The World's Best Footballers

In the world of competitive sports, there is always intense debate surrounding who the best athletes are. The conversation is never-ending and always shifts as new information and data becomes available. When it comes to football, there is no shortage of talented athletes across the globe. So, who are the best footballers in the world?

There are a number of ways to determine who the best footballers are. Some might base their opinion on personal preferences, while others might use statistical data to make their case. No matter how you slice it, there are a number of talented footballers who have earned the title of being the best in the world.

1. Ronaldo - Portugal & Real Madrid

2. Messi - Argentina & Barcelona

3. Neymar - Brazil & Barcelona

4. Suarez - Uruguay & Barcelona

5. Modric - Croatia & Real Madrid

6. Iniesta - Spain & Barcelona

7. Muller - Germany & Bayern Munich

1. Ronaldo - Portugal & Real Madrid

Ronaldo, full name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Juventus and captains the Portugal national team. Often considered the best player in the world and regarded as one of the greatest of all time, Ronaldo has a record-tying five Ballon d'Or awards, the most for a European player, and is the first player to win four European Golden Shoes. He has won 31 major trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA European Championship, and one UEFA Nations League. A prolific goalscorer, Ronaldo holds the records for most official goals scored in Europe's top-five leagues (415), the UEFA Champions League (120), the UEFA European Championship (9), as well as those for most assists in the UEFA Champions League (34) and the UEFA Nations League (6). He has scored over 700 senior career goals for club and country.

2. Messi - Argentina & Barcelona

There is no doubt that Lionel Messi is one of, if not the best footballer in the world. The diminutive Argentine has been wowing crowds and breaking records since he burst onto the scene as a teenager. Now entering his 30s, Messi shows no signs of slowing down and is still considered by many to be the best player in the world.

Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987. He began playing football at a local club before being scouted by Barcelona at the age of 11. He made his debut for Barcelona's senior team in 2004 and has been with the club ever since. Messi has won numerous individual and team honors, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, and 6 Copa del Rey titles. He has also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or a record-breaking 6 times. Messi is known for his incredible vision, passing, and dribbling ability. His low center of gravity and quick feet allow him to glide past defenders with ease. He is also a master of free-kicks and is regularly compared to football greats such as Diego Maradona and Pele. Messi has represented Argentina at the World Cup on four occasions, winning a silver medal in 2014. He has also won gold at the Olympics and has been named FIFA's World Player of the Year on five occasions. While Messi's accomplishments on the pitch are undeniable, he has had his fair share of criticism. He is often accused of being a poor leader and has been criticised for his lack of success with the Argentine national team.

Despite his critics, there is no doubt that Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time. His individual skills and achievements are unmatched and he has helped Barcelona to numerous titles. He is a true football icon and will no doubt go down as one of the greatest players in history.

3. Neymar - Brazil & Barcelona

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar Jr. or simply Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Spanish club Barcelona and the Brazil national team. He is considered to be one of the best players in the world.

Neymar began playing football as a young boy and he quickly showed signs that he was going to be a star. He joined the youth academy of Brazilian club Santos at the age of 11 and he made his senior debut for the club in 2009. He became one of the most sought-after players in the world and he was eventually signed by Barcelona in 2013. Neymar has enjoyed great success at both the club and international level. He has won multiple trophies with Barcelona, including the UEFA Champions League, and he is the captain of the Brazilian national team. Neymar is known for his dribbling, speed, and ability to score goals. He is also an excellent passer of the ball and he has been nicknamed "O Magico" (The Magician) because of his ability to create something out of nothing.

Neymar is still only 26 years old and he has already achieved so much in his career. It is safe to say that we are witnessing one of the greatest footballers of our generation.

4. Suarez - Uruguay & Barcelona

Luis Suarez is a name that is synonymous with football greatness. The Uruguayan international and Barcelona star has had a trophy-laden career, filled with some of the most skillful and impressive displays of football the world has ever seen.

Still, only 31 years of age, Suarez has already achieved more than most players could ever dream of. He has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup – all with Barcelona. At international level, he has won the Copa America, and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

There is no doubt that Suarez is one of the best footballers in the world. His striking ability is unrivalled, and his work-rate and determination are second to none. He is a truly world-class talent, and one of the all-time greats of the game.

5. Modric - Croatia & Real Madrid

It's easy to forget, amid all the hoopla surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, that there is another footballer who is currently plying his trade at the very highest level. That man is Luka Modric, and he hails from the small European nation of Croatia.

Modric made his senior debut for his country back in 2006, and he has since gone on to represent Croatia at two World Cups and two European Championships. He was a key member of the Croatian team that reached the 2018 World Cup final, where they ultimately lost to France. On the club front, Modric has been with Spanish giants Real Madrid since 2012. He has helped the club to win four Champions League titles, as well as one La Liga title. He was also named as the 2018 FIFA World Cup Best Player. So, what makes Modric such a special footballer? Well, for starters, he is an excellent passer of the ball. He has the ability to pick out a teammate with a pinpoint pass, and he also has a keen eye for goal. Modric is also a very hard worker, and he is not afraid to put in a shift for his team. In terms of his weaknesses, Modric is not the quickest footballer around. This can sometimes be an issue when he is up against quicker opponents. However, his lack of pace is more than made up for by his other attributes.

Overall, there is no doubt that Modric is one of the best footballers in the world. He has been a key player for both Croatia and Real Madrid, and he is a player that any team would love to have in their starting lineup.

6. Iniesta - Spain & Barcelona

Andres Iniesta is a name that will be forever synonymous with Spanish football. A product of the legendary La Masia academy, Iniesta came up through the ranks with the likes of Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez, and went on to become an integral part of the all-conquering Barcelona teams of the early 21st century.

A diminutive figure, Iniesta was always one of the smallest players on the pitch, but what he lacked in size, he more than made up for in skill and technique. Iniesta was the kind of player who made the game look effortless, always appearing to have time and space on the ball, no matter how tight the situation. His ability to pick a pass was second to none, and he was also a very neat and tidy finisher, scoring some crucial goals for both club and country over the years. Iniesta made his debut for Barcelona in 2002, but it was the following year when he really broke into the first team and established himself as a key player. He played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona win the La Liga title that year, and also played an important part in their Champions League triumph. The following season, Iniesta cemented his status as one of the world's best players with some brilliant displays at the World Cup in Germany. He was a central figure in Spain's midfield as they won the tournament for the first time in their history, and was deservedly named in the tournament's All-Star team. Iniesta continued to shine for Barcelona and Spain over the next few years, winning more trophies and accolades. He was a key member of the Barcelona team that won an unprecedented treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in 2009, and was also a key player in Spain's successful defence of their World Cup title in 2010. Iniesta's career reached its pinnacle in 2012 when he was named as the best player in the world at the UEFA Champions League Final. He scored the winning goal in extra time against Chelsea to secure Barcelona's fourth European crown, and was also voted as the man of the match.

Iniesta is now in the twilight of his career, but he remains an important player for both Barcelona and Spain. He may not be the player he once was, but he still has the ability to produce moments of magic, and will no doubt go down as one of the greatest players of his generation.

7. Muller - Germany & Bayern Munich

Muller is a German footballer who plays for Bayern Munich. He is widely considered to be one of the best footballers in the world.

Muller was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1991. He began his football career with local club TSV Pähl. He joined Bayern Munich in 2009, and has since made over 300 appearances for the club. Muller is a versatile footballer, capable of playing as a striker, winger, or midfielder. He is known for his pace, technique, and goalscoring ability. He has won numerous trophies with Bayern Munich, including eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. Muller has also been successful on the international stage, winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014. He was named the tournament's Best Young Player, and was also voted Germany's Footballer of the Year in 2010 and 2017.

Muller is widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. His versatility, goalscoring record, and trophy haul make him one of the most successful players of his generation.

The list of the world's best footballers is a highly debatable topic. However, the general consensus seems to be that the world's best footballers are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Eden Hazard. These four players are considered to be the best in the world because of their skill, athleticism, and ability to score goals.