The best players in the world - ranked

With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having entered the twilight of their careers, debates regarding the best footballer in the world are now much more complicated.

There are plenty of superstars across the planet, with the bulk of the most talented players plying their trade in Europe, but when it comes to comparing the top performers, the playing field is significantly more level.

Here are 90min's ranking of the best players in the world right now - and this list is categorically accurate, so don't even bother complaining.

30. Thibaut Courtois

An ACL tear has kept him out of action for the 2023/24 campaign, but Courtois has enough credit in the bank to still be ranked among the world's best goalkeepers.

His 2022 Champions League final performance for Real Madrid remains one of the great individual displays in Europe, with the Belgian hopeful of walking out at the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of the season.

29. William Saliba

When William Saliba returned to Arsenal in the summer of 2022, having spent three years back in France on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille, there was talk of him leaving the Emirates Stadium on a permanent basis.

But Mikel Arteta instead opted to not only integrate Saliba into his squad, he made the elegant centre-back an immediate starter alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. It has proven to be an inspired decision, with the Frenchman seemingly capable of doing absolutely everything.

'The sky is the limit' is a cliché often overused in football when describing a player's talent, yet somehow that may not do Saliba justice.

28. Florian Wirtz

One of the leading stars of the Bundesliga at just 20, Wirtz has been essential to Bayer Leverkusen's incredible campaign under Xabi Alonso.

The German has been a relentless provider of goals and assists for Leverkusen as they hunt a historic treble this season, with the youngster having shaken off a significant injury during the early stages of his career with little fuss.

27. Ederson

Without revolutionary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's existence, we may never have got to see the enigma in goal that is Ederson.

Bizarrely, for a well-conditioned 6'2 goalkeeper, shot-stopping is probably the weakest part of his game, but he more than makes up for his occasional handling lapses with flawless footwork and incredible positioning.

Few between the sticks have ever read the game as well as Ederson, and few have possessed his skills with the ball. Laser-like passing? Easy. A flat accurate delivery covering 75 yards? No problem. Unstoppable penalties? You bet.

26. Robert Lewandowski

No matter where, no matter when, no matter how...Lewandowski continues to score goals at a frightening rate.

The Barcelona forward took little time to adapt to life in La Liga following his move from Bayern Munich and has often been a shining light in dark times this season.

25. Son Heung-min

The Tottenham forward could have shrunk following Harry Kane's exit, but he has stood taller instead, providing a focal point for Spurs either from the left flank or up top this season.

Ange Postecoglou has managed to keep him firing for the Lilywhites, with Son still an often unstoppable force in the Premier League.

24. Declan Rice

Declan Rice's £105m British record transfer fee sounded alarm bells in the ears of sceptics who were unable to fathom why a player worth so much would still be playing for West Ham United at 24 years of age.

The truth of the matter is Arsenal were the first side to come anywhere close to West Ham's more than fair valuation of a midfielder who can play every role to an exceptional standard.

Arsenal have reaped the benefits of having Rice in their team, and he's a future Gunners skipper no doubt about it.

23. Federico Valverde

Real Madrid are about to enter a glorious era with so many future superstars set to strut their stuff at the Bernabeu. However, without industrious midfielders like Federico Valverde, there'd be little chance of the new Galacticos succeeding.

Arguably the best out-and-out central midfielder in world football, the Uruguay international has learned from the best in Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, showing his eye for a pass regularly, and does so much dog work to allow his more illustrious teammates to shine.

22. Antoine Griezmann

The Frenchman continues to go under the radar at Atletico Madrid but his sensational attacking returns speak for themselves.

Griezmann has been a chief creator and finisher for the Spanish side this season and has such an effortless understanding of how to make difficult things look simple.

21. John Stones

The transformation of Stones into a defender-cum-midfielder for Manchester City last season helped propel Pep Guardiola's side to a sensational treble.

The England international has struggled with injuries this year but remains an integral part of the swashbuckling City machine when fit.

20. Jamal Musiala

Bayern may not have enjoyed the most fruitful season, but Musiala's brilliance has offered some respite to the club's supporters in difficult times.

The German attacking midfielder is just breathtaking to watch, weaving in and out of opposition defenders with ease and often having the end product to match his quick feet.

19. Bernardo Silva

A man for the big occasions, Silva is such a graceful footballer. The twinkle-toed Portuguese continues to dazzle but doesn't attract praise quite as easily as some of his Man City teammates.

Silva almost left the Etihad last summer, but there is a reason Guardiola was absolutely desperate to keep him in Manchester.

18. Victor Osimhen

Napoli's star striker seems set to leave the club this summer, with a number of European's elite sides ready to fight tooth and nail for his signature.

Osimhen was crucial to Napoli's first scudetto in over three decades last season and is still finding the back of the next with incredible regularity this term.

17. Lionel Messi

The record Ballon d'Or winner is still sparkling in the pink of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, now sharing the field with some of his old Barcelona teammates like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.

Messi is still making a mockery of defenders in 2024, even if the quality of opponent he is facing on a weekly basis isn't quite the same standard he's used to.

16. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's quick ascent under Mikel Arteta has been massively helped by the form of Saka, with the young winger having been an absolute menace from the right wing for the Gunners.

The England international has taken on a significant goalscoring burden for the Gunners this term and is an absolute joy to watch in full flight.

15. Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias became the first player since 1989 to be named FWA Football of the Year in his debut season at Manchester City - such was his brilliance in central defence.

The Portuguese was also named Premier League player of the season, picking up the club's gong too, and has gone from strength to strength in a City side that finally lifted the Champions League in 2023.

Dias has three Premier League titles to his name and countless more are likely to follow if he has anything to do with it.

14. Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's most important creative force, the skipper has the rare ability to dictate play in the final third with his incredible vision and defence-splitting left foot.

Odegaard has been vital in Arsenal's push for Premier League and continental glory this season, with the Norwegian often decisive on the big stage.

13. Alisson

Arguably the most talented goalkeeper on the planet, Alisson has been immense for Liverpool again this season despite some nagging injury concerns.

The Brazilian continues to outperform his expected goals conceded total by a significant margin, with few stoppers better at sweeping from the back and coming out on top in one-v-one situations.

12. Lautaro Martinez

As Inter head towards another Serie A title, Martinez is set to finish the season as the division's most prolific goalscorer.

The Argentine forward does have the tendency to blow hot and cold at times, but he has been absolutely relentless in the black and blue of Inter for the majority of the campaign.

11. Virgil van Dijk

The best defender in world football at present, Van Dijk has been back to his imperious best for Liverpool this year as the Reds vie for the Premier League title.

The Dutchman, who is now captaining the Reds, scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final earlier this term and has been rock solid at the back for Jurgen Klopp's side all season.

10. Phil Foden

Ever since Pep Guardiola became Manchester City manager, local lad Phil Foden has been destined to become one of the best players in the world.

While his quality has never been in question, the 2023/24 campaign has seen the England international step up as a clutch performer, also enjoying his most prolific campaign in front of goal to date.

9. Antonio Rudiger

You know what you're going to get with Rudiger, the ruthless German defender a perfect blend of modern and old school centre-back.

The Real Madrid man has stepped up for the La Liga giants this season amid an injury crisis in the heart of defence, rarely putting a foot wrong under Carlo Ancelotti's guidance.

8. Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior has the luxury of playing alongside some of the world's best all over the field, but the Brazilian is just as integral to the 14-time European champions.

The 23-year-old's speed and trickery make him a full-back's nightmare and he has proven he can play as part of a front two under Ancelotti this term.

7. Harry Kane

Kane took no time in adapting to life in Bavaria, quickly finding his goalscoring touch following his summer move to Bayern from Tottenham.

The England captain could still break Lewandowski's record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season and has quickly won favour with the Allianz Arena crowd - even if his trophy curse looks set to continue.

6. Mohamed Salah

Salah guarantees goals for Liverpool and has even become a more regular provider for his teammates as he's aged. Despite having now hit 31, the Egyptian continues to dominate the scoring charts for the Reds.

With his old forward partners Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino having left Anfield, Salah - arguably the best right winger in the world - is now able to soak up the full adoration of the Liverpool crowd.

5. Erling Haaland

Haaland smashed the goalscoring record for a single Premier League season during his debut Man City campaign, netting 36 times in 35 matches for the champions last term.

The Norwegian may not be the most technically gifted footballer the world has ever seen, but his ruthlessness in front of goal makes him one of the planet's most devastating strikers.

4. Rodri

When Man City lose - which is a rare occurrence - it's normally because Rodri isn't involved. The Spaniard is a destroyer in defensive midfield, hoovering up the ball at every opportunity, but he also has the ability to pick defences apart and pop up with crucial goals.

Rodri scored the winner for the Cityzens in last season's Champions League final, cementing his spot in Man City folklore.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

A significant injury at the start of the current campaign kept De Bruyne out for several months, but he swiftly found his feet after a long layoff and is now back to his electric best for Guardiola's side.

The Belgian can do things with a football no other player can, with his passing unmatched in world football.

2. Jude Bellingham

There were question marks about how quickly Bellingham would be able to settle at Real Madrid after his summer switch, but he silenced any doubters within his first few games at the Bernabeu.

The Englishman has scored countless crucial goals for the La Liga leaders this term and is already one of the world's best midfielders at just 20.

1. Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe is almost certainly teaming up with Bellingham in the Spanish capital next season, with the Frenchman in flying form ahead of a long-awaited move to Real.

The attacker has averaged approximately a goal per game this campaign so far and Paris Saint-Germain have often struggled without him in the team. The left winger will be an enormous loss for them next term, but their loss will be a sensational gain for Real.

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