All through 2024, theScore’s Eras undertaking evaluated and ranked the highest 25 performers of the previous 25 years in MLB, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and the Olympics.
This week, we’re counting down the best male soccer gamers since 2000, a transformative spell outlined by the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two all-time greats whose enduring rivalry and stranglehold on the game could by no means be replicated.
The soccer panorama modified without end on Dec. 14, 2000.
That is when Lionel Messi, then 13, signed his first “official” Barcelona contract on an notorious (and now wildly costly) serviette. The game hasn’t been the identical since.
All Messi’s performed is rating over 800 targets, win 46 trophies, hoist the Ballon d’Or a report eight instances, and – in the end – obtain immortality in Argentina by ending a World Cup drought that spanned practically 40 years. First rate profession, that.
That all of it coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo’s superhuman exploits, usually in titanic head-to-head battles between two of the sport’s most storied establishments, is sort of inconceivable. Messi and Ronaldo’s affect on the game will without end be indelible, even when, in 2024, their time as soccer’s most spellbinding practitioners is clearly over; one’s made Main League Soccer his playground, whereas the opposite’s scoring targets for enjoyable in Saudi Arabia. It isn’t precisely El Clasico.
However with each nonetheless energetic, and the 12 months 2000 offering a clear, clear start line, we’re taking this chance to rank the most effective gamers of the final 25 years. Whereas this record is finally a celebration of their unforgettable period, it is also a chance to shine gentle on the brilliance of their contemporaries, whose GOAT credentials by no means stood an opportunity whereas Messi and Ronaldo towered over everybody and all the things.
You will not agree with all the things on this record. You won’t agree with something on it. There is not any definitive “proper” reply, no single barometer to make these comparisons, however that is a part of the train’s enchantment. It is imagined to elicit a response. It actually did for us. We spent weeks contemplating and debating dozens of sensational footballers earlier than whittling, rating, and – on a number of events – re-ranking the candidates.
We finally compiled a 25-man record heavy on attacking genius. There’s nonetheless room for magnificent midfielders of all types, although, whereas defenders and goalkeepers are current, too. Inevitably, European soccer’s high golf equipment characteristic prominently. In an period the place energy has been consolidated amongst a gaggle of rich elite, the most important groups gobble up all of the premium expertise and for probably the most half do not let go. These squads, headlined by everlasting Spanish rivals Barca and Actual Madrid, are nicely represented.
After which there’s the fluid nature of the game itself, which presents its personal distinctive problem.
Soccer, all the time in some state of reinvention, has continued to remodel over the past 25 years. It is undergone a number of stylistic adjustments as managers concocted new tactical schemes, whereas others responded naturally by making an attempt to both copy or fight these improvements. Whereas groups as soon as put better emphasis on physicality and pure athleticism to overrun the opposition, the famed tiki-taka passing revolution perfected by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona – and the all-conquering Spanish nationwide staff of the time – had its flip because the dominant strategy. Till it wasn’t. Astute coaches crafted defensive shells and counterattacking plans to thwart these possession-based sides. Till these counterattacks have been stymied, in flip, by high-intensity gegenpressing. Round and round we go.
All of that is helped put an emphasis on sure positions and forms of gamers at varied instances. The normal No. 10 function, as soon as a trademark of the game, is now largely an afterthought. Among the sport’s biggest showmen and artists have been phased out with it. Deep-lying playmakers took over as important, beloved figures. Inverted wingers changed conventional broad gamers. Full-backs, with extra space to take advantage of as these wingers minimize inside, grew to become key creators. Rangy defensive midfielders needed to cowl the areas they have been vacating, after all. Defenders and even goalkeepers wanted to be cultured with the ball at their toes. The period was in some circumstances as answerable for creating the celebrity because the participant himself.
In comparison with different sports activities on this wide-ranging collection – baseball, particularly – soccer’s knowledge revolution hasn’t been practically as pervasive. It is nonetheless in its relative infancy. Superior analytics for sure positions stays restricted, whereas even probably the most primary statistics from the earliest a part of this century are scarce at greatest, and wholly absent at worst. The numbers knowledgeable a few of our selections, breaking ties when nothing else may, however they could not be the only real consideration. We needed to take a holistic strategy.
That is our greatest effort to quantify this shape-shifting, oft-unquantifiable sport.
There was no single issue that assured inclusion. Not even the Ballon d’Or alone served as a panacea. We evaluated peak efficiency, the scale and breadth of a participant’s trophy cupboard – on each a person and staff stage – worldwide success (which is not created equal for everybody), affect on the game, and – particularly – sustained excellence over time. The latter, greatest evidenced by Messi and Ronaldo, carried important weight. Intrinsically intertwined, the pair set the impossibly excessive normal towards which all others are measured.
An ultra-critical observe to bear in mind: solely the final 25 years have been considered when evaluating the bevy of worthy contenders for this record. Accomplishments previous to 2000 have been omitted. Clearly, that had penalties, most notably for Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo Nazario. The French and Brazilian icons, inarguably two of the most effective footballers ever, made our record, however the timeline was a limiting consider how excessive they might ascend.
That standards had a extra tangible affect on Paolo Maldini, the AC Milan legend regarded by many because the best defender in historical past. His unbelievable longevity allowed him to play, and win, into the early 2000s, however an excessive amount of of his profession, together with his peak, had already handed by then. Erling Haaland, in the meantime, had the alternative drawback. In solely his fifth full season in one in every of Europe’s high leagues, he merely hasn’t been enjoying lengthy sufficient to justify inclusion. Come again in a couple of years and he may very well be close to the very high. For now, although, neither made our ultimate record. It may be simple to valorize the previous – nostalgia is highly effective. Conversely, recency bias can cloud judgement. We tried to seek out center floor. It wasn’t simple.
The likes of Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard got here shut however did not crack the record. They have been agonizing exclusions. The identical is true for Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero, who registered a mixed 392 Premier League targets and sit third and fifth on the league’s all-time scoring chart, respectively. They have been our ultimate cuts, undone by a scarcity of worldwide success on the senior stage. Harry Kane and Francesco Totti, in the meantime, lack the mandatory trophies. A participant’s complete physique of labor was put to the take a look at.
In that regard, Messi and Ronaldo stand alone. Who got here closest to reaching their heights within the 2000s? We’ll attempt to reply that query as we unveil our record.
25. Kaka đŸ‡§đŸ‡·
Period groups: Sao Paulo 2000-03, 2014; AC Milan 2003-09, 2013-14; Actual Madrid 2009-13; Orlando Metropolis 2014-17; Brazil 2002-16
Signature efficiency: Few gamers, if any, possessed grace and energy in equal measure like Kaka. Manchester United witnessed that firsthand in 2007, when Kaka placed on a present within the Champions League semifinals. He scored twice within the first leg at Outdated Trafford, together with one of many nice solo efforts in match historical past that actually left a number of defenders crumpled on the pitch in his wake. Of their desperation to cease him, Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra crashed into each other, bamboozled and overwhelmed by Kaka’s talent, acceleration, and inventiveness.
He scored once more within the second leg, and was central to AC Milan’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool within the ultimate, successful the free-kick that led to his staff’s opener earlier than splitting open the Reds’ backline to arrange Filippo Inzaghi’s eventual successful aim because the Italian membership hoisted the coveted trophy for the seventh, and, up to now, final time.
Why he is right here: In comparison with lots of his contemporaries on this record, Kaka’s prime did not final practically as lengthy. It is the principle motive why he solely squeaked in, versus being a cushty entry. His Actual Madrid tenure was largely a letdown, too, his physique starting to betray him after his costly 2009 switch. There are credible arguments for others on this spot – we had them. However Kaka’s peak, nonetheless quick, was completely irreproachable. In full circulate, the Brazilian was unstoppable, balletic and explosive on the similar time.
He warranted inclusion on the ability of his 2007 accomplishments alone. Along with the aforementioned Champions League triumph – a match he led in scoring that 12 months regardless of not being a striker – Kaka additionally took residence the UEFA Tremendous Cup, Membership World Cup, and was named Participant of the Yr by FIFA, FIFPro, UEFA, and Serie A, amongst others.
He closed out 2007 with the most important particular person prize of all, beating each Ronaldo and Messi to the Ballon d’Or. It could be over a decade earlier than anybody else replicated that feat. This sport, like most, would not lend itself nicely to consensus. However in 2007 everybody agreed on one factor: Kaka was the most effective participant on the earth.
24. Sergio Ramos đŸ‡ªđŸ‡¸
Period groups: Sevilla 2004-05, 2023-24; Actual Madrid 2005-21; PSG 2021-23; Spain 2005-21
Signature efficiency: Ramos scored 101 targets for Actual Madrid, an absurd whole for a defender. None mattered greater than his stoppage-time equalizer towards metropolis rivals Atletico Madrid within the 2013-14 Champions League ultimate. Trailing 1-0, the Spaniard, who additionally scored twice within the semifinals that season, delivered an ideal downward header off a nook kick within the 93rd minute to ship the tense match to further time.
Cerebral contained in the penalty space, Ramos labored his approach by means of site visitors, timed his leap, hung within the air, and met the outswinging ball on the penalty spot. Future teammate Thibaut Courtois, a real-life Stretch Armstrong, could not get a hand on it earlier than the ball nestled into the underside nook of the Atletico aim. Actual Madrid went on to assert a 4-1 win in further time, ending the membership’s 12-year look forward to its tenth European Cup – the vaunted “La Decima” – and kickstarting a commanding run of 4 Champions League titles in 5 years. Ramos was important to all of them.
Why he is right here: Love or hate him, Ramos is the defining center-back of his technology. A number of others, like compatriots Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, have sturdy claims to that throne; the previous was a greater pure defender, whereas the latter was a extra exact, completed passer. However Ramos was the right amalgamation. Crucially, he was current for all three of Spain’s main match triumphs from 2008 to 2012, beginning at right-back within the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup finals earlier than sliding into his most well-liked center-back function to assist his nation cap the unprecedented three-peat. Spain’s all-time look chief, Ramos was an influential chief on the pitch and within the dressing room, captaining Actual Madrid to a number of Champions League titles.
Ramos additionally represents among the finest returns on funding of any switch this century. He joined Madrid from Sevilla for €27 million in 2005, racking up 671 appearances over 16 embellished seasons, and outscoring defenders and lots of forwards alongside the best way. (Among the gamers charted above, like Ashley Younger and Antonio Candreva, spent minimal time in “defensive” roles of their careers, enjoying extra attacking positions extra usually, and nonetheless did not come near Ramos’ output.)
Did Ramos dabble within the sport’s darkish arts, straddling the road between truthful and foul? Little doubt. He regularly crossed that line, after all, amassing a La Liga report 21 crimson playing cards and – although he’ll by no means admit it – a blatant armbar that dislocated Mohamed Salah’s shoulder and knocked the Liverpool star out of the 2018 Champions League ultimate. These misdeeds could be sufficient to disqualify lesser gamers from competition for this record. Would a squeaky-clean Ramos have ranked increased? Maybe. However he would not have been practically as attention-grabbing to look at.
23. Sergio Busquets đŸ‡ªđŸ‡¸
Period groups: Barcelona 2008-23; Inter Miami 2023-present; Spain 2009-22
Signature efficiency: Busquets is among the true outliers on this record. He is gained the World Cup, European Championship, three Champions League titles, and 9 La Liga crowns, all as a central pillar of Barcelona and Spain’s success, but it is exhausting to pick any singular efficiency. That is not a knock however a testomony to his constant excellence.
He nearly by no means scored throughout his 15 exceptional Barcelona seasons – 18 targets in 722 video games – and barely was credited with assists. Messi bought the eye. Xavi and Andres Iniesta, too. Others, like Neymar and Luis Suarez, took turns within the highlight. All of the whereas, Busquets labored his understated magic. Within the absence of 1 signature outing, we’ll spotlight his 48 El Clasico appearances, probably the most of any participant in historical past. He was the fulcrum of Barcelona’s legendary midfield that managed so lots of these heavyweight tilts, setting the tempo and orchestrating the staff’s rhythmic possession for over a decade earlier than quietly departing for Inter Miami.
Why he is right here: “You watch the sport, you don’t see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the entire sport.” The well-known quote, attributed to former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, could not even be actual. It is origins are unclear. However it would not matter, as a result of it so completely encapsulates the delicate genius of the angular midfielder, fairly probably the neatest participant on this record.
He was technically a “holding” midfielder. However that description feels insufficient – fallacious, even. Busquets redefined his function, altering what it meant to play in entrance of the backline.
Rising in an age when prototypical defensive midfielders have been tough-tackling athletes tasked with destroying the opposition assault, the languid, lanky Spaniard was the antithesis of that mould. He did not fly into tackles and break up play. He orchestrated it. He wasn’t quick or significantly athletic. To be sincere, he was in all probability the slowest participant each time he stepped onto the pitch. It did not matter. He processed the sport quicker than anybody. Stronger, faster, and extra agile foes spent hours chasing him round in useless. They have been all the time a step behind. By the point they arrived, the ball was gone, Busquets already considering two steps forward, transferring himself and his teammates into simply the correct place to maintain the staff ticking.
22. Thomas Muller đŸ‡©đŸ‡ª
Period groups: Bayern Munich 2008-present; Germany 2010-24
Signature efficiency: Unerring consistency often is the signature trait of Muller’s lengthy profession, however he nonetheless hit the excessive notes. Throughout the 2012-13 season, he was instrumental in main Bayern Munich to Champions League glory. The semifinal first leg towards Barcelona, one of many Bavarian membership’s most well-known wins, showcased Muller at his best possible. He scored twice and arrange one other in a 4-0 victory, roaming free on the pitch, popping up in every single place and wreaking havoc.
He completed that Champions League marketing campaign with eight targets – a staff excessive – and over 1,000 minutes performed, as Bayern beat rivals Borussia Dortmund within the ultimate to erase the heartache of the earlier season and win the coveted competitors for the primary time in over a decade.
Why he is right here: Muller would not appear like your prototypical celebrity. Visually, he is ungainly on the pitch, skinny limbs awkwardly flailing always. Stylistically, he is not a pure match anyplace. He is not a pure scorer, a second striker, No. 10, attacking midfielder, or winger. However that is a characteristic of his sport, not a bug. The German, 35, is a combination of all of them, famously dubbing himself a “Raumdeuter” – area invader or interpreter – when requested to categorize his underappreciated enjoying fashion. “I wish to be energetic within the area in behind the opposition’s midfield,” he defined. “That is the place I can harm the opponent most of all. It is about intuition.” And harm the opponent he has. Loads.
Muller, Bayern Munich’s all-time look chief and winningest participant, has authored one of the crucial productive careers of his technology. Sturdiness has been key: he is made no fewer than 27 Bundesliga appearances yearly for the previous 15 seasons (discounting the present marketing campaign that is nonetheless in its infancy). His manufacturing stage in that point is staggering. His function could also be summary, however the numbers aren’t. This is the complete record of gamers with extra league assists than Muller since his Bayern debut in 2008: Messi. That is it. Air would not get far more rarefied.
He is the highest scoring German in Champion League historical past. He is a part of an unique record of gamers to attain a minimum of 10 World Cup targets of their profession – he gained the match’s Golden Boot in 2010 – and, with 33 trophies, wants two extra to surpass Toni Kroos as probably the most embellished participant Germany’s ever produced. Not unhealthy for somebody with no discernible fashion.
21. Robert Lewandowski đŸ‡µđŸ‡±
Period groups: Lech Poznan 2008-10; Borussia Dortmund 2010-14; Bayern Munich 2014-22; Barcelona 2022-present; Poland 2008-present
Signature efficiency: Guardiola’s flabbergasted response stated all of it. The then-Bayern Munich supervisor, mouth gaping and palms on his head, could not consider what simply noticed. Neither may we. The response – to today an evergreen meme – got here after Lewandowski scored his fifth aim in 9 scarcely plausible minutes throughout a 2015 Bundesliga match towards Wolfsburg. Take into account, for a second, that Guardiola watched Lionel freaking Messi do otherworldly issues nearly each single day for a number of years, but he nonetheless could not course of what Lewandowski completed. Requested afterwards for his ideas, Guardiola got here up empty. “I can not clarify it,” he stated. Identical, Pep.
You’ll be able to watch your entire nine-minute bonanza within the time it might take to explain every aim, together with the spectacular tally that capped the explosion:
Why he is right here: Scoring targets stays the only most tough factor to do in soccer – simply not for Lewandowski. The amount of manufacturing is inconceivable to disregard. In 17 seasons as a senior participant, the Pole failed to achieve double digits in league targets solely as soon as. Even that comes with an asterisk of kinds: it was his first 12 months at Borussia Dortmund as a 21-year-old, and he began solely 15 Bundesliga video games. Since then, he is hit the 30-goal benchmark 5 instances in Germany’s high flight, together with his 41-goal haul in 2020-21, which broke German icon Gerd Muller’s longstanding report (49 years) for many targets in a single Bundesliga season.
Lewandowski averaged 26 targets per season over his 12 Bundesliga campaigns. Proper foot, left foot, head, he did all of it in Germany. You’d suppose the veteran, now 36, would begin slowing down. You would be fallacious. He has 19 targets in 17 matches throughout all competitions this season with Barcelona.
One ultimate stat, for good measure: Solely two gamers have scored extra targets in Champions League historical past than Lewandowski, and you may seemingly guess the duo in query. It is also not completely ridiculous to recommend that the prolific Polish striker may surpass second-placed Messi. Whereas that would not offset the 2021 Ballon d’Or that many believed erroneously went to Messi over Lewandowski, it might serve to spotlight how distinctive the Warsaw native is.
Observe the rollout all week lengthy. Tuesday: Nos. 16-20.
