Who Is The Greatest Soccer Player In The World - Top 10 Players In World Football 2026 (Ranked)

The Best In The Game Currently

When it comes to ranking the best players in the world, it is never an easy debate and not many people will have the same answer.

Gone are the days of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi leading the debate, as they are past their best; it's now a much harder list to rank.

However, we feel we have hit the nail on the head with this one, and there shouldn't be much debate about it...

The Top 10

10 - Pedri

Still in his early twenties, Pedri is still yet to grow into the best version of himself.

Constant setbacks from injuries have hindered Pedri's playing time in recent years; however, the quality has always been there in Pedri's composure under pressure and technical ability in the midfield.

He has proven himself crucial for both Barcelona and Spain, and it is exciting knowing that there is a lot more to come from the young midfielder if he can keep the injuries away.

Don't be surprised if he is the best midfielder in the world in years to come.

Conducción y definición. Made in Pedri. pic.twitter.com/ndQXn30wwL

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) February 20, 2026

9 - Jude Bellingham

This could cause some controversy for Pedri fans, but Jude Bellingham sneaks ahead of him in ninth spot.

Bellingham, at only 22, has won countless amounts of trophies and has been pivotal to Real Madrid's recent success.

Bellingham can pretty much do it all and is instrumental for Madrid with his ball-carrying ability in midfield but also his ability to create and score himself.

He almost carried England on his back to the 2024 Euros at only 20 years of age, and he still hasn't reached his prime.

Jude Bellingham we need you back like this 👌😩pic.twitter.com/W01fMo1ZQB

— TINA 🤍 (@Tina_RM5) February 20, 2026

8 - Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has cemented himself as the best full-back in the world, whether that is on the right or left side of defence.

His two-way output makes him one of the most valuable assets to have in a team, as he contributes monumentally to PSG's attack but is also a steady defender.

The right side of him and Ousmane Dembele has defences on strings and was a deciding factor in PSG's Champions League success in 2025.

There is a reason the Moroccan has played for a number of big clubs across the world, as he is the best in his position.

🎥 Le coup franc d’Achraf Hakimi avec le PSG face à l’OM. 🎯🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/wCJjIfxxNZ

— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) September 24, 2023

7 - Raphinha

Seven might be a bit harsh based on Raphinha's ridiculous 2024/25 season, where he was on another planet and he hasn't slowed down either.

This season has been hit with a couple of injuries for Raphinha; however, his output has remained consistent – scoring 13 goals and assisting five times in 23 matches in all competitions.

His ability to drive forward with the ball and whip one in the top corner is a literal cheat code that defenders cannot stop.

Since Leeds, he has elevated his game to another level, which not many expected and has cemented himself as one of the world's deadliest wingers.

𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗛𝗔’𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 🏹⚽️
14 minutes of Raphinha. 14 minutes of magic. 🇧🇷
Come watch and enjoy the show. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OvbO0IJQu7

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 17, 2025

6 - Erling Haaland

Another cheat code of a player is Erling Haaland, whose goalscoring form is nothing short of out of this world.

In 337 games of football, Haaland has scored a whopping 283 goals and is set to break many records if he keeps up this form.

What Haaland guarantees is goals, no matter what defender you put in front of him.

He is strong, athletic, quick and clinical, all traits that you want in a striker and traits that make Haaland one of the best goal scorers in the world and a multiple Golden Boot winner.

🇳🇴Erling Haaland has been the best PL player since moving to Man City:

👕 184 matches
⚽️ 153 goals
🎯 26 assists
🔥 179 g/a
🏆 7 trophies

History-Maker! 😤🤖 pic.twitter.com/hJi21Wt7nz

— Football VAR (@Footy_VAR) February 11, 2026

5 - Harry Kane

Making fifth spot is another goalscoring machine and England striker Harry Kane.

What puts him above Haaland is his ability at linking others into play and his role as a complete forward.

To put into perspective how good Kane has been this season, he has scored more goals (41) than games he has played (35), which means he literally guarantees a goal in every game he plays.

His move from Spurs came many years too late, as Kane could have won a plethora of trophies at a big club in Europe; however, his ability and leadership will never be questioned.

Harry Kane's passing ability 🤤 pic.twitter.com/xfASd2UqOi

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) February 11, 2026

4 - Vitinha

A few years ago, many football fans might never have heard Vitinha's name as one that would be one of the best in the world.

But he has risen to be a midfielding genius with his ability to dictate tempo and progress the play much like Xavi used to for Barcelona.

Despite having ten assists to his name this season, his game isn't built off stats and that is evident if you watch him play for even five minutes.

He was decisive in the big European nights last season that led PSG to a Champions League trophy and continued league domination.

Vitinha is having a Ballon d’Or-esque season and no one is talking about it. pic.twitter.com/u7wJanCfWm

— custom7. (@customwyd) February 13, 2026

3 - Kylian Mbappe

Into the top three, Kylian Mbappe takes the third spot and was perhaps once regarded as the best player in the world a few seasons ago.

Not once has he fallen off though but others have just got better, as this season he has scored more goals (38) than games (32).

Operating anywhere across the front three, his immense speed and finishing make him impossible to stop, especially when Madrid play on the counter.

He has won almost everything there is to win at only 27 years of age and will most definitely be remembered as an icon of the game.

All this talk about Messi and KDB, but the truth is that Kylian Mbappe has the biggest playmaking peak of the 21st century
pic.twitter.com/xAhdmk3CCg

— Kylian Mbappe is the GOAT (@Tezzathekchen) February 20, 2026

2 - Lamine Yamal

What Lamine Yamal has accomplished and the ability he has shown at only 18 years of age is ridiculous and has never been done before at this level.

If 'wonderkid' had a definition in today's game, it would be Lamine Yamal, but he has already surpassed that, as he plays levels above his age.

His game is already elite in most departments and it is scary to think Yamal hasn't even reached the surface of the player he can become.

He has already won the Euros with Spain and that is only touching the surface of what Yamal could win in his career.

1 minutes of watching Lamine Yamal will make your day pic.twitter.com/0kuivfQIgs

— Elias (@fcb_elias1) February 12, 2026

1 - Ousmane Dembele

Taking the number one spot is current Ballon d'Or holder, Ousmane Dembele.

Before his move to PSG, Dembele was considered one of the biggest flops in world football after a disappointing, expensively funded spell at Barcelona.

However, he quickly put doubters to rest and has delivered on multiple occasions for PSG as their main man.

He has won multiple trophies across Europe but he isn't just the best player in the world because of trophies.

His all-round game is better than any attacker in the world and he backs up his ability by delivering on the biggest stages in the world.

The top spot might chop and change in the future, but right now Dembele should be the consensus number one pick, as in this last year we have witnessed greatness.

Ousmane Dembele this season:

🏟️ 55 games
⚽️ 40 goals
🎯 25 assists
🌟 27 MOTM

Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/i8oe1lUjyj

— 🫵 (@justinjefferscn) June 7, 2025