30 Best Footballers in the World (2026)

Football is an ever-changing meritocracy and, 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.

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 be recognised as elite.
• Well-respected: Be established as a top-level talent.
• Consistent: Produced the goods consistently over an extended period of time.

30

Antoine Semenyo

Manchester City and Ghana

Replacing Mohamed Salah as the most well-rounded winger in the Premier League, Antoine Semenyo has taken to life at Manchester City since his January move like a duck to water. Indeed, there’s always a fear that a player might struggle to turn form into permanent class when making such a jump like the one the Ghanaian took from Bournemouth.

But the all-action wide man continued to turn defences inside out to earn a spot in the Premier League Team of the Season, scoring 17 goals and providing a further four assists across the domestic campaign.

29

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool and Hungary

Liverpool’s Premier League triumph under Arne Slot in 2024/25 happened thanks to a combination of stars rising to the occasion. Dominik Szoboszlai was certainly one of those to make his impact known, weighing in with 13 goal contributions from midfield.

But while a great number of the Reds have underperformed in the current term, the Hungarian international has taken his performances to a new level. Sometimes not even lining up in his preferred position, Szoboszlai has been responsible for some fantastic strikes. Florian Wirtz might well have been signed in the summer to become the team’s creative mastermind, but more often than not, it’s Szoboszlai who has got the team firing.

28

William Saliba

Arsenal and France

Stephane Mahe via Reuters

William Saliba is every bit the Rolls-Royce defender Arsenal needed to start winning silverware. It may have taken Mikel Arteta and co. much longer than anticipated to start reaping the rewards of a very expensive squad, but a first Premier League title in 22 years last time out should unlock all sorts of doors.

In the coming summers, there’s still expected to be a lot of personnel changes, but Saliba should remain one of the most integral parts of Europe’s stingiest defence. He may not be shouted about from the rooftops like his partner in crime, but his assuredness at the heart of the backline is the type of cool, calm, and collected that makes defenders iconic just as they are effective.

27

David Raya

Arsenal and Spain

David Raya joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023, with the expectation that he would compete with Aaron Ramsdale. However, he quickly solidified his position as the Gunners’ number-one goalkeeper. He showcased brilliant performances throughout the 2023-24 Premier League season, highlighting his ability to play out from the back with ease and comfort.

The Spaniard joined Arsenal permanently two summers ago, having won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award in the season prior. Since then, he has added a second and completed a three-peat as the north London giants finally got their hands on a league title. Without Raya’s brilliance, they would not have tasted that success, and there’s a genuine debate to be had whether he’s at Courtois’ level now.

26

Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid and Belgium

Thibaut Courtois has been the best goalkeeper on the planet for a number of years now. The last time Chelsea lifted the Premier League was with the daunting Belgian between the sticks, which goes to show how important a world-class shot-stopper is.

The 33-year-old has been vital in three La Liga titles, two Champions League triumphs and several other domestic and European honours. Courtois is a rare big-game goalkeeper who thrives on the biggest stage, using his enormous frame to put top-class attackers off and keep the ball out of the net.

25

Jamal Musiala

Bayern Munich and Germany

Since bursting onto the scene with Bayern Munich, Jamal Musiala has enjoyed a meteoric rise. A creative menace who’s fantastic with the ball at his feet, he’s been so important to the Bavarian giants and Germany for so many years that it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 22 years old.

Having enjoyed a decent 2023/24 season where he managed 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions, he then kicked on superbly last term, scoring an incredible 21 times. He’s sadly fallen down this list through no fault of his own, having missed a chunk of 2025/26 after suffering a horrible injury at the Club World Cup. But the German is now available once again, and is already making his impact known in Bundesliga matches.

24

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal and England

Full credit must go to Bukayo Saka for the hugely impressive manner in which he recovered after missing the decisive penalty for England in the Euro 2020 final against Italy. Many players in his position would have crumbled after suffering such a crushing moment – particularly as it was followed by some appalling abuse on social media – but the shining star has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years and is now one of the most effective wingers on the planet.

Especially in the absence of Odegaard earlier in 2024/25, the Hale End graduate added another feather to his bow: becoming his side’s creator-in-chief. The output hasn’t been as consistent lately, particularly in the Premier League, but it’s still fair to say that Saka is among the very best wide forwards when at his best.

23

Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid and Argentina

You don’t see Atletico Madrid splash in excess of £80 million on players very often, and after the failed signing of Joao Felix for over £100 million, there was pressure on Diego Simeone and company to get this transfer bang on the money. Luckily, Julian Alvarez has delivered on every facet and is one of the hottest strikers in European football.

Fans had seen glimpses of what he was capable of at Manchester City, but he was always going to play the supporting role behind Haaland at the Etihad. Now in Spain, he has become the main protagonist and is banging in goals left, right and centre as he takes another step towards putting himself in world-class territory.

22

Nuno Mendes

Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal

Technically outstanding, the ball sticks to Nuno Mendes’ feet like glue, while he’s also been named as one of the fastest players in the Champions League. His pristine close control means PSG players feel comfortable feeding him the ball in difficult situations, knowing he’ll emerge with it intact.

With the electric Achraf Hakimi operating on the opposite flank, Mendes is often tasked by Luis Enrique to be the more conservative full-back, meaning his output in the final third doesn’t look overly impressive, but his stability has ultimately provided the French giants with the platform to secure four successive Ligue 1 titles, as well as a historic treble. With Portugal, he kept Lamine Yamal to scraps to secure his nation a second Nations League, and he’s already won 41 caps for his country. Still only 23 years old, he could easily become an all-time left-back great.

21

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

It’s hard to remember any player arriving at Real Madrid and making an immediate impact quite like Jude Bellingham did in the 2023/24 campaign – let alone one that’s still at such a tender age. 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 de facto chief goalscorer, excelling in a false nine role.

Having marked his debut year in Spain with a La Liga and Champions League double, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best players in the world when at his peak. An injury cooled Bellingham’s hot streak since the turn of the year, with him still struggling to get back up to full match sharpness, but he will no doubt soon be back being a big influence for club and country (if Thomas Tuchel gives him a call).