Football is an ever-changing meritocracy; therefore, deciding the best player in the world at any precise moment is a difficult challenge. That title could theoretically change hands after any given match depending on the level of performance an individual footballer has produced, and yet allowing opinions to change with such volatility would lead to nothing but subjective anarchy.
For those within that bracket, it then becomes a question of clear evidence of immaculate form – whether that’s goals, assists, clean sheets or passing the eye test for all-round play – and perhaps most importantly, who and in what competition that has been delivered against. But also crucial is how much you’ve got to show for playing well. While ability, form and overall impact are integral considerations, winning silverware is a vital ingredient for these Ballon d’Or contenders. Here is the list of Top 10 Best Footballers in the World In 2024.
Ranking Factors:
So, how exactly do we name the best player in the beautiful game at this very minute? Our criteria are as follows:
- Recognised as being world-class: To be the best player in the world at the moment, you have to first and foremost
- Well-respected: Be established as a top-level talent but also have
- Consistent: Produced the goods consistently throughout an extended period.
| Top 10 Footballers in the World Right Now | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Club | Country |
| 1. | Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid | Brazil |
| 2. | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt |
| 3. | Rodri | Manchester City | Spain |
| 4. | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway |
| 5. | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | England |
| 6. | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | Poland |
| 7. | Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | France |
| 8. | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England |
| 9. | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain |
| 10. | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Argentina |
10. Lionel Messi
Inter Miami and Argentina
The Qatar World Cup will forever be Lionel Messi’s crowning moment in football – above everything else – but the greatest footballer who’s ever lived can no longer be considered the world’s best player, mainly due to the fact he’s now plying his trade with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
See Also: Top 10 Best Defensive Midfielders In The World In 2024
That doesn’t mean to say that Messi, who turned 37 in June, is no longer capable of producing magical moments on the pitch because he still does that regularly with his current employers. He also deserved to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or award in October due to the fact he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory less than 12 months earlier. These all are the things that make him one of the Best Footballers in the World
Will he win another Ballon d’Or before closing the curtains on his career? It seems very unlikely at this stage, although you certainly wouldn’t bet against him if he helps Argentina retain the World Cup in two years. There’s a big question mark over whether the Barcelona legend will even be at that tournament, but a huge part of him will undoubtedly want to be part of the squad that defends his country’s world title. Even at the age of 39, the GOAT will still be miles better than the vast majority of professional footballers on the planet, so rule him out at your own peril.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Ligue 1 2022-23, Leagues Cup 2023. |
| Individual | 2023 Ballon d’Or, FIFA The Best Men’s Player 2023, Argentine Sportsperson of the Year 2023, Argentine Footballer of the Year 2023, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2023. |
09. Lamine Yamal
Barcelona and Spain
Those who follow La Liga won’t have been surprised by Lamine Yamal’s eye-catching displays during Euro 2024. The teenager, who only turned 17 on July 13, impressed everyone with his exceptional performances for Barcelona during the 2023-24 campaign in which he made 50 appearances for the Catalan giants.
Aside from his extraordinary technical qualities, what makes Yamal different from the vast majority of players his age is his decision-making. Time and time again, the youngster makes the right decisions when it matters most. Once bathed by Lionel Messi as a baby, it would be a shock if Lamine Yamal doesn’t go on to win the Ballon d’Or one day.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | La Liga 2022-23, Spanish Super Cup 2022-23 |
| Individual | La Liga U23 Player of the Season 2023-24, 2024 Kopa Trophy, 2024 Golden Boy award |
08. Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid and England
![Top 10 Best Footballers in the World In 2024 [Ranked]](https://footballtimeline.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-22-1024x576.png)
It’s hard to remember any player arriving at Real Madrid and making an immediate impact quite like Jude Bellingham had done last campaign – let alone one that’s still at such a tender age. Unfortunately, the midfield maestro couldn’t end his Borussia Dortmund career with a Bundesliga title after they missed out to Bayern Munich on the final day of 2022/23, but he marked his debut campaign in Spain with a La Liga title.
As well as consistently impressing in the Champions League and scoring or assisting while with England on international duty, Bellingham has often offered himself as Real Madrid’s defacto chief goalscorer, excelling in a false nine role. An injury cooled Bellingham’s hot streak since the turn of the year, although he is still capable of squeezing out bright moments. Also ranked as the best young player in the world, the sky truly is the limit for the English phenomenon.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Spanish Super Cup 2024, La Liga 2023-24, Champions League 2023-24. |
| Individual | Bundesliga Player of the Season 2023-23, Bundesliga Team of the Season 2023-23, Kopa Trophy 2023, La Liga Player of the Season 2023-24, La Liga Team of the Season 2023-24, Champions League Team of the Season 2023-24. |
07. Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid and France
![Top 10 Best Footballers in the World In 2024 [Ranked]](https://footballtimeline.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-23-1024x576.png)
Kylian Mbappe has ended his spell with Paris Saint-Germain and has begun the next chapter of his career at Real Madrid after completing a dream move to the Bernabeu this summer. As expected, Mbappe has adorned the No.9 shirt in the Spanish capital.
Despite the fact he knew his time at PSG was coming to an end, Paris-born Mbappe knuckled down during the final months of the 2023-24 campaign and ranked as the most prolific forward in the French top flight once again. The world-class forward was a disappointing presence for France at Euro 2024, but that’s largely because he suffered a broken nose early in the tournament. His start to life with his new employers has been unexpectedly difficult, however, hence why he’s not higher up this list as things stand.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Ligue 1 2022-23 & 2023-24, Trophee des Champions 2023. |
| Individual | Ligue 1 Player of the Season 2022-23 & 2023-24, Ligue 1 Top Scorer 2022-23 & 2023-24, Ligue 1 Team of the Season 2022-23 & 2023-24, Ballon d’Or 3rd Place. |
06. Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona and Poland
![Top 10 Best Footballers in the World In 2024 [Ranked]](https://footballtimeline.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-24-1024x576.png)
Robert Lewandowski’s remontada is one for the ages. The enigmatic Pole, 36, is well-known throughout Europe for being incredible at what he gets paid the big bucks to do: score goals. Whether it was for Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, sides in Germany’s top tier were sick at the sight of the 156-cap international thanks to his ruthless, timely finishing in front of goal.
A move to Barcelona beckoned in the summer of 2022 and the goals have continued to be provided in plentiful surprise. Becoming the division’s top goalscorer in his maiden season (2022/23) with 23 strikes and then firing the Spanish giants to a league and cup double the season after, there is nothing stopping Lewa from hitting new heights. He’s not one of the top 10 goalscorers in football history for no reason, is he?
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | La Liga 2022-23, Spanish Super Cup 2022-23 |
| Individual | La Liga top goalscorer (2022-23), Supercopa top goalscorer (2022-23), 12th in 2023 Ballon d’Or |
05. Harry Kane
Bayern Munich and England
He may still be looking for his maiden trophy in professional football – although it should be mentioned that he has made five finals – but Harry Kane features on this list for one simple reason: he’s continued scoring goals for fun since leaving his beloved Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.
If anything, the England international has taken his game to new heights since moving to the Allianz Arena. The 31-year-old enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career last time out and chipped in with a healthy supply of assists, too.
The pick of his goals was this incredible wonder strike against Darmstadt from inside his own half. Sadly for Kane, Bayern missed out on Bundesliga glory to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid after the striker had been substituted. From an individual point of view, the Englishman could hardly have done much more during his debut season in Germany. And you guessed it – it’s been much of the same in 2024/25. Goals, goals and more goals.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | None |
| Individual | Premier League Team of the Season, Tottenham Player of the Year 2023, Bundesliga Team of the Season 2023-24, European Golden Shoe 2023-24, Champions League Team of the Season 2023-24. |
04. Erling Haaland
Manchester City and Norway
Erling Haaland, unsurprisingly, wrapped up another Premier League Golden Boot award with 27 goals last season and has already started the 2024/25 campaign in sparkling form. In the first five Premier League games, he has scored 11 goals, including consecutive hat-tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham. If he were to continue at the same scoring rate across a 38-game season, the Norwegian striker would notch 85 league goals.
There are debates over the Norway striker’s overall qualities as a footballer in the purest sense of the word, but there is little substance to the argument that City are better off without him. Roy Keane may joke that Haaland has had moments that would make a “League Two player” blush, but even the inscrutable Manchester United icon cannot begrudge the Norwegian’s enduring quality.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Premier League 2022-23 & 2023-24, FIFA Club World Cup 2023, FA Cup 2022-23, Super Cup 2023. |
| Individual | Premier League Player of the Season 2022-23, FWA Footballer of the Year 2022-23, Premier League Golden Boot 2022-23 & 2023-24, Champions League Top Scorer 2023-23, Champions League Team of the Season 2023-23, European Golden Shoe 2023-23, Nations League Top Scorer, Ballon d’Or 2nd Place. |
03. Rodri
Manchester City and Spain
Defensive midfielders often don’t get the credit they deserve, so when one stands out enough to be named the Champions League Player of the Season, and finishes fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, you know they’re a special player. Rodri’s performances are always of a consistently high standard, but his virtual ever-presence as Manchester City won the treble shone a spotlight on his unsung heroics, while the winning goal in the Champions League final – a typically cool finish from the edge of the box – thrust him to centre stage.
Also named the Player of the Tournament for the 2023 Nations League as Spain lifted the trophy, Rodri has excelled for both club and country over the past couple of seasons. The worthy recipient of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri has continued to go above and beyond for Man City, producing consistently outstanding performances and chipping in with big goals. Currently out of action with a long-term knee injury, his absence is felt – that’s for sure.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Premier League 2022-23 & 2023-24, FIFA Club World Cup 2023, FA Cup 2022-23, Super Cup 2023, Nations League. |
| Individual | Premier League Team of the Season 2023-23, Champions League Player of the Season 2023-23, Champions League Team of the Season 2023-23, Nations League Finals Player of the Tournament, FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, 2024 Ballon d’Or. |
02. Mohamed Salah
Liverpool and Egypt
The year 2023 was a largely frustrating one for Mohamed Salah. Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League, exited the FA Cup and League Cup in the early rounds and were dumped out of the Champions League in the first knockout round. There weren’t any major individual accomplishments to speak of either, and at one point it even looked as though he was open to quitting Anfield altogether to join Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in the financially well-endowed Saudi Pro League.
Salah started the following campaign with a typical torrent of goals but struggled to replicate his best form after picking up a serious hamstring injury while on international duty with Egypt in January. The fleet-footed forward looked jaded and let his frustration boil over during a public spat with Jurgen Klopp at the end of April. Yet, under Arne Slot’s fresh stewardship, the Egyptian King is back to his goal-gobbling best in the red of Liverpool, often being their one and only saviour. He’s recorded 15 strikes and 12 assists since the start of the campaign.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | EFL Cup 2023-24. |
| Individual | CAF Team of the Year, FSA Player of the Year, IFFHS CAF Men’s Team of The Year, PFA Player of the Month (September & October 2023), Liverpool Player of the Season 2023-24. |
01. Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid and Brazil
Vinicius Jr has been at the heart of Real Madrid’s success in recent years. His elegance and skill on the wing have been crucial for Los Blancos. After an injury derailed his start to the 2023/24 season, Vinicius produced the best form of his career in the second half of the campaign, emphatically filling the void left by Karim Benzema’s summer departure and taking over the mantle of Madrid’s talisman alongside Bellingham.
The Englishman would be the first to laud his good friend and teammate and, during Madrid’s La Liga celebrations, Bellingham spontaneously hailed Vinicius as “the best player in the world”. And, well, it’s hard to disagree. As for his international career with Brazil, there’s no doubt that Vinicius will have his sights set on inspiring his nation to glory at the 2026 World Cup.
| 2023 & 2024 Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Team | Spanish Super Cup 2024, La Liga 2023-24, Champions League 2023-24. |
| Individual | FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11, Champions League Team of the Season 2022-23 & 2023-24, La Liga Team of the Season 2022-23 & 2023-24, Socrates Award, Champions League Player of the Season 2023-24. |