Best football players in the world ranked 2023

Are you looking for the best football player in the world 2023? Well, look no further. We have compiled a list of top players from around the world who are considered to be some of the greatest ever to play the game.

The world’s greatest footballers were voted by FIFA, the world governing body of football. We all know Lionel Messi as the best player in the world, but what about the best player in the world?

Best Football Player In The World 2023

When it comes to soccer, arguments over who is the best of the best never seem to cease. On one hand, we have Lionel Messi, a virtuoso in the art of playing soccer and often dubbed the ‘GOAT’, and on the other Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon D’or winner and a player whose tenaciousness and dedication are second to none. Whichever side you choose in this debate their successes speak for themselves but which one is better? To finally put the question to rest we’ve compared the stats and performances of both players side-by-side to create our definitive list based on merit alone.

Here are some of the top football players who were widely regarded as some of the best in the world in 2023.

Lionel Messi

A forward for FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team, Messi is widely considered one of the best football players of all time. He has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Ballon d’Or (awarded to the best player in the world) a record six times. Lionel Messi is truly a legend in the world of football, often hailed as one of the greatest players to ever grace the pitch. Standing at only 5’9″, this Argentine striker from PSG has an unmatched skill set. His ability to take on defenders while dribbling, coupled with his incredible playmaking, passing, and finishing skills, is something that could mesmerize any viewer. What’s more remarkable is that he is unique among his peers because he holds a record-breaking five Ballon d’Or awards – currently the most of any other player in the world. Watching Messi play football with his array of talents at such a high level, it’s no wonder why he has gone down in history as one of soccer’s greats. Despite failing to lead his team, Argentina, to the Copa America’16 title Lionel Messi remains one of the most iconic football figures in history. Playing for Barcelona between 2004-21 was something no one could miss; it really felt like he owned the team and showed us what perfection means. Not many people can remain on top for such a long time as Messi did but there’s something special about this Argentinian player. His energy, strength, and sense of humor have made him the ultimate sportsman and a true example of resilience both in his professional career and personal life. Messi is a guaranteed spot in football history books and that is certainly something that no one can take away from him.

Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain/French Kylian Mbappe is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.  Kylian Mbappe is a very talented player who has a lot of potential. He was born in 1998, which makes him a young player, but he has already made an impact on the world of football. He has been a part of the France national team since 2017 and has won the Golden Ball award for the best young player in the world twice. He has also won the World Cup with France and helped his club, PSG, win the Ligue 1 title last year.

He is widely regarded as the next Neymar and the next Cristiano Ronaldo, and for good reason. Mbappe has everything it takes to become the best footballer in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A forward for Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team, Ronaldo is another player who is widely considered one of the best in the world. He has also won the Ballon d’Or five times and has numerous other awards and accolades to his name.

Cristiano Ronaldo is considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes in the world. Not only has he long been the rival to Messi for their decade-long battle for the Ballon d’Or – which this year saw Ronaldo win again – but his teams have regularly won domestic and European honors, and he’s also become known as a goal-scoring machine. His technique and flair have drawn legions of new fans to the game, with his beauty of play on the field often being put alongside Messi in discussions of modern footballing greats. His latest success saw him take Juventus to their ninth consecutive Serie A title and make an emotional return to Manchester United in 2020, further evidence that he is still at the top of his game despite entering into his mid-thirties.

Ronaldo is a player unlike any other – a combination of electrifying pace, physicality, and quickness that never fails to amaze spectators. His unparalleled football intelligence allows him to outsmart opposition defenders with ease; his remarkable instincts drive him into the right place at the right time to make impossible goals look simple. Ronaldo’s skill on the pitch speaks for itself: in two short seasons, he earned himself Scudetto and Serie A’s MVP prizes as well as a Nations League trophy. In total, he has earned more than 20 major titles throughout his career and championship trophies consistently follow wherever he plays. With accomplishments like these, it’s no surprise that Ronaldo has secured his spot in football history as one of its all-time greats.

Neymar Jr

A forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team, Neymar is known for his dribbling skills and pace. He has won numerous individual awards and has helped lead his teams to numerous victories.

Kevin De Bruyne

A midfielder for Manchester City and the Belgium national team, De Bruyne is known for his passing ability and vision on the pitch. He has won numerous individual awards and has helped lead Manchester City to numerous victories.

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid/France Karim Benzema has been a force to be reckoned with on the football field for years. One of the cornerstones of Real Madrid, Benzema had a remarkably successful 2021-2022 season that redefined how many perceive him as one of Europe’s best strikers. His knack for showing up and consistently delivering spectacular performances week in-week out makes his success on the field unsurpassed. With seemingly no end to his skills, talent, and determination, Benzema is unquestionably one of the best players out there who is truly unreachable on the football field.

The statistics speak volumes about what this soccer player has accomplished in the last few seasons and it’s evident why he is recognized as a true asset to any team. His work ethic and dedication are extraordinary, giving him the strength to get through back-to-back 20-goal seasons and many assists. With 27 goals and 32 La Liga games during last season, it was clear that his skills have only improved over time. Now, we eagerly await another installment of success from him next season, hoping for even better stats with lots of entertaining plays in every game!

Robert Lewandowski

A striker for La Liga club Barcelona and the Poland national team, Lewandowski is known for his finishing ability and goal scoring record. He has won numerous individual awards and has helped lead Bayern Munich to numerous victories.

Harry Kane

The only 92-rated player, Kane has looked back to his best in 2022 with 24 goals and nine assists in 33 Premier League appearances this calendar year.

The England captain doesn’t quite make it into FM23’s best Premier League XI, however.

Jude Bellingham

For Jude Bellingham to step into his first World Cup at the age of 19 and run the midfield on every stage he graced shows exactly what we’re dealing with, here.

From the towering header that opened England’s campaign to the Dortmund starlet bellowing instructions to his senior team-mates as the world crumbled around them post-penalty against France, Bellingham has been nothing short of magnificent. Hopefully it’s his first of many big tournaments for the Three Lions – and the last one of such heartbreak. 

Erling Haaland

(Manchester City). In 2022-23: 24 goals, three assists. With any doubts over whether he would cut it at Manchester City extinguished in the space of a few weeks, Haaland has now had the chance to put his feet up and rest for a month before trying to continue his record-breaking goalscoring pace at the end of December.

Such is Haaland’s talent, he can definitely win the Ballon d’Or without having taken part at the World Cup, and the tournament has so far played out almost perfectly for him.

Who are the best football players in the world?

The best football players in the world include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, and Karim Benzema.

What makes them some of the greatest footballers around?

These five players have demonstrated their ability to perform at the highest level, each showcasing their own unique set of skills. From Messi’s goal-scoring prowess to Ronaldo’s intelligence and technique, from De Bruyne’s vision and creativity to Benzema’s work ethic, these five players have all proven themselves to be great footballers.

What awards have they won?  

They have collectively won a variety of awards and accolades, including the Ballon d’Or, UEFA Player of the Year, FIFA World Player of the Year, as well as many other titles.

What do they bring to their teams?

These five players all provide their teams with exceptional talent and skill on the pitch, as well as an incredible work ethic and determination. Their unique abilities individually help to make their respective teams stronger on the field, leading to greater success for the entire team.