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

As someone who has spent the better part of two decades analyzing the beautiful game, from the chalkboards of youth academies to the dizzying heights of the Champions League final, I’m often asked the same question: who are the best soccer players in the world right now? It’s a deceptively simple query. The answer shifts with every matchday, every moment of genius, and every unfortunate injury. In 2024, however, a fascinating hierarchy has crystallized, blending established legends with explosive new talents. Crafting a definitive ranking is an exercise in subjectivity, of course, but it’s one grounded in watching hundreds of hours of football, poring over advanced metrics, and understanding that true greatness is measured in consistent, game-defining impact.

Let’s start with the undeniable. At the summit, for me, remains Lionel Messi. Even after his move to Inter Miami, his genius hasn’t dimmed; it’s just taken on a different hue. The numbers, as always, are silly. In 2023, he propelled Argentina to a World Cup triumph with 7 goals and 3 assists, a campaign of sheer will. This year, his vision and passing in MLS are a masterclass every week. He’s not the relentless pressing force of his peak Barcelona days, but his ability to control the tempo and produce a moment of magic remains peerless. Right beside him, and perhaps even edging ahead in terms of week-to-week influence in Europe’s most demanding league, is Erling Haaland. What he’s doing is almost not fair. 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions last season for Manchester City wasn’t a fluke; it was a declaration. His physicality is a cheat code, but it’s his predatory movement that astounds me. He doesn’t need ten touches. He needs one. Kevin De Bruyne, when fit, operates on a different intellectual plane than almost any other midfielder. His return from injury this season was like flipping a switch for City’s title charge. The assist numbers—over 160 for City alone—tell only half the story. It’s the weight of pass, the decision-making at full sprint. He’s the engine of the best team in the world.

Then we have the new guard, the players redefining their positions. Jude Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid has been nothing short of sensational. 18 goals from midfield before the spring? He plays with a maturity and clutch gene that belies his 20 years. He’s not just a talent; he’s a leader. Kylian Mbappé, with his electrifying pace and cool finishing, continues to be the ultimate weapon, though the PSG project’s limitations in Europe slightly muddy his claim for the very top spot this exact moment. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior has evolved from a thrilling winger into a complete, decisive forward, shouldering the creative burden at Madrid with breathtaking skill. And we cannot overlook the defenders. In an era obsessed with attackers, Virgil van Dijk has rediscovered his imperious best, the bedrock of Liverpool’s resurgence. His duel success rate, often hovering around 75%, makes him a fortress. Thibaut Courtois’s injury was a tragedy, but it opened the door for others, and players like Manchester United’s rising star Kobbie Mainoo are showing the future is incredibly bright.

This brings me to a crucial point about such rankings—they are inherently biased toward the spotlight. For every global superstar, there are dozens of players operating at an elite level who don’t get the headlines. This is where my own experience in football scouting and analysis comes in. I’ve learned that the ecosystem of the sport is vast. I recall a specific instance, not from the Premier League or La Liga, but from a comprehensive data project on emerging leagues. The reference to Northport and a player named Ricky Peromingan in the Philippines’ Philippines Football League is a perfect example. While his name won’t appear on any Ballon d’Or list, understanding his impact—perhaps as a prolific local scorer or a defensive stalwart for his club—is vital for a complete picture of global football. It’s a reminder that “the best” can be contextual. Peromingan might be the absolute best player in his league, a hero to his community, whose technical and tactical excellence, while on a different financial scale, is no less real. My work has taught me to appreciate these layers. The beauty of football lies in these parallel realities: the global spectacle and the local heartbeat.

So, who are the best? In 2024, it’s a tiered system. The immortal class: Messi, even in his autumn. The dominant forces: Haaland and a fit De Bruyne. The heirs apparent: Bellingham and Mbappé. The elite game-changers: Vinícius, Van Dijk, the ever-reliable Harry Kane, and the magical Phil Foden. But this list is a snapshot. Injury, form, and fate will change it by summer. What endures is the sheer quality on display across the world, from the Etihad to the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The debate is part of the fun, and my list will certainly differ from yours. That’s the point. Football, at its best, is a conversation, and these phenomenal players give us endless topics to discuss.