5 Best Soccer Players Dominating the World

On Nov 7, 2019

The game of soccer is filled with skilled and talented players. Some of the best soccer players in the world are known for high goal-scoring rate, while others have amazing ball-passing ability to keep the majority possession. But to stay consistent in the top soccer player rankings, players need more than just raw talent and hard work. Explore five of the best soccer players who have won several trophies and awards on their performances.

1. Lionel Messi

When it comes to the best soccer players in the world, Lionel Messi ranks far higher than everyone. From starting his incredible career scoring a hat-trick against their fierce rivals Real Madrid to becoming the highest goal scoring soccer players for Barcelona and winning 5 Ballon d’Or, he has won every award in the book. Taking over the role of Ronaldinho and the number 10 position at Barca, Messi proved his worth to the world with a staggering goal-scoring percentage.

The Argentinean beast scored over 53 goals in the 2010/2011 season and winning the Champions League for Barcelona. Messi has broken every single record in the book surpassing some of the legendary and best soccer players on the planet such as Van Basten, Johan Cruyff, and Michel Platini. Here is a list of amazing accolades won by Lionel Messi over the past years.

Awards

FIFA U-20 World Cup (2005)
5 Times FIFA Ballon d’Or
4 Times Champions League Winner
8 Times La Liga Player of the Season
FIFA World Player of the Year
Twice UEFA’s Player of the Year
6 Pichichi Trophies
Twice UEFA Club Forward of the Year

Xavi on Messi’s performance: “It is clear that Messi is on a level above all others. Those who do not see that are blind. “

Current Soccer Club: FC Barcelona

Argentinean National

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

From becoming a nightmare for defenders in the English Premier League to becoming one of the highest goal-scoring soccer players of all time, Ronaldo is considered the most decorated player. Cristiano Ronaldo started his career playing for Lisbon and was recruited by Sir Alex Ferguson to play for Manchester United. There was no other player in the premier league faster and more talented than him during his prime years.

Many soccer pundits start comparing him to David Beckham while discussing the best soccer players in the world. However, Ronaldo showed he has superior soccer skills, agility, speed, vision, and persona while scoring countless goals in the English Premier League. Best known for his unique deadball shots and scoring from difficult angles, Cristiano had a plethora of skills under his belt. The following is a list of awards won by Ronaldo:

Awards

5 Times Ballon d’Or Winner
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2016)
UEFA Club Soccer of the Year (2008)
3 Times UEFA Best Player in Europe Award
La Liga’s Top Player Best Player and Forward (2014)
FIFA World Player of the Year (2008)
5 Times World Soccer Player of the Year
UEFA Best Player in Europe (2014, 2016, 2017)

Ryan Giggs on Ronaldo, “When Cristiano Ronaldo gets the ball, you can just leave him to it while he beat player after player.”

CurrentSoccer Club: Juventus FC

Portuguese National

3. Mohamed Salah

Many soccer experts call Salah “Egyptian Messi” because he has a strong left-foot and dribbles like the best soccer player in the world. Mo Salah gained attention when he first arrived at Chelsea but then was loaned to Roma and ended up signing a permanent deal at Liverpool. He has scored a staggering number of goals for the Reds after taking the number 11 jersey from Firmino. Salah was a blessing for Liverpool who won four away games consecutively for the first time in 2017 and he became the record-breaker by scoring 32 goals in a single season.

With the help of Mohamed Salah and a bunch of new signings, Liverpool defeated everyone to play against Real Madrid in the Champions League final but lost to Los Blancos. However, Liverpool managed to win the Champions League the following year defeating their English rivals Tottenham. And, Salah played a massive role in helping the Reds achieve great success and triumph. As one of the top 10 soccer players, check the number of awards won by Mohamed Salah during his terrific time at Liverpool.

Awards

FIFA Puskas Award (2018)
Won the Premier League Golden Boat Twice
African Soccerer of the Year
1 PFA Player’s Player of the Year
Premier League Team of the Year Award in 2017
Most Promising Talent of the Year in 2012
Twice Premier League Player of the Month

Jurgen Klopp on Mo Salah’s performance, “He’s a role model in so many different things. He’s in the middle of the dressing room, he’s sensationally good with all the boys and he is very influential for the rest of the world.”

Current Soccer Club: Liverpool FC

Egyptian National

4. Eden Hazard

European players have a knack for talent and skills in their blood. And Eden Hazard is one of those players who have every trick and skill up his sleeves when it comes to playing top-notch soccer. After joining Chelsea for a fee of 33 million pounds, Hazard has become the attacking force for the Blues. By winning the English Premier League twice with Chelsea and several individual accolades, Eden Hazard was considered one of the best soccer players in England.

Hazard played exceptionally for Chelsea before joining Real Madrid in July 2019. Madrid signed him for 100 million pounds and was awarded the number 7 jersey previously worn by the Lon Blancos legends such as Emilio Butragueno, Raul Gonzalez, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Hazard finally met his idol Zinedine Zidane who is now coaching and leading Real Madrid’s soccer team. To learn how well he did at Chelsea, check a few awards he won over his 7-year long spell in England.

Awards

Part of the 1st Team of FIFA FIFPro World11
UEFA Team of the Year (2017, 2018)
3rd Place in FIFA World Cup (2018)
Best Player of the English Premier League (2015)
Thrice Player’s Player of the Season
Bravo Award (2011)
4 Times Chelsea’s Player of the Year
Best Playmaker of the Season (2019)

Zinedine Zidane, “Eden is technically gifted and very fast. He will be a major star in the future. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed.”

Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid

Belgian International

5. Luka Modric

As a versatile attacking midfielder and dynamic playmaker, Luka Modric is considered one of the best soccer players in the world. Many soccer pundits call Modric one of the greatest soccer players of all time for both club and country. Starting his exceptional soccer career with Dinamo Zagreb, Modric played four seasons with Tottenham Hotspurs before moving to Real Madrid. He played an essential role in helping Los Blancos win La Decima (10th Champions League Title) with his ex-teammate, Gareth Bale.

Luka Modric won his first-ever trophy with Real Madrid in less than 2 days by lifting the 2012 Supercopa de Espana. His ability to combat huge pressure and deliver top-quality performances in every game made him the first choice for every Los Blancos manager. From scoring a crucial equalizer against Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final to assisting countless goals in the group stages and winning the 2019 Ballon d’Or, Luka Modric has climbed the soccer world ranking in recent years. Here are a few trophies and individual awards Modric has won over the past decade.

Awards

Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2018
Twice La Liga’s Best Midfielder
4 Times FIFA FIFPro World11
1 La Liga Team of the Season
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2018)
Croatian Soccer Hope of the Year (2004)
AIPS Athlete of the Year (2018)
FIFA Wolrd Cup Dream Team (2018)
1 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award

Gerard Houllier: “Not only is he a very hard worker, but he also has a good brain and he provided some calmness and composure to the midfield. His passing was neat and his contribution was outstanding. He was not only winning the ball, but he was also passing well. We thought he was very influential. He did not just work hard, he made the other people play well around him.”

Current Soccer Club: Real Madrid

Croatian National