The 34-year-old can still hack it at the game’s top levels and even in his final season, he is still usually one of the best players on the pitch. There is, however, no greater affirmation of Rodri’s quality than the sheer difficulty Spain and Manchester City had losing in a low-scoring, high variance sport when the most authoritative midfielder was on the field. That sheer undefeatability was one of the reasons that this particular writer had him No.1 on his ballot but there is more to Rodri than just limiting the threat of defeat.
FC 100: Haaland among best forwards in men’s soccer
City’s longtime right back enjoyed another season as a key player in Guardiola’s tactically complex game plan. Walker ranked in the Premier League’s top 20 for both touches and passes, posting a 90.4% passing accuracy overall and a stellar 91.6% in the attacking third, doing so while still boasting a reputation as one of Europe’s speediest right backs, even at 34 years old. The Belgian goalkeeper has dealt with injuries and still had the quality to play in the Champions League final for Real Madrid, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0. He missed 42 games after tearing his ACL in August, came back and tore a meniscus in March, missed six more games. Showing ultimate toughness, he was back and ready for the UCL final and showed no signs of slowing down, making four saves in yet another clean sheet.
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They rely on him heavily, perhaps too much sometimes, but his influence and ability more than justify that faith. The Gunners haven’t been anywhere near as impressive going forward as they were last season, but Saka remains the difference-maker in attack. Josko Gvardiol arrived at Manchester City primarily as a central defender, but the 22-year-old spectacularly transformed into a goal-scoring left back, making him one of the Premier League’s biggest matchup nightmares for opposing teams. Known for his mesmerising dribbling, speed and clinical finishing, Kylian Mbappe has been one of the premier players on an awesome France national team in recent years. A winner is crowned via a voting system, with several media outlets from across Europe all nominating five players each. Their top pick gets 10 points, their second seven, their third five, their fourth three and their fifth pick gets one.
Kylian Mbappe — Forward, Real Madrid
Several players have had disappointing seasons bordering on disastrous (and some indeed have had disastrous seasons). A midseason ranking will also include true freshmen for the first time — so prepare for the slotting of studs like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams. The 2024 college football season is flying by and we’re somehow just a few weeks away from the halfway mark, which means I’m hard at work in curating what a midseason ranking of the top 151 players looks like. His recent move to Al Nassr – a result of him having “won everything in Europe” – sees the player earning a staggering $200 million a year making the five-time Ballon d’Or winner the highest-earning football player in the world. Echeverri was one of the stars of the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup, finishing the tournament with five goals – only sat behind Argentina teammate Agustin Ruberto in the rankings. The 17-year-old starlet has attracted attention as a result of his stellar performances, with a number of European giants knocking on his door.
- It might be hard to pinpoint when exactly the lore began, but one can trace it as far back as 2019, when a 19-year-old Erling Haaland scored nine goals against Honduras while representing Norway’s U-20 team.
- The 23-year-old has already racked up more than 200 appearances for the club in all competitions since 2018, and he is one of the few contenders who could, without a hint of delusion, claim to be sitting top of this list in several years time.
- Washington has allowed 10 passing touchdowns to wide receivers and intercepted no passes.
- McCaffrey flourished during his first full season in San Francisco, becoming the NFL’s rushing champion (1,459 yards) while leading the league in yards from scrimmage (2,023) and touchdowns (21) in 16 games played.
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No one does that better than Alisson, who has brought old school goalkeeping orthodoxies to a position in continual flux. In a fashion that only Pele and Diego Maradona have done before, Messi changed the parameters of greatness in football. None of the greats that occupy the top of the sport have a season to compare with 73 goals and 32 assists in 60 games. None of them have eight Ballon d’Ors, 12 domestic titles, a World Cup won by force of will and the 2023 Leagues Cup. If you’re going to have a great team, you need a great center-back (two, if you’re really lucky). The best in the game are formidable in both size and strength but also blessed with the grace to time tackles and anticipate a striker’s movements in order to win back possession.
Going into the 2024 season
Making it this high on our list, considering his lack of minutes, speaks volumes about his quality. The towering former Chelsea man has been Real Madrid’s No. 1 goalkeeper since 2018, creating numerous iconic moments, with this latest achievement part of a long list of honors. In the last two UCL finals and one UEFA Super Cup, he has not conceded a single goal. After being omitted from the Belgium squad at Euro 2024, he should be well rested come next season when the expectations will be to repeat as UCL winners, especially after adding Kylian Mbappe. He ranked fourth in the Premier League for passes played and completed an impressive 91.5% of them, but his comfort with the ball on his feet is just one of his many attributes. His physical presence was crucial as Liverpool earned 10 clean sheets in the league, while his potentially unrivaled excellence on set pieces meant he added another five goals to his account this season.
Women’s Gold Medal Match Volleyball Olympic Games Paris 2024
The attacking midfielder has shone in Austria, also producing two goals and an assist in the Champions League this term. A player who was already idolised by Football Manager players across the globe, Bardghji truly announced himself to the world with a dramatic late winner against Man Utd in the Champions League this season. The Copenhagen winger slammed his volley into the ground and beyond Andre Onana, securing a famous 4-3 victory for the Danes. A left-sided midfielder capable of playing as a left-back, Barco appears to be yet another Argentinian gem. The 19-year-old’s stock has risen over the past year as he continues to blossom in Boca Juniors’ first team, even featuring in the most recent Copa Libertadores final against Fluminense.
- He had to overcome his own hurdles to keep his stock high nearly a decade after winning the World Cup, though.
- At just 21 years old, Eduardo Camavinga exemplifies just that, whether he plays his preferred defensive midfield role or slots in anywhere across the back line.
- You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated Euro 2024 tournament page with all the match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings and real-time match results and schedules.
- When looking at Messi’s individual accomplishments, it’s hard to look at anything else than the shining Ballon d’Or 1st place.
- From our Lineup Optimizer – which allows you to build winning DFS lineups in seconds for Cash and GPP contests – to our DFS Cheat Sheets – that helps you get a quick read on the day’s players – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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Eighteen-year-old Kenan Yildiz transformed Max Allegri’s dull Juventus side in Italy’s Serie A, helping the defensive-minded team score far more than expected. Bellingham will be keen to build on his spectacular club performance and could be the X factor in England’s Euro 2024 campaign, as they look to claim a maiden European nations title. From established players to breakout stars, Al Jazeera picks out 10 players to watch out for at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Ederson — Goalkeeper, Manchester City
The 26-year-old Lookman landed at his sixth club in three countries when he joined Atalanta in 2022. It was one of those moves that attracted limited attention — the England-born Lookman was chewed up and spit out of the Premier League and landed at a club on the rise but far from anyone’s list of top contenders for silverware. Quickly enough, those perceptions did not matter — he scored on his Serie A debut, a 2-0 win over Sampdoria and scored 15-plus goals in consecutive seasons across all competitions. He mixed that in with acclaim for Nigeria, scoring three goals en route to this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final and making the team of the tournament.
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Besides the Norwegian striker, you’ll find Argentinian, French and English footballers on this list. They have all had an incredible 2023 season that manifested their placement at the top of this list. One of them is obviously the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, and the 3rd place and French captain, Kylian Mbappe. McCaffrey flourished during his first full season in San Francisco, becoming the NFL’s rushing champion (1,459 yards) while leading the league in yards from scrimmage (2,023) and touchdowns (21) in 16 games played. The two-time All-Pro running back was the fireball within Kyle Shanahan’s potent offense, and opposing defenders had a tough time stopping McCaffrey, who led the NFL in yards after contact (949), according to Next Gen Stats. McCaffrey, whose breakaway speed makes him the prototypical backfield weapon, became the first 49ers player since Jerry Rice (1993) to win Offensive Player of the Year and his image will grace the cover of Madden NFL 25 following his best season to date.
ESP v SLO – Men’s Bronze Medal Match Handball Olympic Games Paris 2024
The 19-year-old has been subject to interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, the former even having supposedly lodged a bid for his services during the summer, and it seems only a matter of time before Europe’s top clubs start circling the defender more vigorously. Mainoo has shown incredible maturity during his performances in a struggling Man Utd side low on confidence, the England youth international set for an even bigger role with Red Devils in the coming year. The Red Bull Salzburg talent factory has struck gold once more with 19-year-old Gloukh.
Alexander ISAK, Newcastle United/Sweden
During their time at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema inevitably played in the shadow of Ronaldo – and although the pair ply their trade for different clubs in Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese legend still has the edge on salary – just. His career may ultimately have been one of underachievement on the pitch but in terms of salary, Neymar is a history maker. Not only the highest paid footballer in the world but the highest paid footballer of all time.
Joshua Kimmich Midfield/Fullback, Bayern Munich
The Sri Lankan captain is ranked fifth in the ICC’s Women’s T20 all-rounder standings and recently led her country to their first-ever Asia Cup title. The 34-year-old bowls accurate off-spin and can be an explosive batter in the shortest format of the game. Athapaththu has made 246 international appearances since her debut – at the age of 19 – in the T20 World Cup in 2006 and boasts a wealth of experience in franchise T20 cricket as well. Downs has returned from his ankle injury and has slowly gained work over the last two weeks. Last week he broke out, catching 8-of-9 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown against a good Steelers defense. Jacksonville ranks 30th in pass defense EPA and 28th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
Past winners of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award and FIFA World Player of the Year
By his own high standards, last season was a disappointing one for Son Heung-min, who was suffering with a hernia problem for several months. No longer inhibited by fitness issues, he’s spearheading a Tottenham team that’s been reinvigorated by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou. The departures of Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane have given him even more responsibility as captain, figurehead and chief goal threat.
John Stones — Defender, Manchester City
Able to comfortably look like one of the best in the world at both centre back and right back, the Uruguayan is attracting interest from quite literally every big club in the world due to an expiring contract. Primed to take that mantle are Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, who have long been pencilled in as football’s new attacking rivalry, though Harry Kane may have something to say about that. And our ranking of the world’s best players is based on who’s the best right now. The award, for the best player in the world in 2023, saw many of the voters take Messi’s 2022 World Cup heroics into account. His physicality is unrivalled, his finishing ability – including improvised, instinctive finishing by any means necessary – is staggering and he boasts a turn of pace that few in the Premier League could match. The next few years should be explosive and, if he proves his consistency over several years, he will sit No.1 in this list without rival.
The former Leeds United man can finish in a variety of ways, but it’s his ability to be in the right spot at the right time, on top of creating danger down the right, that makes him such a concern for opposing defenses. He figures to have a solid role with the Brazil national team at Copa America, and if it weren’t for him, Barca’s season probably would have been worse than it already was. There’s bursting on the scene and then there’s what Artem Dovbyk did this season, winning the La Liga golden boot with Girona behind 24 league goals. Coming into the team as a relative unknown after moving from SK Dnipro-1, the Ukrainian quickly established himself as a dominant threat in the air for Girona helping them qualify for a Champions League berth this season. They’re a potent blend of close-range finisher, playmaker and space-creator for teammates around the box.
That means an exclusive list has been unveiled, detailing the 100 best young male footballers in the world right now. Nominees for the Golden Boy must be under the age of 21 and play in the top flight of a European nation’s football divisions, so those putting in the work in second and third tiers are unfortunately ineligible for consideration. Rafael van der Vaart was the inaugural Golden Boy winner back in 2003, being given the award while on the books at Ajax and soon after moving to the Bundesliga with Hamburg, followed by the dream transfer to Real Madrid.
- So good that even Sky Sports analyst and Manchester United legend Gary Neville is calling him the best in the world.
- After starring in Ligue 1 with Lyon, Ferland Mendy departed for Real Madrid in 2019 and made an immediate impact.
- Mahomes, two-time holder of the Top 100’s No. 1 spot, is seemingly chasing his otherworldly accomplishments of season’s past at this point.
- Your votes will help recognize the exceptional talent and contributions of these remarkable athletes, celebrating those who are at the pinnacle of the soccer world today.
- Parker Brailsford, C, AlabamaI was unsure what to expect from Brailsford after he opted out of spring football, but he looks fantastic early on for the Crimson Tide.
- Nominees for the Golden Boy must be under the age of 21 and play in the top flight of a European nation’s football divisions, so those putting in the work in second and third tiers are unfortunately ineligible for consideration.
Continuously evaluate your rosterContinuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary. Monitor the waiver wireKeep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
The following summer he was gone, flown off to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. After concreting himself in Premier League history with first Leicester City, and then Manchester City, Mahrez jumped ship to Saudi Arabia, where he joined Al-Ittihad. Some of you might have expected Mbappe to be a little higher up this list but no, the Frenchman is on a meagre £300k per week at Real Madrid. Footballer wages are higher than they’ve ever been right now, with the sport watched around the world, TV rights skyrocketing, and the Saudi Pro League throwing cash at the sport with reckless abandon.
Warren is a jack of all trades for Penn State, even playing wildcat quarterback and throwing touchdown passes. He is a tough, dependable receiver who fights for extra yardage and is a capable blocker. He is a throwback player who will be a great fit in any offense at the next level. With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, the league’s true insiders made their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players moved up or fell off last year’s lists.
A shoulder injury halted Garrett’s sack pace, but even his burdened presence was a major factor for the Browns’ No. 1-ranked defense because of the attention he requires. Jones has long been the focal point for offensive coordinators game-planning against a defense that has supported Kansas City’s ongoing dynasty. In 2023, the 30-year-old captained the youngest defense in the league to back-to-back Super Bowl glory, collecting 10.5 sacks, 39 QB pressures, 29 QB hits and 13 tackles for loss. What makes Jones so impressive is the seemingly effortless way in which he causes havoc for opposing linemen, which he can produce from anywhere across the defensive line. His play recognition is superb, and his knack for batting down passes at the line of scrimmage makes him even more of a nuisance for quarterbacks. Riding a streak of five straight Pro Bowl bids and two All-Pro honors, Jones earns his highest ranking to date in the Top 100.
Signing Alejandro Grimaldo on a free transfer proved to be a transformative bit of business from Xabi Alonso.The former Benfica left-back was a constant source of goals in his first season at Bayer Leverkusen, helping the German side go unbeaten domestically. He’s won the World Cup and Copa America (twice) with Argentina and the Champions League, Premier League (twice again) and FA Cup with Manchester City. It’s no surprise that the forward got a little bored and decided to jet off to Atletico Madrid in search of more regular first-team football, where he will be hoping to add to his honours list up against city rivals Real Madrid and Catalan giants Barcelona.
Still only 25, the versatile attacker has yet to even enter the prime of his career ahead of an important summer where he’ll lead the USMNT during Copa America on home soil. He’s dealt with his fair share of injuries as of late, but when healthy, there is Ballon d’Or potential there for the Barcelona budding superstar. Since joining from Las Palmas in 2020, he’s got 20 goals in 143 games and was viewed as the face of Barca after Lionel Messi’s departure to PSG. Pedri is versatile, wants the ball at his feet, can carry the ball into space or place the ball perfectly there. It’s his elite passing that sets him apart because of his quick movement and cleverness.
Fans are responsible for 50% of the votes cast, with a panel of football experts providing the other 50% to decide the eventual winner. Following the 1990 World Cup in Italy, FIFA decided to launch its own ceremony to celebrate the best player in the world every year. It slowly gained traction, incorporating a women’s award in 2001 alongside several other trophies. The biggest prize on offer is the Best Men’s Player of the Year award, but there are also several other big honours handed out every year, including the FIFPro World XI, the Puskas Award for the best goal scored and the Best Women’s Player. The twinkle-toed Portuguese continues to dazzle but doesn’t attract praise quite as easily as some of his Man City teammates.Silva is often linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium but there is a reason Guardiola is so keen to keep him in Manchester. Here’s 90min’s ranking of the best players in the world right now – and this list is categorically accurate, so don’t even bother complaining.
- To go out on a high is probably the ideal scenario for most athletes, but Toni Kroos will almost certainly accomplish that, regardless of how Germany do in the Euros.
- He became the youngest goalscorer in Euros history, won the Young Player of the Tournament, scored the Goal of the Tournament and was crowned a European champion when Spain triumphed over England in the final.
- Manuel Neuer’s reputation as one of the game’s best goalkeepers is already set.
- The 18-year-old has put in some promising displays with Corinthians and is already being touted with a move to Europe.
- Second in Europe’s big five leagues for goals with 23, Martinez beginning to shut down debates about who the best player in Serie A is.
- Despite becoming Tottenham’s record goalscorer, Kane was unable to win a trophy at his boyhood club and so departed for Germany in 2023.
- The Bears allowed just two passing touchdowns to five interceptions on the season and the sixth-worst completion percentage.
Fans also have the chance to cast their votes for The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Goalkeeper awards. The voting for the FIFA Puskas Award, for example, sees fans vote online for one of the 11 finalists drawn up by a panel of experts, with a final trio then decided. Haaland has been penalised as Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024, while Man City were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter finals.
The best soccer players in the world captivate us not just with their phenomenal skills and athleticism, but also with their perseverance and sportsmanship. As the sport continues to evolve, these elite athletes set new standards, pushing the game to exhilarating new heights and inspiring millions around the world. The Cowboys haven’t https://st-bet.net/login/ allowed a tight end score yet this season, and rank sixth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position. Freiermuth still could find the end zone and be a worthwhile start, but the odds aren’t great. With how poor the Broncos offense has been, maybe the Raiders get a lead and White will accumulate a lot of carries.
Seven years after joining Manchester City with hopes of taking his career to the next step, Kyle Walker’s remarkable consistency is the defining feature of his ongoing spell with the Premier League champions. Rare are the days that Pep Guardiola will not call upon him in a big game, and equally as rare are the days on which Walker is not the perfect choice for the role assigned to him. Nominally a wing back, it is perhaps more effective to think of Jeremie Frimpong as a wide forward who tracks back. His cheese is really earned by what he offers to Bayer Leverkusen when they have the ball, a one man ball progression machine down the right flank who averages more progressive passes received than Jack Grealish, more progressive carries than Kingsley Coman. Without the ball he is the Leverkusen wing back tasked with getting back into position quickly on the rare occasions his side turn the ball over.
There was really nothing to debate when it came to the question who is the greatest footballer on the planet. What a waste of hours and spreadsheets it would be to present to you all that Lionel Messi is the best in the business. After one month of thrilling football, Euro 2024 reached its conclusion on Sunday evening with Spain coming out on top against England in the final. In our first bold break from previous ranks, we’re grouping all those in the defensive third under a single banner, though don’t think that this list is limited to center-backs. All three main positions — right-back, center-back, left-back — are covered in the run-down, and rightly so.