20. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Arguably one of the most underrated defenders of the modern era, Antonio Rudiger continues to prove his credentials in terms of Europe’s standout central defenders. Winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, Rudiger’s superb aggression and reading of the game make it hard for forwards to even fathom a way past him before he is charging out of defence quicker than you can say: ‘Auf Wiedersehen’.
A serial winner and a Carlo Ancelotti favourite, it’s been another remarkable twelve months for the 31-year-old German star.
19. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Moving for a fee of £105m was never going to be an easy burden to shake, but we must admit Declan Rice looks like a vital puzzle piece Arsenal have needed since the days of Patrick Vieira.
Mikel Arteta knew what Rice could bring to the Gunners and boy, has he proved it over the last 12 months. He's one of the game's most controlled midfielders – but not in the sense you think. He loves marauding box-to-box but he's disciplined to sit as a No.6 and defend, too. It takes maturity to do so and he's one of the biggest leaders in Arsenal's ranks.
Pipped to the title by Manchester City, the 21-year-old played 51 times for the north Londoners in all competitions and alongside the likes of Martin Odegaard and Jorginho, you could almost be forgiven for thinking he had played the game for 15+ years already. Cool, calm, with an underrated forward pass, most Premier League sides could only dream of having him in the pivot of their midfield, and that very statement says it all.
18. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
It is always hard to move away from the club who you owe so much to, but Cole Palmer proved all that matters so little when you are as talented as he is.
Dominating the Premier League in his breakthrough season, the Blues magician danced his way through defences week in week out to help his new side Chelsea, becoming their new hero in the process.
His often care-free demeanour makes you question if he really understands the talent he possesses, so much so, he had the nation on its feet with a rocket in the Euro 2024 final. Rewarded with a new contract, we have a feeling Palmer’s name will be on this list for many years to come.
17. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
When talking about boys to men, the last 12 months will easily be remembered as Phil Foden’s coming of age campaign. The talented Manchester City man scored 27 goals and registered 12 assists as Pep Guardiola’s men once again claimed Premier League success, with Foden’s form dazzling to say the least.
In perhaps the highlight of the season for him, Foden netted a wonderful hat-trick as City beat Aston Villa 4-1, popping up absolutely everywhere to torment the Villans. His summer also almost ended in glory for England at Euro 2024, but it wasn’t to be this time. Still only 24, there is so much more to come and we can’t wait to witness it all.
16. Alisson (Liverpool)
Still standing firm as one of the best goalkeepers in world football, Alisson Becker’s place in this list holds plenty of weight given he has helped Liverpool to another trophy in the past twelve months. Jurgen Klopp’s outfield additions have earned credit but having brought in the Brazilian from Roma in 2018, his shot-stopping abilities, coupled with his exquisite distribution make him a rock between the sticks that the Reds can time and time again look to count on.
His outrageous save to deny Miguel Almiron at St. James’ Park in August 2023 will long be remembered, as he continues to impress aged 32. Where will he be next season? We still don't know for sure…
15. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Is Virgil van Dijk only getting better with age? The Dutch centre-back had a tricky few years following his ACL injury back in late 2020. But now he is returning to his dominant best.
Physically van Dijk is still able to boss his opponents, but with an extra edge to his positioning and communication that naturally comes with experience of six years at the club. The Liverpool defence is only at it’s best – and certainly most organised - when van Dijk is calling the shots. He is also one of the best passers of the ball to have played centre-half.
Since Jordan Henderson’s departure, van Dijk has also stepped up by taking on the armband, which seems to have brought back his best form.
14. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have the ability to tempt pretty much any player on the planet to sign for them. But versatile midfielders probably aren’t top of their list at the moment. That is because Los Blancos can call upon the ever-consistent Federico Valverde, who remains one of the best in the world.
The master of versatility, Valverde can go box-to-box, sit and hold the midfield together or even do a job at full-back. The Uruguayan is defensively sharp, a master at retaining possession, but also has an engine allowing him to cover every blade of Bernabeu grass. In an era at Real where Carlo Ancelotti is often having to switch formation and tactical approach to suit his superstars, Valverde remains an underrated wheel in the machine.
Over the last 12 months, he has become one of Ancelotti’s most important players.
13. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
There's a reason that everyone compares their right-winger to Bukayo Saka. Since the England star made the move from left-back to a move attacking role, no one has delivered the consistency that Saka has.
Often misprofiled as a speedster, Saka's best trait is his brain. He's become the ultimate threat in attack for Mikel Arteta by beating players outside and inside, learning how to pick a pass and creating deadly separation. In two title challenges, he's been the Gunners' best player – or there abouts – and he's become integral to England for his versatility, work-rate and end product.
Saka always makes the right decision on the pitch and he's always delivering for Arsenal. He's a superstar already and primed to get even better across his career.
12. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Could we have a late challenger to be leader of the post Messi-Ronaldo football world? You never want to put too much pressure on a teenage prodigy. But then Lamine Yamal is no ordinary teenage prodigy.
Having made his La Liga debut in the famous Barcelona shirt at just 15 years old, in April 2023, 2024 has proven the year where Yamal became a truly global superstar.
At the Euros, the Spanish sensation won the Young Player of the Year award. His stunning curling goal in the semi-final win over France also won the Goal of the Tournament, Yamal giving a performance way beyond his years. A right-winger who can drop a shoulder with ease and a devastating left-foot, Yamal is already the main ingredient in the Barcelona and Spain attacking set-ups.
Simply put, this kid has the potential to be the very best in the world.
11. Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
For years he has had to deal with accusations of his defensive capabilities. But 2024 and particularly his form since Arne Slot arrived at Anfield shows that Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the world.
So much of Liverpool’s build-up still comes directly from Alexander-Arnold, even in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. His passing range and vision remain unmatched from that position. It is why Gareth Southgate wanted to play him in midfield just to get him in midfield.
But at heart Alexander-Arnold is just a world-class performer. It will be interesting to see how his game develops in 2025, with becoming England’s first choice right-back and a move to Real Madrid both realistic propositions. Liverpool fans will hope the latter remains merely a rumour, but the club will have to pay him the big bucks to sign him up for another four years.
10. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne is a modern day Premier League legend. In a team containing the best goalkeeper in the world in Ederson, the best defensive midfielder in Rodri and the best goalscorer in Erling Haaland, De Bruyne is still the player Manchester City miss the most when not available.
Take 2024 as a perfect example. Having missed months through injury, De Bruyne returned to the squad as City faced Newcastle.
Trailing 2-1 with twenty minutes to play, City were staring at a defeat and falling behind Arsenal in the title race. De Bruyne came on and equalised within four minutes. He subsequently produced the assist of the season for Oscar Bobb’s late winner, a crucial moment in the title race.
It is only one game and one example. But it sums up perfectly why De Bruyne is still one of the world’s best.
9. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Jamal Musiala announced his arrival on the world stage at Euro 2024 earlier this year with a series of dominant performances.
He managed to score one of the best goals of the tournament in the opening night win against Scotland, before lighting up the finals on numerous occasions. The leader of Germany’s new generation, Musiala attacks and dribbles with a purpose and precision that make him something of a throwback to watch.
The fact he can play on both wings or across the midfield, with equal success, shows he is far from one-dimensional. Bayern Munich’s failure to win the title in 2023-24 can’t be attributed to one single issue, but Musiala playing nine fewer league games certainly had an impact.
Who knows. England may well even be European Champions had Musiala not decided to switching his allegiance back to Germany in 2021.
8. William Saliba (Arsenal)
The best footballers in the world have an inevitability about them. Whether you know that they're going to put the ball in the net before they do, or whether you know they're going to stop it.
William Saliba is still young but has already entered that category as a defender. It's not just his considerable physique that makes you back in a duel, it's a combination of everything: his speed, his intelligence to read the play and his incredible composure. He could play in midfield, surely, were he not one of the best defenders on Earth.
There aren't many who get the better of Erling Haaland. It looks like a battle that will long continue, too.
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The age of 32 is often when lightning quick wingers or forwards may just start to lose a bit of their magic, ever so slightly. But that is not the case with the Egyptian king Mohamed Salah.
There is a reason Liverpool fans of every generation say he is one the very best to play for the club. And why so many fret about the possibility of him not agreeing a new contract and leaving at the end of this season.
Earlier in his career, Salah was all about his rapid pace and remarkable balance when cutting inside. These days his game is far more advanced.
His razor-sharp movement and intelligence around the box remains unrivalled in the Premier League. Salah will also probably go down as the greatest African player in history.
6. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
He may still be chasing that elusive major trophy after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. But make no mistake about it, Harry Kane has taken his game onto another level since his move to Bayern Munich.
Kane has actually managed to improve the German powerhouse, with his intelligent link-up play and ruthless finishing ability that makes him the best pound-for-pound number nine on the planet. He was unlucky that, unlike most other seasons, Bayern had some actual competition last year with the machine-like Bayer Leverkusen deservedly winning the Bundesliga Meisterschale.
Although at times he looked sluggish during England’s run to the final in Germany, Kane was coming off the back of an extremely gruelling season – and yet still scored three goals at the finals, enough to share the golden boot.
He remains a goalscoring phenomenon, and a leader for both club and country. There are few teams in the world that wouldn’t want Harry Kane.
5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
2024 could well be looked back on as the year Kylian Mbappe began a long reign as the perhaps the world’s best player. He left PSG with over 250 goals, a staggering achievement for a 25-year-old.
It seems crazy for the best player at the last two World Cups to still have another level to reach for, but that is why Mbappe has headed for Real Madrid. If he can deliver the Spanish giants yet another European Cup, few could argue there is a better player in the world right now.
We’ve seen his explosive speed and ridiculous dribbling ability for years now, but over the last 12 months Mbappe has become more ruthless in the penalty area. Who knows where a full season at Real, playing for the best club side in the world, may take his game to.
4. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
It’s easy to forget Jude Bellingham is still only 21 years old. Already in his young career, the Brummie has shone at Borussia Dortmund, become England’s talisman and set La Liga alight at the biggest club in the world.
The exciting teenager has developed into a mature all-round dominant force and one of the best footballers on the planet.
After helping Real Madrid to a Champions League and La Liga double, the Euros were always going to tough, carrying the weight of England’s expectations on his shoulders.
Yet he helped them very nearly go all the way, coming extremely close to ending the Three Lions’ years of hurt. As he said after that dramatic win over Slovakia, he writes his own scripts. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
100 Manchester City goals in just 105 games. You almost become immune to the impact of football records when talking about Erling Haaland.
But the speed of his goalscoring is a freak of nature. The Norwegian missile is capable of anything. His power, strength and speed make him almost unplayable on his day.
If he stays at City for another four to five years, Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record will be in danger. Perhaps there is no higher compliment than that.
Haaland is a force of nature. It’s laughable to think he was ever doubted when coming to the Premier League.
2. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
The Brazilian forward is one of the most watchable players in the world. With pace, power and an ice-cool finish in his locker, at his very best Vinicius Jr remains one of the best forwards in world football.
Jude Bellingham may have taken the plaudits last season and Kylian Mbappe may end up grabbing the headlines this year. But don’t be surprised if Vinicius once again ends the season as Real’s best player.
He continues to get better, almost game-by-game. Teammate Bellingham himself said the Brazilian was “probably the best player in the world,” last season.
1. Rodri (Manchester City)
He is the only player that Manchester City miss for a game or two. That Rodri will be out for the season is the most transformational thing that's happened so far this season.
The Spaniard is simply irreplaceable. He dictates play, he breaks it up – and if the chips are down, it's usually Rodri who comes up with a moment from nowhere, such as the Champions League final in 2023. His mentality is unbreakable and City have taken on a new air of unbeatability since he replaced Fernandinho in their setup.
His consistency is staggering and it says a lot that he's receiving Ballon d'Or shouts as a No.6. An excellent footballer and a force of nature.
