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Ranking the top 25 men’s soccer players of the 21st century
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ESPN’s Top 100 athletes: The best of men’s and women’s soccer (2:33)
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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar are just some of the names who come up in the debate over the best soccer players in the 21st century. Then there are upcoming stars such as Kylian Mbappé and players of a different era such as Ronaldinho. Where do they stand?

The conversation can be a never-ending one. How do you rank legends of the game — some the best we’ve ever seen — against each other?

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It was no easy feat (and disagreements will surely follow), but after collating together thousands of votes, we present to you our ranking of the best 20 male soccer players of the 21st century — and five others who just missed the list.

1. Lionel Messi
Key accomplishments: 10-time LaLiga champion, seven-time Copa del Rey winner, four-time Champions League winner, six-time Champions League top scorer, 17-time FIFA FIFPro World XI, World Cup winner, two-time Copa América winner, two-time FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, record goal scorer for Barcelona (672) and Argentina (109)

Messi winning the World Cup in Argentina in 2022 was perhaps the biggest Hollywood ending that soccer has ever seen. After losing the 2014 final, it looked like it would never happen for Messi, who had won everything else in the game for club and country, but the crowning moment of his career finally arrived at the age of 34. He scored twice in the final as Argentina beat France on penalties, sparking an outpouring of emotion and celebrations around the globe.

“This guy transcends rivalries — even between Brazil and Argentina,” Brazil legend Ronaldo said. “I saw Brazilians and people all over the world rooting for Messi. It’s a fitting finale for a genius who has marked an era.” — Sam Marsden

Messi at Barcelona: The ultimate history

2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Key accomplishments: Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, five-time Champions League winner, three-time Premier League winner, two-time LaLiga winner, two-time Serie A winner, record for most men’s international goals (130)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s story is one of a supremely talented athlete, but matched with a drive and will to win. His career is best summed up by one of his own quotes: “If you don’t believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of.” Ronaldo has shown that belief throughout more than two decades at the top of world soccer and often proved it to be true.

“He is the best,” his former Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, said. “I saw Maradona a couple of times. I never saw Pelé. But Cristiano is amazing. This man is the best. Cristiano is a goal machine. There will never be another Ronaldo.” — Rob Dawson

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr adventure begins

3. Thierry Henry
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, two-time Premier League winner, LaLiga winner, two-time FA Cup winner, Champions League winner, Ligue 1 winner, Copa del Rey winner, Club World Cup winner

Thierry Henry revolutionized the role of the number 9 in soccer. Tall, quick, physical, intelligent, determined, arrogant and charismatic, he represented a new generation of strikers. One of the greatest sportsmen of his generation, he won pretty much everything possible and scored unforgettable goals during his career. But his most amazing feat is undoubtedly going the whole Premier League season unbeaten with Arsenal in 2004. He was outstanding in that campaign, leading his team to an achievement never repeated since in modern English football.

“I believe Thierry was on the same level as Pele and Maradona, definitely. He was an exceptional football player, but as well a combination of a modern player, huge physical talent, technical talent, but as well special intelligence. He was one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen,” his former coach Arsène Wenger said. — Julien Laurens

Where does Thierry Henry’s legacy fit into the pantheon of French football?

4. Zinedine Zidane
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, two-time Serie A winner, Champions League winner, LaLiga winner, Ballon d’Or winner, Intercontinental Cup winner

Zinedine Zidane transformed soccer into a form of art. His elegance with the ball, his incredible technical ability and his skills made him a magician. He will also be remembered forever for netting two goals in the 1998 World Cup final, of course, but probably even more for scoring the most beautiful goal in a Champions League final ever. His volley with Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 was the purest you will ever see, and with his weak foot as well!

“Playing alongside him was just incredible. There were games where opponents could not get close to him, could not get the ball off him. The ball used to be glued to his feet. Even at training, he would be unplayable at times!” his former teammate Robert Pires said. — Laurens

Allez les Bleus! The story of France’s 1998 World Cup triumph

5. Luka Modrić
Key accomplishments: Ballon d’Or winner, six-time Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, World Cup finalist, Croatia’s most-capped player, joint-most trophies won with Real Madrid

“I’d like to ask you to never retire.” As news conference questions go, it was unconventional, but the Italian journalist’s plea — after Modrić and Croatia were eliminated from Euro 2024 — was met with applause, echoing the sentiment. Everybody loves Modrić. “As well as being a top player, one of the best in the world, he’s even more spectacular as a person,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

More than any other player, Modrić was fundamental to creating Madrid’s relentless winning culture over the past decade. There’s no one standout moment — bar, perhaps, leading underdogs Croatia to a World Cup final in 2018 — but rather year after year of consistent excellence. — Alex Kirkland

Modrić still Real Madrid’s most important player, even at 36. Just ask PSG

6. Kylian Mbappé
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, seven-time Ligue 1 winner, four-time French Cup winner

Arguably the best soccer player in the world right now, Mbappé has followed the path of a prodigy. He made his professional debut at 16, scored his first goal at 17, played for France at 18 and won the World Cup at 19! His move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid this summer will take him to new heights and will strengthen even more his status as the heir of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2018, Mbappé took the world by storm and became the second teenager in history alongside Pelé to score in a World Cup final. In 2022, he made more World Cup history with his hat trick in the World Cup final loss against Argentina. “He is just a phenomenon. He is such a generational talent. You just don’t see many players like him. He is only 25, but his career is already amazing,” Thierry Henry said about his compatriot. — Laurens

Au revoir, Kylian Mbappé: How should we judge his PSG legacy?

7. Andrés Iniesta
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, two-time European Championship winner, four-time Champions League winner, nine-time LaLiga winner, Ballon d’Or runner-up

On July 11, 2010, Iniesta changed Spanish football forever. In the 116th minute of the World Cup final in Johannesburg, South Africa — with the game, tied at 0-0, having gone to extra time — Iniesta collected a pass from Cesc Fabregas inside the penalty box and coolly fired the bouncing ball low past Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Cue euphoria. Spain won the game 1-0, lifting the World Cup for the first and only time, and Iniesta instantly became the most popular man in the country.

An elegant, skillful playmaker, he also was a key member of one of the best club sides of the modern era — Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. — Kirkland

Andrés Iniesta talks Barcelona, Xavi and 1,000 career games

8. Xavi Hernández
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, two-time European Championship winner, two-time Champions League winner, eight-time LaLiga winner

Xavi had so many career highs that it’s impossible to pick just one. You might choose Barcelona’s famous 6-2 win at rivals Real Madrid, with Xavi playing a part in four of the goals. Or his performance in the 2009 Champions League final, supplying the pass for Lionel Messi’s headed opening goal.

You could pick Barcelona’s dominant 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2011. For a game that summed up an era, you’d highlight Spain’s 4-0 demolition of Italy at Euro 2012, the apotheosis of their tiki-taka short-passing style that Xavi personified.

But let’s choose an entire season: Xavi’s imperial 2008-09, when the midfielder — arguably the game’s best-ever passer — registered a staggering 20 assists in 35 LaLiga matches. — Kirkland

Xavi’s last stand

9. Ronaldo Nazário
Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, two-time Copa América winner, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Golden Ball winner 1998 World Cup, Golden Boot winner 2002 World Cup

The original Ronaldo was probably the fastest, most powerful striker running with the ball in the history of the game, capable of variations at pace and able to slow down, keep his head still and shoot at goal with cool precision. All of these virtues were best seen in the 20th century — but the 21st century came up with the best storyline. Twice his knee collapsed beneath him and he was left howling in gruesome pain; many thought the second time was the end of his career.

In the buildup to the 2002 World Cup, Inter Milan, his club in Italy, could not get him fit. Brazil took charge of his recovery, and Ronaldo took the tournament by storm, carrying a side that nearly failed to qualify all the way to a memorable triumph. It is one of the great comeback stories in the history of sport. — Tim Vickery

Soccer’s all-time Top 20: No. 6 Ronaldo

10. Ronaldinho
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, Ballon d’Or winner, Copa América winner, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, two-time LaLiga winner

If longevity were not a factor in defining the greatest of all time, then Ronaldinho would certainly be a candidate for his feats during his first three years with Barcelona. From 2003 to 2006, there was no better show in soccer. There have been few, if any, more talented players in the history of the global game, and all too briefly Ronaldinho captivated with his childlike glee at his own achievements, reminding so many of why they fell in love with the sport in the first place.

A disappointing 2006 World Cup was a turning point, and he appeared to grow weary of the sacrifices needed to stay at the top level. But those three years were unforgettable. — Vickery

Ronaldinho’s ‘what ifs’ are irrelevant, just celebrate one of the greatest ever

11. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Key accomplishments: 511 career goals, scored at least one Champions League goal with six teams, 12 league titles with five European clubs, named to UEFA’s team of the year four times, Sweden’s leading career scorer, represented Sweden at six major tournaments

“I can’t help but laugh at how perfect I am.” There has never existed an athlete who was as good as Zlatan Ibrahimović said he was, but the 6-foot-5 striker did as well as anyone could — and for as long as anyone could — at approaching that level. He was the purest scorer this side of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ibrahimović put the ball in the net at least once in four different decades, and he kept improving into his 30s. Oh, and he also scored at least 30 goals in all competitions six times between 2011 and 2019, peaking with an incredible 50-goal campaign with Paris Saint-Germain in 2015-16.

Ibrahimović was the personification of artistry and brute force at the same time. — Bill Connelly

Zlatan’s best quotes as the 41-year-old retires from soccer

12. Kevin De Bruyne
Key accomplishments: Three-time league player of the season (twice in Premier League, once in Bundesliga), Champions League winner, six-time Premier League champion, seven-time FA Cup or EFL Cup champion

De Bruyne has been the most consistently brilliant attacker on the most consistently brilliant team in Premier League history. After a frustrating early experience at Chelsea, De Bruyne erupted for 16 goals and 23 assists in all competitions in one season at Wolfsburg, moved to Manchester City and, after a transition year, became the main cog of the Pep Guardiola era.

In nine seasons with City, he has combined 102 goals with 161 assists in all competitions; he has been the best table setter in England for most of a decade; and, when necessary, he has been more than happy to put the ball in the net himself, often from range. Just a brilliant all-around attacker. — Connelly

Guardiola: ‘Legend’ De Bruyne can lead Man City title charge

13. Toni Kroos
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, six-time Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, three-time Bundesliga winner

Toni Kroos’ superpower? Passing the ball better than anybody, more accurately and more often. Kroos successfully played 20,780 passes in his 10 years in LaLiga — more than any other player — with a league-high completion rate (among those who played 5,000-plus minutes) of 93.6%. It might not be as exciting as scoring goals or dribbling, but if one man set the tempo of Real Madrid’s all-time great midfield in the past decade, it was Kroos, one pass at a time.

His finest work? This through ball for Vinícius Júnior in last season’s Champions League, bisecting Bayern Munich’s defence. It was a pass so good, it made teammate Jude Bellingham stop and applaud as the play was unfolding. — Kirkland

Modric and Kroos are the ageless wonders keeping Real Madrid from ushering in a new era

14. Sergio Ramos
Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, two-time European Championship winner, four-time Champions League winner, five-time LaLiga winner, 11-time FIFPRO World 11 nominee

Ask Real Madrid fans to pick their favourite Sergio Ramos moment and they won’t hesitate: the 2014 Champions League final, the 93rd minute and the most important goal in the club’s history. Real Madrid were seconds away from losing to archrivals Atlético Madrid on the biggest stage in club football, until Ramos’ header found the net, levelling at 1-1 and forcing extra time. Real Madrid won the match, picked up their first European Cup in 12 years and kicked off an era of unparalleled success.

“I remember it with a smile,” Ramos told UEFA when asked about the goal in 2016. “At the end of the day, that will be the lasting memory. I’ll be able to show it to my son, my grandchildren.” — Kirkland

Sergio Ramos’ 20-year career: Trophies, goals and drama

15. Carles Puyol
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, six-time LaLiga champion, three-time Champions League winner, two-time Club World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner

Puyol was not known for goals. He scored three in 100 appearances for Spain. As a centre-back, his forte was keeping them out. One of his three scores, though, was one of the most significant goals in the history of Spanish soccer. Climbing highest at a corner, he thumped a header past Manuel Neuer in the 73rd minute to give Spain a 1-0 win over Germany in the 2010 World Cup semifinal. It was a goal that displayed the strength, desire and commitment that characterised Puyol’s career. Spain went on to win the World Cup for the first and only time in their history.

“Puyol puts his face where most would be afraid to put their foot,” said legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi. That was Puyol. — Marsden

Carles Puyol: The inspiring leader

16. Karim Benzema
Key accomplishments: Four-time LaLiga winner, five-time Champions League winner, four-time Ligue 1 winner, three-time Copa del Rey winner, five-time Club World Cups winner, Ballon d’Or winner, UEFA Nations League winner

From being a prodigy at Lyon when he started his career at 17 in 2005 to joining Real Madrid at 21 in 2002 to then becoming the best player in the world and winning the Ballon d’Or almost 20 years later in 2022, Benzema went through a lot in his career. He was criticised for his lack of efficiency at times in front of goal, but he became a wonderful team player, helping Cristiano Ronaldo to shine and Real Madrid to win trophies before becoming the superstar after CR7’s departure in the summer of 2019. In five seasons from 2019 to 2023, he scored 30, 27, 30, 44 and 31 goals, adding 51 assists in total over this period too. He was unstoppable and produced his best football while over the age of 30.

“Like great French wine, Benzema becomes even better with age. He is one of the footballers with the highest IQ and intelligence in the game and an incredible desire to always help his team and be the best,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. — Laurens

Karim Benzema fulfills a lifelong dream in winning 2022 Ballon d’Or

17. Sergio Busquets
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, nine-time LaLiga champion, three-time Champions League winner, three-time Club World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner

No one summed up the role and importance of Busquets better than former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. “You watch the game, you don’t see Busquets,” he said. “But if you watch Busquets, you see the whole game.” While teammates Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi took the plaudits, they would all say that their success would not have been possible without Busquets cleaning up and starting attacks at the base of the midfield.

There is no one moment or season but rather sustained excellence over more than a decade. (Although there is his trademark drag back move with the ball at his feet.) In 15 seasons with Barcelona’s first team, he never played fewer than 40 matches, winning everything there is to win for club and country. — Marsden

Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets holds the key to future midfield

18. Robert Lewandowski
Key accomplishments: UEFA Champions League winner, 10-time Bundesliga champion, LaLiga winner, two-time World Soccer Player of the Year, two-time Ballon d’Or Striker of the Year, UEFA Player of the Year, seven-time Bundesliga leading goal scorer, 83 international goals (most for a Polish player, fourth most for any European man)

Lewandowski is one of the most consistent and technically brilliant forwards of the 21st century, but he will forever be known for the time he made Pep Guardiola smile like a drunken romantic. Early in the 2015-16 season, Guardiola’s Bayern Munich trailed Wolfsburg 1-0 at halftime; Lewandowski entered the match for the second half and proceeded to score in the 51st (with his left foot), 52nd (with his right foot from distance), 55th (off a rebound), 57th (on a counterattack) and 60th minutes.

On the last one, Lewandowski was almost imitating the technique on the Bundesliga logo. That makes sense, as he and his Bayern team defined the Bundesliga for his entire eight-year stay in Munich. — Connelly

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski among ‘footballing gods’ – media

19. Kaká
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, Ballon d’Or winner, UEFA Champions League winner, FIFA World Player of the Year (2007), LaLiga winner, Serie A winner

The last Brazilian to be chosen as World Player of the Year is the son of a prominent engineer, and one could say Kaká constructed his career with methodical precision. Kaká was at his best in his first spell with AC Milan from 2003 to 2009, when he excelled as an attacking midfielder with few frills, flicks and tricks but with a burst of acceleration, sustained power, vision and an eye for goal.

Injuries took away some of his speed and brought about a relatively early decline, but in his prime, he was an almost unstoppable force whose lack of ornamentation made the game look very simple. — Vickery

Kaka’s spectacular run overshadowed by his successors

20. Neymar
Key accomplishments: UEFA Champions League winner, two-time LaLiga winner, five-time Ligue 1 winner, FIFA Puskas Award (2011), Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer

The boy prince has never quite grown into the king of the game; the World Player of the Year award, always seen as an objective, has proved elusive, and he has yet to win a major title with his country. Neymar also is widely associated with antics and excessive diving. But it would be unwise to write off his career as a complete disappointment. He has scored more goals for Brazil than anyone else — a mighty achievement — and he has produced moments of exceptional magic, especially in his time with Barcelona. And there are still further chapters to be written. — Vickery

Neymar’s mixed legacy after 15 years: where do we stand?

Just missed the list
21. Andrea Pirlo
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, two-time UEFA Champions League winner, six-time Serie A winner, three-time Serie A Footballer of the Year

So great was the Italian maestro’s impact on the game that the “Pirlo role” was recognized globally as the position its namesake perfected, picking inch-perfect passes for his teammates with a nonchalance and technique that etched his name among the greatest midfielders to have played the game. — SherShah Atif

Another architect in Manaus

22. Wayne Rooney
Key accomplishments: Five-time English Premier League winner, UEFA Champions League winner, two-time PFA Young Player of the Year, 2004 Golden Boy Award, Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, Manchester United all-time top scorer

Widely regarded as one of the most complete strikers to grace modern soccer, Rooney looked the full package upon scoring in his Premier League debut at just 16 years old. He went on to display grit, power and finishing ability over a stellar career for club and country. — Atif

Rooney is Man United’s greatest goal scorer, but what is his legacy?

23. Patrick Vieira
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, three-time English Premier League winner, four-time English FA Cup winner, five-time Serie A winner, Premier League Hall of Fame inductee

As captain of Arsenal, Vieira’s composure, leadership and fearless spirit were central to the club’s unprecedented season in 2003-04, when “The Invincibles” went undefeated to lift the English Premier League title. — Atif

What did the ‘Invincibles’ have that Arsene Wenger’s newer Arsenal lacked?

24. Luis Suárez
Key accomplishments: UEFA Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, four-time Copa del Rey winner, Copa América winner, all-time goal scorer for Uruguay

A player with a knack for scoring goals, Suarez found the net wherever he went, whether that was Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, making him one of the most fearsome strikers in the world during his heyday. — Atif

Portrait of a serial winner

25. Gianluigi Buffon
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, FIFA World Cup Golden Glove Award (2006), 10-time Serie A winner, six-time Coppa Italia winner, 13-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award, most appearances in Serie A, most appearances for Italy, two-time UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year winner

The talismanic goalkeeper enjoyed a 28-year career, and he is arguably the greatest player at his position following a trophy-laden career. That he was named the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year at 39 years old is a testament to his ageless class. — Atif

Gianluigi Buffon retires: Five saves that defined his career

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Ranking the top 25 women’s soccer players of the 21st century
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Jul 23, 2024, 02:39 PM
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Women’s football has grown exponentially in the 21st century, especially over the past several years. We’ve seen record-breaking attendance at the league and international level, we’ve seen national teams closing the competitive gap to traditional giants of the game, and young stars are popping up all over the world to illustrate the rising immense talent.

At the center of it all is the individual talent on show. From legends such as United States’ Mia Hamm and Brazil’s Marta, to younger players Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr and more, they’ve all contributed to the game in their own unique way. So how do we rank them against each other?

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After looking at individual achievements, their performances for club and country, and their overall impact on the game, we were able to put together the best 20 women’s soccer players in the 21st century.

Let the debate begin!

1. Marta
Key accomplishments: Six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Brazil’s top goal scorer all time, record World Cup goal scorer, Golden Ball winner 2007 Women’s World Cup, Golden Boot winner 2007 Women’s World Cup

There may be a temptation for Marta to stay on for one last crack at the World Cup on home soil in 2027, but as it stands the Paris Olympics is her last try for a world title with the Brazilian national team. Not having such an honor does not put the slightest dent in her legacy. Marta is quite simply the most important player in the history of women’s football. There will never be another Marta.

Gliding past opponents, beating keepers with a wand of a left foot, Marta came from nowhere — a poor family in a remote part of Brazil — to legitimize the sport in places where it struggled to be taken seriously. The inspirer of millions of dreams, the one who showed that the women’s game can be an art form. — Tim Vickery

Marta’s World Cup finale overshadowed by Brazil’s poor play

2. Aitana Bonmatí
Key accomplishments: Five-time Liga F champion, six-time Copa de la Reina winner, three-time Champions League winner, two-time Champions League final MVP, FIFA World Cup winner, World Cup final MVP, World Cup Golden Ball, Ballon d’Or winner

Bonmatí’s 2022-23 campaign is unrivalled in women’s soccer. She won the top prizes in club and international football — the Champions League with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain — and was named the MVP in both finals.

She is a midfielder who can do everything: dictate games, beat players, create chances and score. That success with Barça and Spain saw her crowned the best player in the world, as she was awarded both the Ballon d’Or and named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the first time in her career. — Sam Marsden

Aitana Bonmati talks ‘Barcelona DNA,’ pressure of winning and UWCL final

3. Alexia Putellas
Key accomplishments: Eight-time Liga F champion, eight-time Copa de la Reina winner, three-time Champions League winner, Champions League Player of the Season winner, World Cup winner, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, two-time The Best FIFA Women’s Player winner

Putellas’ career has been a battle on and off the pitch. On the pitch, she has transformed Spanish soccer, playing a part in Barça winning three Champions Leagues in four years and Spain becoming world champions. Off the pitch, she led the fight against the Spanish Football Federation for improved working conditions.

She has become an icon in Barcelona, where her image has filled huge advertising boards in the city centre, and she is known as La Reina.

“She is the captain and the queen of Barcelona for a reason,” teammate Lucy Bronze said after Putellas’ goal in the 2024 Champions League final. “She showed today why she is a back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.” — Marsden

Putellas key to Spain’s Women’s World Cup hopes after injury

4. Mia Hamm
Key accomplishments: Two-time World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA Division I champion, three-time ESPYS winner, U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame inductee

Mia Hamm is perhaps the first global superstar to emerge out of women’s soccer, and she was a reluctant one at that. But on the field, in contrast, she played with the confidence and killer instinct you’d expect from one of the world’s greatest goal-scorers.

Throughout a brilliant career, Hamm had a knack for exceptional ball control and precision in her shots. That’s why she still is the No. 2 goals leader for the USWNT, with 158 international goals. — Caitlin Murray

The essence of Mia

5. Alexandra Popp
Key accomplishments: Two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner, seven-time Frauen-Bundesliga winner, three-time Germany Footballer of the Year

In every interview about Popp, her leadership is consistently commended. Germany’s former manager, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, called her “a great leader and one of the very best,” while former Wolfsburg head coach Ralf Kellermann described her as “one of the most influential personalities in football.” The 33-year-old has been the prolific driving force behind Wolfsburg and Germany’s success since 2012, so much so that her absence in either team leaves a significant gap after more than a decade of contributions.

“Her mentality and the energy she exudes every day inspire and motivate us all,” teammate Sara Däbritz added. — Keogh

Germany striker Alexandra Popp ‘proud’ of record-setting Euro

6. Kim Little
Key accomplishments: Three-time Women’s Super League winner, three-time FA Cup winner, two-time NWSL Shield winner, PFA Women’s Player of the Year 2015

When asked to describe Little in one word, current and former Arsenal players used terms such as “leader,” “colossal,” “inspiring,” “intelligent” and “irreplaceable.” Former USWNT star Tobin Heath stated, “I have never played with a better player than Kim Little,” a sentiment shared by many.

Since her career began in 2006, the former Scotland international has consistently excelled on the pitch. Although she is a quiet presence within the team, her experience and leadership have been vital to the club’s success. Little’s impact goes far beyond her impressive skills, making her one of the best players to grace the WSL. — Keogh

2022 ESPN FC Women’s Rank: The 50 best footballers in the world today

7. Birgit Prinz
Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, five-time UEFA European Championship winner, three-time FIFA World player of the year, eight-time German player of the year, nine-time Frauen-Bundesliga winner, 2003 World Cup Golden Ball winner

One of the best finishers world football has ever seen, Birgit Prinz’s limitations were obvious, she was never that fast and her standing jump wasn’t much to write home about but her strength on the ball meant that when the opportunity was there, Prinz almost always won the aerial ball or reached out a long leg to get the final touch. Her understanding of when to dash into the box and strike, of where to be to receive just the right pass from her teammates was bar none and that relentless goal scoring, a bit part of Germany’s success across multiple World Cups and European Championships during her 17 years representing her national team. — Lawson

Greatest Women’s Euros moments, goals, controversies: From Prinz’s brilliance to prize money and pitches

8. Ada Hegerberg
Key accomplishments: Nine-time French League winner, six-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner, six-time French Cup winner, Ballon d’Or winner, record for most goals in UEFA Women’s Champions League

“I want to get ahead of my limits. That is what I want to do as an athlete — explode all limits that exist,” Hegerberg said in 2022. Her tally of 264 goals in 244 games so far for Lyon, with 60 of those coming in the Champions League, proves that the Norwegian striker is limitless when it comes to goal-scoring prowess. This makes her an indomitable threat, but by her own admission, Hegerberg wants to set more records.

Club teammate Eugénie Le Sommer noted that Hegerberg possesses “unconventional qualities,” which contribute to and inform her remarkable finishing skills. — Keogh

Can Ada Hegerberg be Norway’s hero? Why winning might require more than just the star’s return

9. Pernille Harder
Key accomplishments: Five-time Frauen-Bundesliga winner, four-time DFB-Pokal Frauen winner, three-time Women’s Super League winner, three-time FA Cup winner

There is a reason Harder has won a league title every season since 2013 with four different clubs in four different countries. She possesses an intrinsic ability to elevate the clubs she plays for to new heights. Her presence, versatility, and experience uplift those around her, while her movement and knack for finding space and breaking defensive lines create a formula for success.

“She joined an already amazing team and took us to an even higher level,” former coach Emma Hayes said in 2021. “Her standards day in, day out should be what every young person looks up to.” — Keogh

Best 2023 Women’s World Cup players: Morgan, Harder, Caicedo, more

10. Vivianne Miedema
Key accomplishments: Women’s Super League winner, Frauen-Bundesliga winner, three-time FA Cup winner, UEFA Women’s European Championship winner, all-time top goal scorer in Women’s Super League, Netherlands all-time top goal scorer

Despite becoming the Women’s Super League all-time top scorer and setting numerous records, Miedema remains unfazed by her success. “It’s just another record or milestone that’s there to be broken and that’s the way I’ve always been. I’ve always treated records and landmarks as something to hit, be done with and then just move on,” she said after reaching 100 goals for Arsenal.

This mindset likely contributes to her rapid success. She isn’t focused on being the best, but is steadfast in giving 100%, and her approach to milestones is why she continues to excel. — Keogh

Why are Arsenal letting Miedema go and will they regret it?

11. Homare Sawa
Key accomplishments: FIFA world player of the year, two-time AFC women’s player of the year, 2011 World Cup Golden Ball winner, 2011 World Cup Golden shoe winner, two-time Nadeshiko League MVP, 2014 AFC Hall of Fame inductee

The gruelling 2011 Women’s World Cup was drawing to a close and after having pushed the final to extra time thanks to Aya Miyama’s late strike, Japan were fast running out of [extra] time to find a second equaliser. With just three minutes left of the allotted 30, Homare Sawa raced through the box, determined to be the one to meet Miyama’s shallow corner, and with the outside of her boot, Nadeshiko’s captain deftly flicked the ball through the crowded box and into the back of Hope Solo’s net.

Sawa’s timing and touch were just right — as they so often were — and the goal was enough to force penalties and give Japan and Sawa a piece of history in Germany. That moment is a major illustration of her legacy and prowess. — Lawson

What’s not to like about Homare Sawa?

12. Caroline Graham Hansen
Key accomplishments: Five-time Liga F winner, three-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner, four-time Copa de la Reina winner, three-time Frauen-Bundesliga winner

It is quite remarkable that Graham Hansen doesn’t receive the individual acclaim she deserves, because few players possess the innate ability to conjure scoring opportunities out of thin air like the Norwegian winger. During the 2023-24 campaign, she reached new heights, solidifying her status as one of the best current players. Overcoming previous injuries and setbacks, she notched 30 goals in 38 appearances for Barcelona, with more than 40 goal contributions in just 25 Liga F games and helped the titleholders retain their Champions League crown.

Her exceptional performance in this campaign showcased why she is so highly regarded by her teammates. — Keogh

Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen quietly leads team that wants more both on and off the field

13. Christine Sinclair
Key accomplishments: Top goal scorer in international football (men’s or women’s), Olympic Golden Boot, two-time Bobbie Rosenfeld award winner (given to Canada’s top female athlete), two-time MAC Hermann winner (given to the top men’s and women’s college soccer player)

There is no one anywhere in senior football who can boast the same scoring proficiency as Christine Sinclair, yet what makes her so remarkable is her calm leadership on the pitch. Like a true captain, she uplifts those around her and even if she was the one routinely finding the back of the net for Canada, her ability to drift between roles from striker to playmaker, and do whatever her nation needed, is what made her truly great. Her overall longevity and potency in the game speaks to a great soccer mind, one that’s always adapting. — Lawson

The legacy of Christine Sinclair, soccer’s greatest-ever goal scorer

14. Sam Kerr
Key accomplishments: Five-time Women’s Super League winner, three-time FA Cup winner, all-time top goal scorer for Australia

In the semifinals against powerhouse England, Kerr scored her first goal of the 2023 World Cup in the 63rd minute to level the tie. Despite missing the entirety of the group stage due to an ankle injury on the eve of Australia’s opening game, her tenacity, inability to give up and technical talent shone through. Kerr’s exquisite finish stunned the world.

Although Australia ultimately fell 3-1, Kerr’s rocket strike from outside the 18-yard box earned her widespread acclaim and highlighted her extraordinary talent as a player on the world stage. — Keogh

Sam Kerr and the joy and pressure of being Australia’s captain at the Women’s World Cup

15. Megan Rapinoe
Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, Olympic gold medal winner, three-time NWSL Shield winner, Ballon d’Or winner, French League winner

One of the most recognised names in world soccer, Megan Rapinoe has achieved incredible things both on and off the pitch. With the ball at her feet, Rapinoe created magic for the USWNT, including a pivotal assist to Abby Wambach for the equaliser against Brazil in the 2011 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

“It was a combination of technical proficiency and IQ,” former coach Jill Ellis said. “Megan has very good instincts. She understands when to come inside, when to stay wide, and she became the most extraordinary crosser of the ball.” — Keogh

No Hollywood ending for Rapinoe, but her legacy is assured

16. Kelly Smith
Key accomplishments: Six-time Women’s English League winner (now Women’s Super League), Five-time FA Cup winner, UEFA Women’s Cup (now Champions League) winner, Women’s Super League Hall of Fame inductee

After the 2007 World Cup, former teammate Alex Scott said Smith drove England forward “with infectious enthusiasm” and said “she changed the dynamic, and we all followed her lead,” after scoring twice against Japan. Smith quickly became widely regarded as one of the best players to come out of England by those who played with and against her.

Renowned for her speed, ball control and quickness of thought, she was imperative to Arsenal’s early success, winning the UEFA Women’s Cup and achieving the club’s first and only quadruple in 2006-07. — Keogh

England women’s record goal scorer Kelly Smith retires

17. Wendie Renard
Key accomplishments: Eight-time UEFA Champions League winner, Seven-time FIFPro World XI, 16-time French League winner, Champions League defender of the season 2019-20, World Cup Dream Team 2015

France’s Fox in the box (“renard” meaning fox in French), Lyon’s rangy reliable centre-back has been an ever present for both Lyon and France for 13 years, her most obvious skill her heading ability. But Renard is more than just a towering presence; she knows how to weave through a crowd and get her head on the ball before anyone else, her aerial prowess as important at the defensive end as it is at the attacking one.

Over the years, those goals have proved to be vital for France time and again: Renard has scored 38 times for her country — the seventh most of any player to have represented Les Bleues. — Lawson

France defender Wendie Renard’s improbable journey to the World Cup, in her own words

18. Dzsenifer Marozsán
Key accomplishments: Seven-time French League winner, five-time UEFA Champions League winner, UEFA European Championship winner, three-time UNFP Player of the Year, three-time German footballer of the year, Champions League midfielder of the season 2019-20

A talented youth player who played a key part in FFC Frankfurt’s 2014-15 Champions League triumph, “Maro” is best known for her time at Olympique Lyonnais, where she won a combined total of 19 pieces of silverware with the French powerhouse. The playmaker was at her best in 2016, remembered for scoring the decisive goal in the 2016 Olympic final before she transitioned from Frankfurt to Lyon. Her calm on the ball and ability to send in pinpoint balls from anywhere in midfield was enough to turn heads in France; so too was her ability to perfectly execute the pass to match her vision. — Lawson

Germany beats Sweden for first gold medal in women’s soccer

19. Alex Morgan
Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, Olympic gold medal winner, UEFA Champions League winner, NWSL Shield winner, French League winner

Described as one of the greatest games in women’s soccer, Manchester’s Old Trafford erupted at the London 2012 Olympics when Morgan netted the winner against Canada, securing the USWNT’s place in the final.

“I was saying the whole time, ‘I don’t care who scores as long as someone friggin’ scores and we win,'” said the then-23-year-old Morgan. With 30 seconds left in added time, Abby Wambach sent the ball to Heather O’Reilly, who crossed to Morgan. She headed home over Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod, securing a 4-3 victory, the U.S. then defeating Japan 2-1 to win Olympic gold. — Keogh

Why Alex Morgan was left off the USWNT’s Olympic roster

20. Kristine Lilly
Key accomplishments: 2015 US Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year runner-up

Long regarded as one of the greatest players of her generation, and indeed one of the best to represent the Stars and Stripes, there’s certainly no one who comes close to Kristine Lilly’s longevity: Her 354 caps haven’t been topped since her retirement in 2010. Maybe the most important moment of those 354 caps was Lilly’s goal-line clearance in the 1999 World Cup final, which denied China in extra time to push the game all the way to penalties and cemented the 99ers’ place in U.S. soccer history. — Lawson

Kristine Lilly: A true Hall of Famer

Just missed the list
21. Hege Riise
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, Olympics gold medalist, NFF “Best Footballer Ever,” 1995 World Cup Golden ball

Long before Hegerberg and Graham Hansen, there was Riise, the enigmatic attacker who was at the forefront of Norway’s early successes on the international stage, her goals vital in each major piece of silverware the Football Girls collected through the 1990s and 2000s.. — Lawson

Hege Riise to lead Team Great Britain at Olympics

22. Amandine Henry
Key accomplishments: Seven-time UEFA Champions League winner, 2015 World Cup Silver Ball, 2015 World Cup All-star team

A midfielder with exceptional vision and skill, two of Henry’s greatest moments were in fact goals: the determined winner against Brazil in the quarterfinals of France’s home World Cup, and her stunner for Lyon in the 2022 Champions League final that proved to be the difference against Barcelona. — Lawson

French Star Amandine Henry Heads To NWSL’s Portland Thorns

23. Hope Solo
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 2009 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, 2-time FIFA World Cup Golden glove, 2011 FIFA Bronze Ball, 2022 Soccer Hall of Fame inductee

Although Solo was not the first goalkeeper in women’s football, she was one who brought wider recognition to the role and quickly elevated herself to being one greats of the position. She was at her peak during the USWNT’s runs at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. — Lawson

All Hope, No Change: The Complicated Life And Times Of Hope Solo

24. Abby Wambach
Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time U.S. Soccer athlete of the year, 2011 Silver Ball winner, 2011 AP Female Athlete of the Year, 2016 ESPY Icon award

Of course there are her goals — she previously held the record for most scored by a single player in international football before being overtaken by Sinclair — but Wambach’s legacy is of her steadfast mentality that kept her pushing and believing the U.S. would always have one more chance in a game, such as their last-gasp win over Canada at the 2012 Olympics. — Lawson

After the storm

25. Julie Foudy
Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 2007 U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, 1997 FIFA fair play award

Long before she started her work in punditry and activism, Foudy was the U.S. team’s rock in midfield, leading from the front first as co-captain then for four years as captain of her national team. Like Riise, though, her greatest moments — winning the 1991 and ’99 World Cups — were last century. — Lawson

Foudy: My advice for Olympic athletes

Good News:Erling Haaland got married to a second wife after little miss-understanding with first wife saga.

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Erling Haaland facing Rodri upset as Man City and Real Madrid watch on
Erling Haaland struggled to satisfy soaring expectations last season and after a summer out of the spotlight he knows the way to reclaim centre stage

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BySimon BajkowskiChief Manchester City writer
05:00, 23 JUL 2024
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Erling Haaland of Manchester City interacts with Rodri during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Rb Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on November 28, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Rodri and Erling Haaland
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Erling Haaland must have had better summers.

One of the best players in the world wants to play on the biggest stages, but the Norwegian also feels the burden of trying to get his country to their first major tournament since a few months before he was born. It hurt to have to sit out Qatar 18 months ago, and it hurt to have to sit out this summer in Germany – even if it did give his body some additional time to rest up.

Watching the Euros continued a story this year that has not cast Haaland as the central character. It was Phil Foden who was awarded the two main individual prizes in England this spring for leading Manchester City to the Premier League, and Rodri who took the acclaim with Spain this summer. As Haaland enters his third season at the Etihad, there is work to do to reposition himself at the top of the modern game with Kylian Mbappe attempting the same at new club Real Madrid.

READ MORE: Man City may have to turn to rare transfer rule for Ederson this summer

READ MORE: ‘Outstanding, exceptional talent’ – City wildcard who could catch Pep’s eye

The rise of Foden and Rodri is a handy reminder for Haaland that achievements in modern football are forgotten very easily. Haaland could be forgiven for thinking a Ballon d’Or was inevitable given his breathtaking scoring rates, yet after somehow missing out last year to Lionel Messi on the back of Argentina winning the World Cup he may find himself trumped by Rodri following Spain’s triumph.

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Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup start in September but before then Haaland has to get back to terrifying Premier League defences with City. Thirty-eight goals was another remarkable effort last season yet things were definitely more difficult for the big No.9 – not helped by a broken foot that kept him out for two months.

His talent and brand are so big that he is always a first port of call for any TV debates. In his first year in English football Jamie Carragher said that he had joined the wrong club, and last season Roy Keane compared his all-round game to ‘almost a League Two player’.

Haaland knows that such reactionary takes are not present at the City Football Academy, yet they can still land on the striker. He addressed the Keane comments directly in one interview with Norwegian TV and spoke about criticism more generally in a press conference given before a Champions League game; “People say I’m good at scoring goals but I missed the biggest chance in the world a few days ago,” he smirked.

The timing of that press conference summed up the changed reaction to Haaland last season. In the week leading up to it he had scored six goals including five in the FA Cup win at Luton, yet the more pressing focus was a big miss against United in a derby he had scored in anyway. For a man of such phenomenal talent in front of goal, it had become more newsworthy when he misses.

If that clipped response suggests tetchiness, the whole performance was more rounded to show how the boy who had arrived in Manchester in 2022 with a reputation for spiky media interviews had matured. There were no attempts to shut down Real Madrid’s longstanding interest but confirmation that he is very happy at City, glided through as smoothly as his agent would have put it, as well as genuine insight into what makes him tick.

When Haaland talks, people listen – not least because it does not come often. The Norwegian reporters tasked with providing stories to their national papers could not believe their luck with an unexpected performance in front of the microphones from their talisman, being more used to asking Guardiola and other players about Haaland in a bid to interest readers at home.

Nobody quite knew why Haaland had chosen such a moment to speak, although it was hard not to draw a link to missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Messi where it felt like the biggest football achievements had not been enough to land the prize. At 23, here Haaland was presenting himself as a superstar off the pitch as well as on it.

“I’ve been missing, I missed a lot of chances,” he reflected. “I will still keep on missing chances, I will still keep on scoring goals, so yeah, I’ll probably miss a big chance in the future as well, and people are going to criticise me, but what can I do then?

“Should I think of that? No, just focus on scoring more goals and to help the team.”

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All it needed was the performances to follow…except they didn’t. Haaland blanked in six of his next nine games, including crucial Premier League tests against Liverpool and Arsenal and both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid; in the second leg, he went off injured after 90 minutes and missed not only extra time and penalties but also the FA Cup semi-final and a trip to Brighton.

There were important contributions when he did return – he came off the bench to score a crucial second at Nottingham Forest, smashed in four against Wolves and then bagged both in the first ever win at Spurs – but another blank came in the disappointing FA Cup Final defeat to United to end another successful season on a low note and he has since had to watch teammates revel in the international spotlight.

Expectations have gone up again, with Haaland becoming the most expensive player in Fantasy Premier League history for the new season at 15 per cent of the total budget for 15 players. In the real world, he will be scrutinised more than almost any other player in the world simply because of the reputation that he has built up.

The usual uncertainty surrounds Haaland as he begins his third season in the Premier League: can City have any more luck in extending his contract, and how will an expected Guardiola departure impact on that? How closely will Real Madrid continue to watch, having lapped up Mbappe on a free transfer this summer?

Then there are the more recent challenges that have popped up. Haaland needs to improve his record in the big games if he is to reclaim the mantle of being the most devastating player in the City side, with increased competition from Rodri and now Foden.

As usual, everything can be solved by goals. Whether he wants to assert himself as the central figure in a post-Guardiola City or wants to remind the rest of football why they should do everything possible to sign him, Haaland will know better than anyone that what sets him apart in the game is the volume of goals he can score and the number of games he can win.

As Foden and Rodri rest up from the European Championship, Haaland will be using pre-season to arrive at the Community Shield on August 10 to try and lay down a marker against United that will be clear all season. It may not have been his summer, but Haaland will be determined to do everything he can over the next six months to make the football world feel like it has been his year.

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