Football has seen a lot of the greatest players over the years, and it is hard to rate the top 10. Today, and 20 years later, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will surely make the list. The impact of the players on their teams and living up to their potential make every footballer enter the list of the greatest.
When we talk about the greatest footballers, you surely can’t rule out players like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Sir Bobby Charlton, Ferenc Puskás, Gerd Müller, Lev Yashin, and many more. Football has changed over the recent years, and players have adapted very well. The intensity and competitiveness level have increased.
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Top 10 Greatest Football Players in the 21st Century
10. Paolo Maldini
His 25 years of football came to an end in 2009. Maldini is said to be the greatest defender ever. He was the leader and nightmare for the strikers. Paolo played as a left centre and centre back throughout his career.
| Full Name | Paolo Cesare Maldini |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Milan, Italy |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Position | Left-back, Centre-back |
| Current Role | Co-owner of Miami FC, Former Sporting Director at AC Milan |
| International Career | Italy National Team (1988–2002) |
9. Xavi
Xavi, the Barcelona midfielder, has been one of the pillars of FC Barcelona’s team. He was known for his deep line playmaking and accurate passing. Xavi played more of a defensive role. He also coached FC Barcelona recently.
| Full Name | Xavier Hernández Creus |
| Date of Birth | January 25, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Terrassa, Spain |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Current Role | Manager of FC Barcelona |
| International Career | Spain National Team (2000–2014) |
8. Thierry Henry
The French striker was known for his exceptional speed, agility, and clinical finishing abilities. Especially a threat for the defenders to play against. He was the leader of the team and set a tone for his team with his work ethic.
| Full Name | Thierry Daniel Henry |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Les Ulis, France |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Position | Forward |
| Current Role | Football Pundit and Coach |
| International Career | France National Team (1997–2010) |
7. Sergio Busquets
If anyone wants to understand what football is, they have to watch Sergio Busquets. He controlled the tempo of the games, proving that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have pace or a physically strong build-up, your brain is what you need.
| Full Name | Sergio Busquets Burgos |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Sabadell, Spain |
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Inter Miami |
| Club Jersey Number | 5 |
| International Career | Spain National Team (2009–2022) |
6. Luka Modric
Luka Modric stopped the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over winning the Ballon d’Or in 2018. It was the first time since 2008 that a different player won the award apart from Messi and Ronaldo.
| Full Name | Luka Modrić |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Zadar, Croatia |
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Current Club | Real Madrid |
| Club Jersey Number | 10 |
| International Career | Croatia National Team (since 2006) |
5. Andrés Iniesta
Everyone remembers the goal he scored in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but this is just one thing. Iniesta was just close to the Ballon d’Or, but unfortunately, he didn’t win. He was known for his exceptional technical ability, vision, and composure.
| Full Name | Andrés Iniesta Luján |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Fuentealbilla, Spain |
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Current Role | Retired Footballer |
| International Career | Spain National Team (2006–2018) |
4. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is said to be the greatest Brazilian player in the 21st century. His silky moves to get past defenders are what people still remember about the winger.
| Full Name | Ronaldo de Assis Moreira |
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Porto Alegre, Brazil |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder, Left Winger |
| Current Role | Football Ambassador |
| International Career | Brazil National Team (1999–2013) |
3. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane is said to be the Greatest Midfielder of All Time. The famous goal he scored in the Champions League final for Real Madrid against Leverkusen. Zidane also managed Real Madrid and made them win the three-peat in the Champions League.
| Full Name | Zinedine Yazid Zidane |
| Date of Birth | June 23, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Marseille, France |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Role | Former Manager of Real Madrid |
| International Career | France National Team (1994–2006) |
2. Lionel Messi
Coming from La Masia to become one of the greatest ever to play the game. The World Cup winner has won every possible trophy for both club and country. He spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona; currently, he plays for Inter Miami in the MLS.
| Full Name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Rosario, Argentina |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Forward |
| Current Club | Inter Miami |
| Club Jersey Number | 10 |
| International Career | Argentina National Team (since 2005) |
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player ever, as he has proved himself in three different leagues and dominated all of them. He is currently on 933 senior goals and is aiming to score 1000 goals. Next year would be his last chance to fulfill his dream of winning the World Cup.
| Full Name | Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro |
| Date of Birth | February 5, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Position | Forward |
| Current Club | Al-Nassr |
| Club Jersey Number | 7 |
| International Career | Portugal National Team (since 2003) |
