Ranked! The 100 best football players in the world: 2023

60. Rodrygo

Rodrygo has the 'clutch gene' to pop up when it matters – but this season has seen him adapt into a forward in a front two, and it's been refreshing. The Brazilian is devilishly talented and although he hasn't developed a consistency that Vinicius Jr has just yet, he's a pure game-changer. The future is bright. 

59. Achraf Hakimi

The face of the nation during Morocco's magical World Cup, Achraf Hakimi might just be the most box office right-back on Earth right now. He attacks not just like a wing-back or a winger, but a full-blown attacker: he's had another good year at PSG and still looks like one of the world's greatest.

58. Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak is perhaps the closest thing to Thierry Henry that we've since in the Premier League since. It's not just the long-legged stride, the body shape when he's knocking the ball across goal or even the way he pauses in front of defenders to beat them and cut in from the left – it's the pure arrogance of his play. Isak knows he's this good and knows how brilliant he is to watch. 

57. Bruno Fernandes

One wonders where Manchester United would be without their captain, digging them out of holes on a weekly basis. Bruno Fernandes is a unicorn in that side, able to conjure moments of genius like no one else in red – and though 2023 has had its tough moments for United, the Portuguese has had another good 12 months, moving deeper, dictating, assisting and being a shining star during hard times. 

56. Lois Openda

The fulcrum of the Lens side who pushed PSG closest in Ligue 1, Lois Openda has since upped sticks to RB Leipzig, where he's proceeded to run the show with just as much authority. The Belgian is quick, slight and direct: he's been great fun to watch all year and set for an even bigger move on the horizon. 

55. Dusan Vlahovic

Juventus have been a basket case for a while now but Dusan Vlahovic is unequivocally their best signing in years. Tailor-made for bullying centre-backs, the Serbian has been just as good in Turin as he was in Florence and is undoubtedly one of the best centre-forwards on Earth. 

54. Kingsley Coman

Kingsley Coman's trophy haul is simply ridiculous. The Frenchman is more than just a spare part, however, proving himself as one of Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel's most trusted weapons in a stacked attack. 

53. Luis Diaz

2023 will be remembered by Luis Diaz for being a rollercoaster of emotion for personal reasons. The Colombian has lit up English football, mind, with bolts of brilliance, becoming the heir to Sadio Mane's throne and winning a place in Merseyside hearts for his genius and guile in equal part. 

52. Alphonso Davies

Sooner or later, we need to have the conversation about whether Alphonso Davies should be playing right-wing – but for now, he's an overpowered left-back who burns the grass for fun. The Canadian has recovered well from injury and setback to go from strength to strength: is he the most fun left-back to watch in football? He is in our book. 

51. Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli's physical strengths are obvious: his quicksilver pace, his ball-striking, the fact he always gets his head first to balls. But what separates him can't be taught. The Brazilian will run himself into the ground for Mikel Arteta and will track back with as much intensity as he will on a counter. Having that much ability and work ethic is a manager's dream.

50. Mike Maignan

Mike Maignan was integral to Milan getting to the semi-finals of the Champions League and has emerged as one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe over the past few seasons. The best compliment you can pay him is that the Rossoneri feel they've upgraded on homegrown Gigi Donnarumma by bringing in the Frenchman – and considering what he was tipped for, that's saying something. 

49. Emilano Martinez

The archtypal 'love him if he's yours, hate him if he's not' goalkeeper, Emi Martinez has spent 2023 the same way he spent the previous 12 months. The Argentine has been the rock between the sticks for Aston Villa with key saves and moments of big-game brilliance, even crowned as the best keeper on Earth at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

48. Randal Kolo-Muani

From a superb season with Eintracht Frankfurt to returning home to France to replace Lionel Messi and Neymar, Randal Kolo Muani has had a massive 12 months. His stock as continually risen, however, as RKM has become one of the most exciting forwards in world football.

47. Kim Min-jae

He joined Napoli, slotted into Kalidou Koulibaly's old position and won the title – then he earned a huge move to Bayern Munich and hasn't looked back Kim Min-jae has become one of the best defenders on Earth through his unique blend of power, precision and physical might: he might just be the edge that the Bavarians need to conquer Europe once more. 

46. Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie De Jong has gone under the radar somewhat in recent seasons. Some pondered that he was intended to replace Sergio Busquets or reinvent the centre-back role – but as a No.8 in Xavi's system, he's been nothing short of excellent with his ball-carrying, ball-winning and overall intelligence. There have been tough times, but De Jong is still a top player. 

45. Joshua Kimmich

Now a fully-converted midfield metronome, the Philip Lahmification of Joshua Kimmich has been special to see. The German has been as imperious as ever in 2023 and one of the biggest reasons that Bayern don't just dominate the Bundesliga, they strangle it.

44. Takefusa Kubo

There were those that wrote off Take Kubo after he left Real Madrid, fearing that loan moves elsewhere in Spain hadn't unlocked the genius that everyone suspected was within. But in San Sebastian, the Japanese has been one of the most otherworldly wingers in the game, swooping in to create and finish, and being La Real's heartbeat from out wide. He's fulfilling his potential – and he could end up moving on to an even bigger side soon.

43. Luka Modric

Only when the last river has run dry and the last tree has been cut will Luka Modric not be orchestrating play in the Bernabeu, trivela'ing like a boss and running rings about players half his age. The eternal playmaker is still directing traffic for Real Madrid at 38: we wouldn't put it past him to make it to 40 at the top. 

42. Kaoru Mitoma

Kaoru Mitoma may just be Brighton's finest signing yet: do you know how crazy that is? Deadly in any space in the final third, able to generate power off either foot and capable of winding his way through when double- and triple-marked, the winger is simply breathtaking to watch and a big reason that the Seagulls have shot up another level under Roberto De Zerbi. 

41. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

For a man who allegedly sees football as nothing more than a job, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen sure is, y'know… good at his job. Last season saw the German conceding record low numbers, showing longevity in a man who has been at the top of his game for the past few years, now. He's just unlucky that he had to represent the same country as Manuel Neuer.