Ranked: The 30 greatest footballers of the 21st century

The 21^st century has been a golden era for football, with some of the best players to play the game gracing the pitch. The level of the game has increased, and so has the level of the players.

Each player has been chosen based on their skill, impact, and achievements. Let's count down from 30 to 1.

The Frenchman was so good that they named the position after him. Performing the 'Makélélé role' ensured the defensive foundation was present to allow Real Madrid's 'Galácticos' to shine. His ability to break up play, distribute the ball and maintain balance in the midfield made him indispensable to both Real Madrid and later Chelsea.

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Lahm's versatility and game intelligence made him one of the most reliable players of his generation. Captaining Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and winning multiple titles with Bayern Munich, he epitomised consistency. Lahm's ability to play in multiple positions, including full-back and holding midfield, meant his place in the team was always guaranteed.

Maldini is an icon of the game. The only reason he isn't higher up this list is because his career at AC Milan spanned over two decades, and his peak came in the late 1990s. That's not to say he wasn't any good after the turn of the millennium. His always impeccable positioning, composure and leadership meant Maldini continued to win multiple Champions League and Serie A titles as he transitioned from left-back to centre-back.

To this day, Neuer continues to revolutionise the goalkeeper position with his sweeper-keeper style. A World Cup winner in 2014, Neuer has been pivotal for Bayern Munich, winning two Champions League titles. His reflexes, ability to command his area and, in particular, his distribution have set new standards for the next generation of stoppers.

As one of the best central defenders of his generation, John Terry was instrumental in Chelsea's dominance in both domestic and European football under Jose Mourinho, including their Champions League triumph in 2012. Terry's aggressively commanding presence at the back, plus his ability to read the game, were pivotal in solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest English defenders ever.

David Villa is Spain's all-time leading scorer and played a key role in their golden era. Winning the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros in 2008, Villa's movement, finishing and versatility stood out. His domestic success at Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid further solidified his legacy.

Kane's consistency in front of goal means he is one of the most dynamic forwards in modern football. Thanks to his incredible work rate, playmaking and leadership, Kane went on to become both England captain and all-time leading goalscorer. With numerous individual awards, including the Premier League Golden Boot, all that's missing in Kane's career is a team trophy.

Though his peak years straddle the 20th and 21st centuries, Zinedine Zidane's brilliance in the early 2000s warrants inclusion. After he led France to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000, his contributions at club level were equally remarkable, securing La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, where he also played a pivotal role in winning the 2002 Champions League final with a memorable goal. Zizou's individual achievements further highlight his greatness, with one Ballon d'Or award to his name, alongside being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times.

Fabio Cannavaro is one of the finest defenders of all time, winning the 2006 Ballon d'Or after leading Italy to World Cup glory as the team's captain. With exceptional aerial ability for someone who stands at just 1.75 metres tall, in tandem with his extraordinary leadership skills, Cannavaro excelled at club level too for Parma, Juventus and Real Madrid.

Cole is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs to ever play the game, with an impressive career at both club and international level. His pace, defensive prowess and attacking potency made him integral to Arsenal's 'Invincibles' and Chelsea's European success. Cole's consistent performances, particularly in key matches, earned him numerous domestic honours, including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League victory.

Casillas has long been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in history. His remarkable reflexes and leadership saw him captaining both Real Madrid and Spain to major honours, including multiple Champions League titles and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His legacy is cemented by his role in Spain's golden era, where they won back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup.

Steven Gerrard was a midfield dynamo and a leader for Liverpool, inspiring the famous 2005 Champions League comeback. Known for his passing, long-range shooting and ability to step up in big moments, Gerrard is one of the Premier League's all-time greats. His loyalty and influence on Merseyside earned him legendary status.

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Salah's rise to global prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. His blistering pace, dribbling and unfailing goal-scoring ability made him a key figure in Liverpool's resurgence under Jurgen Klopp, helping them secure a Champions League and Premier League title. Salah's incredible consistency cements his place as one of the greatest footballers of the 21st century.

Zlatan has scored goals in nearly every top league, winning domestic league titles in four of Europe's top five leagues—Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands—with clubs like Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Ajax, among others. His trophy haul includes over 30 major honours, highlighting his consistency and dominance at the highest level of the sport. Ibrahimović's longevity is equally remarkable, maintaining elite performance into his late 30s across a career spanning more than two decades.

A key player for both Manchester United and England, Rooney's ability to score goals, create assists and contribute in various attacking roles made him one of the most complete players of his generation. His numerous domestic titles, including five Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, cement his status as one of the greatest English footballers.

'Lewa' has firmly earned his place among the greatest footballers of the 21st century through an extraordinary collection of accolades that highlight his dominance at the highest level. A two-time FIFA Best Men's Player award winner, Lewandowski was instrumental in Bayern Munich's historic sextuple in 2020, claiming the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League and three additional trophies in a single season.

De Bruyne is one of the finest midfield playmakers of his generation. With a passing range and vision that set him apart from his peers, his exceptional ability to create chances, score goals and dictate the flow of the game has been central to Manchester City's recent dominance in the Premier League.

Van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool marked a major turning point for the club, helping them win both the Champions League and Premier League titles. With his trademark composure and leadership, Van Dijk has revolutionised the role of the modern centre-back. The Dutchman's consistency has made him one of the best central defenders the world has ever seen.

Suárez consistently delivered at the highest level as a key figure for both Liverpool and Barcelona, winning numerous league titles and a Champions League as part of arguably one of the best forward lines of all time, alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. That said, the Uruguayan's career has been marred by several high-profile controversies, including biting incidents and accusations of racial abuse.

Ronaldinho's brilliance on the field transcended his dazzling dribbling and flair, earning him the Ballon d'Or in 2005. His achievements include winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and leading FC Barcelona to two La Liga titles and a Champions League win in 2006.

A key figure during Barcelona's domestic and European dominance under Pep Guardiola, like Makélélé, Busquets went on to define how a holding midfielder should play, orchestrating the team's characteristic tiki-taka style of play. His ability to dictate the tempo of a match, combined with his consistency, earned him numerous domestic and international titles, including a World Cup and European Championship.

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Kroos is one of the most decorated midfielders of the 21st century, boasting a remarkable array of achievements at both club and international levels. He has won the UEFA Champions League five times, four of which came with Real Madrid during their historic dominance of European football. A vital part of Germany's 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, Kroos delivered standout performances, including two goals in the infamous 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil.

Thierry Henry was at his peak in the early 2000s, dazzling the Premier League with his speed, skill and finishing. Arsenal's all-time top scorer and an Invincible in 2003-04, Henry was a complete forward. He later won the Champions League with Barcelona, cementing his legacy.

Ramos is synonymous with defensive excellence and leadership, amassing an extraordinary career filled with silverware. As captain of Real Madrid, he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy four times, leading the team to a historic three-peat between 2016 and 2018. Ramos has also claimed multiple La Liga titles and guided Spain to an unprecedented treble of international trophies: the 2010 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012. His ability to deliver in clutch moments, particularly with decisive goals in finals, cements his legacy among the greatest of his era.

Far from being the archetypal, tough-tackling, deep-lying midfielder, Andrea Pirlo made the position his own with his trademark vision, passing and composure. Winning the World Cup 2006 and multiple Serie A and Champions League titles, Pirlo's elegance on the ball, plus his impeccable set-piece delivery, made him a unique talent.

Xavi was the heartbeat of Barcelona's tiki-taka dominance during the late 2000s and early 2010s, a period that saw the club win four Champions League titles and eight La Liga crowns. As captain of the club, he also lifted the FIFA Club World Cup. On the international stage, Xavi was integral to Spain's golden era, controlling games with his intelligent off-the-ball movement and incisive passing.

Luka Modrić was the man to finally break the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d'Or duopoly by claiming the prize in 2018. A four-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Modrić's elegance, work rate and creativity have defined his career. Leading underdogs Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 was another remarkable achievement.

Iniesta's effortless elegance and technical brilliance made him a joy to watch. His seamless dribbling, precise passing and innate understanding of space made him a maestro either in midfield or across the frontline, elevating both Barcelona and the Spain national team to unprecedented heights. His ability to deliver in big moments, including scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, ensures his place among the greats.

Cristiano Ronaldo's career is a testament to unmatched consistency, physical prowess and determination. With five Ballon d'Ors, four European Golden Shoes, five Champions Leagues and countless titles across multiple leagues—Premier League, La Liga and Serie A—Ronaldo has firmly established himself as one of football's greatest. Naturally, his legacy extends beyond club success: he captained Portugal to victory in both the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League and holds the record for the most-ever international goals.

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Messi's career is defined by extraordinary individual and team success, with a record-breaking seven Ballon d'Or awards. His achievements with Barcelona, where he won numerous La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League trophies, are unparalleled in modern football. As national team captain, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, confirming his status as the best of his generation. His consistent dominance, both at the club and international level, has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.