Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar are just some of the names who come up in the debate over the best soccer players in the 21st century. Then there are upcoming stars such as Kylian Mbappé and players of a different era such as Ronaldinho. Where do they stand?
The conversation can be a never-ending one. How do you rank legends of the game — some the best we’ve ever seen — against each other?
It was no easy feat (and disagreements will surely follow), but after collating together thousands of votes, we present to you our ranking of the best 20 male soccer players of the 21st century — and five others who just missed the list.
Key accomplishments: 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 winning the World Cup in Argentina in 2022 was perhaps the biggest Hollywood ending that soccer has ever seen. 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, but the crowning moment of his career finally arrived at the age of 34. He scored twice in the final as Argentina beat France on penalties, sparking an outpouring of emotion and celebrations around the globe.
“This guy transcends rivalries — even between Brazil and Argentina,” Brazil legend Ronaldo said. “I saw Brazilians and people all over the world rooting for Messi. It’s a fitting finale for a genius who has marked an era.” — Sam Marsden
Key accomplishments: 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)
Cristiano 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.” Ronaldo has shown that belief throughout more than two decades at the top of world soccer and often proved it to be true.
“He is the best,” his former Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, said. “I saw Maradona a couple of times. I never saw Pelé. But Cristiano is amazing. This man is the best. Cristiano is a goal machine. There will never be another Ronaldo.” — Rob Dawson
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, two-time Premier League winner, LaLiga winner, two-time FA Cup winner, Champions League winner, Ligue 1 winner, Copa del Rey winner, Club World Cup winner
Thierry Henry revolutionized the role of the number 9 in soccer. Tall, quick, physical, intelligent, determined, arrogant and charismatic, he represented a new generation of strikers. One of the greatest sportsmen of his generation, he won pretty much everything possible and scored unforgettable goals during his career. But his most amazing feat is undoubtedly going the whole Premier League season unbeaten with Arsenal in 2004. He was outstanding in that campaign, leading his team to an achievement never repeated since in modern English football.
“I believe Thierry was on the same level as Pele and Maradona, definitely. He was an exceptional football player, but as well a combination of a modern player, huge physical talent, technical talent, but as well special intelligence. He was one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen,” his former coach Arsène Wenger said. — Julien Laurens
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, two-time Serie A winner, Champions League winner, LaLiga winner, Ballon d’Or winner, Intercontinental Cup winner
Zinedine Zidane transformed soccer into a form of art. His elegance with the ball, his incredible technical ability and his skills made him a magician. He will also be remembered forever for netting two goals in the 1998 World Cup final, of course, but probably even more for scoring the most beautiful goal in a Champions League final ever. His volley with Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 was the purest you will ever see, and with his weak foot as well!
“Playing alongside him was just incredible. There were games where opponents could not get close to him, could not get the ball off him. The ball used to be glued to his feet. Even at training, he would be unplayable at times!” his former teammate Robert Pires said. — Laurens
Key accomplishments: Ballon d’Or winner, six-time Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, World Cup finalist, Croatia’s most-capped player, joint-most trophies won with Real Madrid
“I’d like to ask you to never retire.” As news conference questions go, it was unconventional, but the Italian journalist’s plea — after Modrić and Croatia were eliminated from Euro 2024 — was met with applause, echoing the sentiment. Everybody loves Modrić. “As well as being a top player, one of the best in the world, he’s even more spectacular as a person,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
More than any other player, Modrić was fundamental to creating Madrid’s relentless winning culture over the past decade. There’s no one standout moment — bar, perhaps, leading underdogs Croatia to a World Cup final in 2018 — but rather year after year of consistent excellence. — Alex Kirkland
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, seven-time Ligue 1 winner, four-time French Cup winner
Arguably the best soccer player in the world right now, Mbappé has followed the path of a prodigy. He made his professional debut at 16, scored his first goal at 17, played for France at 18 and won the World Cup at 19! His move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid this summer will take him to new heights and will strengthen even more his status as the heir of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In 2018, Mbappé took the world by storm and became the second teenager in history alongside Pelé to score in a World Cup final. In 2022, he made more World Cup history with his hat trick in the World Cup final loss against Argentina. “He is just a phenomenon. He is such a generational talent. You just don’t see many players like him. He is only 25, but his career is already amazing,” Thierry Henry said about his compatriot. — Laurens
