and Messi at his best. Won the Champions League almost single-handedly and every tournament as the best player at the competition except the World Cup. Dribbling, passing, shooting, speed, and accuracy, as good as it can be.
Xavi Hernandez

Xavier "Xavi" Hernández Creus is a former Spanish professional footballer who most notably played as a central midfielder for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.
He won four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.... read more

He is the most underrated midfielder in the game. I think he is better than Zidane.

The best passer in the world without a shadow of a doubt.
Oliver Kahn

Oliver Rolf Kahn is a German former football goalkeeper. He began his youth career with Karlsruher SC in 1975 and was promoted to the senior team in 1987. Kahn later played for Bayern Munich from 1994 to 2008 and is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.

What a keeper. How can people forget him? Best keeper ever, by far better than Casillas, Dida, Čech, or anyone else.
Wayne Rooney

Wayne Mark Rooney is a former English professional footballer who played for and captained both Manchester United and the England national team. He remains Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer and was England's record goalscorer until 2023. Following his illustrious playing career, he transitioned... read more

A living legend playing for Man United, one of the best finishers of all time.

Great strength, great finishing, great player.

He can play everywhere. He can be a goalkeeper!
Isco

Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, commonly known as Isco, is a Spanish professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder and has been associated with clubs such as Real Madrid and the Spain national team. Known for his creativity and technical skill, Isco has earned numerous accolades throughout... read more
Andriy Shevchenko

Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko is a Ukrainian retired footballer who played for Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, and Chelsea, as well as the Ukrainian national team as a striker. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2004 and is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of Ukrainian and European football. Shevchenko... read more

Sheva at Milan from 1999 to 2005 was the best.
Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha, born on April 10, 1973, is a retired Brazilian footballer who now works as a football ambassador. Although he started his career in Brazil as a forward, he became internationally recognized as a left back.... read more

A good passer. Defender and overlaps better than anyone. He is also the best set piece taker.

He is the physicist of football. The Carlos Law of Motion.
Steven Gerrard

Steven George Gerrard (born 30 May 1980) is an English professional football manager and former Liverpool player. He famously captained Liverpool to a miraculous comeback victory in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into management and successfully led... read more

A true leader with amazing vision, ground and aerial passing. He can go forward and create plays, and bust his gut getting back to defend. Amazing free-kick and long-shot taker. His loyalty to Liverpool Football Club is also amazing for this day and age.

Seriously? Only 12th? He must be at least number 5.

Captain Fantastic. He is inspirational for both England and Liverpool.
Franck Ribery

Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry is a former French professional footballer who played for German club Bayern Munich. He finished third in the 2013 Ballon d'Or rankings, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The electrifying winger secured nine Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy during his... read more
Luis Figo

Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo (born November 4, 1972) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. He won 127 caps for the Portugal national team, a record at the time that was later broken by Cristiano Ronaldo... read more

Luis Figo is a master of dribbling and passing. For me, he is a real footballer.
David Beckham

David Robert Joseph Beckham (born May 2, 1975) is an English former professional footballer, the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, and co-owner of Salford City. He played for Manchester United (including a loan to Preston North End), Real Madrid, AC Milan (on loan), LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain... read more