The 2000s Era Best Football Players (Top 15 Ranked)

The 2000s Era Best Football Players (Top 15 Ranked)

The 2000s, a time when football was getting sexier, the game was getting faster, and these legends were getting paid (and deservedly so)! As a football fan, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about this era.

From the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Beckham to the emergence of new stars like Kaka, Torres, and Robben, the 2000s had it all. In this article, we'll count down the top 15 football players of the 2000s era. Buckle up, folks!

15. Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid)

Iker Casillas, the legendary goalkeeper, was a titan between the posts for Real Madrid and Spain. With 725 appearances for club and country, Casillas proved himself to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.

When football becomes art. The brilliance of Iker Casillas. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/WgWHZalkHP

— 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒽𝒾𝒹 ℱ𝒞 (@rmcfshahid) October 16, 2025

His performances in the 2009-2010 World Cup, where Spain won the title, and the Champions League, where Real Madrid won the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final against Bayer Leverkusen, were nothing short of phenomenal.

Who can forget his stunning saves against Villarreal in the 2006 Copa del Rey semi-final, or his incredible reflexes in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final?

14. Andrea Pirlo (Italy/AC Milan)

Andrea Pirlo, the maestro, brought elegance and creativity to the pitch with his exceptional vision and passing range. With 116 appearances for Italy, Pirlo controlled the game like a conductor controls an orchestra.

His performances in the 2006 World Cup, where Italy won the title, and the Champions League, where AC Milan won the 2002-03 Champions League, were instrumental in Italy's triumph. Who can forget his stunning long-range goal against Bayern Munich in the 2006-07 Champions League quarterfinals?

13. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands/Manchester United)

Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Dutch goal-scoring machine, terrorized defenders with his clinical finishing and intelligent movement. With 95 goals in 150 appearances for Manchester United, Van Nistelrooy proved himself to be one of the greatest strikers of his generation.

His partnership with Wayne Rooney at Manchester United was the stuff of dreams, and his goalscoring record speaks for itself. Who can forget his stunning goal against Fulham in the 2003-04 season?

12. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus)

Gianluigi Buffon, the Italian goalkeeper, was a titan between the posts for Juventus and Italy. With 176 clean sheets in 685 appearances for club and country, Buffon proved himself to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

His performances in the 2006 World Cup, where Italy won the title, were nothing short of heroic. Who can forget his incredible saves against France in the 2006 World Cup final?

11. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon/Barcelona)

Samuel Eto’o, the relentless finisher from Cameroon, was a striker who thrived under pressure. With 130 goals in 199 appearances for Barcelona, Eto’o was the sharp edge of a golden era.

🗣️ Ronaldo: "At one time, Barça had Ronaldinho and Eto'o. For us, it was the era of the Galacticos and the Clasico were tough matches. Of course, I knew Ronaldinho's talent. We had won the 2002 World Cup together. But the Barça player who impressed me the most was Samuel Eto'o.… pic.twitter.com/H9pTEwRIHb

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 22, 2025

His pace, precision, and hunger for goals made him one of the most feared forwards in Europe. Eto’o scored in both the 2006 and 2009 UEFA Champions League finals, helping Barcelona lift the trophy each time, a feat that cemented his legacy.

10. Frank Lampard (England/Chelsea)

Frank Lampard, the midfielder with a goal-scoring threat, was a phenomenon for Chelsea. With 211 goals in 648 appearances for Chelsea, Lampard is the club's all-time leading scorer.

His performances in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Premier League seasons were instrumental in Chelsea's title wins. Who can forget his stunning goal against Bolton Wanderers in 2004?

9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United)

Cristiano Ronaldo, the young CR7, was just beginning to show the world what he was capable of in the 2000s. With 42 goals in 98 appearances for Manchester United, Ronaldo proved himself to be one of the greatest players of his generation.

His performances in the 2007-08 season, where Manchester United won the Champions League, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Dynamo Kyiv in the 2007-08 Champions League?

8. Thierry Henry (France/Arsenal)

Thierry Henry, the King of Arsenal, was a phenomenon for the Gunners. With 228 goals in 374 appearances for Arsenal, Henry is the club's all-time leading scorer.

His performances in the 2003-04 Invincibles season were instrumental in Arsenal's title win. Who can forget his stunning goal against Manchester United in 2004?

7. Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan)

Kaka, the Brazilian playmaker, brought creativity and skill to the pitch with his exceptional vision and passing range. With 29 goals in 96 appearances for AC Milan, Kaka proved himself to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

His performances in the 2006-07 Champions League season, where AC Milan won the title, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Fenerbahçe in the 2006-07 Champions League?

6. Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool)

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend, was a driving force behind the team's success in the 2000s. With 186 goals in 710 appearances for Liverpool, Gerrard proved himself to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

His performances in the 2004-05 Champions League season, where Liverpool won the title, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Olympiacos in the 2004-05 Champions League?

5. Xavi Hernandez (Spain/Barcelona)

Xavi Hernandez, the mastermind, controlled the game like a conductor controls an orchestra. With 133 assists in 476 appearances for Barcelona, Xavi proved himself to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

His performances in the 2008-09 season, where Barcelona won the treble, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his incredible performances in the Champions League?

4. Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona)

Andres Iniesta, the magician, brought creativity and skill to the pitch with his exceptional vision and passing range. With 37 goals in 674 appearances for Barcelona, Iniesta proved himself to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

His performances in the 2010 World Cup, where Spain won the title, and the Champions League, where Barcelona won the 2008-09 and 2010-11 titles, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Chelsea in the 2008-09 Champions League?

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Inter Milan)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the showman, brought excitement and skill to the pitch with his exceptional ability to score goals. With 57 goals in 117 appearances for Inter Milan, Ibrahimovic proved himself to be one of the greatest strikers of his generation.

His performances in the 2008-09 season, where Inter Milan won the Serie A title, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Juventus in the 2008-09 Serie A?

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)

Lionel Messi, the King, is one of the greatest players of all time. With 234 goals in 334 appearances for Barcelona in the 2000s, Messi proved himself to be a phenomenon.

His performances in the 2008-09 season, where Barcelona won the treble, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning goal against Getafe in the 2006-07 Copa del Rey?

1. Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) - The Greatest of the 2000s

In my opinion, Ronaldinho is the greatest football player of the 2000s era. His impact on the game, his creativity, skill, and charisma on the pitch, and his ability to score important goals in big games make him the greatest. With 94 goals in 207 appearances for Barcelona, Ronaldinho proved himself to be a true great.

🔵🔴 The 2005 El Clásico wasn't just a football match — it was a time capsule of legends before they became immortal.
That night at the Bernabéu, Ronaldinho received a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans — something almost mythical, as he danced past defenders with joy and… pic.twitter.com/rH54HFcK78

—  Luncca (@FCBLuncca) October 24, 2025

His performances in the 2004-05 season, where Barcelona won the La Liga title, were instrumental in the team's success. Who can forget his stunning performances in the Champions League and the World Cup?

Ronaldinho's legacy continues to inspire young players around the world, and his impact on the game will be felt for generations to come.

Conclusion

There you have it! The top 15 football players of the 2000s era. Agree or disagree, these players left an indelible mark on the game. From the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to the emergence of new stars like Kaka and Torres, the 2000s had it all.

As a football fan, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about this era. The game has evolved since then, but the memories and the impact these players had on the game will never be forgotten.