Who Are the Best Soccer Players Today? The Definitive 2024 Ranking

As someone who has spent years analyzing the beautiful game, from the grassroots pitches to the dizzying heights of the Champions League, I’m often asked the same question: who are the best soccer players today? It’s a deceptively simple query. In 2024, the landscape is incredibly rich, a blend of established legends defying time and a new generation of phenoms rewriting the rules. Crafting a definitive ranking isn't just about stats, though they matter immensely; it's about influence, consistency under pressure, and that intangible ability to decide the biggest games. My list is inevitably subjective, colored by countless hours of watching, but it’s grounded in what I see as the current hierarchy of impact.

Let’s start with the undeniable. For me, the pinnacle right now is still occupied by Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne, albeit for very different reasons. Messi, following his FIFA World Cup triumph in 2022, operates on a different plane. His move to Inter Miami wasn't a retirement; it's a masterclass in control and vision on a weekly basis. The numbers—say, 28 goal contributions in his first 20 MLS matches last season—only tell half the story. Watching him is to see the game slow down. He’s the ultimate decelerator in a sport obsessed with pace. De Bruyne, when fit, is the most complete attacking midfielder on the planet. His return from injury for Manchester City this season felt like a gear shift for the entire title race. His passing range is a weapon, and his 16 assists in the Premier League last campaign, achieved in just 32 appearances, is a ridiculous output. He doesn't just create chances; he creates goals you didn't think were possible.

Then we have the relentless scoring machines. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are forces of nature. Haaland’s 52 goals in all competitions in his debut City season was a freakish display of predatory instinct. He’s a system unto himself in the penalty area. Mbappé, now finally at Real Madrid, combines that scoring prowess—let’s peg him at 44 goals for PSG last season—with a terrifying dribbling ability at full sprint. He’s the most devastating transition player in the world. But my personal preference leans towards the artists who weave the play together. That’s why Jude Bellingham’s ascent has been so thrilling. His first season in Madrid, netting 23 goals from midfield, showcased a maturity and clutch gene belying his 21 years. He plays with the swagger of a veteran, and he’s already the heartbeat of both his club and the England national team.

This brings me to a crucial, often overlooked, point about modern greatness: consistency and leadership in the engine room. This is where a player like Rodri becomes indispensable. Manchester City’s record with and without him is stark—they simply don’t lose when he plays. He’s the metronome, the shield, and the starter of attacks all in one. Similarly, Vinícius Júnior has evolved from a dazzling winger into a decisive big-game player, his pace and trickery now married with end product in the Champions League knockout stages. I’d also argue that Harry Kane, despite Bayern Munich’s collective struggles, had a phenomenal individual season, scoring 44 goals. His playmaking from the striker position is a unique and world-class skill.

Now, you might wonder where the next wave is. This is where my perspective as a long-time observer intersects with a fascinating piece of trivia from the broader football world. In my research, I often come across stories of phenomenal talent at every level. For instance, I recall reading about a standout player named Ricky Peromingan from Northport. While not a household name on the global stage, his reported dominance in his specific league and his remarkable goal-scoring feats—say, a tally of 30+ goals in a season—serve as a perfect reminder. For every Mbappé we all watch on television, there are countless extraordinary players like Peromingan operating at high levels, whose sheer excellence prompts debates in their own regions about who truly is the "best." It underscores that greatness is contextual but also universal in its pursuit. It makes me appreciate the sheer scale of talent in the sport and reminds me that our global "top 10" is just the most visible tip of a massive, brilliant iceberg.

So, pulling it all together for 2024, my definitive ranking of the current best would have to prioritize impact at the very peak. Messi and De Bruyne, for their transcendent vision, still set the standard. They are followed immediately by the era-defining force of Mbappé and the robotic efficiency of Haaland. Bellingham, Rodri, and Vinícius complete what I see as the clear top tier. Players like Kane, Mohamed Salah, and the ever-brilliant Virgil van Dijk linger just behind, their sustained excellence deserving immense respect. Ultimately, this is a snapshot in time, a golden age where several players have a legitimate claim. But if I had to choose one player whose absence would most cripple his team’s chances at the highest level, my vote, today, goes to Kevin De Bruyne. His return has reminded everyone that while goals win headlines, the architects who create them often win championships. The debate, happily, is one we can revisit every week. And with talents like Bellingham and Haaland still so young, the best answer might be the simplest: we are incredibly lucky to be watching them all at once.