Football, or soccer as it's known in some parts of the world, is the most popular sport globally with over 4 billion fans. The best soccer players in the world are global superstars who inspire and entertain millions with their incredible talent and skills on the pitch.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 football players currently playing the beautiful game and rank them based on factors like achievements, stats, impact, and overall ability.
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Ranking the Top 10 Soccer Players in the World
Determining the best current soccer players is no easy task. There are so many world-class talents to choose from across Europe's top leagues and international tournaments. However, after careful consideration, here is our list of the top 10 best soccer players in the world to watch live soccer streams today:
- Lionel Messi
No surprise here, Lionel Messi tops our list as the best soccer player in the world. The Argentine maestro has been dominating the sport for over a decade with Barcelona and now Paris Saint-Germain.
With 7 Ballon d'Or awards, 6 European Golden Shoes, and 35 titles with Barcelona, Messi is undoubtedly an all-time great. Even in his mid-30s, he continues to score and create goals at an astonishing rate. Messi is a once-in-a-generation talent who will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the match and attract many fans to watch soccer live streaming games.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Argentine wizard Lionel Messi's biggest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo comes second in our ranking. The Portuguese striker has had an illustrious career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and now back with United.
Ronaldo has won 5 Ballon d'Or awards, and 7 league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, and holds the record for most goals scored in the Champions League. At 37 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down and continues to perform at the highest level. His work ethic, fitness, skills, and eye for goal make him one of football's deadliest strikers of all time.
- Kylian Mbappe
The only teenager on this list, French phenom Kylian Mbappe is already among the world's best at just 19 years old. The young Paris Saint-Germain striker became a global superstar after winning the 2018 World Cup with France. His electrifying pace, dribbling skills, and lethal finishing saw him score 15 goals in his first World Cup campaign.
Mbappe has already won multiple league titles and domestic cups with PSG and AS Monaco. If he continues his astonishing development, Mbappe could become the world's next dominant football superstar for the next decade.
- Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City's Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the best midfielder on the planet right now. Gifted with superb technique and vision, De Bruyne was the creative heart of City's Premier League-winning teams over the past few years.
He racks up assists for fun and dictates the tempo of matches with his passing range. Even when City's strikers misfire, De Bruyne often creates something from nothing with his crossing and through balls. There is no better midfield orchestrator in football currently than Kevin De Bruyne.
- Neymar Jr
Another Brazilian superstar, Neymar Jr has battled injuries in recent years but remains one of the world's most skilled players. He formed an impressive attacking trio with Messi and Mbappe at PSG last season scoring 13 goals.
Neymar rose to fame playing for Barcelona alongside Messi, winning 2 La Liga titles and the Champions League. His excellent dribbling, flair, vision, and finishing allows him to unlock defenses single-handedly. When fit and firing, Neymar has the quality to be the best player on any team in the world.
- Mohamed Salah
Egyptian speedster Mohamed Salah has been phenomenal for Liverpool over the past five seasons. After struggling at Chelsea earlier in his career, Salah found his best form at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. He has won a Champions League and Premier League title at Anfield, while scoring over 150 goals.
Salah's pace, trickery, goalscoring, and work rate make him a defender's nightmare. He forms a lethal front-three attack alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Salah is undoubtedly among the current best forwards in the world.
- Robert Lewandowski
Polish hitman Robert Lewandowski comes seventh in our ranking. The Bayern Munich striker has been the most prolific goalscorer in Europe over the past decade. He has won 10 Bundesliga titles, 3 domestic doubles, and the 2020 Champions League with Bayern.
Lewandowski has scored over 100 goals in the last three seasons alone, demonstrating his world-class consistency. His intelligent movement, aerial ability, and ice-cool finishing make him an extremely difficult marksman to stop. At 34, Lewandowski shows no signs of declining yet.
- Karim Benzema
France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has had a career-defining season in 2021/2022. He was the talisman that led Real Madrid to another miraculous Champions League trophy. Benzema scored consecutive hat tricks in the knockout rounds against PSG and Chelsea.
His link-up play, technique, and ability to perform in clutch moments have been phenomenal. After years out of the French national team, Benzema made his return in 2021 and looks set to shine at the 2022 World Cup. There is no doubt that Karim Benzema is currently among the world's best strikers.
- Virgil van Dijk
The only defender on this list, Virgil van Dijk has been a rock at the heart of Liverpool's defense over the past five years. The Dutch center-back has the perfect blend of strength, size, positioning, and composure. His leadership and organization of the backline were instrumental in Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League triumphs.
Van Dijk is the benchmark defender in the world right now. His dominant aerial ability and intelligence make him impossible to dribble past. Virgil van Dijk is undoubtedly the planet's best defender presently.
- Erling Haaland
The final player on our list is Norwegian striking sensation Erling Haaland. Despite being just 22 years old, Haaland's goalscoring record already rivals the very best. After shining in Austria and Germany, Haaland joined Manchester City in 2022 where he has continued to break records.
He became the fastest player ever to score 3 Champions League hat tricks and scored the most goals ever by a player in their first 15 Premier League games. With his blistering pace, aerial threat, and clinical finishing, Erling Haaland is set to dominate the world for years to come.
Best Soccer Players of All Time
Now that we have ranked the current best soccer players in the world, let's take a look back at the greatest footballers of all time. Here are the top 10 soccer players ever based on stats, achievements, abilities, and impact on the sport:
- Pele
No soccer player has had more impact on the sport globally than the legendary Pele. The Brazilian striker helped his country win 3 World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Pele scored over 1,200 career goals and defined what it meant to play as a #10 attacking player.
His flair, technical ability, shooting, and creativity on the pitch inspired generations after him. Pele is undoubtedly the best footballer ever.
- Diego Maradona
Controversial Argentine legend Diego Maradona comes second in our all-time ranking. He almost single-handedly led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 with his memorable performances.
Maradona also took an average Napoli side to Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990, cementing his legend. His dribbling abilities, vision, and flair made him a magician with the ball. Maradona mixed technical brilliance with tenacity and leadership qualities in a way few have replicated since.
- Ferenc Puskas
Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas was one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history. He scored over 500 career goals for club and country and led Hungary to the 1954 World Cup final and Olympic gold in 1952.
Puskas was renowned for his lethal left foot, creativity, and ability to score from anywhere inside and outside the box. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever strikers.
- Zinedine Zidane
French maestro Zinedine Zidane makes our all-time greats list for his flair, vision, technique, and big-game impact. Zidane spearheaded France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs while winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.
His most famous moment was the sensational volley in the 2002 Champions League final. Zidane is arguably the most skillful midfielder ever thanks to his ball control, creativity, and playing style.
- Johan Cruyff
Dutch maverick Johan Cruyff was one of football's greatest innovators both as a player and manager. He perfected 'Total Football' with Ajax and Holland in the 1970s which many teams still try to emulate today.
As a player, Cruyff led Holland to the 1974 World Cup final with his creativity, dribbling, and genius as a playmaker. His legacy lives on through the 'Cruyff turn' and coaching philosophy.
Conclusion
The soccer universe has been blessed with many generational talents over the decades. While comparing players from different eras is difficult, there's no doubt their individual brilliance left lasting impressions on the sport.
From Pelé to Maradona, Cruyff to Ronaldo, the beautiful game has witnessed extraordinary skill and artistry. The current era also has sensational players like Messi and Mbappé continuing this tradition of excellence.
Football's popularity endures around the globe thanks to the creativity and genius of its very best practitioners. These gifted footballers raise the sport to an art form through their iconic skills, goals, and achievements. Watching their magic unfold is a privilege for every soccer fan.
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